Chapter 14 Weapon: Travel Arc:

Act 1 Return:

I looked around, and everything was normal, the dark millet, was ripening. the morning cold, was almost non-existent as the fire-season warmth was quickly dispersing the misted cold night.

The pastures where empty, as the animals were inside the earthen palisaded village. but it seems I was noticed as the nightwatchers was turning off bronze braziers of fire. "Hey! open the gates! lord Abyss came back." 

"Lord?" That's odd, at most they acknowledge me as a foreign godling, that isn't hated or liked by their gods, but now there calling me like I was a recognized god to them.

Their large carved wooden door, opened. I looked how slow it was opening and now realized it wasn't hinged as I was familiar with, using a moving pin to close and open it.

But with a kind of bow like hinged, that was straight when closed and bends like a bow as it opens and like a bow would easily shut once the holding mechanism is released. . . who made this design? I never seen a single bow, since I got to here.

My hand was fully back by the time I made it to the gate but my clothes were ruined, burnt from my blood, and large cut from that crazy woman did a number to the clothes given to me by the Honey-rose clan, it took them a few days but while I was working on there clan hall, they surprised me with a couple sets of clothes that I could wear as a titan and in my smaller form.

"Wait, why didn't I tried fighting Vesthia as a titan?" I just realized I could have just charged her and overwhelmed her with my size. . .but then I thought about how her lightning can just blow off my arm and that I was actually softer the bigger I am.

"Good thing I was smaller, I don't think I could have dodge the first one if I was bigger, but I should try it next time she attacks me." the gate was opened and I entered I gave a wave to the watchers and they smiled waving back to me.

That's odd, they weren't this friendly before, did me partying with them last night made them like me this much? well it doesn't matter, I placed those thoughts away as I continued to my wagon which was left at the foot of there raised clan-hall. 

I opened my wagon, and went in, what I saw was a few of my companions sleeping in the sleeping nooks, I ignored there drunken smell and then opened my closet drawers and took some clothes that I can change into.

With a wash basin, a long strip of soft fabric and some of the soap I made, I went out and closed the wagon behind me. I saw a well in an open area and walked there, it was barred with a wooden lid, so I opened it.

There was a bucket with rope on the side so I used it, until my basin was filled, I boiled it with some of my fire and then stripped myself bare and started washing myself.

The hot water was enjoyable as it washed away the dirt of my skin, I used the soap and felt light pinches of pain, as the soap got into the healing wounds that had scared and slowly fading.

Then I felt I was being watch and not just by one person, but I ignored it they didn't felt dangerous probably just the nightwatch making their rounds.

I saw at a rock as I soaped my well muscled legs and groin. . . I'm still debating if I need a dick or not so right now I was like a sexless doll, I imagined if I had it would be a major weakness but. . . yeah why not, I made a very hung showy one and continued with my shower.

As I was washing my shoulder length dark blue hair, I felt the gave increased and felt hunger in them. . . That creeped me out so I hasten my wash and then I heard someone approach. 

"Lord Abyss? can you not wash yourself in such a public place?" I turned around and saw it was one of the ring leaders of chieftess Biretta, he was the war leader of Wolf-youths, a class of warriors that fight with only javelins and fast movement.

"Vinetas, good morning care to join me? and I didn't know you storm folks are that conservative." He turned red at my offer, and turned around coughing.

"Excuse me Lord, but if you do not finish soon many of our younger Doe-s, would start craving holy meat." I looked around and saw them, they seem to be holding buckets and laundry it seems he's right.

"Sorry give me a moment." I then used my tub, and pour it over me and used my fire to turn them into steam before it reached the grassy ground.

Within a few seconds I was fully clean of soap, dusted blood, and dirt. with the long fabric I used it as towel and then dried myself before placing my clothes over the long piece of fabric that I wore like a yukata.

"Alright Vinetas, would you escort me? I would like to visit the hall." He looked at me and nodded as he lead me away from very redden pubescent girls, who just watched a what they believed as a god bathed.

hopefully they don't do anything weird to that well, I made sure to take my tub and soap with me just to make sure I can put back on my wagon, the soap is valuable after all.

I left what I didn't need in the wagon, saw a few of my companions already up and giving there morning prayers, sacrifices, exercising and preparing for the day. 

"Hey you're almost all awake, I'm gonna visit the chieftess and talk to her about a few things." I was gentle as even as they did there routines, they seemed hangedover.

"No, were fine lord Abyss, we still need to prepare our daybreak meal, and wake up the others." I nodded and continued my way towards the hall.

"Lord Abyss, the chieftess might still be asleep but the other ring leaders should be awake by now, you can speak to us if you need something." I thought about it, and yes like the other chieftesses I've met doesn't work on the daily affairs of the clan.

"Good to hear that." I said as we entered the hall, the fires of the braziers were burnt off but the morning light was enough, it was coming from the high windows.

"I wanted to ask, If I can start hiring people to go with my party to the Osirry valley, I was planning to pay the families of those who would go with me with simple blessings or magical goods I can make while where here." I was talking to Vinetas, when a thought came back to me.

"Oh yeah, I just remembered why did your people suddenly started calling me Lord?" Vinetas looked confuse at me or at my question.

"Lord Abyss? we've always been calling you lord, since your arrival a few days ago. . .why would we disrespect a friend of our founder goddess?" A friend? that only happened last night! not. . . I saw mural at corner of my eyes, a carving that I'm sure wasn't there last night.

"Oh yes! that's the story of how Our lady Vesthia Summer. met you Lord Abyss." I walked over the mural, and Vinetas followed.

It was a set of dyed, carved images, on the wooden walls of the hall, a blue haired summer god fighting a goddess of the storms using blue flames and song.

Them seating with each other talking as they looked at the sunset, and the last image was the goddess naked surrounded with blue flames, while I was kneeling one of my arms severed and I was surrounded with cloudy winds.

"These are the stories about you, Lord Abyss." He smiled as he told me about the stories.

That I was one of the few suns that befriended their goddess as she travelled. that as we met, we fought first as it was customary to do so when summer and storm gods meet.

But then afterwards we became traveling companions. and at the end of the story we battled against unknown foes. "I personally think it was the trolls, at the battle your arm was torn off, and our goddess's armour was broken." He gave me a star eyed look as he excitedly told me story that never happened.

"But our goddess fought on, you gave her a blessing of an armour made of blue flames, that blinded her enemies, and she carried you with her winds to our healing goddess. . .but that's all we know of the story. . . can you." 

"No, I can't, as the story hasn't yet been finished." He looked confused but as wind blew past his face, realization struck him.

"It hasn't happened yet! that means that one day you'll meet our goddess in your journey!" He excitedly cried, and then ran off deeper into the hall, I think he'll talk to the leadership about the 'secret' I just shared with him.

"Is this how things work here? get suddenly taken into the world of the gods, fight a crazy storm goddess, and then have a very inaccurate story about it in the mortal world." I gave an exhausted, breath, but smiled as I saw the mural. it was a better story than what actually happened.

Act 2 Interview:

It's been the 6th day since I've visited the Fanged-ale clan, and now after a long discussion with the ring leaders and the chieftess, they've arrange some of their people to meet me, and I can choose from the group.

They're all pretty much youths, with most are girls, and with two males. . . the males felt hesitant, even before I spoke with them. I took the two in first, hopefully there crafters rather than priests or shamans.

"Hello, Lord, Abyss. . . I am, Deccarn and this is my friend Denish we are apprentice bronze smiths, our mistress told us to come and ask you to take us on as your followers." Danish nodded he seemed calmer than his friend but I can feel both are extremely worried.

"I'll consider it, make a small object made out of bronze, or any metal your proficient with but the test is it should be able to handle my magic like this."

I held up a small chain of gold and then burnt it with my flames and then the object consumed the flames and the chains shown with the light of the sun.

"Woah. . ." Deccarn siad awe struck while Danish left his mouth open. I then gave the item to them and they started looking at it all over examining it's details and metal work.

Then Danish sent his magic into it, activating the chain, making it glow light a flash for a few seconds and then gone, the chain turn back to a normal golden object.

We shaking voices. "Yes, I. We can do this Lord." They both spoke and with determination in their eyes, left the wagon tent, as Almerie spoke to my left.

"Lord Abyss, do we really need these barbaric storm folks?" Almerie was the other young noble of the Fire-wheat clan she's like a normal warcarter noble, xenophobic, but not good enough with languages that she can express her racism.

"I told you before Almerie, we need smiths and both your clan, and the Honey-rose clan can't afford to give more people." She was silenced by my words, as she gave me a frustrated sound.

I placed my hand on her head, and quieted the burning flames in her heart, calming her. "I'm sorry Lord Abyss, I lost control of my fire for a moment." I nodded at her, as it's fine.

Something I learned depending on the flavor of your magic it greatly influences your sense of self, fire drives passions hotter, Winds pushes actions and thoughts farther than it should, and I'm not sure what the other elements do to a person.

I hope when it does happen it would be as peaceful as I learned of the rams of the Summerlanta people and the summer folks of Nivoran. "Please tell Thelia to bring the next group in." Almerie nodded and left the tent.

She entered back in with three female youths, there skin oak brown, and there short cut hairs bright dark reds. they were wearing pieces of bronze armour that mainly covers there forearms and shins.

They're chests where layered with wool, and leather thick tunic with a skirt that reaches below they're knee, cut in away to keep mobility. "We are blood sisters, and devoted to Victor, god of travel, we three had the same dream given by our patron to travel with you"

Well, that sounds mystical so it might be true. "I can't just say yes, but I am empress you three took the call, from what I know of lord Victor, he would have asked every worshiper he thinks would survive the journey to come with me." I felt there confidence falter and pride to become more clear.

"There where more than us Lord Abyss, but most of them are to old and already with a husband for the chieftess to ask to come with you." Did she make me a matchmaker too? I looked at her questioningly and she looked down.

"We don't expect to find a husband but if Lord Victor grants as his boon, then maybe." Alright need to control how many women I take, with me.

"Alright, you three are fighters are you girls good with anything else?" They looked shock at my question and that made me concern that the Biretta only sent me warriors.

The youngest spoke first. "I'm a weaver Lord Abyss." I felt her essence and she was honest, this made me smile. The most dark haired spoke next. "And both me and older sister Jovie are hideworkers." This made me nodded.

I brought out a roll of hide, and a large ball of Goattle yarn. "Here, make something out of this stuff, and bring it to me in two days. If I'm empress I'll take you with me, if not then I won't." They looked at the raw material I gave them and then gave me a kneeling bow before leaving.

I stood up and then went out, there was about about 15 left, and they all looked like young warriors, but they felt weaker than the three red heads that entered. "Alright, form a line, those that have a skill besides fighting to my right, those that only had fighting and doesn't have secondary skill they're good at to my left."

Six of them lined to my right and the rest to my left. I went to my right line first, and looked at them, they all had an axe, and sling stick. "What are your skills?" the one in the front spoke fore them.

"Where all woodworkers Lord Abyss. And the devotees of the Wicker-lady." I nodded, she's the goddess of woodwork of the rams from what I know. 

"Alright, Each one of you would make a wooden carving, if I'm empress with your work then I'll take you with me, if not then I won't. I'll give you all 2 days." They nodded at me as they seem to have expected this.

"Alright everyone else. If you can strike any of these bells on my neck then I will take you with me, if you faint then I won't." I turned around to my left and the small bells of gold around my neck rang. fire was bursting from my back, as my gentle smile terrified those that chosen to be a warrior that day.

Act 3 Smithing:

"Thump! Thump! Thump!" The sound of echoing metal on stone rang loud, as a man with dark blue hair sat crossed legs and eyes shut, infront of a woman with bear ears, and dark skin as she hammered a glowing piece of gold.

"You know Lord Abyss, I'm a bronze smith, never made weapons out of gold before, I can't promise I can make anything like those lances, summer-court people uses." The small giant smiled at the woman's voice as the plum of the forge, belowed upwards towards the open top of the roof.

"It is fine, Smith elder, I just need the form, the function would be forged by me and the others, later on." She shrugged at Lord Abyss's words, and continued to hammer the cooling molded gold into the rough shape of a blade.

She once again tapped the stone block, making they stone anvil lit in blue flames. Heating the metal, and somehow hardening it. With bronze tongs and hammer the Smith continued, hammering the piece into something like a spear blade.

"Is it true, Lord Abyss. You'll be visiting the other side?" The bear eared woman said as she continued to pound the point of the blade.

"Not visiting, I'm not going there like how your people do in reenacting myths to find your gods. . .I'm gonna try raiding a place at a certain time." Her tempo was, disturbed, unlike the 3 2 3 it had become 2 3 3. She's shaken.

"Please Lord Abyss, don't anger our gods, if you do my clan would be cursed by there disfavor." The small giant started humming and this turned the older woman from worry to tranquility, with soft light glowing in her heart.

"I've already gave my oath to your chieftess, I just need the unfinished weapon and place to conduct the ritual. . .I've already borrowed a pasture just outside your settlement." Thump, Thump, Thump.

"That's smart of the young Vi-pear rider, she believes your ritual would succeed and would grant our clan a minor blessing, but also placed it far enough that the people wouldn't worry about failure."

The older woman seemed happy as she spoke and her rhythm of pounding became more steady, the bladed spear head had took form.

Act 4 Ritual:

I was inside a ritual circle of my own design, it was a six sided pentagram with my own rune in its middle with each hand having the rune of the god with the follower that would support me.

The Fanged-ale clan was at the foot of the small hill, of the ritual circle I made, promising to sing the poem I gave there chieftess. The circle was written on the grassy hill with molten gold, and obsidian dust.

I had Vannessa representing light and honor, she held the Unity-rune of Cottosuri. even with her weak light it should be enough. she held the top point. it took me awhile to convince her of this, of being a core of the ritual, but in the end she relented.

I had Chieftess Biretta to take the bottom point, she represents her patron's Storm-rune. as I might need her patron's ferocity and freedom of thought. it was actually simple to convince her, not her people though.

I had Thelia represent the the Fire-rune of Elmhelia, I needed her goddess's shield and fire if I am to make my weapon. she was fanatical when I told her this would honor her goddess and it will as this is a raid against one of her enemies. she was on the upper right point.

I had Almeria represent the Loyalty-rune of her patron Samhel, She nodded as I asked her to do this, easily agreeing as her goddess whispered to her the night before I asked that I must be supported. she took the upper left point.

I gave Deccan the lower right point, he represents the Earth-rune of his god the 'Earth-shaper' The hardest part of convincing him to participate was approaching him, I need his mistress to lady-handle so I can talk to him. hopefully with a real earth god the crafting would be easier.

And lastly I gave the lower left point to one of the red headed sisters, Rainna she was the oldest of them, and most ready to support my ritual, she represents the Exploration-rune of her goddess.

With them I gave each a different song to sing, that would hopefully strengthening there connection to their gods atleast temporarily. and then I sat and made my inner flame bigger and bigger taking in more and more raw psionic energy of the Immaterial-sea.

As they sang slowly my fire had fully saturated my titanic form, the golden ritual circle glowed and bursted in blue flames. "Antarrii, ollaa, Atoori, Marriaa, Dollaa, disspaa." they kept signing the first part as deeply as they can as I instructed them and then I sang.

"The suns goes down, the lights come up

and all that counts is here and now

my sea of stars, will never be the same

I'm glad you came. . ." As I sang with my eyes, closed I felt my flames finally being released from my form, and the spear blade on my crossed leg eating as much as it could from flames.

My eyes opened, and I saw it, the Immaterial-sea, countless worlds made by the ages that had passed and those that had yet to be imagine and created. this made my smile excited.

Act 5 Other-side: Pov Vannessa: 

He was right, I can feel it, the disorder. . .the chaos, this ritual was attracting. if I, or someone who did not have a unity or harmony rune was here as he tried this ritual, everyone would have been consumed.

I did my best, my light giving everyone, the need synchronicity to sing in harmony each other not over powering or singing over each other but blending our different songs into a great one.

"Dear little misery. . ." I continued to sing, a song I did not understand, as I watch as lord Abyss disappear in a burst of blue flames, and replaced by a large pillar of which I can only describe as black gold, this was the first time I've seen such a thing.

It had felt as pure as gold, and the lord's unburning flames seemed to dance easily within it making shine a blue, which means it's as a tunned to magic as regular gold. . . it was gold, just that it's color is different to the ones the summer gods give, through there bones or gifts.

I watched on the surface of the black golden rectangular monolith. As Lord Abyss, stood in front of world uncountable lights, like what are ancestors describe the night was, back at the era of the Radiant-Sun.

Where the night was just the time of rest for everyone, including the the Sun, as his uncountable retainers made sure the summer-court, was in order as she slept.

Now, the night was dangerous, as it was the time, we only had our ancestors to protect us, against the many enemies of the descendants of the summer-court. as some of us slept and waited for Guardian-sun to comeback in our portion of the Summer-path.

Lord Abyss seemed to not chosen a light to go to, but sat, the image of him mediating in middle so many light made, be at awe as I quieted after finishing my song.

"The lord told us to not leave our spot after the song." I said as I was the first to finish everyone still sang but nodded to my words, I took my flute out my pack, and played as I watched Lord Abyss, sing as the lights around him sang with him.

His fire became greater as the spear-head in his hands became more of a weapon, it's bridge where a wooden shaft should be place attached to elongated, it's blades sharpening and becoming curved and it's golden yellow, turning darker and darker until it was as black as my uncles feathered robe.

And with a flash of light the view of the other-side was changed into a field of flowers, with camp in background, where two figures stood before lord Abyss, one was an older woman, her hair was a dark gold, it moved with wind but capped by a green and red feathered hat.

Her shoulders was covered by a cape of milk white soft feathers, it was clipped around her neck with a golden beaded necklace. her chest covered in a green woolen shirt, over a long red dress, both were gold threaded in, and separated by a belt, with golden bells.

She was patron Cottosuri, and her companion a wingless flaming raptor, with long curling tail feathers of gold, with her sharpened claws and beaks of white Ivory, and feathers of sunset. . . She was Raptori, goddess of raptors.

I saw in there eyes, something I would never forget as I they looked at Lord Abyss, I saw fear, like the eyes of a hare as I held one, her eyes telling me she knows what would happen next.

Act 6 Rider and Raptor:

"Hello gods from Nivoran, I am. . ." I was cut off. "You are Abyss the new god with an odd rune of fire, why did you to come to our camp?" It was Raptori who aggressively asked me her flames becoming larger.

"Now, now, Tori, let the kid speak, not every day we meet a mortal god. and remember Lady Elmhelia is interested in him." With a calming warmth, Cottosuri rubbed the neck of Raptori, calming her flames.

"I have come to ask for a mount, and help with this weapon." I asked simply, and then pointed at my partially made war-glaive, Cottosuri was shocked with my frankness and Raptori laughed.

"I can make it so my daughters would let you ride them, but I'm telling you now, if you try chaining them on your 'wagon' then I'm gonna make sure taking one of your arms with me." Raptori was being humorous with her tone but serious in her intent.

"You already have a few of my followers as your companion, and would probably gather more, I would give you this." Cottosuri reached out his hand and with a rip in reality pulled out a piece of a Lore-tent.

"Tie this to your weapon and it'll help unify the peoples you would gather under your banner" She smiled and then held my shoulder and continued her eyes becoming serious.

"We of Elmhelia's tribe see what you are trying to do, my kin would not try to stop you, but others might, be careful Wild-wanderer." She patted my head as the camp disappeared and I was returned in the realm of in between.

I felt a new fire in me, making me feel the need to ride rather than walk. . . "okay that's odd, is that how her magic works? well atleast they did what I asked, its weird they banished me before I can pay them." I said to myself as I opened my bag filled with magical treasures.

I looked at the piece of Lore-tent fabric, and saw it was mostly blank but it's begging already depicting my stories. . . the things I've done ever since I met Camellia of the Honey-rose clan, as they got lost hunting.

I tied the fabric unto the black gold shaft of my glaive. "Hopefully they would consider this as a favor rather, being mad I didn't repay there kindness." As I tied it to my weapon I felt it become stronger more sentient and less an ordinary object.

Act 7 Darkness:

As I blinked I was somewhere else, I was in front of a battle between a goddess of storm, and an alluring monstrosity of half those black skinned hippo-people called trolls and a giant spider with hair of fire.

They did not stop as I appeared nor when a larger monster I can only call as an abomination of many eyes and tentacles and fangs, with the body of caterpillar with a maw that can eat mountains.

"Enough! unite and fight that abomination or be slayed!" They looked upon me as I burned with my inner flame and banner-Glaive in hand as I pointed at the abomination.

They looked at me and then the abomination and started to fight the abomination. The storm goddess threw bolt after bolt of javelins of lightning, while the dark goddess used a staff bringing flames upon the abomination.

I breathed out and then breathed in as charged the monster, I felt it the need for that abomination of my weapon. With my glaive burning hotter as blue flames danced around me, my weapon formed an echo much larger than itself made of pure inner fire.

And as my psionics went all out I sang. " Last things last, By the grace of fire and flames." My song was heard as far as it needed to be as I swung my weapon down.

"grraHH!" It screamed I dying whimper as my titanic blow burned it to white ash. even as every inch of it burned and turned to ash, somehow, some of it's blood stained the blade of my weapon, perpetually dripping but turning to ash before landing on the ground, or reaching the shaft.

I stood at the top of the ash, and looked down upon two, gods with fear and doubt in there eyes, but I felt them determine to fight to there last. "I am Abyss, I asked for your help and offer gifts." I approached them and gave each a treasure I know they would like.

"Call me Arachnila, Demi-goddess of trolls. Thank you for your help and gift." Arachnila was the troll-spider as she started eating the jerky strips inside the pot filled with Goattle and game jerky, it was larger than it looked as the meat inside was able to fill my wagon to burst.

"I am Vesthia of Summer, Goddess of the rams. I would like to give you a gift equal to yours" She said as she wore a the chain necklace I gave her, giving her a shield of fire.

"Vesthia? we've met before how. . . It's good to meet you both, I asked for magic in the unity you hold over your people. . . make it so I and those who follow me would be seen as friends to your clans and allies." I did not dwell why Vesthia looked different and her power less vibrant, nor why this two fought. but only one what they could give me.

"I have more enemies than friends, Abyss of the Raging-fire, but I would consider as one and my nieces would do the same, but be warn not all troll-kin are under my influence." The spider woman smiled with her many fangs, and I gave her my softer one. as she cut her finger and drew on my banner, a symbol I did not recognized.

"I have a mortal tribe under me, and I am part of the Storm-court, you'll be considered as friends of all my descendants and recognized by my court, as a friendly god of the Summer-court." She smiled as lightning coursed through her hand and into my banner, a scorch mark of her symbol appeared on it.

She gave my chest a punch and I was pushed back. "See you again Abyss the Singer of flames." And with another blink of my eyes I was back at the place of many lights.

"Okay so avoid being touched that's how they can banish me. . .and was that the Vesthia I've met? she was very different. and why was she naked again? and is that what a troll look like in this world?" My head spun as another world appeared before me.

Act 8 Temple:

I found myself on the golden marble floor of what looked like a pillar temple. I was lying down, and was looking around with only my head I saw the golden marble pillars was carved with different colors of herbs and flowers.

As at my side was a wall filled with the figures of animals and beyond the pillars was a fertile rainforest and beyond was rolling fields of green. and other patches of forest.

"Boop, Are you gonna sleep in my temple all day or are you gonna continue your play?" I looked up and saw a smiling young man with a earthen pot filled with plants and soil. and he was bopping my chest.

"Sorry Lord "Earth-weaver" I was a little tired." I stood up and it seems I was much bigger than him. "Oh? you must be that big boy, Darling was so interested with. here I'll gave your banner, my blessing." He handed me my weapon.

"Ah. . . Thank you Lord, I can . . ." He slapped my hand out of my pouch of treasures. "Now, now, no need for that, just promise me to not kill any friendly earth gods and treat me as your uncle." I was shocked by him but relented and nodded.

"Now, Call me Uncle Aknyald the Earth-god." And with that I felt him give me a hug and my breath finally take in normal air. and my eyes not blinded by many many lights.