The group of four walked over polished light colored tiles toward the row of tall white marble columns that ran off into the distance out of sight in both directions. Each column was eight feet in diameter and bore fluted shafts with deep flowering engravings at their wide bases. Obviously having been crafted into the classic Corinthian style by masters. Josh was unaware of this. But he was still impressed by their height which he estimated at fifty fight in height with approximately twenty-five feet of spacing between them. The shear number of them was also nothing to sneeze at and Josh found him self enhancing his sight in a failed attempt to see the end of the line of towering alabaster pillars as they continued in their straight line over the declining green terraced steps off to the left and right. It reminded him of the flowing arc sections of China’s great wall that he had seen in movies and posters back on his Earth. Given why they were coming here, Josh suspected this incredible feet of masonry marked one of the borders of the stadium he and Sen would be competing in. This was going to be a contest on a large scale. Well Joshy, your standing on the roiling nuclear surface of a protostar…should anything here really surprise you? Ya I know, I’m not in Kansas any more he admitted to himself.
The two Titans lead them up the first of three flights of low, wide carrera marble steps toward the front of the cavalcade. Now that they were closer, Josh could see a partially opaque, sparkling blue/grey barrier that stretched between the columns. Shapes and shadows could be seen through it, but fine details weren’t distinguishable. The only thing he could make out through it for sure was high rising, tiered stadium seating to the left. What was likely another layer of shielding lay over it preventing him from seeing who, if anyone, was seated there.
Underfoot was another broad parapet of bleached sandstone tiles that ended after approximately fifty feet away followed by what appeared to be a vast, vast expanse of roughly flat undeveloped ground holding absolutely nothing. A huge empty space…
At this point in his cultivatory path, Josh had no delusions that any metaphorical light he could see at the end of the preverbal tunnels he and Sen were dragged screaming into were the rays of a dawning sun. Nope. That light wasn’t even from an oncoming locomotive. Something like that we could deal with. It was always best to assume that the light speeding on any intercept course with him and Sen’s path were the system lights on incoming ICBMs.
Be that as it may. Standing here in this massive Star Child version of Madison Square Garden, they were certain they were on Karma’s path. And that was the cosmic autobahn toward Sophie. As such, he and Sen were going to see it through. But…
What exactly is this Tavfl, and what do we have to do to win it?
Were the main thoughts going through his mind. Whether Karma was backing Gaia’s shanghaiing of them into the Sun Surface Olympics or not, they needed that information to survive the carnage that would inevitably follow their entering the competition. And, now that they were standing in a stadium big enough to encompass any of the Benelux countries, maybe all of them, Josh felt he also needed this information right now! As help first starts at home, Josh checked with Sen first, flicking his eyes to his Karmic brother, ~Do you know anything about this Tavfl?~
Sen lifted his shoulders noncommittally. ~All I know is that on your world Tafl…~ Sen stressed the pronunciation with a ‘V’ sound, then continued, ~is a board game played by ancient Scandinavians to train the strategy of junior warriors. But I suspect that whatever purpose requires force shielding for those attending and the world beyond has little to do with tactical training for young fighters. I believe the Titans are planning to tell us something more, but I suppose you should ask them at this point. Gaia said they were supposed to prepare us.~
Josh raised his brows. ~Good point. But why not you? Unless I miss my guess, a fight is coming up here. Fights are war the last time I checked. ~ Josh unsubtly reminded Sen of the division of their public speaking labors. Sen covered all topics involving war and combat. Josh took the lead on all conversations involving political issues. Which lately, he couldn’t help but notice, seemed to be everything
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Sen rolled his eyes. ~How amusing you think so. But I certainly hope we do not plan on war with the Titans. Therefore, this conversation is political and clearly on your side of things.~ Sen looked away and pointedly ignored Josh.
Josh’s eyes bulged out at Sen. ~Fine! But after this, you and I are going to have a long talk to redefine this division of conversational labor!~
Sen turned back with a canary swallowing grin. ~Whatever you say brother. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time for it.~
The female Titan walked up to the center of the shielding between the two pillars directly in front of them, and an interactive display appeared on its surface. She entered a long series of symbols with both hands that Josh’s Interface also couldn’t translate. A rectangular gap in the barrier appeared before her, and she waved them through before stepping across herself and restoring the barrier with a single tap.
Josh heard the cacophony of a massive crowd's innumerable conversations coming from behind the five stories of seating to his left. And, aside from the grit cracking under his steps on the stone flooring. That was it as far as new information went on what was happening. Realizing that this was as good a time as any to ask the questions burning in his mind, Josh turned to the young-appearing Titan. He spoke through his friendliest door-to-door salesman’s smile, “Hi, I’m Josh. That’s my brother, Sen.” He gestured to Sen with his right hand. “Which Titan, um …who are…umm what should we call you … ahh him, errr both of you?” Josh trailed off as the young female Titan raised a brow over a steely stare and lifted her hand, indicating he should stop speaking.
Josh had been mildly interested in ancient history, including Greek mythology, as a boy. He had even taken a book on the subject from his Catholic school library once or twice. Back then, he had known most of the main gods and goddesses by name and power. He wouldn’t have been able to recognize any of them on sight. How could he? It wasn’t like they had pictures on their Insta… But even now, he recalled that there hadn’t been a lot of information on the Titans. Given his epic fail at introducing them, he quickly wracked his brain for what he remembered … The information was scant.
There had been twelve Titans. Cronos was the youngest and greatest, and he had eaten all his children to prevent them from rising against him. Zeus had been secreted away by his mother, Rhea, slipping Cronos a rock instead. Thus, being saved, the young godling had been raised in Crete. Not liking the whole ‘father ate my brothers and sisters’ thing, Zeus ultimately grew up to defeat his father and the Titans that stood with him, locking them in Hades, where he and Sen had first found the long-forgotten Cronos. Josh vaguely recalled a small reference that some of the less offensive Titans had assisted Zeus’s side in the battle between Cronos and his children. After the struggle, these Titans were allowed to continue living with their ruling descendants. This had all happened before the Time of Heroes, Odysseus, Achilles, Hector. Before 1600 BC, roughly. The power vacuum made space for the rise of Zeus’s Olympic pantheon of gods, at least on Josh’s Earth. There hadn’t been a lot of details, and that was about all Josh could pull from his mind while facing the bastion of power in the form of a very fit young woman standing before him and telling him to shut up.
In reflection, some part of Josh’s mind couldn’t help but point out that the Titans had never had a big marketing push to enhance their branding. Compounding that, they had been out of circulation for a very long time. At least human-speaking-wise. Still, being stared down from the perfect but now cold features of the young and immensely powerful being in front of him gave rise to some very anxious thoughts. The biggest one being, Is she mad at me for not recognizing her?
Josh decided waiting for her to make the next verbal move was the smart play, his lips smacking together as he did so. He didn’t have to wait long as she cut to the heart of the matter.
“I am Theia, mistress of light and beauty. Life mated with my brother Hyperion,” she nodded once to the male Titan standing at Sen’s side. “The master of wisdom and vigilance.” A tone of instruction filled her words, “What is pertinent for you both is that Shiva, the leader of the Hindi Clan, has elected Tafl as the first game for control of the Sol Throne and the reformation of the Stelate Creaturix.” The stern tone of her words was softened by the concerned look that overcame the initial mild irritation on the statuesque woman’s youthful face. Josh could tell that even she considered Shiva’s involvement and the choice of Tafl as less than good news.
Reasonably sure he wasn’t about to be smote by the Titan of Beauty, Josh’s inner mouthpiece took over. “Ya– That’s what Gaia said, but what is tavfl…” Josh again stumbled over the pronunciation of the archaic word but was able to keep his questioning tirade going. “Who are we playing against? What do we have to do? And most importantly, how do we win?” The staccato tone of Josh’s words kept pace with the sudden sense of urgency he was feeling standing in the massive place with an unseen but raucous crowd all around them.
The young Titan’s classically beautiful features became a thoughtful expression as if she was about to speak. Then, suddenly, she grabbed Josh’s right bicep in an iron grip and spun him around to face the open land that proceeded after the fifty feet of sandstone parapet as Hyperion did he same with Sen.
A disembodied and somehow familiar voice echoed from everywhere all at once, “LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMMMBBBBLLLLLEEEEE!!!”