Giveth and Taketh My Life

Slowly, I regained my feeling–that must mean I was dispelling the widespread venom! The chills I was inflicted with had alternated to soothing me instead of tightening and straining my muscles.

I was channeling my blood with magic, although I couldn’t control the flow. Working together with Asa, I was staving off the plague like never before! Overflowing, it cleared my vision from blur and nauseous purple and gave me vitality. I observed my palms and where they were held by Asa’s. There were magic insignias, an emblem of rampant green. They drew in vibrant golden yellow light as strands from the void in this world.

I resounded in quiet joy. I had my own magic! I was more than I ever was on Earth. I could be more than I’ve ever imagined thanks to my choice. I was never brilliant or even middling, yet I feel that gaining magic was a suitable substitute. Money, fame, nothing could ever replicate this.

Maybe I was like a phoenix. In essence, I died to be transported here. With my oath and consummation, I was a bird that was allowed a second life. It was like a dream to me. Well, whatever this turned out to be, I was living it, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

Asa echoed in telepathically. [When you first consummate, you are given an outburst of power. Afterward, you can use your magic simply by visualizing it and having the requisite emblem with a god. In the divine realm, that is all that it takes.]

Visualization. A concept that was pivotal to Marcus Quest’s magic system. I played on my handheld system, the GameGirl, which was over seventy years old, but it was a savior to me in my terrible life.

I remembered how Terro gave it to me as a cruel Christmas present. I imagined he thought as follows: give your loser brother an antiquated device and watch it malfunction. His sadistic nature was on full display. Turned out it was made of sturdy stuff. 70 years and still running? It could clearly handle some more.

I wondered what heights I could reach if I combined multiple gods’ magic in synchronization or in synergetic order. Skill combination was what my character, Marcus Griffon Knight, did to great effect.

But me, a divine trickster thief? So scary and so appealing. I could be as powerful as a … protagonist? Someone who could always get magically stronger by growing their build and stats... I choked on nothing.

I was only rattled by my potential.

“YOU. You... Wood Chucker!” Viatrix seethed uncontrollably. “He’s glowing worse than a firefly behind. And it is working?” His snakes contorted and changed colors to a deep red, too.

“This isn’t how venom is supposed to react in a human body!” Viatrix said. “You can’t just glow off the effects; you need an antivenom or time to build up immunity and dispel the venom through your organs. I would even be fine with seeing you amputate your limbs! But this! Oh, I thought you cared about animals, you traitor, but you are just another animal-ignorant moron telling off my research and education. Viatrix has a PhD, you know, but nobody thinks it is respectable only because it is in zoology.”

I smirked. This was the pure awesomeness of magic. Just because you had a wealth of opportunities and favoritism doesn't mean you were bound to win. This place isn’t the flawed Solar City, the city that would always radiate neon across the horizon even if the Sun itself were to burn out.

This reaction broke the already on the edge Viatrix. “Fine, use your illogical magic that doesn’t follow biology, physics, really, anything. It will be a waste of my final beast transformation of the day, and it will leave me vulnerable. I couldn’t care less. I’ll transform into a bear and maul your skull in instead. Counter that instant death with healing magic, you-you fly brain. This is what you get for following an inferior god when you could have been one of Gwydion's best."

Against reason, we were all stunned by the crushing of the oak floor with each step, followed by heavy, confident breathing. The unknown wore no shoes. They stood two and a half humans in stature. Shouldn't they splinter themselves in recoil? I guessed damage of that level was nothing to... oh, this was too soon. Could that be another god?

The shirtless figure overlooked us with a euphoric smile. The torso was overblown with muscle fiber and overtly masculine. A man?

He had scars and blemishes spread across his body as if they were tattoos. There must have been thirty blades and ornaments of steel thrust into and glistening from its crevices, becoming one with his blood moon skin. Their placements were nothing but precise for what should have been battle wounds. In the center of his naval was a javelin and a shaft entirely of a material that resembled dark steel. Why was it there?

His orange hair was tied with rubber casings into six braids, two in the front, the rest looped from the back. He was admittedly attractive in the same way you would glorify the form of an idealistic sculpture.

It was as if I invoked a surreal phobia that lay dormant in the air as he approached. I felt absolute fear of death to the point of tears of helplessness. My former resolve shattered. My heart beats became drums, convinced I was counting down to my demise.

I saw it spread across Asa’s and Viatrix’s faces as well. I heard Viatrix and his snakes relieve themselves pitifully for moments. I would have done the same if I weren’t lucky and saw him do it first.

I instinctively reached back to hold Asa’s hand. I couldn’t face this alone, but hers was shaking far past mine.

At once, her hand clasped down with intent.

[This is my dormant weapon, Astrid, she said. Vioshmight, the god of war, is bound to show if anyone fights long enough in the divine realm. Any fight he finds is suitable enjoyment for him. We have survived long enough to win. Our first battle of our campaign is a success.]

No, I don’t believe this. This isn’t a secret ability. This isn’t the signature honing of your strength to create something out of nothing. A fatal flaw conformed unto a usable blade. This is simply exchanging your dealt hand of cards with sinister, depraved death itself and wishing for the best. I understand why Asa was silent. I wouldn’t have been able to believe and stay calm. Obliviousness was preferable.

I wanted to make haste, yet his feral purple eyes and sturdy battle stance were challenging the very thought of movement.

I realized his aura was using the meaning and new life I was given against me. It forced me to consider everything I had and how it could be snatched too quickly to even have regrets. He had every weapon from every time period and land at his disposal. He was a walking armory.

I have to say, Asa, this plan was definitely the makings of an underdog. Maybe we wouldn’t be underdogs any longer, only dead.

“Let us look upon this pitiful sight,” Vioshmight’s deafening voice said, physically making my head ache. “A half-man, half-wimpering animal and a new medium holding onto the foul Asa. I’ve killed numerous gods of goodwill, and there is always more. There is no fun to be had here with someone so repugnant in their approach! You goddesses are just like the godless humans! Their stupid kind failed the Art of War. They make time for peace and alliances. Hometending and leisure. Not for us gods, we fight to ascend and as our only way of life. To ignore fighting is the greatest sin! Huff."

"I have a lot of spineless, beaten down scraps,” his healthy voice said. “Where is the real contest to be had? You are all women; I can smell their timid likeness across your bodies. I want to see some fierce, free young men! That’s what I like.”

“Vioshmight, ” Viatrix whispered, trembling his body, amassing cold sweat.