Chapter 7: Why didn't we...

On the plane

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"This is madness. What happens if we can't save him when something goes wrong??"

Calanthe panics as she paces the entire length of the plane. Her hands are cupped in front of her as if she were praying.

"My boy is going into lava. HAHAHA. What a joyous day as a mother."

Ambrose stands and tries to comfort her.

"Honey, calm yourself. Our boy is strong and he'll become even stron-"

Calanthe whirls around in an impressive display of speed and glares at Ambrose.

"Don't tell me to calm down! How are you not panicking?!?!"

Ambrose goes to hug her and gently whispers in her ear.

"I'm not panicking at the moment because I think back to when I failed and he had to fight our battles."

Ambrose looks deep into Calanthe's eyes.

"I never want that to happen again without him being prepared my love. Let's believe in him."

Calanthe regards his words and nods.

Godfrey witnesses this scene and a warm feeling spreads in his chest. Dave's voice then suddenly sounds out in the intercom.

"Alright people, we're an hour out."

Godfrey focuses and enters a meditative state to prepare himself.

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1 hour later.

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The group arrives at the most active volcano in the world. It is situated on a lone island deep in the middle of the ocean.

Legend states that it is the body of an ancient beast gone to slumber. It is called, the Beast's Maw. The Gallahad's private plane engages its hover mode and stops right above the molten pit. Desmond calls out to Godfrey and sternly reminds him.

"Remember Godfrey. If you cannot hold on, then you must press the distress signal."

Godfrey nods and looks to the opening of the volcano. Lava flows turbulently and gouts of liquid fire periodically explode forth.

'I have to jump in. It's now or never.'

Godfrey turns to his family and they wish him luck.

"Good luck my dear."

"You can do this my boy."

"Remember what I said. Good luck."

Dave's voice once again comes from the intercom.

"Godspeed Godfrey."

Godfrey doesn't waste time and dives off. The wind feels comfortable on his skin as gravity drags his body downwards. The closer he gets to the volcano, the more blistering the heat becomes.

He has a few seconds to think to himself of this situation and he arrives at an intriguing question.

'Why did we not use an extra large fur-'

There is, however, no time left to ponder as he pierces through the top layer of lava.

'GAAAAAHHHHH IT BURNS!!'

Immediately his skin and muscles burn. His bones blacken as the heat carbonizes them. His blood boils and turns to steam as his eyes melt. His throat is burned shut as his screams are trapped within.

'AAAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHHH!!'

His body kicks into overdrive as it works to keep the boy alive.

Burn. Heal. Melt. Heal. Carbonise. Heal.

A vicious cycle repeats again and again for what seems like hours.

Godfrey's nerves are burned off and healed continuously in what would be an ingenious method of torture. Liquid rock finds its way into his orifices and the pain is magnified.

'GAAAAAAAAHHHHHH-'

Then his struggle stops. His body remains unmoving as it slowly burns.

Ambrose, Calanthe, Dave and Desmond keep an eye out for any signs of Godfrey. They wait for 30 minutes and see no indication of him. Calanthe prepares to leap off the plane but Ambrose holds her back and asks her to trust Godfrey.

Desmond is holding onto a cross and praying, while Dave grips on tight to the steering wheel.

Suddenly the sky darkens as thunderclouds rapidly converge above. Desmond is confused as there were no forecasts mentioning a storm. Ambrose suddenly laughs and picks Calanthe off the ground.

"HAHAHAHA MY BOY LIVES!!!"

Inside the volcano

Godfrey remains floating and slowly burning. There are, however, sparks of lightning sputtering around his body.

His hands twitch and his skin is healing. His adaptation comes into play and is making him more resistant to heat. His muscles and bones are fortified to greater heights and his eyes awaken once more. Godfrey explodes upwards and exits the lava.

With a sonic boom he rapidly climbs until he can almost touch the clouds and then he stops. Godfrey uses his Divine Sense and scans his body.

'35% incredible.'

He feels a welling of power deep within his soul and glances at the clouds.

'Impossible. I should have only been able to do this as the GodKing.'

He reaches into the clouds until his elbow disappears into it.

'Let us see if I am right.'

*CRACKOOOOOOOOM*

Lightning strikes his hand as a vague outline of an axe forms.

Even more lightning pools around his hand as the axe gradually takes form. The air seems to shake as the thunderous impacts of the lightning bolts threaten to shatter the sky.

'Almost there!'

The others on the plane witness this scene and are shocked at the power Godfrey is showing.

Without warning, a massive explosion disperses the clouds and sends Godfrey into an aggressive tumble back into the volcano.

"AAAAAHHHHHH DAM-"

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Calanthe scratches her head as she asks.

"What just happened?"

Godfrey then flies out of the lava and onto the plane, naked as the day he was born.

"...I failed."

Ambrose grabs his son's shoulders and comforts him.

"I don't know what happened my boy, but remember my words and your oath."

Godfrey smiles and nods at his father's words.

"Yes Father. Can I have some clothes?"

Ambrose laughs and throws a jumpsuit to Godfrey. Calanthe captures him in a crushing hug and doesn't let go for a few minutes. She then starts crying in relief.

"Wuuuu I was so scared!!!"

Godfrey feels a pang of pain in his chest and hugs her tighter.

"I'm sorry mother."

Once the heartfelt moment passes, Godfrey is bombarded with questions from Dave and Desmond.

"Did it hurt when the lava burned you?"

"Can you feel a significant change in strength?

"Did it burn off...you know..."

"This is astounding. Your skin doesn't seem to have visually changed, but the readings.."

Ambrose steps in and stops the duo from causing chaos.

"Alright, alright, let him rest. Desmond you can do more tests when we get back."

Ambrose looks to Godfrey with a happy face.

"Well done my boy. You should rest now. You'll be starting your first day of school a week later."

He then looks to Dave with a deadpan face.

"...seriously man."

Dave just shrugs and laughs.

Everyone else laughs at the absurdity of the situation. Once the light-hearted laughter stops, Godfrey decides to ask a question.

"Why didn't we just use an extra large furnace and gradually increase the heat?"

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Calanthe stands and glares at Desmond and Ambrose.

"FUUUUUU-"

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1 week later. 5:30 a.m.

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Godfrey places a lunchbox into his bag and ensures that he has all the documents he needs.

He looks at the mirror and notes that his hair seems to have a few silver strands.

'That is a weird side effect of the lava bath.'

He checks his uniform and notes that it looks quite good, with navy blue as its main colour and gold accents. He dons his bag and swiftly heads down to the living room.

Godfrey enters the living room and notes that his father is sitting on the couch with a blanket and pillow.

'...maybe I shouldn't have asked that question...they shall handle it.'

Ambrose sees his son and a bitter smile appears on his face.

"Did you have to ask that question son?"

Godfrey guiltily looks away.

"I am sorry father."

Ambrose just laughs and gets up.

"Don't worry my boy. Your mother and I will work it out. Speaking of, here she comes."

Calanthe walks down the stairs and happily looks upon Godfrey.

"Oh my boy is growing up so fast. Wuuu he's gonna leave me alone."

Godfrey laughs and gives his mother a hug.

"Worry not mother. It's just high school."

Calanthe ruffles his hair and briskly walks out of the house.

"Come now Godfrey we shan't be late for your first day!"

Ambrose stands there looking defeated.

"My boy, she has ignored me for a week. That is far too long."

Godfrey looks down.

"I am sorry father..."

20 minutes later

The Gallahad's arrive by hovercar to a busy school entrance. A number of families are saying their see you laters and the overall atmosphere is nervous.

All sound stops as Ambrose and Calanthe step out of their vehicle. The crowd then erupts when they see Godfrey.

"WOOOAAHHH Godfrey is here!"

"He's so tall. Are we sure he's only 12??"

"Others have gigantification powers idiot, they're naturally bigger too."

"He's so handsome!"

"Look at his eyes. They're so cool!!"

"The strongest 12 year old!!"

The Gallahad's ignore the crowd as they say their farewell to each other. Calanthe fixes Godfrey's uniform as she nags at him.

"It's only an introduction and biometric data gathering today so don't be too nervous. Make sure you eat your lunch. Be nice to people. Since you're so tall, then try to find a seat to the side."

Godfrey interrupts his mother as she may continue for hours.

"I will be alright, mother. I shall see you later."

Calanthe nods and heads back to the car. Ambrose hugs Godfrey and lifts him off the ground.

"HAHA I remember when that used to be easier. Now you're almost as large as me. Good luck my boy."

Godfrey is let down and nods to his father.

"See you later father. You might want to head back now. Mother is driving the car away."

Ambrose's eyes widen and he sprints after their family car. Godfrey looks to the school amidst the gossiping crowds and breathes deeply.

'Let's see what high school has in store.'

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END