Mt. Ohm - God Slayer - K. van Marshall (books recommended by bts txt) 📗

of Venzeca", whispered the Chieftain, gently. “Remember to hold the image of your path in mind while in contact with the spire”.

 

The first to pledge, Shumarti, walked up to giant crystal tower and placed both hands on it. The white light wobbled. A swirling rainbow of colour flashed throughout the spire, illuminating the entire cavern with a multitude colours. Eventually, one colour began to dominate. A warm green glow formed, bursting forth from the spire, painting the walls of the cavern in a brand new tint of jade.

 

“Your whole being has chosen. Shumarti now belongs to the path of Uzzolan”, announced the Chieftain.

 

The ceremony continued with more dazzling light shows. With every passing extravaganza, closer crept the time for Knoah to pledge to his path. What to pick? Roru Zulon, Maji or - or what, there is no other path, Knoah argued with himself. He had always been sure, but his visions had him confused, and the closer the pledge got, the more muddled his thoughts became. If I choose to be a warrior I will get power, but become a heartless monster; his visions made him question everything at the worst possible time.

 

“.... oah, Knoah. Oi Knoah”, the voice of the Chieftain broke Knoah from his daze. “Step forth, son of Venzeca”.

 

Sadly for Knoah, there was no time left to think, it was now time. Knoah tried to clear his mind as he stepped forward - shoulders hunched and head low. Chieftain Asra said her piece, then ignited his kirah. Knoah barely acknowledged the blessing, walking cautiously towards the spire. His feet moved slowly, as if trying to buy him some time. But there was none, the spire was close enough for him to touch. He stood trying to think desperately, then hesitantly he raised his hands.

 

“Trust yourself, trust our ancestors”, advised Chieftain Asra. Watching Knoah falter - she tried to give him the push needed.

 

“What’s up dead path”, teased Els, even she could see Knoah’s obvious confidence had been watered down.

 

“Shut it”, snapped Knoah, the response shocked himself; let alone Els.

 

Knoah took a deep breathe and placed his palms on the spire. The spire lit up immediately, whizzing through a gamut of colours. A trance took him as he starred into the spire intently.

 

No time to think! I pick… Before he could fully form the picture of his path in mind, the face of Sabo bulldozed through his concentration. Warrior, warrior, warrior, Knoah chanted, mind made up - he remembered the oath from the veranda-balcony. To become a being whose name will transcend eternity. Once the colours died out, a bright neon red glow beamed around the cavern.

 

“We have a warrior…”. Asra stopped.

 

The pure red glow within the spire began to pulsate, then wobble. From the pit, a golden light shot upwards, piercing the red and quickly dominating the entire spire. For a second the spire was completely gold, but then the red light fought back - splattering itself throughout the spire. The colour clash continued to repeat itself over and over, as a war between red and gold broke out in the spire. The cycle ended with the red light mixing with the gold. Finding an eventual balance, the spire was now a beacon filled of with a rusty red, highlighted by an illuminating gold light.

 

“... A luffian... interesting”, muttered Asra surprised, looking at Knoah. “We have a warrior”, she announced.

 

After Knoah, the other pledges were all straight forward, Els and Saeko choose the Niccohara and Ninzhu paths, and Judor the Zulons - no real surprises.

 

During the walk back to Lonston, Chieftain Asra took Knoah aside, explaining Luffian, it is apparently a special calling. Ironically it involved much of what Knoah used to dream of with Sabo. Exploring other parts of the world, while protecting Venzeca from a far. Knoah's soul and ancestors had picked a very specialist path for him. Els stalked closely from behind, listening to the whole conversation, Knoah paid her no mind, in fact he barely noticed her.

 

After the group exited the Glyph tunnels through mini aquavators that brought them directly to the Highbury a mile above, the Chieftain congratulated the new adults then everyone went their separate ways. But, Els pulled Judor and Knoah aside, Saeko followed unnoticed as usual. He really wanted to hang around with Knoah again, being awkwardly intelligent, he found it hard to make genuine friends. 

 

“Look, I have something we need to do... I heard the Chief explain your true path”, exclaimed Els, pointing a slender purple finger at Knoah.

 

“What, no. What's with your favour asking?”, snorted Knoah. “What’s my dead-path to you?”, said Knoah with cheeky smile, Els never asks for anything, so he decided to soak up the moment.

 

“Mt Ohm, I am going. Judor is in, you come too”, demanded Els.

 

“What!!!!! No way! That’s certain death”, exclaimed Judor. Knoah looked at him surprised, Judor has never said no to Els before and definitely not with such force.

 

“I am going with or without you, but I need at least one of you. It is obviously dangerous”, exclaimed Els, rolling her eyes from Judor to Knoah.

 

Knoah stood shocked; a lightning bolt just struck him. How did he not think of it... Mt Ohm, the mysterious place of power. A place where many die trying to become immortals - trying to grasp might. That was the place in my vision. That is where I will find Sabo, thought Knoah, he was sure of it. And if not it was good place to grab power. Calming his fast beating heart, he looked deep into the eyes of Els. “Why do you want to go Els?”, asked Knoah, deadly serious.

 

“No, no ,noooo!”, shouts Judor.

 

Rubbing her hands through her dreads, Els walks up to him and places a tiny hand on his massive chest.

 

“The other day, the day of the battle, remember when you found me… I connected my mind to that demon and saw his entire life. He did wicked things, some hateful, but most out of desperation. But what I saw, what Mt. Ohm can do, and a hint of the powers that exist in this world... Venzeca needs a power like that. The attack - that battle, it's just the start... We have to protect our home”, compelled Els, looking up to the sky. “There is another reason”.

 

“What?”, asked Judor.

 

“I will only tell you if you agree”, said Els passionately.

 

“I'm not sure about Juds, but I’m in. We should go soon”, said Knoah.

 

“Why?”, asked Els.

 

“I will tell you when we leave Venzeca, what's your other reason?”, Knoah asked in return.

 

“Ditto”, replied Els, smiling.

 

“Do either of you know how to get there”, asked a dejected Judor.

 

“I know a way”, whispered a voice.

 

It was Saeko, he was stood hidden behind Judor’s stocky frame.

 

“What you doing listening?”, snarled Els, not sensing the presence of Saeko was enough to make her wary of the little brain weed.

 

“You can take kenpion hummers to the central continents. I read Buover is a place where they have a huge dockyard, ships, a market that trades all sorts of things. You should able to find your way from there”, said Saeko.

 

“How do you know this?”, snapped Judor, taking his turn to scowl at Saeko.

 

“He means, why do you know all of this? It's a good question”, added Els.

 

“I wanted to go there one day, and my ma told me”.

 

“That’s a good enough source for me, but the big birds. They, can get us that far?", quizzed Knoah, with an eyebrow raised.

 

“Yeah, if you prep them well”, replied Saeko.

 

Knoah walks over to Saeko, and offers his palm, Saeko’s slim lips blossom into a sunny smile, and then he slaps it in response.

 

Turning to the others. “Looks like we've got a plan”, said Knoah.

 

Els placed her hands on the shoulders of Knoah and Judor. “Agreed, we leave the day of the closing ceremony”. The two nodded, one more reluctantly then the other.

Chapter 16 - Brig life

 

“Mmmmm, roasted shvart, amazing - much better than that Drill... This meal is only bested by this ene, this wonderful view. Mwah, magnificent, bless the creators”, glowed Prince Edvard, putting down his fork, he grabbed a mug and flung the chest burning contents down his throat. “Earraah, aaaah. You guys always have the best wrayum”, coughed the Prince.

 

The Prince lounged, indulgently, taking in the glorious views of his pre-victory trip. Deciding to have his meal on the top deck, under the green night sky; he was in a very good mood. Prince Edvard spoke the truth, while the food was good, the view was beautifully picturesque.

 

Various shades of green paint the sky and sea: the moons in their muted jade tones, Saitama and its pinging neon night light, then the dark green evening sky bottomed by a dark green, almost black ocean; a truly green world.

 

The Prince and his fleet were  yet to meet the slightest of issues, even the heavens themselves seemed to have blessed his royal voyage. The heavy northern winds helpfully escort the six massive warships. Pushed forward at a tremendous pace they bore a raking trail through the ocean's surface. Wind brakes violently against the hull, creating vicious howls as the whale-warships fly through the ocean in a tight formation; the speeding ships truly look like an arrow in flight, skimming along the top the water at a pace.

 

“Thank you, Young Lord. I hope the creator continues to bless our journey - although it has been mysteriously quiet since leaving the sprigger camp... And these cold seas have a reputation”, said Captain Nemvord, a quiver clear in his voice.

 

“DOOOO! Not spoil my pleasant dinner, with baseless nonsense Nemvord!”, barked the Prince.

 

“... Sorry, lord”, said Nemvord, bowing drastically.

 

Prince Edvard looked the sea captain up and down. “Hmm, I understand your fear. But do not. Any that do not claim godhood for themselves, will be remembered as martyrs regardless”, said Prince Edvard, flinging his arms into the air. “And their families, remade as Nobles... If I return a god that is”. A frosty air fell over the deck.

 

“Thank you my Prince”, said Nemvord, again bowing, this time gently. “We are humbled by your generosity. Not only were we chosen to aid in your quest, and given the chance to challenge for godhood, but even if we fail, our families will be made well”.

 

“Yes, yes, I will make a great ruler, won't I?”.

 

“However, my nerves do not come from fear of death. Nor failure to dominate the mountain, but my lack of experience. In my years of warring on the seas I have never been this far north. I have faith you will gain godhood, but you can only do so, if we make it to the island”, said the Captain, keeping his head low.

 

“Mmmm, mmm, yes I understand. Fear not, wise captain. Have faith in me and the gifts of royal blood. As I have faith in your considerable talents. Especially that legendary courage”.

 

“...I - I - I am honoured”, said Nemvord, unconvincingly.

 

“Do you know why you were chosen?”. Nemvord shook his head. “Loyalty. Unlike those old farts who are against me for no good reason - their deaths will be swift”, said Prince Edvard, looking to the stars, he sweeps the strands of red hair from