Leaving Jor was easy. At least, our ship was able to make it out of the docks without any hassle, and slip away into the greater range of space. At the moment, we’re still sub-light, jockeying into position for a spot on one of the lightways. The freighter itself is well kept, it’s interior clean and relatively comfortable. It was a stark difference from the ship I’d arrived on Jor in. The only similar thing would be it’s design—Both ships were minimalist in nature, only the essentials included, and in as small a space as possible. Things weren’t cramped, per say, but they would be if the rooms were a hair smaller.

Unexpectedly, everyone got their own room to rest in, complete with bed, shower, cryochamber, and toilet. There was a shared housing space in the middle of it all, where we could meet up and talk or something. That was also where all the food was located, so I couldn’t just remain in my room and avoid those people from the Pantheon, unfortunately. And, there was the unexpected twist with my friends coming along, which I have to punish Jvorg for.

Who knew that he would go to my friends, and effectively make it so that I’d have to go along with him and those other three, even after I’d decided to go. Damn asshole and his scheming. I can’t wait to find out what it is that makes all this worth it to him. Hell, by the way he acted when showing up with all the others, he wouldn’t be apologetic even if I hated him for all this. Something must make this worth it to him. And I have a feeling it’s because of my Ascension.

I mean, he was never told what it is, but when someone can tell the future and has his sort of resources, there’s no telling what he does and doesn’t know.

Sighing, I finished putting away all my stuff, neatly arranging it in the small closet provided as the only storage space in my room. It’s lucky that I didn’t bring too much to begin with. Remembering the half dozen suitcases accompanying Sabrina and Haven, I felt a small amount of pity for them. It would be impossible to move around in their rooms with that much extra stuff.

“Ah, Revy, please, sit down. We will wait for everyone else to finish up before talking.” Said Jvorg after I left my room and entered the communal area. He motioned to a chair set off to one side, which I promptly sat down in.

Aside from Jvorg and I, the three Pantheon members were also sitting, along with Kormic and Ussen. We were just waiting on Haven, Sabrina, and Godard.

Unexpectedly, the first to speak was the woman from the Pantheon.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see the day where an Al’Verath was capable of Ascending.” She said, looking at me with a hint of disgust. “I was always of the opinion that none of them had enough character to do so, or strength of will.”

I didn’t respond.

“I mean, everyone knows the Al’Verath family is the garbage heap of the universe, filled with people lacking morals and capable of the greatest evils. Oh, wait, that’s it, isn’t it? Are you one of those evil aligned gods then? Ha, I guess you really aren’t the Norse god we came for then.”

“Was exiled.” I said coldly in response to this woman’s babbling.

“Oh, you were exiled? What, were you too much even for the worst Great family? I guess I know exactly what sort of person you are now.” Said Athena, her disgust intensifying.

“No, was failure. Kicked out.”

“Even better! A useless person.”

I shrugged internally, knowing that this woman has already completely dismissed me, even though she already knows that I’m someone who’s Ascended. Then again, there’s likely ranks among gods, with some bordering on powerlessness and others being incredibly powerful.

Her two comrades didn’t participate. In fact, they keep shooting me uncomfortable looks, as if they were uncomfortable and couldn’t quite figure out why.

Predictably, Godard came out before Sabrina and Haven. He was carrying a long object wrapped in cloth, which was set down next to the chair he sat in. Taking note of the atmosphere, he didn’t say anything, instead cocking an eyebrow up at me. I motioned with my eyes towards Athena, and he nodded.

Eventually, Sabrina and Haven also came out, looking exasperated and annoyed. They must have run into quite the trouble trying to put all their stuff away. Seeing that the two of them had arrived, Jvorg started speaking.

“So, before we are able to travel the lightways, let us get to know each other a little bit more. There were small introductions made on Jor, but no more than that. Seeing as the three of you are providing our ride, how about letting the children know who you are and what is going on. Also, perhaps a greater explanation on the Pantheon is in order?”

“That is fine by me. I am Heimdal, one of the Norse faction’s silver ranked gods. Normally, I am in charge of seeking out godlings such as yourselves, and returning them to the Citadel. I do not spend much time at the Pantheon, but many know me, as I am the one who introduces them to it.”

“Quick question—how do you guys know where to find people like…us?” Asked Sabrina.

“Well, there are a few ways we find godlings. We have a few gods who are closely attuned to the warp and weave of the universe, and can feel when someone else has started the process of Ascending. They can normally point us in the correct direction. Other than that, we keep an eye out for unusual occurrences and phenomena, and investigate to find if a godling is at the center of it. And occasionally, prophets will sight out people yet to ascend, and we can pay them a visit.” Said Heimdal, shooting a look towards Jvorg at his closing sentence.

“Do not give me that look, Heimdal. I have already left the Pantheon.” Said Jvorg with a somber note in his voice. “You know I could never reinstate ties with them. That bridge has been burned.”

“T-then why…come?” Asked the third and final member of the Pantheon trio.

“Isis, I am only following along with your group as an escort, and because my word still has some weight among the Pantheon. I hope to share my recommendations and insights for what is to come, and to help young Revy here. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Excuse me, but who is this guy? I’m new, remember?” Asked Athena.

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“He was Mimir, our strongest prophet. He had a strength of foresight which outstripped that of others, by far. We were able to avoid many tragedies because of him. He left for personal reasons.”

“Reasons which only three people in this room deserve to know.” Added Jvorg, forestalling any questions on the subject. “Do you wish to introduce yourself, Isis?”

The woman shook her head. Unlike me, she seems genuinely shy and reserved. I don’t speak because I can’t. She doesn’t speak because she doesn’t like it.

“Right. This is Isis. She is another silver ranked god, but from the Egyptian ranks. She specializes in all types of magic rituals, and can thus do many helpful things. Her bag of tricks is likely the largest among anyone in the Pantheon. Normally she does not leave the Citadel, preferring to spend her time in our library. She is only here now on my request. Athena, do you wish to introduce yourself in any further depth?”

“No, I’m good. Nothing these kids need to know, anyway.” Responded Athena haughtily.

“Okay. I will outline some of what the Pantheon is, then.” Said Heimdal. “I’m sure that Jvorg has already gone over some of the basics, but think of this as a crash course on what he was not allowed to say, as someone disassociated with our organization. And yes, the Pantheon is an organization. Think of it as a sect of some sort, much like the Great families but without the blood ties. In reality, the only thing unifying the Pantheon together is our Ascensions, which can generally be thought of as a crystallization of human thoughts and desires, or a generalization of particular cultural norms and worship beliefs.”

“What does that mean? I don’t quite follow….” Said Haven softly, expressing a sentiment likely shared by my other friends.

“It is like this—people naturally lean one way or another, correct? They have natural inclinations, natural desires, natural wishes. Before Moonfall, nothing came of this besides things like religion and identity. A person’s belief wouldn’t make them stronger than ten men on it’s own, excepting freak cases. After Moonfall, however, things changed. The Klein particle was introduced into the world—what we now call Mana. This gave people the chance to collect massive personal power, contained only within their bodies.” Heimdal paused a moment.

“But something else happened as well. It was found that people who closely fit or meshed with a set of beliefs were able to somehow invite those ideas inside themselves, embodying them. They were able to become those ideals, for lack of a better word. We call this Ascension. Obviously, there is much yet unexplored about this process and what it entails. There are exceptions that still baffle us to this day, and unexplainable occurrences. I have come across people whose personality fit their Ascension to a tee, and they seemed the walking example of those tenets. However, I have also seen the most bloodthirsty and violent man in a generation granted an Ascension based on peace and harmony. There is much we do not know.”

We sat in silence a moment, absorbing what Heimdal’s said.

“So, to Ascend, we just need to find a belief which fits us and try to embody it?” Asked Kormic.

“More or less, yes. There is obviously more to it, and ways to stimulate this process. But that will be explained more when we reach the Citadel, home of Pantheon proper. Needless to say, it is not a process which can take place overnight. You have to work for it.” He said.

I kept quiet.

“Now, about the Pantheon itself. Our history goes back to just after Moonfall, when the first Ascendants were discovered. The First Deity gathered those people together and formed his elite corp with them.”

“Wait, you mean the Heavenbreakers were all gods?” Asked Kormic.

“That is right. After the First Deity disappeared, the Heavenbreakers decided to seclude themselves from the universe. They were well aware that without the Deity’s might to intimidate everyone and give them authority, it was only a matter of time until people grew tired of them. They made the decision to let humanity grow as it will, and the only thing they interfered in was the discovery and rearing of new gods.

“Now, the Pantheon is generally split into a few different camps, of which I have already made passing references towards. The three big ones are the Greeks, Egyptians, and Norse. Other than these three, there are smaller groups, like the Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, etc. Anything which has a belief system can create a god. There are also quite a few people whose godhood stems from more…obscure sources. Nevertheless, those three main camps are where most godlings end up, and are the central hubs of power. Any questions? No? Okay, everyone except Isis, Jvorg, and Revian can leave. I need to talk with them.”

“But!” Started Athena.

“No, I need you to leave, Athena. We have to talk with Revian, and I am sure she would be hesitant to share with too many people in the room.”

With much grumbling, Athena left. My friends also filed out into their respective rooms, except Godard, who walked over to me with that cloth wrapped bundle in his hands.

“I meant to give you this earlier, but couldn’t find you in the last week.” He said, handing the bundle over to me. Based on the weight and length of the object, I’m placing a fairly good bet that it’s a sword of some sort—and a rather long one at that. It’s nearly as tall as I am. Then, he left.

I set the bundle off to the side, intending on opening it up back in my room.

“So, Revian. Jvorg tells us you are the one we have been looking for.” Said Heimdal, after everyone else left.

“Depends. Why looking for me?”

“We will tell you in a moment. First, can I know what ideal you have taken on? What is your name?”

I looked towards Jvorg, who shrugged.

“Really, while I told you to say that you are Freya, that is only because I was afraid that you would not be comfortable with others knowing who you really are. After all, the title comes with quite a bit of responsibility. Lots of people will look up towards you after revealing yourself, and Pantheon politics can be annoying.”

Frowning slightly, I grabbed a sheet of paper and started writing on it.

‘I don’t have an issue with other’s knowing who I am. I have enough personal power to guarantee my ability to do whatever the hell I want. None of the Pantheon’s rules would be able to bind me, and if they try, I will simply leave. I am, who I am.’

After reading, Jvorg seemed happy, Heimdal slightly taken aback, and Isis thoughtful.

“It is true though. I doubt there is anyone capable of winning against Revy without suffering in the process. While she certainly is not invincible yet, she can at least make it annoying to fight her.” Said Jvorg.

“Know my abilities?” I asked.

Jvorg nodded. “Yes, I told them. I thought that you would not mind too much, considering that Heimdal and Isis will be your teachers in the future.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” Answered Heimdal. “We both volunteered in the case that this happens. I will teach you close combat abilities, and increase your fighting strength, while Isis will work on your magical abilities.”

“But I’m an illusionist.”

“W-we know. Doesn’t mean…can’t learn proper magic. Just…m-more effort.” Said Isis.

I nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Might I suggest something?” Asked Jvorg. I motioned for him to go ahead. “Wait to announce yourself. Observe the people in the Pantheon first. We will say that you are Freya for the time being, and that Heimdal and Isis saw great promise in you and wished to impart their knowledge. This should give you a greater degree of freedom at first. I know that you can do whatever you want, but at least this will save you some scrutiny first. Having the eyes of all in Pantheon on you can be tiresome, and maybe it would be best to avoid that for as long as possible.”

“Sensible. I agree. Who’s stand in?” I asked.

“For now? Loki is playing the part. He should be able to hold up for a while longer. Until you chose to take the seat, he will continue.” Said Heimdal. “Now, I am sure that you would like to know more, but it seems that we have entered the lightway now. Instructions to use the cryochambers should be coming shortly.” He said, noting the increased engine noise, and the sudden feeling of nausea passing over everyone. We all left for our respective rooms, but not before Jvorg sent me one final word of advise.

“Revy—Just so you know, there is an increased amount of mana being passed through the ship while we are above light speed. It is very beneficial to meditate during this stage of the trip, even during the time when everyone should be under cryosleep. In fact, there is enough mana to sustain your body without food or water. Just be warned, it is a hellish experience.” He said, before disappearing into his room.

I pondered his suggestion for a moment before deciding it has merit. Besides, I’ve heard horror stories about people’s first time under cryosleep, and I’ve already passed a trip like this under deep meditation, though the circumstances that first time were vastly different.

So, as the crew came on over the loudspeaker instructing passengers on the proper procedure to be observed in the cryochamber, I sat cross-legged on my bed, preparing to enter a deep meditative state.