The Death of a God

Merlin meditated, however he ended up falling asleep in that position. As he slept, he astral projected into a strange realm, which seemed like Olympus but different as the plants seemed to shimmer and there was a resonating humming noise. A being made of light looked at Merlin's astral form, and the light chipped away to reveal a person in a suit and tie, black pants, long brown hair, and a dragonic right eye. "Ah, you must be the reincarnated human who's witnessed a Dark Traitor. Welcome to Divinum Verus, the realm of the Gods and Goddesses. I am an Earth god, Chordu. I believe you could call me the...what's his name? Starts with a Z and he looks somewhat like me. Ah well, no matter. Come with me, this isn't the first time sleeping people have ever managed to get here, so I can give a tour for you." he says as he walks to what seems like a hot spring. Merlin saw it and dipped his hand in the water, and it was genuine and comfortably warm. "So, this is like a healing spring for gods? Feels nice, although I don't know how when I'm technically a piece of my soul. And how come everyone is covered in light?" Merlin asked. Chordu had stripped down to nothing, and Merlin blushed as he saw his muscular body and short dragon tail with wing tattoos on his back. He snapped out of his trance as Chordu sat in the water. "That is for our benefit, we do not need to reveal ourselves due to the dangers of what happens when a god dies. We protect people who pray to us. Unfortunately, when a god is killed their soul is sent back to the Akashic Records. So we mingle with humans, like a certain god you know of." he said. Merlin remembered that god firmly, but then imagined Chordu in a speedo and jogging, which Chordu noticed. "Gods are also polygamous as well. Love is a very powerful force, and it's rude not to share." he said with his eyes closed and smiling. Merlin just decided not to indulge in it any further and just looked around at the clear blue sky, and the animals flying and crawling around. A pink haired goddess walked up to him, and taps his head with a smile on her face. "I imagine you will be looking for a Kannushi when you go to school. Worry not, I shall provide for you. However, you must agree to protect him. All of you. Seems it's time for you to awaken. We will meet again." she said as she sent Merlin's astral body back to his physical one, which slowly caused him to wake up.

Merlin decided to change his hair from how he normally keeps it. He slicked the top of his hair back and then tied it in a short ponytail while letting the rest just hang low, which he agreed looked good on him. He remembered his clothes manifesting as a small spirit, and thought of a normal pair of shorts and a tank top to wear with lace-less shoes. He also grabbed his grimoire glove, and raced out the door as he was running late for school. He saw Morgan and G, however G had a humanoid form, without toes or fingers. "Hey Merlin, come on we're going to do auditions today to get us a Battle Priest. Let's do this!" he said. Merlin didn't know he could hold try-outs for team members, but he went inside and saw multiple people doing auditions. "Eh...how many people are looking for parties? Seems like an entire job fair" Merlin said as he sat down. A few people came over to audition, but Merlin wasn't into any of them at all and turned them down. "Jeez Merlin, you don't have to be super picky with everyone. We'll be here all day and it's a half day today. Let's pick someone and go on a quest real quick." Morgan said. Just then, one more person showed up. He had a single vampire tooth hanging out of his mouth, and had short red hair. He also had pointed ears, and wasn't wearing anything but a sort of codpiece on his crotch, and a sleeveless jacket with a furred hood. "Hello. I'm a Kannushi demi-beastman of the Beastman Archipelago. Call me Shikom." he said politely. Merlin's face was bright red, but his face showed different, so Morgan recruited him automatically. "Welcome Shikom, we're the...well we don't have a name yet. But welcome to the team. You said you're a demi-beastman right? I see you're wearing the...garb." she said, holding back laughter. G shook his hands and welcomed him too. "Yes. My mother is a human. My father is a half vampire with werewolf blood. So I'm part human, part vampire, and part werewolf. But..I'm scared to use my vampiric powers too much. I don't want to suck blood, it looks so gross going up someone's fangs. I'm more of an energy vampire, so my teeth are for paralysis only. And this garb is for my tail, it's fashionable and functional, plus my mom helped me make it so it's special to me." he said with a confident smile on his face. Merlin's nose started to drip blood, but he wiped it away with a straight face. "Also note we appreciate any weirdness you can muster. We have an Adeptus Beastman with us so we're totally cool!" G said as his body seemed to transform back into a regular shark, so he started to drink a bunch of water. Shikom giggled, and saw Merlin seemingly in a trance, so he looked at him and then tapped his hands. "Um, your friend is in a trance. Is he okay?" Shikom asked, but Morgan just explained that he was stunned at seeing someone as handsome as him, so she lightly shocked him to wake him from his trance. "Oh, sorry. Eh welcome to the team. Time to go test questing for school!" he said as he went to talk to Miss Fey about a mission, and she gave one that was just to check the Spire of Chyribdys to make sure no one attempts to raid the spire without cheating or by using a hostage. And they have permission to enter and challenge the spire once the job is done. After about 10 minutes the group made it to the spire, and it was standing tall. G made water balls to scope around the rest of the spire, and to make sure the defenses were up. Beams of energy blasted the water drops at the speed of light, and destroyed the water. "Seems that they're okay. Now let's hit this for real, no backing out and no hesitation!" G said as he stood at the entrance. Everyone else went inside with him, and they blitzed into the room they were in before. In the next room, they saw that it was like a room of clear molasses, that had dissolving bones and skin inside of it. "Clear Eater. Damn. They're playing hard ball here. Looks like it's shark time!" G said as he created a barrier of water around him and went into the massive Clear Eater. The water he was creating was being boiled away inside of the being, but he kept pushing out more, which caused his body to start to revert and dry up, but he pushed on and reached the door to cause the being to be swallowed into the floor. Morgan created a water arrow and shot multiple at G so he could absorb it and re-hydrate, and they went into the next room, and saw that it was Chyribdys himself. "Welcome children. I've decided to cut to the quick and meet you here. Please, by all means feel free to rest. We have quite enough time to begin the showdown." he said sitting in his throne chair. Merlin was stunned at how he looked. Long black hair with horns coming out of his forehead, smoke billowed from his mouth as he talked, his wings took the form of a cape. He seemed like a wall made of the sharpest and hardest stone, with all the force of 100 armies. But he didn't feel fear at all, just excitement at the thought of facing someone as intimidating as him, and at such a young age. He healed G, and then took a stance out of instinct. "Seems the floor fancies the Merlin Child. I assume you don't know about them so I should tell you, I witnessed many shape the world into what you see today, and they're very talented in certain fields." he said while beginning to stand up and crack his knuckles. "I feel honored to test all of you. I could shed tears." he said in a sort of pleasant tone, looking at all of them sharply. "Morgan, G, Shikom. Let's kick this guy's ass, and tell about it!" Merlin yelled as he dashed towards Chyribdys, closing the 12 foot distance in seconds, then striking at his chest. However it did nothing at all. "Seems you're not well informed about Chromization so let me tell you this tidbit. It's automatic energy that hardens in response to physical trauma, however you can increase it's density with increasing the toughness of the object you strike. You must feel that toughness and apply it to your skin's natural defense. It shall increase your toughness along with your striking powers." he said while holding Merlin's fist. Morgan and G shot projectiles at him from the sides, but they evaporated from his heat, and began explaining to them as well. "A fish-man, and a powerful archer. If you're looking for effectiveness against someone with tough skin, charge your shots with energy so that on impact, they cause a wide burst of energy that can cause damage and serve as a momentary distraction. However the most important thing is accuracy, never strike wildly unless it's to the wind." he said, still gently holding Merlin's fist. Shikom summoned a massive spirit that attacked directly, but it was quickly destroyed in the same breath.

"A Battle Kannushi chosen by the goddess. Very good indeed. However you need to learn more offensive magicks, and harness your ki and focus your intent to attack. Your power is that of the gods of what we call Shinto, and that is a very powerful force. You must feel your emotions, and learn to control it. Let rage fuel your fire, calm hydrate the waters." he said, still calm, and smiling. He then let go of Merlin and had him try again. Merlin struck him again, and actually made him move a bit, so he kept doing it, making Chyribdys block with his hands. Morgan made a daggers out of the earth, and attacked swiftly from the side along with G who made shark teeth out of ice, striking at his arms and side, forcing him to use his wings and block them. Shikom channeled his ki into his fists, and then imagined his fists in water, then attacked as well. Chyribdys was smiling wide, enjoying training all of them and prepared an attack. "Get ready kids. This is the big leagues now!" he roared, charging a dense ball of energy in his hands. Suddenly, a spear went through his chest, stunning everyone. A being made of darkness was holding it and pushed it deeper in his chest. Chyribdys was pissed off, and broke the spear by letting out a mighty roar. He then chased the being around the spire, which seemed to expand space where Chyribdys was. "What's wrong, can't fight me upfront? Huh?!" he roared as he spiked the being to the ground, then chased it before it hit. However the being carved a rune on the ground and smiled while a curse began to take hold of Chyribdys's body and slowly kill him. "You...you vile coward! You dare cheat a dragon like you did your brother?! THIS SHALL NOT STAND!!! YOU SHALL KNOW MY WRATH YOU TRAITOROUS BASTARDS!!! I AM CHYRIBDYS OF THE DRACONIANS, AND YOU SHALL BE CONSUMED BY MY FURY!!!!" he bellowed, shaking the spire as it crumbled to bits. He then tore off four of his scales and tossed them to Merlin. Merlin could only watch in pure shock as he watched Chyribdys crumble away, his anger seeming to prolong his life by a few seconds. His face only showed pure confusion and fear for his life as G carried him away with Morgan and Shikom, and they made it as the spire began to fully collapse around them. After about a moment, Merlin finally gasped for air, sweat dripping down his face as Morgan patted him on his back. "What...the hell..was that?! How did he just kill someone like that, and that curse..?" he asked. Morgan couldn't answer, not knowing anything about it at all. "I have a bad feeling something's coming...a really bad feeling."