It had taken nearly two days of walking through the forest before Gregory stumbled upon another road leading north. This one seemed more well-traveled than the previous path, with more prominent wheel ruts. It was still a far cry from anything he was used to calling a road, but it wasn’t like he could expect a 6 lane blacktop highway in this world. From what he’d been told by father Araman there were ‘proper’ roads paved in stone leading between the biggest cities, similar to what ancient cultures in his first world did. The issue, near as he could tell, was from beasts or monsters. Little was known about them, but in places like the world wood these monstrous animals would build up in population until they began spilling into the surrounding lands.
All Kingdoms employed groups of people to try and keep the monsters mostly contained. It was such a big deal that it was from this protection that the various Kings derived their legitimacy, not word of god. Though maybe that was because there were many gods and they could, apparently, speak with people, so claiming a divine right was harder than in a world where there may or may not be a god. That didn’t stop monsters from getting out, obviously, so any major construction project would need ample guards. Thus making roads was far more costly than just hiring people to flatten ground and cobble it.
It also meant that simply traveling long distances could be risky, something Gregory found out very quickly when he heard shouting one day as he walked. He’d emerged into the rolling plains of the northern kingdoms earlier that day so a quick jog to the top of the next rise allowed him a clear view of a caravan being menaced by large wolves of some kind. Several of the massive beasts were threatening the left side of the caravan, dashing in and snapping at the defenders before backing off. They weren’t doing much damage, but they were slowly causing many of the defenders to move to that side of the wagons. But from where Gregory stood he could see more of the pack approaching from the right side, crouched down and hidden in the tall grasses, waiting to attack.
Unwilling to stand by and watch these people be outflanked Gregory broke into a run, racing down the hill despite his pack and injury. To be honest his injury didn’t seem to be as bad as he thought it was, before he thought he broke a rib but now it was little more than a dull bruise. Either it had healed much faster than expected or he hadn’t been hit as hard as he thought he was.
Racing down the gentle slope Gregory quickly found himself approaching the convoy, much to the concern of several people who saw him.
“There are more wolves on that side!” he shouted, gesturing towards where the hidden beasts were slowly approaching. All he got in return were confused looks, either they couldn’t hear him over the yapping and growling of the wolves or they didn’t believe him.
Gregroy quickly tossed his pack onto the road before darting into the grasses on the less defended side of the convoy. There wasn’t much in the pack besides a little food he’d scavenged from the abandoned camp of the other Ascender. But it would still slow him down and he needed to be quick. Of course, he had an advantage in the tall grasses that others wouldn’t, specifically his aura allowed him to feel the wolves even when they’d be obscured from sight. It was this that warned him when two of the large beasts moved to flank him, clearly seeing him as an easy target.
Before they could attack Gregory dashed at the nearest one, lashing out with his spear before he’d even caught sight of the wolf through the grass. The wolf was clearly surprised as he appeared through the brush, spear point first, recoiling slightly as the weapon pierced its shoulder. A blue pulse radiated out from the injury, indicating a stun, and giving Gregory more than enough time to retrieve his spear and stab it through the skull of the wolf.
Though now that he was up close calling it a wolf was highly inaccurate, for one it had two pairs of eyes and no ears. Rather than the pointed teeth expected of a canine it had triangular, shark like teeth in multiple rows, clearly indicating that it could afford to loose teeth as they’d be replaced. What appeared to be its rear legs were, in actuality, two pairs of limbs held closely together, both heavily muscled. Gregory imagined this creature was capable of immense bursts of speed. Just as he thought that he felt something enter his tactile aura at great speed. Spinning and bringing up his spear he was just barely fast enough to block the second wolf creature as it lunged from the brush.
Rows of triangular teeth bit deep into the wood of his already damaged spear, as the weight of the large monster slammed into him. As he fell backwards he brought his foot up and kicked the beast in the chest. Between the monster’s momentum and his own enhanced strength he managed to send the beast flipping over him even as he landed on his back on the hard ground. His spear, however, didn’t survive, the powerful jaws of the wolf thing refusing to let go even as it tumbled end over end, causing the already beaten up weapon to snap.
Gregory quickly scrambled to his feet as he felt the wolf doing the same, spitting out the splintered remains of the spear’s haft. All Gregory had left was a short bit of wood with the bloody spearpoint on one end. But it was better than nothing, so he gripped it like a dagger as he spun to face the monster that was readying to charge at him. It was curled up like a spring, the hair on its neck standing on end while letting out a bone shaking growl and baring shark like teeth. Gregory couldn’t claim he wasn’t frightened, but he’d already killed one of these things so he was feeling rather confident.
At least, he was until he felt another monster race into the range of his aura. Just like the convoy the wolf beast he could see had distracted him for those he couldn’t. His aura was helpful but he could only turn so fast and the wolf things were faster. Before he could block the newest attack the beast bowled into him, sending him to the ground and the spear tip flying from his fingers. Crying out as he landed hard on his injured side, he barely had a moment to be thankful the beast hadn’t managed to bite him when the previous monster emerged from the grasses and pounced.
“Stop!” Gregory yelled, bringing his hands up to protect himself.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Then for a long moment nothing happened, he didn’t feel the wolf bite into his arm or anything. Looking past his arms carefully he saw, to his surprise, that the wolf was hanging in midair, surrounded by a haze of blue. It seemed unable to move, frozen mid lunge, its eyes looking around in confusion. But something told him it wouldn’t last, he somehow knew the command would run out soon. Instead he felt around using his aura for where the spear point had landed and scrambled for it, just in time for another of the wolf creatures, or perhaps one he’d fought already, to enter the range of his aura again.
Before it could pounce, however, something flew in from the side and struck the wolf in the flank, causing it to yelp in pain. It took Gregory a long moment to recognize the arrow shaft protruding from the beast as more arrows shot over his head. Seeing the tides turning the wolf creatures seemingly decided to cut their losses and retreat, quickly dashing into the distance.
“Are you okay son?” a voice asked, from behind Gregory.
“Ya,” the Ascender replied, standing and dusting himself off, he’d felt the man approach but had been too caught up in the fight to notice it.
“You saved our asses back there,” the man continued, gesturing with his free hand while the other held a bow, “shoulda known those damned wolves would flank around like that.”
“What are so many monsters doing this far from the World Wood anyways?” Gregory asked.
“Hell if I know,” the man shrugged, “clearly the slayer knights aren’t doing their jobs.”
“Are you guys headed to Templeholm?”
“Aye, got a bunch of people headed there on pilgrimage, your welcome to join us ifn your headed that way.”
“Thanks I,” Gregory paused to look at the shattered remains of his spear, “it’ll be hard to defend myself with this.”
“Eh, I’m sure an ascender like you’d be fine,” he dismissed, “come, I’ll introduce you around.”
“How’d you know I’m an ascender?” Gregory asked.
“Saw what you did to that wolf, making it freeze in air like that. Generally, only Ascenders can do that.”
\*\*\*\*\*
“A little… on the nose, don’t you think?” Nathen asked, even though he couldn’t move it seemed he could still speak, “god of freedom appearing as soon as I arrive. Maybe this game is more scripted than I thought.”
“You came here seeking support, did you not?” the gentle voice of Kalasen asked, “isn’t it natural for a god to be drawn to one so in tune with is belief?”
“I guess,” Nathen attempted to shrug, “I came here more to finish that escort quest, not really a religious type.”
“I would not expect you to be willing to tie yourself down, nor do I ask such a thing,” the god countered, “I merely wish for you to encourage others to live as you, free.”
“And you offer great power in exchange?”
“I offer what I can,” the deities voice replied, tinged with sadness, “as my influence grows so to will the strength of my blessing. Thus it benefits us both for you to join with me.”
“Ya, I noticed your church here isn’t in the greatest condition,” Nathen remarked, “do the people here not desire freedom or something?”
“Plenty desire it, but few practice it,” Kalasen replied, “too many accept restrictive safety over risky freedom. More than simply wishing for freedom, people must practice the creed of a god for the god to receive strength. Only direct worship is a stronger source of power.”
“So you want me to go around, what, freeing slaves and stuff?”
“Slavery is uncommon in this world, though if you encounter any then yes, please free them, but the opposite of freedom isn’t slavery, it’s safety. Being unwillingly thrust into slavery is horrible, but people willingly accepting tyranny is worse for me,” the god explained, “I want you to show people they can keep themselves safe, that they can take risks and be rewarded for it. That, yes some will die, but it is through taking risks that humanity advances. All safety offers is a slow decline into stagnation.”
“That’s… not what I expected from a god of freedom,” Nathen admitted.
“Did you perhaps expect a speech about the sanctity of free will? Perhaps an argument that Anarchy is true freedom? No, people should be free to chose the kind of life they lead, be that as a subject of a crown or otherwise. To be truly free, however, they must know all the options before them. For too long the Storm Kingdoms have been ruled by the fear of monsters, causing the people to rely on the strength of a few rather than seek to bolster their own might.”
“So you would just want me to teach people to be strong?”
“I want you to show them there’s another way.”
“But you won’t, like, require me to worship you or anything? Send me on holy missions?”
“I can give you advice, but as you could no doubt tell by my high priestess reverence is not something I require.”
“Alright,” Nathen said, thinking things over, “I hadn’t really planned to accept a god, but mostly because I wanted to avoid being the dog for some all powerful entity. If you can promise to let me do as I please I’d have no issue helping you.”
“All I ask is that you show people there is another way, that they can survive on their own,” Kalasen replied, “now, accept me into your heart, your soul, and I shall leave my blessing upon you. I claim no right to control your actions, nor do I lay any claim to your strength. As my power increases so too shall yours, by this pact are we bound.”
“A pact?”
“An agreement by which your soul and my essence shall be linked. Both of us must abide by its rules or the link shall be broken. You’ll be hard pressed to find one more in your favor than this.”
“But it doesn’t give any power over me, right?”
“It can only do so if you agree to let it, some spirits or gods will ask for such, I do not. And no, there can be no deception in these pacts, it is your soul itself that agrees to the terms.”
“Alright, then, uhh, I agree to the terms as laid out, you support me with your strength and I show people there is a way other than relying on others… right?”
“Yes,” the god sounded almost relieved, “now let my blessing flow into you.”
There was a surge of power in the air around Nathen, a mystic light that filled the otherwise still room. Just as it seemed to build to a head, however, it faded.
“That’s… you agreed to the pact,” Kalasen said, sounding confused, “you weren’t lying were you?”
“Is it even possible for me to lie to a god?”
“It shouldn’t be… oh, I see,” Kalasen said after another moment’s pause, “you are not ready to accept any blessing.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It isn’t my place to say, when you realize the truth return, I shall offer you the same pact.”
“Wait, what do you-,” Nathen started only for the world to surge back into motion, leaving him stumbling back from the stone compass.
“Such a shame,” the old priestess said, “the old man could have used a champion like you.”
“But… I said that-.”
“What was spoken between you two is to stay between you, I know the old coot can go on and on given half a chance,” the woman interrupted, “well, if you change your mind, feel free to return.”
“I…” Nathen looked down at his hands, wondering what went wrong. Was there some quest he needed to complete before he could accept a blessing? Maybe he needed to be a higher level, assuming this game had hidden levels.
Confused, he slowly walked out of the old, dark church to where the other bishop was waiting for him.