Gathered at the great hall of champions, the many gods discussed in small and large cliques what champions they were going to sponsor.
The hall of champions was a coliseum made of black granite with veins of dim pulsating blue light. The granite seeming to have formed naturally in the shape of a coliseum because there were no seems or joints to be found.
Statues of stoic heroes circled the top of the coliseum. None of the faces on the statues could be found in the crowd of gods. This was a place of celebrating champions not gods.
The air in the coliseum was filled with nervous energy. All the gathered gods could feel it. Gods would never admit to being nervous it wasn’t in there nature. Except the God Anxiety he was a total wreck at the moment.
“Hey Leeb! Hows it hangin?” a beautiful woman with caramel skin and golden hair said
Leeb was sitting in a large Rococo revial style leather chair. It had brown leather cushions framed in a very decorative dark wood.
The entire coliseum was made by gods. Leeb liked things that were made by mortal hands. He could feel the emotions and hard work that went into them. Unlike the things made by a thought of a god, which had no soul.
He sat as he listened to Aphrodite ramble on about the champion she had chosen.
He like most gods was perfection personified. Nobody in their right mind would tell him he needed hair to look good. His head looked as smooth as if hair not even dare grow. His black suit and midnight skin was contrasted with the pure gold of the coat buttons and his eyes. His eyes seemed to be an ocean of gold, flowing with calmness and serenity.
“Uhh I think I’m going with the red head I told you about the other day” Leeb said no longer lounging back in the chair.
Leeb ran his hands over his face. He knew he had a important decision to make and he hated making decisions like this. Who was he to ask for such a monumental undertaking from some one.
Aphrodite placed her hand on his shoulder pressing him back to sit up right. She sat across his lap with her feet hanging off the arm.
“Whoa don’t put your feet on the leather it’s delicate to our touch you know that” Leeb said wiping where Aphrodite feet barely grazed the arm.
“Calm down honey. Your going to ask someone to fight for you. It’s hard I know that. Now tell me more about this red head.” She said trying to sooth her friend
“You know if I repair this its going to remove some soul the artisan poured into it” he said saddened.
The artisan who built the chair had long been dead. A god could create miracles upon miracles but they could never infuse their soul into building things. Building even the largest of wonders came so easy it wouldn’t draw from their soul. Except some of the artisan gods.
“Your deflecting Leeb”
“I know I’m actually helping him, it just sucks”
“This is the only chance you have to share your soul”
“I know that. But thats why I don’t like it. I just…” he took a deep breath “I just feel selfish.”
“Its OK sweetie.” She said looking deep into his eyes rubbing the top of his hand that was draped across her legs. “Go on tell me about the ginger”
He let out a slight huff of a laugh “so crass” he paused “His name is Reymond Walker. He’s of average height, red hair, pale skin, thirty years old. He has a wife, a dog, and 2 cats.”
“Stop stop stop you know that isn’t what I want to know. Now tell me what this Reymond Walker is like.
“He loves his wife and pets. He helps coach MMA a couple nights a week after he gets off work. Him and his wife live a simple life. He’s happy with that.
His father, David, the man who introduced him to combat sports was his role model. He died when Rey was”
Leeb was interrupted by a voice, not loud, but it didn’t have to be since it was directed into his mind. It was an emotionless voice of woman. He knew exactly who it was.
“Its time please make your way to the assigned seats, thank you” the voice said
Aphrodite swung her legs down and stood. Turning she reached out a hand to Leeb. He stood without grabbing her outstretched hand. There was no offense taken by Aphrodite, she understood the turmoil of emotions that were being hidden by his stoic vissage.
Placing her hand near Leeb’s hip pocket. She said “We’ll reach the end one day hon.“ It was a sign of friendship and the only place she could reach easily.
Small was never used to describe her, but when Leeb stood he doubled in size. He looked the same just way way bigger.
The size of the old gods always baffled her. Its like a dick swinging contest. She knew why Leeb had to do it though. The other gods in his area would look down on him as weak. He wouldn’t allow the other gods to see him as weak. Not for his pride’s sake but for Rey’s safety.
The other gods would instruct their champions to target Rey. If they thought he was starting to weaken. Rey was already going to have to many enemies and not enough allies as it was. He wouldn’t make it worse.
Reaching the spot where he was to attend the meeting Leeb summoned a chair. Not so much a chair but a throne. An ornate obsidian throne, that looked as if molten gold was poured over it, now reigned over a section of the coliseum.
The gods starting filing into their sections Leeb was not the biggest or smallest in his section. He knew better than to judge a god by just their manifested size. It was a game he knew he had to play. Leeb would give Rey the best possible chance to survive.
To the right of Leeb a god stood. A couple feet shorter than him the god summoned his throne. A throne of bones covered in endlessly flowing blood. The eighteen foot humanoid god had the face of a man but he was entirely covered in scales. Sharp tipped scales covered the god. Long scales in place of hair flowed down his back to his waste. The unbuttoned blacked shirt looked as if it came from the same tailor as Leeb’s.
Sitting next to Leeb the scaley god looked on acting as if he didn’t notice Leeb.
“Apo…” the god next to Leeb said.
“What?” Leeb cut him off. His voice no longer the same it sounded like it was filled with a darkness older than time.
“Leeb how is your champion? Did you find good stock?” The god said acting like he wasn’t about to shit his perfect fitting black pants.
Leeb didn’t respond sitting as still as the statues lining the coliseum.
The god sitting directly to Leeb’s left summoned his throne. It was small appearing to be made of rainbows and cotton candy, but Leeb knew better.
Like Leeb, the god in the rainbow throne was a god of a certain ideal. Some gods domains were very specific and some were broad.
The scaley posh asshole to Leeb’s right was The Red Dragon God of Hunger. The one on his left was much worse.
He knew that throne may look full of happiness but it was a disguise. The god appearing to be an english cream long haired dachshund puppy walked over to the god on Leeb’s right.
“Drauk my old friend it’s great to see you! How have you been!” The voice of a child came from the poisonous fang filled mouth of the puppy.
“I’ve been well Dolo. Did you find a suitable champion?” Drauk asked
“Ohh I found one. They’re going to die quick im sure. Not alot to choose from. You know what I mean Leeb?” The venomous puppy said.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“No” Leeb was tired of hearing the empty words from both gods.
Leeb looked down into the eyes of the puppy not blinking. He would never underestimate the god of deception, never.
Drauk looked back and forth from the giant in the obsidian throne to the puppy sitting next to it wagging his tail. A starring competition he wouldn’t dare get in the middle of.
“Fine. Somebody’s acting like a grouchy old man. What did you do to piss him off Drauk?”
“I did nothing of the sort. He has been grouchy for eons Dolo you know that” Drauk said in his haughty aristocratic tone.
“Silence” the voice traveled into every gods mind at once.
The room quieted and every god’s attention was now at the center of the coliseum. Countless gods filled the stadium all waiting with rapt attention.
A Floating disc no bigger than ten foot in circumference rose into the air. Atop it was a woman wearing red and gold armor. She stood strong looking at the gods.
The woman had the aura of a general preparing her army for war. In a way. That’s exactly what she was.
Leeb could make out every detail of her beautiful battle tested armor even at the distance. The scar running down her face was there only because she need not get rid of it. Probably standing seven foot she didn’t need to show her true size. The blonde hair fell all the way to her waist.
Athena the Goddess of war made eye contact with Leeb now. He didn’t feel fear like most he just looked back like she was just another god. A god he would have to prepare Rey to watch out for.
Athena respected Leeb because he didn’t fear for himself but what would become of his champion. Though she knew quite well that if, all the gods stood against him, he wou have a shread of him.
Looking away from Leeb, Athena started.
“The meeting has started. If you would submit your champions name, race, possible champion boons, skills, and possible champion equipment” Athena said in their mind.
“I love it when she does that. It makes me feel all warm fuzzy” Dolo was wiggling with his feet in the air. Tongue hanging out the side of his mouth green venom dripping from his fangs.
“It’s bloody dreadful” Drauk said
“Watch your mouth Drauk I have delicate puppy ears” dolo said
Leeb summoned a scroll. Written at the top was Reymond Walker. Below that it said Human then a bunch of words, letters, and numbers.
He hoped he had thought of everything Rey would be able to make use of in the war.
He held it in front of himself. The scroll disappeared. Leeb new where it went. It went to Athena. She would take it and the gods she trusted would review them.
“It seems they are all accounted for. Thank you for your contribution to the war.” Athena said to the gods.
“Now onto to the integration of magic. The integration will be different for each race since not every world being merged has magic. There will be a tutorial for the magic less worlds” Athena said
“How long will it last!?” a god in the stands yelled
“One year for only nonmagical world residence” Athena answered
“What about magical worlds” another god asked
“They will receive no tutorial” Athena said
“The nonmagical champions dont stand a chance!” a god yelled
“OK” Athena said rubbing her chin “How about the magical and non magical go to the tutorial together?”
The crowd started mumbling to one another.
“Thats not long enough for our champions to establish safe zones” A monstrous ape said.
“We can only keep them in a tutorial for a year, it’s the most we can do. I apologize” Athena said
“We will put them in a time restricted realm at a fifth of the time. Only one year will pass for them while our champions have five years to establish a safe area for them to return to.” Leeb suggested.
Athena fell silent for a moment. “That can work. Does anyone object to Leeb’s proposal.”
Leeb didn’t like Athena, at all. He was glad that she wasn’t the boisterous type. It made these assemblies a little less terrible for him.
The crowd didn’t say another word. Gods were typically complainers if they don’t get their way. So, if a god had a problem with the idea then they would have objected.
“If nobody objects that will be the plan”
She summoned her spear, thrusting it into the ground a flood of golden light covered every thing and every one in sight.
“So much for her not being a show off.” Leeb thought.
“Meeting adjourned” Athena said
“Meeting adjourned haha I just absolutely love her!!!” Dolo said
“Snooty fucking twat” Drauk whispered to no one
The many gods stood and removed their thrones. Making there way down the stands to the gigantic coliseum floor.
Leeb stood, one hand on the arm rest of the throne, the throne vanished back to his personal storage dimension. He stood for a moment looking over the gods gathered in the center of the coliseum.
His life was so peaceful before this began. Just him and one other in a vast cosmos. Now he was among many.
This was the 76th time the gods retreated in the war and the second time Leeb was able to choose a champion.
“Rey I hope you’re the one to stop all of this senseless death.” Leeb thought
“Leeb tell me. Now that Athena The Goddess of War is finished” Drauk said with clear sarcasm in his voice. “Who is going to be the next almighty Liber”
Still looking over the assembled gods like a stoic statue. Leeb had no intention of entertaining the question presented by the god of the undead blood suckers. He proceeded to turn and walk by Drauk saying nothing.
When Leeb was making his way by Drauk. Drauk said “I guess I will have my champion find out for me” Lifting a champagne glass constantly overflowing with blood to his lips. Taking a delicate sip didn’t stop the blood from getting on his face or hands. The blood seemed to be absorbed through his scales.
Stopping next to Drauk, Leeb looked him in his blood red eyes, not bothering to turn fully. “You are welcome to try”.
As Drauk looked back into the golden eyes of freedom. The fear began to bubble from deep inside him. He would not let his outward appearance betray him. Taking a sip from his glass was his way of disguising the gulp of fear. Drauk turned away first walking in the opposite direction of Leeb.
“You handled that well Drauk. I could barely sense the fear radiating out of you. I really doubt that old geezer could sense anything at all.” Dolo said loudly as he walked beside Drauk.
Drauk being so full of himself took the words of the deception god as a sincere compliment. “Thank you. Best of luck to you and your champion Dolo. I must go converse with the my pantheon”
At the top of the section Drauk was in there was a group of creatures still sitting in there thrones. One of the gods said to Drauk as he was easing his way towards them. “Is the champion of the old one on the menu Drauk.”
The croking voice grated Drauk’s ears. “He is weak.” Drauk paused sipping from his glass “I will taste the blood of his pawn”
As he was making his way to the exit of the coliseum the gods seemed to part without provocation. He was a minority not belonging to a pantheon. That’s the way he wanted it. There were other neutral gods but there were none that would do him any favors. If there were any that would. He would spare no diginity trying to help his champion.
“Fuck fuck fuck I didn’t want to deal with this shit today” Leeb thought in frustration. He just wanted to go back home.
He seen the tall blonde headed woman standing at the opening of the coliseum exit. He knew she would contact him one way or another. He didn’t slow or even acknowledge her presence before him.
He almost made it past her before she spoke his name.
“Liber Pater may we speak for a moment” Athena said
Not wanting to offend her Leeb turned looking down at the woman.
She like most of the other gods found being smaller was more convenient.
“I wish I could walk around like that” Leeb thought.
He couldn’t let himself be seen as small lest the other gods smell blood in the water.
“Leeb” He said looking down into the stoic woman’s vibrant red eyes.
“Yes of coarse, Leeb, Aphrodite has informed me that…” She paused trying to find the phrase. “ You have changed tactics.”
Looking into her eyes his expression never changed. “She wants me to join them, Not a terrible idea but that would create enemies for Rey. Along with allies he would have to be cautious of getting stabbed in the back by.” Leeb thought.
“I have.” Leeb said
“Would you like to join our family Leeb” Athena said as if she was doing him a favor.
That pissed Leeb off it was her father which gave him the most trouble when they first encountered one another. He killed Zeus after fighting him and his entire pantheon. The fight weakened him enough for the rest of the pantheon pile on and make Leeb admit defeat.
Aphrodite seeing the exchange had to get over there before Leeb created more enemies. He cared so much about his champion’s well being. Epsecially after what happened to his first champion. She could help him if she just got over there. She decided not to walk. Lifting into the air with ease she flew in their direction. Doing her best not to make it look like she was rushing.
“Well if it isn’t Leeb and my wonderful sister” Aphrodite said
The other two didn’t detect anything false in her tone. She seemed genuinely excited to see them both.
“Hello Aphrodite. I was just asking your friend Leeb if he would join our family.” Athena said
“Ohhhh well I imagine that is a big decision for him to make. We shouldn’t expect an answer immediately.” Aphrodite said
Seeming to relax a little Leeb remembered that his only remaining friend Aphrodite was part of the same Pantheon as Athena.
Aphrodite had a huge smile on her face looking up at Leeb. She wasn’t speaking a word but her face said “don’t fuck this up Leeb”.
“I shall take the invitation under consideration” Leeb said
“That is all I ask. Thank you Leeb” Athena turned and walked away to the section where her pantheon resided.
“Would you like to go on a walk hon” Aphrodite asked Leeb
He gave a single nod and they started down the long hallway that was the exit of the coliseum. As they made there way Leeb started shrinking down to just below Aphrodites height.
“Do you have a plan?” Aphrodite asked
“A plan for what?” He said
“Your champion. What else would I be talking about?
“Im sorry, I just have alot going on. To answer your question I do but there isn’t much I can do since I’m not part of a pantheon.”
“By choice”
“By choice?” he asked.
Aphrodite could feel the fury radiating off of him with the question. He wasn’t there by choice. She made a mistake and she knew it.
“I’m.. I’m sorry Leeb. I know none of this was a decision you made for yourself.” She said. She really meant it too. “Just let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.”
His fury quelled, Leeb just looked sad and that was the way he felt too. “I guess its time for me to go tell somebody that the world they knew is going to be destroyed.” He said dread filling his words.
“Don’t forget the part where you help him save the world!” She said
He let out a breath filled with resignation. “I won’t lie to him Aphrodite. He will know the pain him and his kind are going to suffer.” Then he vanished.
“Good luck Leeb. We need you, and him.” She said to no one.