90 War and leaving the mountain?

I look at the screen and try to think of a solution. But I can't think of anything. 

"That's a formidable defence they got there." Chiffre looks at the screen with an annoyed expression. 

You could call this an emergency meeting. I have the ambassadors here. Nicosar and Arthur. Celes, Tanja and Sandra. Fuck, I simply called everyone with the slightest bit of battle power from Chimera. 

The tracking device of the Arcane Community worked perfectly and led us towards the enemy base. I call it base but it's more like a gigantic fortress composed of multiple planets. 

There is a huge planet in the centre of the configuration. This planet is surrounded by dozens of smaller planets in a very tight and complex gravitational dance. 

It's something completely unnatural and so we can already guess that this construct was most likely made by Amaru. 

There is just one problem. The planets are infested with countless demons. And some of them seem to have the ability to use pathways! 

We already lost a scout ship to those things. They kept appearing around it until the crew had to abandon the ship. 

"I say we go in there with all hands and crush everything! No need to hold back!" Celes waves her fist at the screen. 

"Hold it! What if we somehow set off the Spheres by doing that!" Miruliru doesn't seem to like the idea. 

"They will be set off either way. Our enemies aren't using the Spheres as a threat. It's rather a question of why they didn't activate them. The only reason could be that they aren't ready yet. So by going in earlier, we may stop them from using them on a large scale." Chiffre explains his thoughts to us. 

I close my eyes to relax. Millions of worlds gone, just because some type of epic fools had to play with fusing souls. Every idiot should be able to tell that something with multiple personalities is bound to go mad with time. 

"So the only question is how to utilize our forces and abilities!" Nicosar puts up a stance while looking at the screen. 

"We should go in with all our forces together. Those demons could overwhelm smaller groups very easily by using pathways." Zanders shakes his head. 

~May I make a suggestion?~ 

"Oh? Warden. It's unusual for you to talk on your own." I answer Warden's voice which interrupted our conversation. 

~I am sorry for being rather simple minded in following my purpose. But the current situation is directly connected to my orders. So to get to my suggestion. I will take Asheim there and destroy those planets.~ 

"Could you repeat that?" -Miruliru 

~I will take Asheim through a pathway like the Arcane Community did with their moon. Then I will utilize my weaponry to destroy those planets.~ 

"You can destroy planets? And you are talking about it like it's no big deal?" -Gwalonna 

~I am the Warden. I am tasked to stop the great Calamity from ever emerging again. It would be pretty stupid if I didn't have the abilities to do so. I was created by the Bright One after all.~ 

"Oooh. If it's like that! Come here and smash that planetary fortress!" Carne waves at the screen with an expectant gesture. 

~It isn't that easy. I need to get close enough to do it. Otherwise I can't guarantee the eradication of the demons.~ 

"How do you intend to get rid of the demons?" I ask Warden with a curious voice.

~By using the same magic which you used to stop the earlier incursions.~ 

"Warden! I thought we had an agreement in terms of spying through my ships!" I shout with an angry voice. 

~I am sorry. Your anger isn't justified. I didn't break our agreement. The magic you are using was known to me for a long time. It was developed by the Bright One to stop the Calamity and return the eaten souls to the great cycle.~ 

I squint my eyes. "That's hard to believe. I developed that magic by researching the affinities of my own soul. The bright one must have had a soul very similar to mine in order to create that magic." 

~Then the answer is obvious.~ 

"Hah?!" I am at a dead end. But Warden doesn't seem to realize that further explanations are needed. 

"Explain that in detail, Warden!" -Chiffre 

~If the magic was developed twice by researching a specific souls affinities. Then the soul in question has to be the same one. Souls are like fingerprints. Some may be similar, but every one of them is unique.~ 

~So Angrod has to be the Bright One.~ 

I smack my head hard. This whole reincarnation shit is becoming too complicated. 

"But Angrod is Angrod! He doesn't remember anything of being an Ascended?" -Celes 

~All remaining Ascended returned to the great cycle of life and death. Like I said. But I never said that they couldn't rise again. And that's what they believed would happen after enough time. Most likely many of you have the soul of an Ascended.~ 

~It's actually funny to see that you gods seem to be caught in an endless wheel. Even if you think that you managed to escape your fate... you end up in your old positions again.~ 

"That's not funny Warden! Fuck you! I would disassemble you if we wouldn't need you." I scream out towards the ceiling. This is frustrating! 

"That's not funny Warden! Fuck you! I would disassemble you if we wouldn't need you." 

~Funny. That's a translated recording of the Bright One. He said the exact same words once, if you overlook the grammatical language differences.~ 

"Argh!" 

I start to type at my console but moments before I can press the -delete- button, multiple ambassadors, family members and friends jump on me like I would carry a football and just entered the death zone. 

*****At another world in another time.***** 

"So you will now walk into this city and concentrate on the things I taught you Sharid." Nazareth is standing beside me at knee height with crossed arms. 

"Yes, ~Master!~" I am so excited! After a year of training under him and secluding myself on that mountain, I am finally able to come back to civilisation! 

"Don't use your ability on me! I am still a god and you are just a mortal! Don't forget that!" Nazareth snaps angry at me. 

"I am sorry master! It wasn't intentional! I am just so excited!" I actually jump a little up and down. A bed! Real food! A warm room! No rocks! No snow! No nuts and mushrooms for dinner! 

"Do we have to train another year? You know what happens if you lose control like that?" Nazareth gives me a sharp look. 

"Nooo! I will manage! Absolute control! I wont fail! Please let me try." Calm down! Breath in, breath out! Cool and calculating thoughts! Don't let go of your voice. Always the right expression. No accidental arousing smile. 

My thoughts are logical and cold. I have my body under control. 

"Hmm. Kay. Then let's try this. It's morning now. You walk down into that city and do your business. You are a normal adventurer! After you took care of your clothing, you buy supplies and entertain yourself until evening. Maybe you even manage to find a party in order to go your own path from now on." Nazareth looks up to me. 

"I will stay here and look from afar. In the evening you come back and I give you my judgement. If you pass this test you can go. Otherwise it's the mountain again!" He points at the cold and icy peak of the cursed rock! 

"I wont let you down!" I turn and run towards the city. Freedom! 

"Don't forget about your clothes!" Nazareth calls after me. 

That's when I look down at my body and realize the torn rags I am wearing! A year in the mountain wasn't beneficial on my equipment. Uwaah! I look like a lightly dressed barbarian! And I am dirty! First stop is a clothing shop! 

After a few minutes of walking I arrive at the city gates. 

"Stop! Barbarians and beggars aren't allowed in this city!" A city guard stops me from entering 

"I am sorry. But I was on a long journey and that's why I look like this. I am certainly no barbarian and no beggar! I have many valuable materials. Just give me the chance to sell them." I try to reason with the two guards who are now blocking my way. 

"Hell no! Fuck off! We know your kind! Surely you will sell your body to get money!" -Guard One 

"There are laws against scum like you in our town! No entry! Try at the next city!" -Guard Two 

Bastards! Who do you think you are? And what if I am a barbarian or a beggar? Does that make me less human? So I am not even allowed entry to the city!? 

"~I would really appreciate it, if you two would make an exception for me. Who knows? If you show up at the inn in the evening, I may have a little surprise for you.~" 

"Ah..." -Guard One 

"S... Sure go ahead." Guard Two steps aside and I stroll past them while waving my hips. 

"W... we will be waiting!" Guard One calls after me. 

Kukukuku. This was too easy! Maybe those abilities of mine aren't so bad after all? I make my path through the city until I arrive at a good looking shop for clothes. 

"This one looks exquisite!" I talk to myself while I enter the shop. "Hello? I need a full set of clothes!" 

A snobbish looking vendor turns around to greet me. His face distorts in disgust as his eyes lock onto me. "This shop doesn't have charity handouts! Leave or I call the city guard! Beggars are thrown out of the city without questions!" 

Wha!? Another one? What's wrong with this place!? Is it normal to be treated like that if you are an average person? "Ah. I am no beggar! I am an adventurer and had a hard time alone in the mountains! I can pay! Here look." I grab into my pocket and wave a nut sized golden nugget before him. 

"Where did you steal that! Now I will call the guard for sure!" The vendor tries to get past me but I actually feel a vein popping on my forehead. 

"~Aaahn. You can't be so cold to a young lady who only tells the truth! I am sure you can sell two of your best sets of clothes to me.~" 

The vendor stops in his tracks and turns around with expecting eyes. "Please follow me miss! I am sorry that I was so rude." 

After twenty minutes of choosing his best and probably most valuable outfits, I am ready to depart. 

"How much does this cost? I will pay in gold nuggets." 

"Ten gold nuggets for those two outfits will be enough, miss. You look gorgeous!" The vendor smiles at me. 

That's thievery! Ten gold nuggets! You could buy those clothes for two of them! No wonder this shop looks so nice! 

"~You are sure you couldn't make a little exception for me? If you give me the real price I may have a little surprise for you at the inn tonight!~" 

The vendor loosens a bit at my words. "S.. Sure! That would be two gold nuggets!" 

I smile at him and give him his payment while I walk past him and out of the shop. Well, that's done. What next? 

Hmm. I will get this dirt off of me! Best to get a room at the inn for that! After asking a few people, I arrive at the towns inn. The town isn't very large and so it's hard to miss it. 

Is it a problem that I still had to ask twelve people? Whatever! As long as I have someone to ask it's no problem! 

I enter the inn. I then get greeted by a fat old barkeeper, or should have been at least. If he wasn't so busy to hitting a servant. 

The poor girl has bruises all over her face! And the fat geezer actually uses a wooden stick! 

~Hellooooo? Mister? I would like your best room with a bath! And fast!~ 

The barkeeper snaps to attention at my voice. "Of course! The servant will lead you to your room. Payment is in advance!" 

I drop a raw diamond into the waiting hands of the barkeeper which makes his eyes pop out. Greedy bastard. I am sure he doesn't even think about the exchange money! 

After the servant girl led me upstairs and arranged a nice hot bath in a very nice looking room for me, I can finally relax. But before the girl leaves the room, I stop her. 

"Does he hit you often?" 

"N.n.no! The owner just uses his fists in cases of serious failure!" The girl bows down to me. 

"Tell me the truth. You have too much bruises to believe that." I don't let her go like that. 

"E.. everyday miss. It doesn't matter if I make a mistake or not. He likes it to hurt others, but I can't just leave. If I lose this job, they will throw me out of the town!" The girl looks at the floor. 

I grab one of my bags with gold nuggets and throw it at her. She barely catches it. "Take that and get someone to give you a good education! Don't be here this evening." I wave at her with a dismissive gesture. 

The girl looks into the bag with round eyes. "Thank you, Miss! Thank you so much!" She leaves the room with tears in her eyes. At least she is smart enough to instantly take a chance in her life if it is given to her. 

I continue to enjoy my bath for a while. Afterwards I set out to get supplies and have a decent dinner. 

Then I take a long stroll through the whole town. I eat good food and have some decent conversations with other people. Unfortunately I find no group of adventurers to hook up to. 

While buying equipment at the market and in various stores, I get stopped by a noble looking guy with guards at his side. It's already evening and the sun starts to disappear behind the horizon. 

"I am sorry to interrupt your business, miss. But I heard that a very rich adventurer entered the town and pays with valuable diamonds and gold, like as if they were copper coins. So I asked myself if you would be interested in a little deal?" 

Omg. What now? Is this town full of bastards and assholes? "And you are?" 

"I am the governor of this wonderful town. It's thanks to me that this city is free of filth! So about our business. I want to know where you got all those riches from. If the source of those diamonds and gold becomes known to us, it will increase the wealth of this entire region!" The feisty bastard tries to take my hand and kiss it but I pull it out of his grip. 

"That doesn't sound like there is much for me in it? And what makes you think that the source of my wealth would be of any interest to you?" I smile at him. 

"Because all of that stuff consisted of unrefined goods. So you most likely found it close to this town. Maybe I could send a few workers in order to help you mining it? It would be much faster and you wouldn't have to dirty your own hands." 

I grin at the smart bastard who is responsible for the laws in this town. "Ohh. You are right! How about we talk about this while eating dinner at the inn? I wouldn't be able to carry ~all that stuff~ by myself anyway." 

The eyes of the governor sparkle while he offers me his hand and I link arms with him. Hoh! I didn't even need my voice for this! Somehow I instinctively knew what to say! Is that the effect of psychologist? Maybe I should try to develop that ability a little further. 

After a short walk we arrive at the inn and go inside. I soon see a few familiar faces while the drunkards undress me with their eyes. What's wrong with them! The sun isn't even completely down and this place already reeks like a barrel of beer! 

The barkeeper looks very stressed with drops of sweat running down his forehead while he serves alcohol to the people. Serves him right! 

The governor leads me towards a table and places himself on a chair. But I don't show any intentions to take a seat myself. 

"~Actually! I like really strong men! If you could prove me your worthiness, I could show you heaven!~" 

After a second of complete silence, the whole inn explodes in furry of fists and thrown chairs! Tables get smashed while the participants of the brawl try to beat each other into bloody lumps of flesh. 

While humming I skip through the middle of it all. On my way to the exit I pass the bar. I ~accidentally~ knock over one of the candle-holders. Then I grab one of the bottles of alcohol with a high percentage.... and drop it. 

*Crack*  *WhooOOOSH!* 

Ups! That was totally an accident! I smile a wide grin while I exit the inn and leave the town in measured steps and in a high mood. 

Ah! The world is becoming a little brighter day by day! I feel like I am in control of my life for the first time! 

After a few minutes of walking, I end up outside the town. I then climb my way up the small hill, where I left Nazareth in the morning. 

I find him sitting on a small rock. He has his elbows jacked on his knees while he covers his face with his hands. 

"Hi, Master! I did well, didn't I? That was the best day in my life!" I call out to him with a cheerful voice. 

"THEN... What's THAT!" He points towards the city behind me and I turn around. 

It's getting dark, but the city is bathed in the light of flames. The inn is burning while people are running left and right while trying to save the neighbouring buildings. I guess there is no hope for the inn.... 

"That was.... an ~accident!~" I nod and look at master with an earnest face. 

The little gnome covers his face again and starts to mumble. "I honestly don't know if I should reward you for your control, or punish you for it!" 

"Nyaaa! Master! Not the mountain again! Please teach me somewhere else!" I drop to my knees and bow to the little gnome who saved me from my personal hell. "I used it just to punish bad people!" 

The little gnome jumps from his rock and sighs. "Well. I hope I didn't create a monster. Get up and listen to my last piece of advice!"

I shoot upwards! "Last piece!? You won't teach me any more!?" 

"I can't help you any further. You know all the techniques and meditations to get a grip on your powers. Train them and perfect them. You don't need me for that." Nazareth scratches his chin while looking at the rising moon. 

"The last piece of advice I give you concerns something completely different. Something nobody can help you with! And that's how to become a god!" The gnome looks into my eyes with a grin on his face. 

I am frozen. "A god!?" 

"Yes. You have the potential. That's for sure." -Nazareth 

"I have?" I ask and Nazareth nods. "How? Will I be able to meet that pervert god and give him a beating?" 

Nazareth tilts his head. "Yes. Most likely you will meet him if you manage it. But I doubt that you will be able to beat him. After all he wiped the floor with you the last time." 

"Last time?" I arch my eyebrow. 

"You want to hear the method or not!?" -Nazareth 

I bow down again. "Yes, master! Please enlighten me!" 

"Look up!" The gnome starts to wander left and right before me. "First, forget your body! Forget the flesh! What makes you a god is here!" He points to his head. "And here!" Then he points towards his heart. 

"Find the one thing you really love! The one thing you are good at! And then perfect that skill! Refine it to heights above your body. Being a god is a state of the mind! By reaching heights beyond the flesh, you will acquire access to unbelievable power." He folds his hands before his chest. 

"Open your mind. That's something you can only do on your own. Nobody can help you with it. Find yourself!" Then master is suddenly gone. 

I am alone on the little hill.