In the wake of Galdrin's declaration of the Godswar, Zeroth and his companions were gathered in Thalamar's office in anticipation of what the godly tome Galdrin gifted them held. "Well..." Thalamar began, "Galdrin informed us this tome would be our guidebook for what's going on in this Godswar and it should give us an idea of what to expect moving forward." Zeroth watched in anticipation as Thalamar opened the tome and as he did so, Zeroth could feel a small surge of power envelop the room causing a warming sensation to creep along his back where his axe lay. Zeroth noticed everyone was watching intently as Thalamar began to read the inscriptions in the tome. "This first part appears to be the formal greeting to everyone participating as well as the deities they represent. Zeroth represents Vulcanix, Varic represents Eldrinacht, Ardric represents Luminara, and Tingle is representing the mortal plane." Zeroth saw Tingle grin at the mention of his participation. "Furthermore," Thalamar continued as he turned a page, "this next section appears to give us the main reason why this Godswar was announced." Zeroth flinched as Thalamar's gaze locked onto him. "It appears that Vulcanix is taking advantage of a bad situation in the domain of the gods. The heart of where the gods and goddesses reside seems to have a point of intersection where they can meet or discuss matters of importance called The Nexus. Unfortunately, there seems to be a cosmic anomaly they refer to as The Fracture that is causing realms to overlap and even some to diminish altogether."

"So," Zeroth cut in, "Vulcanix is taking advantage of poor timing to summon a Godswar that he thinks he'll have the upper hand in." Thalamar nodded in agreement. "Yes, but it doesn't say the exact reward he will receive upon winning. It also mentions there are more than you four as champions, other gods want a stake in this so the trials ahead will be more than just you all. I'm assuming while some like Luminara would like to repair the problems caused by The Fracture, though, others would prefer to use the hysteria and mayhem for their own gains." As Thalamar's explanation settled over the room, a heavy silence followed. The gravity of the situation was clear—this was not merely a contest for glory but a struggle that could reshape the very fabric of existence. "Let me get this straight," Varic finally spoke, breaking the silence. "We're not just fighting for our gods but essentially fighting to either fix or further break reality itself?" His tone, though calm, carried an edge of concern. "Exactly," Thalamar replied, his eyes scanning the tome for further insights. "The Godswar, while a divine contest, has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the divine realms. It's about maintaining or altering the balance of power, with The Fracture serving as both the battleground and the prize." Zeroth, feeling the weight of Vulcanix's ambition on his shoulders, clenched his fists. "And Vulcanix...he's betting on chaos, on using The Fracture to expand his dominion, regardless of the cost to the mortal realm or even other divine realms." Ardric, ever the voice of reason, added, "Which means our roles are even more critical. We're not just champions; we're guardians against the potential unraveling of everything we know." Tingle, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, piped up with characteristic optimism. "But we have a chance, right? To fix The Fracture, to stop the gods who would exploit it, and to protect our world. That's something worth fighting for."

Thalamar nodded, a smile breaking through his solemn demeanor. "Indeed, Tingle. And this time," he gestured to the ancient book lying open on his desk, "we hold something that possibly contains more than just the background and stakes of the Godswar. It holds the knowledge of potential allies, artifacts of power that could aid us, and even strategies to navigate the trials ahead." He turned a page, revealing a section adorned with intricate symbols. "Here, it speaks of the previous Godswar and Fracture. The main difference this time is that Vulcanix is sealed away from his domain and not at full power. Vulcanix attempted a similar stunt before but somehow lost in the end to the mortals and one of their rewards was the ability to seal him away." Zeroth grunted as he felt the heat from his axe nearly get hot enough to burn him as Thalamar revealed Vulcanix's history. "But how has he gotten powerful enough to initiate a new Godswar if he was sealed in this axe?" Zeroth inquired. Thalmar sighed as he began reading off the tome. "The tome says since he has a conduit to the mortal plane, Vulcanix's connection to his domain was restored. With The Fracture occurring, his domain may have shifted into being large enough to grant him just enough of a foothold to initiate the Godswar."

"And we wondered why he was sealed in an axe and hidden away where most would never find," Varic said as sarcastically as he could. Thalamar adjusted his glasses, peering intently into the tome's glowing pages. "It seems Vulcanix's imprisonment was not just a punishment but a precaution, a way to prevent his influence from seeping back into the divine realms. Yet, his cunning knows no bounds. By establishing a link through Zeroth and the axe, he's bypassed the seals that bound him, drawing upon The Fracture's chaos to regain his strength." Zeroth felt a chill run down his spine, the realization hitting him hard. "So, in a way, I've been helping him regain his power without even knowing it." The weight of his connection to Vulcanix felt heavier than ever, a burden he hadn't fully understood until now. Ardric placed a reassuring hand on Zeroth's shoulder. "We'll find a way to stop him, brother. He may have regained some power, but we have the tome, allies, and our determination. Vulcanix won't win this." Tingle chimed in with a spark of enthusiasm. "And if he was beaten by mortals once, we can do it again! This tome, it's our guide to understanding The Fracture and Vulcanix's weaknesses. There must be more clues here on how to defeat him."

Thalamar nodded, turning the page to a section marked with a series of complex diagrams and ancient texts. "Indeed, Tingle. And here, it outlines a series of trials Vulcanix's champions must complete to solidify his power. If we can intervene, disrupt these trials, or even turn them to our advantage, we might be able to weaken his foothold and prevent him from fully materializing his domain into our reality." Varic's gaze hardened with resolve. "Then we need to prepare, learn everything we can about these trials, and ensure we're ready to face whatever champions Vulcanix throws our way. We'll also need to rally other gods and mortals to our cause. If Vulcanix is gathering strength, we need to build our alliances." Thalamar closed the tome, its light dimming as if to signify the end of their immediate guidance. "We have our path laid out before us. It's a daunting task, but with the knowledge contained within this tome and our collective strength, we stand a chance against Vulcanix's machinations. Let's take this one step at a time, starting with understanding these trials and getting some well-deserved rest."

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As the meeting adjourned, each member of the group was lost in thought as they headed to their rooms for sleep. Zeroth, in particular, felt unnerved. He noticed he had that same sensation that he felt he was beginning to overheat even though the air was cool. After finally getting into bed, Zeroth heaved a sigh of relief for the rest to come but as he shut his eyes and began to slip into sleep Vulcanix's voice echoed at the back of his mind, "Just because you know, dwarf, does not mean you have an advantage..." When Zeroth opened his eyes, he gasped in shock as he realized he was back in the coliseum from his first dream. When he looked down into his hands, Zeroth realized he was holding his battle axe, fully engulfed in flames up to his shoulders as if he were ready for a battle. As he looked around, Zeroth saw his companions huddled not too far away, each exuding their newfound powers. As his gaze landed on Varic, Tingle, and Ardric, he began to walk towards them, gaping at the powers on display. Tingle, in particular, seemed to pulsate with an overflow of magical energy akin to when Thalamar overcharged him. Zeroth was amazed at Tingle's control, Tingle appearing as tall as Varic with the help of the magical armor encasing him. As Zeroth stepped forward, the ground beneath him felt charged, pulsing with the energy of countless battles fought in this very arena. He could feel Vulcanix's presence, not as a voice in his head this time, but as an all-encompassing force surrounding him, watching his every move. "Observe more than your allies, dwarf. You aren't the only ones here." Zeroth clenched the handle of his battle axe at the realization. Stopping in his tracks, Zeroth began to scan the field around him, noticing at least thirty other individuals scattered about. Zeroth watched the warriors, mages, and beings of power he couldn't quite identify, each bearing the mark of their divine patrons, with caution. It was clear they were all summoned here for a purpose, a prelude to the Godswar, a showcase of might and allegiance.

Zeroth's gaze returned to his companions. Varic's tattoos glowed and swirled along his skin with eldritch light, his eyes deep pools of abyssal knowledge. Ardric stood tall, his aura of divine protection casting a soft glow that bathed him and his allies in celestial light. And Tingle, the gnome artificer, was a tempest of arcane energy, his presence filling the air with crackles of energy spitting from his arcane armor. Suddenly, the coliseum's atmosphere tensed, a silent signal that something was about to commence. Zeroth tightened his grip on his axe, flames flaring on his arms, a manifestation of Vulcanix's power and his determination to overcome whatever trials lay ahead. As Zeroth, Ardric, Varic, and Tingle huddled together, their eyes scanning the varied assembly of champions who, like them, were summoned to this grand coliseum in their dream, a profound silence enveloped the space. The anticipation was palpable, a tension that bridged the realms of gods and mortals, awaiting the moment that would set the course for the Godswar. Suddenly, the air vibrated with a power so immense that it seemed to ripple through the very foundation of the coliseum. A voice, booming yet imbued with an indefinable serenity, echoed across the vast expanse, its origin invisible yet felt by every soul present. "I am Aeonis, the Prime God of justice, balance, and fate," the voice declared, its resonance touching the minds of those gathered with a weight of authority that left no room for doubt. "You stand here as the chosen champions, each bearing the mantle of your respective deities, selected to partake in the Godswar—a trial of might, wit, and spirit that will determine the fate of the cosmos."

The champions, including Zeroth and his companions, listened in awe. The presence of Aeonis, though unseen, was as undeniable as the light of the stars in the night sky. "Let it be known that in two weeks, you shall all be summoned to the Fractured Nexus, the battleground for this divine conflict. There, you will not only face each other but also the challenges set forth by the gods, testing your resolve and your allegiance." Aeonis's words hung in the air, a decree that set the heart of every champion racing. The realization that the dream was more than a vision—it was a preparation for what lay ahead—sank in. "To emerge victorious, you must not only prove your strength but also navigate the complexities of divine will and the shifting tides of fate. Remember, the Godswar is not merely a contest of power; it is a crucible that will test your every skill." Zeroth felt a surge of determination, a fiery resolve kindled by the knowledge that the Godswar was imminent. Beside him, Ardric's posture was one of stoic readiness, Varic's eyes glinted with the sharpness of newfound purpose, and Tingle's aura crackled with the promise of ingenuity against the odds. "As the Prime God, I will oversee this war, ensuring that the balance is maintained. Know that the outcome of this war will echo through the ages, shaping not just the fate of the gods but the destiny of all creation."

With those final words, the voice of Aeonis faded, leaving behind a silence that spoke volumes. The champions, now fully aware of the magnitude of their task, shared a moment of solidarity. They understood the challenges that awaited them were beyond mortal comprehension, but together, they possessed a strength that could defy the gods themselves. As Zeroth and his companions awoke from the dream, the memory of Aeonis's decree etched into their minds, they knew that the preparation for the Godswar would demand everything they had. The two weeks until their physical summoning to the Fractured Nexus would be a time of intense preparation, strategy, and bonding, for the Godswar was not just a battle for the gods but a defining moment in their lives as champions.