Chapter - 1

Disoriented, confused...I cracked my neck while taking a deep breath, gathering my thoughts slowly. Last thing I remembered. I was leading a raid against the Carblonii Family, things were moving well then some greasy little kid jumped me. Ah, dead then. Am I in Valhalla? Fairly certain I died with a weapon in hand, I never went anywhere without my old TAK-knife from my service days.

Something seemed off though, I knew my body, knew it the way only a man who had lived his entire life on the knife's edge of life and death could. I felt like I was back in my Prime. I was no slouch for a man of sixty-five, fully capable of remaining in the field thanks to my eating habits and training.

I was dead though, why would I revert to my mid twenties? Did Death send you back to your optimal physical condition? That made little sense. All the legends of Valhalla had you at the age you died. The fact no Valkyrie were here to guide me to Odin's Hall was just as confusing.

"Are you done with your inner monologue little Human?"

I whipped my head to the left, the direction of the voice, moving to a crouched position during the motion, attempting to draw a knife that wasn't present, that part sent me into a mild panic. I have never been separated from that blade, not once in over forty years.

I threw it from my mind. Moving into a defensive stance I took in the sight before me. She was beautiful, long flowing red hair, skin unmarred by the passage of time or damaged by any known substance. Her eyes told me she was more than what she appeared though, they were cold...distant, a soldiers eyes. The fact they were glowing a bright red was another clear indication that something was different. No Goddess I knew of from my Pantheon looked like this, a few came close, but none matched.

I searched her lithe, relaxed, form. Nothing, no openings, no weaknesses that I could tell. A Goddess? Demon? Something worse? It didn't really matter in the end, I wasn't one to shy from a fight if it was offered, and judging by the sheer pressure she was exuding she either wanted one, came from one, or was heading toward one.

"Apparently you're not, little Human. I have little time to explain your situation. You are not going to this 'Valhalla' you keep bringing up, you're going to be placed into a world under my dominion."

I frowned, retaining my defensive stance. Not going to Valhalla? I died in battle, I died honorably in battle. I was destined for the Halls of Odin, to fight, eat, drink, and die every day until Ragnarok came and I marched to battle during the end times. Obviously this woman can either read my mind, or my expressions as well.

"Your mind, little Human. You are a fascinating creature. Most of your kind blubber and whine about not going to Heaven, believing me some form of Satanic being from the prevalent pish posh of a Religion your world follows. Not you though, you are actively trying to find a way to kill me if I attack you, you're keeping your head, thinking clearly. Pointless, but interesting"

She tilted her head to the side. I couldn't even begin to read the expressions that flowed so fluidly across her face. The woman knew she was beautiful, her posture was no doubt designed to lower one's guard, such an attractive stance, her red locks curling upward and covering a portion of her face like a shy maiden.

"Alright, you have no intention of stopping the annoying thought process you're going through. I am Hekal, Goddess of Fire, Rebirth, War. Your soul, what makes you...you, has been designated as mine, sent to my domain of influence. I know now why he said he was sending one of his 'best' souls at least."

She paused, no doubt going through her own thoughts. I began searching the area, looking for an escape route. I was very clearly not this woman's equal, least of all if she was indeed a Goddess.

"You won't find a way out, little Human. Now, you're going to do a task for me. I intend to have you enter my world, use your rather impressive looking skill set, and right many wrongs. Start a war or two so I can grow stronger, burn a city or village, it does not truly matter. You will become my Champion, my personal vessel on this world. The embodiment of my will."

Time to tune out the Goddess with the odd delusion I was going to work for her at all, if I could not go to Valhalla then oblivion would be better. I started to edge backwards slowly, not taking my eyes off the woman. I made it about two small half steps before I felt an immense amount of pressure freezing me in place. I grunted, it felt like a massive vice had just clamped down on my entire body.

"Now listen here you ungrateful, prideful, little shit. I won your Soul, it is mine! There is no Valhalla for you, no Heaven, no Hell, no nothing. You are mine! You will do as I say! If you do not, then you will face a fate far worse than oblivion. I will place you in a perpetual loop of your worst nightmare come to life!"

I stared in open horror as a small figure started to materialize beside the woman. I started struggling then, losing all pretense or ability to remain calm. I could feel the vein bulging on my bald head as I struggled to move, every muscle in my body swelling as I strained and fought against the odd force keeping me here. A centimeter, that is all I moved. It was progress though. Again, everything I had as I threw my entire being into moving, trying to reach the forming figure.

I knew that figure, it was my Goddaughter, before she grew up. Didn't make it any less important for me to save her from whatever this woman had planned. Another centimeter, and a look of surprise flashing through the woman's eyes, the first emotion I could truly discern.

I saw her reach her hand out to the fully formed figure, a small red haired child with freckles and the brightest green eyes you could ever hope to see...I lost it, I screamed my anger at the woman and MOVED.

Whatever held me in place broke, an almost audible shattering sound echoing outward as I screamed 'NO!' at her. The Goddess seemed to be mouthing something, I ignored it and dove at my Goddaughter in an attempt shield her from whatever was coming. I reached her, could almost feel the solidity of her within my grasp...then...nothing, air, smoke.

I tucked into the roll, coming to my feet and looking around in a rush, trying to find her. The little figure I loved more than life itself was gone, in its place stood only the woman with flaming eyes as another massive pressure enclosed itself around me. She walked slowly toward me, sensually even, her hips swaying to a sound only she could hear.

That meant nothing to me, just another woman among many. What did matter was she had threatened my Munchkin. I strained again, but this force was stronger somehow. I couldn't move any part of my body, not even my eyes. I growled then, an animalistic thing that was more primal than Human. Frustration and anger caused the sound, but I found it comforting that I could at least make a sound.

"You truly are fascinating, little Human. You managed to somehow fight a God's compulsion to remain still, all to save something you knew wasn't real."

I ignored her, ignored the emphasized 'fascinating' that I had heard multiple times throughout my life and career. Freak, Monster, Impossible to happen within Nature (that one was from an acclaimed doctor.) None of them understood it was just genetics, really fucking good genetics and a drive to perfect everything about myself, to control everything I could. I had learned very early on the only thing one could truly control was one's own actions and body. Everything else was utter Chaos.

"Oh you do have such a fun way of thinking, little Human. It hardly matters though. I'll bargain with you, because a willing slave is better than an indentured one. You do what I wish, serve me willingly on this world, and I will personally ensure that the child you love so very much lives a life full of blessings. That when she perishes as all you mortals do, she will be granted anything she wishes, save you...of course."

There was a catch, there was always a catch - "No catch, little Human. You must simply serve my will, become my instrument, further my agendas; War, Fire, Rebirth. Do that, and she will want for nothing." - It was annoying to be interrupted mid thought.

"Fine, on the condition that should you fail to do that you die." I had spoken, my words must have truly shocked her as well, because I read a small trace of concern on her face. Seems she wasn't so sure of her little bargain. Would she risk her own hide to ensure my services, or move on?

"Oh you are a clever little Human, aren't you? Very well. You serve my will, in all things, and I ensure your precious one has everything I have promised. Should I fail, I will die. Our bargain is so struck."

A loud clap of thunder rang out from the empty space surrounding us. I ignored it, probably some God thing that meant it was valid. Instead I stopped fighting in every sense of the word. I had obtained what I wanted and gave my word to be her 'slave', her dog in this world to further her own machinations. I was unsure about Rebirth, but I knew War and Fire very well.

"Indeed you do, two tours in service to your Country. Over three decades protecting and serving as an Officer of Law. You've been shot, stabbed, burned, disemboweled once. Yet you remain alive, each brush with death honing you into a sharper blade, making you more capable of doing your job."

I waited, but she merely continued to look at me, or through me. I was unsure of which, likely sifting through my memories or something only a God could do.

"You will be reborn on my world, I will allow you your memories and experiences because I do not want or need a blank husk of a Soul. You will be allowed ten years from the time of your Rebirth, ten years to do as you wish before I come calling for my own desires."

That seemed lacking, but even in an infants body I could do a lot with ten years of freedom. Even as a child I could create a circle of confidants in every facet of society on this world to assist me if I needed it. Adjust, adapt, build, control.

"You are wrong, little Human. You will be Reborn into the body of a ten year old boy that has perished. You will be in the lowest rungs of this worlds society, lacking every possible thing you could imagine. I will, of course, grant you boons to assist for this fact. In this world, there is a System. It is not unlike where gaming technology has progressed in your own world, but far simpler. Magic is a reality here, Monsters, other Races. All of it is centered around Rings. These are creations of power, formed from a multitude of materials that you find. Few can craft them, but as the first boon you will be granted that right. Your Ring will be forged from your very soul, the first which is granted at the age of ten to about fifteen percent of the world population."

I absorbed that while she paused momentarily, would I be allowed to select any of the boons she granted?

"You will. But your second boon is a passive ability that no other Ring Maker has ever had, or ever will have again, to create Rings that grow in power the more they are used one-hundred percent of the time. This is the single greatest gift you will receive from me, the others will be selected by you, a total of four more that grow less in value as you progress. Choose, little Human, for time is running out."

A list appeared within my mind, a numberless list that seemed to go on and on. Can I limit it? This would be the only Ring of its kind, the abilities it has must be hidden. I could not assume that others would be unable to see what I would be capable of. I thought of hiding information, changing it, disguising it.

The list changed, forming a multitude of skills appropriate to my need. I went through them, a few were interesting but I chose one that was labeled 'Mask of Deceit' It seemed a fitting name for the description as well.

Mask of Deceit - You may hide all personal information in regards to any Ring you create, this includes your Soul Ring. Only a God may see through this disguise.

Rank - S - Ability.

I could work with that. The ability to change all visible information to others would allow me to do many things as I learned and grew in this world. The list changed shortly after again, everything labeled as S rank went away from the list, and changed. Interesting.

I went through the list. I thought of ways to increase the ability of Rings I already owned outside of simply 'using' them, whatever that meant. The list changed again. A single ability spoke to me here, an A class called 'Devour'.

Devour - Allows your Soul Ring to consume other Rings, grants a twenty-five percent chance of adding an additional stat to your Soul Ring. A ten percent chance of learning what materials the Ring was made of. A point five percent chance of gaining the best material used during the Rings creation.

Rank - A - Ability.

Upon selection, every single A ranked ability disappeared from the list. I see, so the stronger the abilities I select, the fewer I could get. The list seemed to grow smaller as well, obviously, but I don't see anything below a D-rank either. I was fairly certain that there were Ranked Abilities ranging all the way to G.

That was fine though. I needed powerful abilities I could work with, not weaker ones. I searched through the list of B-rank Abilities. I needed something to help me find Materials. One that fit my need showed up about halfway down the list that met the odd search function. 'Location'

Location - Allows you to locate all Materials within one mile of your location once every three days.

Rank - B - Ability.

It had a limit to how often I could use it. Once every three days. While that might seem pathetic, it would ensure I knew everything about each Material within that single mile. I worried about a mental overload, but brushed it off. I would deal with that if it happened. For now, I had a method to create Rings specific to my personal needs.

The list shrank again, only C rank remained, though the G rank reappeared. Apparently being promised five was true. My last ability would be chosen between G and C Ranked abilities. I scanned them, searching for something, anything that would truly make life simpler within this world. I had no illusions about being some omnipotent God like entity upon arrival, or even after years there.

The previous abilities were chosen to ensure I survived long enough to become able to defend myself. There would always be those that were stronger though, or equal. Allowing yourself delusions of becoming all powerful was an idiot's dream. Only a pathetic worm would believe it were possible.

This final ability needed to be one that would help smooth my transition. So I searched. Eventually I found what I wanted, a G-rank Ability called ' Translation'

Translation - Allows the bearer of the Soul Ring to easily understand and speak any language he encounters. There will be a transition time as the ability translates what you hear and speak accordingly.

Rank - G - Ability.

I could ensure no misunderstanding occurred do to the language barrier now. I looked toward the woman, the Goddess, my Owner...Hekal.

"Your choices are...interesting, little Human. Not something I would expect. Every other Soul I have been given throughout the untold Millennia have chosen abilities that gave them immediate and powerful abilities, not knowing that it only limited them. Yours, while powerful, are almost all utility based, and designed to help you with keeping yourself hidden to a degree, or creating your Rings."

Another small pause as she looked through me, weighing my every thought and memory.

"But it fits you. You believe in achieving things the hard way, the long way. Earning them through blood, pain, sweat, and tears. I do believe I like you, little Human. You will depart now...remember, ten years of freedom. Do not waste them."