by Kieron Uchee
The threads of your life have been bound by the Μοιρα to this land, you are
now joined to the land when you suffer the land suffers.
You have received a new permanent buff, Strength of the earth.
Your strength has doubled, use your power wisely.
That buff took my breath away and I could feel the power flow through me as my Nanobots adopted to the increase of my strength stat.
The third window I glanced at was a warning that I would have to leave this realm soon to complete my quests in the Gods and Men realm. Once my quests were complete I could return by my connection to my island. It would seem that I would have to leave soon, and I was sure that I would not have any choice in the matter.
Suddenly I had a sense that someone wanted my attention and focusing my thoughts I could hear someone speaking, “Demigod Torn, I am the God Hermes and the great God Zeus has sent me here to deliver this greeting. You are commanded to approach the throne of Zeus within two days, to be recognized formally and have you place within the pantheon confirmed. Do not delay past the appointed time or risk the wrath of the Gods.”
With that, the little arrogant prick was gone. The whole time we were communicating telepathically he was radiating a cold disdain and arrogance, indeed I had caught snippets of his thoughts and they were nasty towards me, I suddenly realized that this may have been my new perception activating. At any rate, Hermes bore me ill-will.
Shrugging my shoulders, I activated my PIM and brought my stats up to date.
Gear
Dice of the Goblin King-Used
Shark tooth Knife-Equipped
Two blue maces level three
The Big Book of Discord
Four rings of epic quality-unused
Two Paladin maces of epic quality both scalable with plus 20 strength each per Level-Equipped
Plate armor named Shadow Born that is scalable of epic quality- Equipped
The Great Spellbook of Law, Tactics, Weaponry and History Read
Two blue rings scalable
Ambrosia recipe
Race
Elf
Newly Ascended as a minor power
Level eight stats
Strength = 6925
Agility = 3112.5
Mana = 2906.25
Health = 3175
Speed = 3112.5
+ Racial ability limited time double speed
Buffs
Gaiatoci’s Buff of Life and Mana
Ama’s Buff of the Succubae
Breathing without Air buff
Buff of Perception
Strength of the Earth buff strength doubled
Companions
Battle Crab Krusty
Angelic Messenger Komhether
Minor Demon Sebastian
Abilities
Ability Persuasion
Ability Pickpocketing
Ability Singing
Ability dual wield spells
Lock picking, the basics 100 percent completed
Lock picking advanced 60 percent remaining
Lock picking master 0 percent completed
Spells
Basic DPS attack Wrath of the Light
Basic magical attack Holy Fire
Basic healing spell Holy Health
Ice Bolt
Lightning
Portals-inactive
Dragon Fire
Shadows
Airless Breathing
Metamorphic Transformation
Sonic Shard
Sonic Blast
Manaflow
Class
Hidden class, the Thief
Subclass Paladin
Subclass Mage Knight
You have joined the Mage Knights of Ilumberia
You are dedicated to truth, justice, and knowledge.
Nanobot Integration
Defensive capability, self-healing, self-warming
Offensive capability, electrical discharge from hands
Strength increase four times normal human with diminishing returns upon
leveling
PIM
Stealth detection enabled
Upgraded map functions
Ability to make calls to the Real World
Ability to access GNet from within the game
Ability to leave and enter the game
Avatar integration into gaming matrix
You are not recognized as a player and the gaming AI has no control over you
Satisfied with the updates I closed my PIM and walked towards the tower, I was staring at it and then I had a realization, the tower belonged in a European setting, not in ancient Greece. I shrugged maybe one day I would find out who had constructed it but for now, it was going to be home. Three floors of dusting and cleaning, I wish I had the guys here to help I thought.
I spent the next few hours cleaning the tower as best I could and then I went back to the beach and sat down on the pristine white sand. I had some thinking to do, the fact that who I am was false and I had been immersed in a mundane game realm along with everyone I knew was pissing me off.
I just could not believe I would have ever voluntarily joined such a game world to be an orphan in a shitty future, nope the more I thought of what I learned the more I was convinced that I had not been told the whole truth. Without thinking, I spoke out loud, “I need to find the truth before I can act on suppositions and hearsay.” Suddenly a window opened and I was offered a quest,
To know the truth
Are you willing to search for the truth, when even the Gods have given up?
This will open up a hidden legendary quest for you if you accept
Yes or No?
I quickly accepted and then stood up, there is no time like the present I thought and metamorphed into my dragon form. Taking a minute, I switched back and forth until I felt comfortable and in full control of the change. I finally ended up with wings but retained my human form, much like I was when I first changed back on the third tier of the city.
I had been weaker than and could only fly for short distances, really more a controlled gliding. But now feeling the strength within my body I jumped and with a flap of my wings was airborne. I circled the island rising higher and higher, taking my time.
When I was so high it was difficult breathing I activated the Breathing without Air buff and sure enough, I could breathe again. Getting my bearings, I flew to Mount Olympus, the sheer size of the mountain was amazing and most of the mountain had been developed into tiers. I was suddenly aware that if this was the first realm then all the others were copies in some way.
I was now on level with the mountain about two-thirds of the way up, I had noticed that there were huge tracts of land that had been left wild. I decided to land in one and then make my way up through the cities until I reached the peak where the Pantheon was located. It was a combination temple palace and garden and crowned the mountain.
Landing I switched back to Elf form and then began to trek through the bushes until I found a trail. Following the pathway, I eventually ended up in front of a gate with two guards lounging against the wall. Upon seeing me they both jumped to their feet and grabbed their spears. The smaller one spoke up and asked what I was doing in the bushes and where I was going.
I nodded politely at them both and then said, “Zeus has invited me to attend him, and I am traveling up the mountain to do so. If you could point out the fastest route up I would appreciate it.”
Hearing the name Zeus, the guards looked at each other and then one said, “If Zeus has told him to go we better let him pass, besides if he is lying he will never make it out of the temple.”
I nodded and said, “That’s right boys so the sooner I go the better it will be, which way?”
The taller guard coughed and then said, Follow the path through town and then turn left at the fork once past the gate, stay on that path, it threads through the wilderness instead of the cities and is much faster.” Then spitting off to the side
he ignored me as he asked his companion about the nymph he had seen him with.
Friendly bunch of arrogant pricks, I thought as I made my way through town. Once I reached the edge of the town I passed through the gates and entered a pathway that sloped up and down the side of the mountain. The terrain quickly turned in a mixed forest with many plants and small wildlife scurrying through the bush.
I progressed on and soon noticed the trail was becoming steeper and the forest was thinning out. Soon I was walking along the bottom of a series of cliffs that stood over two hundred feet in height. The shoulder of the mountain flared out towards the sea and I could see a cave halfway up the cliff. Once I spied it I suddenly felt that I needed to get to it, it was like a low-grade compulsion.
I stared at the cliff as I approached and then glancing around and seeing no one I changed into half dragon half human and then with a jump I began to scale the cliff. Beating my wings and using my claws allowed me to reach the cave within a minute.
I had thought to fly but the air around Mount Olympus had a tendency to become electrically charged. I had overheard a villager mention that every time Zeus got some the air flashed lightning and the thunder boomed. Apparently, he liked getting some several times a day.
From what I had read most of the Greek pantheon was like that, sex was the thing they did, with human, other Gods, animals and anyone else they could grab. I really am an open guy but I draw the line at animals, children, and non-consensual relationships. Not these guys, they took what they wanted and never worried about paying the price, who is going to judge a God after all. Truly every God I had met was a dick except Gaiatoci and perhaps Nyx.
Focusing my attention on the cave now that I was standing on the narrow ledge in front of the opening I took a breath and spun around enjoying the view. It was amazing and awe-inspiring with the sea a deep blue and the white sand of the beaches. The weather was perfect and the air was not hot nor cold but a steady comfortable temperature.
Turning around I entered the cave and was not surprised that it led into a passageway that sloped downward. Shrugging I followed the pathway as it sloped downwards and switchbacked several times. Eventually, I came to a large door, grasping the handle I pushed the door open and entered the room. I stared not believing my eyes, at the far end of the room was a mirror covered in what looked like a Runic script with roses and sharp vines holding two swords that were placed in the middle of the mirror.
This was surreal it was almost identical to the two swords that I had found hidden in a lost tunnel under the city. The swords had become a part of me until the Eldest had ripped them out of my arms and then used them to kill Gaiatoci. I stared at the mirror fascinated by what I saw, I still had no knowledge of what the original Runic script was.
Not happening again, I thought as I turned to leave only to find out I could not turn. I watched helplessly as my body began to walk towards the mirror. Standing in front of the mirror I watched as my hand lifted up and touched the mirror.
Pulling on every ounce of power, I tried to stop the inevitable from happening. I could not stop my hand from touching the mirror but as the runic script once again began to transfer from the glass to my body and the roses and vines wrapped around my arms from the shoulders to the wrists I felt a change. Soon the swords were once again tattooed into my arms surrounded by the rose bushes.
What caught my attention was a new interface window that opened
Congratulations you have succeeded in overcoming the power of the Sword of Peleus and the Sword of Damocles. By the Ascendant power within you, the swords are now soul bound to you. Only you will be able to use them and the power that they have. Be warned many will attempt to challenge you to gain the swords. Be wary of those who know you have them.
What the hell were my last thoughts as my body struggled to adjust to the raw power of the swords that were now a part of me. Then I passed out on the ground.
Two dark shadows appeared and then took on the shape of a large man and a small woman. “Nyx, I hope he is the one, we won’t be able to deceive the Gods other than this time. If he fails, then all the realms are lost to the true world.”
Nyx stared down at Torn with a smile on her lips, “He won’t fail Prometheus, I have full confidence in him just as I have in you.”
Scowling Prometheus said, “That confidence is fine but I know this, for giving mankind fire I a Titan spent an eternity being tortured, what do you think a level eight Elf is going to suffer if caught. And what of his thoughts on the compulsion that led him here?”
Nyx simply smiled at Prometheus and said, “He is the one, he has not changed, he is a human, the game has not swept over him leaving him hungry for power. He has suffered greatly and lost much but he is stronger for that. The temptation of Godhood will not overwhelm his humanity, he will succeed. As for the compulsion, he accepted the quest and as it states,” “If you start on the pathway it must be finished.”
With a snap of her fingers, the two beings faded from sight and I was left trying to figure out what the hell they were talking about. I had awoken almost immediately as my body quickly adjusted to the changes. Keeping still and listening had been the best course of action and I had learned some things.
Standing up I slowly made my way up the tunnel thinking about the plans of the Gods and how Man fits into it all.
Chapter 28 The Pantheon
I had finally made it back down the cliff and was continuing along the trail. It was climbing fast and had lots of turns and overhangs, the view was impressive. After several hours of walking, I came to a large gate in a wall that stretched all the way around the curvature of the mountain. There were two Cyclops at guard and they looked me over as I approached.
The nearest one lifted his hand and said, “Stop, no one may enter the higher grounds of Πάνθειον Pantheion unless invited. I suggest you turn around Elf and head on back down the mountain.” The other guard simply stared at me and growled.
I looked at them and saw that they were level twenty Warriors, both were a steady yellow on my minimap meaning they were not enemies but not friendly towards me. The both carried Polearms, with a blade that was at least forty centimeters long and had a wicked curve. Each blade had a small hook on near the tip about ten centimeters down on the backside. The weapons could be used for stabbing at a distance and chopping down at an enemy and the hook would be effective in disarming a shield.
The air was still as the guards waited to see what I would do, I looked at them both and said, “Hermes showed up at my home and told me to come see Zeus, so here I am.”
Frowning at me the nearest guard said, “Little arrogant prick that likes to fly around, has a real shitty attitude with normal people? He told you that the Boss wanted to see you?”
I nodded as there was not much more to say, it would depend on if the guards believed me or not. I watched as the closest cyclops pointed at me and said, “Don’t move.” Then they both withdrew a few feet and whispered at each other for a minute. Finally, they returned and the talker said, “All right, we will let you pass but if you are lying the Gods will deal with you. Πάνθειον Pantheion is in the middle of all the temples and is where Zeus holds court.”
I thanked them and passed through the gate, once inside the air somehow felt richer and the colors of the plants and rocks became deeper. Must be because this is the closest thing to heaven, I thought as I walked the pathways. The grass was gently sloped upwards with various flowers and bushes scattered around the expanse. There were a number of smaller temples and shrines, and walking along the pathways were Gods and demigods, along with centaurs, fauns and other mythical creatures from Greece Europe and Asia.
The closer I walked towards the Pantheon the more crowded it was. Yet strangely not one person bothered me, many looked at me and a few whispered to each other as I passed but no one actually stopped me or tried to talk to me. The whole situation felt surreal but I was brought back to reality once I entered the Pantheon.
I finally arrived at the throne area and saw that the room was shaped like a T with Zeus sitting on his throne and to his right was Odin I would guess. He had an eyepatch on and there were two ravens sitting with him on his throne. He looked at me and nodded as I approached. On the other side of Zeus was a small dark man that looked East Indian and radiated a cold power. That is probably Shiva, I thought, cold looking guy, would not want to meet him in a dark alley.
Looking straight ahead I saw Zeus, the King of the Olympian Gods and the de facto ruler of all the other Gods. He was slumping back on his throne while kneeling between his legs was a tall green skinned woman of impressive attributes. I glanced at everyone and saw that no one was paying any attention and in fact, several of the other Gods were also in the act with other women.
My attention was drawn to a short chubby figure who was lugging around a barrel and filling any empty wine glasses. The barrel was damn near 2 meters long and 1 meter wide, it must have been over 400 kilos and yet the short God had no problem pouring drinks.
At this point, Zeus called out, “Bacchus more wine” and then as he sat up he noticed me. With a grunt, he whispered something into the woman’s ear and as she got to her feet and turned he pinched her bottom. Then taking a swig from his freshly filled flagon he stepped down and walking up to me, he smiled.
Clasping his arm around my shoulders he pulled me towards him and said, “Torn, the newly Ascended demigod has come to join us at the Pantheon, welcome. Then speaking almost in my ear, he said, “It is about damn time someone managed to Ascend, I was giving up hope on people. Then without a pause he SPOKE and the sound projected throughout the whole Pantheon, probably throughout the whole of Mount Olympus.
“Gods and demigods, allies and friends, I bring forth Torn the first to Ascend to Mount Olympus since time long past, make him welcome brothers and sisters, I declare this day to be in his honor.”