I was in the Forests of Orgoath, a place which I had the displeasure of calling home for 5 months. The new team of adventurers hired to keep an eye on me were almost there- I could feel it on my skin- but I knew those sent then are ones I could not hide from. 'Not any longer, I'm afraid, was the Mage Guild or the various other factions willing to entertain the current standstill. Soon some might decide to risk it.' I thought with a frown.

With no idea where to hide next, I put my focus on the Mysterious Box or as the [ System ] informed me [ ???????????? ], for those last few months. My lacking knowledge of mana or magic or spiritual and lots of other things led me to no discovery. Other than the obvious fact that it was located in my soul and that the [ Vanguard Of Salvation ] wanted it for himself.

My heart clenched in fear and rage for an instant at that thought and I quickly calmed myself.

Yes, the [ Vanguard Of Salvation ] himself was after the [ Artifact ] and many were willing to know why. Briefly glancing out of the cave, I noted the time of the day- 'Afternoon' I thought- and decided to hunt for dinner. Picking up the bow and quiver along with a hunting knife, I started outwards. Only one step away from the cave opening to the lush forest filled with [ Kalmen Trees ]- wider than a couple, few even a dozen, barrels, reaching to the skies with their crowns, housing prey and predator alike -I stepped into open cosmos surrounded by celestial bodies.

I was back to the place where I, like many others started, by an audience with the [ Gods ]. For our [ Awakening ].

***

In the beginning, when I was first summoned to this place I was 14 years old, confused and scared. I stood dumbfounded, staring at the stars and planets, and was interrupted by a deep voice.

"Welcome, child of Virya", a voice intoned. It came from all around me, from the darkness, the stars, and the planets.

Startled, I asked "Wh..who are you?".

"We are the [ Gods ] responsible for overseeing the [ Apocalypse ] unleashed upon your world Virya, human," another voice, this one young and cheerful.

My first response to the statement was- embarrassingly- "Gods....you really exist!?"

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Awe and wonder replaced my earlier emotions. "Curious isn't he?" replied an old and patient voice. "Why do you think we don't exist child?" he questioned.

Getting my wits together, I bowed ( or tried to ) and replied fearfully "I'm sor... Pardon my rudeness, Si... Your Highness, I did not mean to question you," I heard the voice chuckle at my clumsy attempt at royal etiquette. He continued " Worry not and answer child," and 'He' waited. Straightening up from the awkward bow, taking a deep breath and resolving myself, I answered carefully " Well, no one has any evidence that deities do exist and I thought it is a charlatans' trick to make coin becaus-" I was interrupted by someone else.

"How do you think life was created without us, mortal?"

Sounding equal parts stern and inquisitive, the feminine voice- no [ God ] accused. Flustered at the sternness and that it was a female, I stammered " I-I-Every question of the same category leads to the same answer, that it is [ God ] who gave us life and -and.... ." I paused, finally realizing the true meaning of my actions, and looked around wide-eyed.

A moment of fearful silence passed for me. And then...

"And? What is it child?" the elderly voice encouraged. Steeling myself, I focused on my words and spoke slowly "It is the easiest answer anyone can reach, thus I did not believe it until now and thought of life as a natural process- like water flowing downhill, trees reaching skyward. Until now, Your Highness ." At this-

The elderly voice chuckled with energy.

The female voice hummed with interest.

The other two voices were silent.

"The 'easiest' answer can be the right one as much as any other sometimes Kayden," ' 'He' knew my name!!' "But coming back to matters at hand, your world is awaiting an apocalypse, and 'We' have chosen you to be one of the first to 'awaken'. You have not disappointed us so far and I hope you don't in the future, child. 'I" will be watching your tribulations" before I can open my mouth, the female voice interrupted and declared " Your inquisitive mind will help you on the path of magic, if you are destined to walk on it," I was not, though I did not know it back then.

Slowly, I started losing consciousness and the last thing I heard was the old man- no [ God ]'s voice- " I have watched your whole life, child. I know your principles, your disposition. And I must admit you have earned my interest, for that, I grace you with my name."

"[ REKDAT, THE GOD OF TRIALS ]," and at the edge of darkness, I heard " Good Luck Kayden".

****

Later I took [ Scout ], a common class, as my first class and through the journey of my life, finally promoted it to [ Druid ]- a rare class- by combining with many sub-classes and secondary classes. Still, that could not change the fact that I had a broken build and was lost to any kind of progress. I sighed with regret and nostalgia and prepared to face them once again.