Pantheon Online

258  A Stormy Night (Part 1)

"Dammit!" Bjorn grunted as he trudged through the snow-covered forest with only the moonlight to see by. "Where did Skalr go?"

Their group had set up camp on the edge of the forest for the night, but Bjorn had heard someone moving. When he investigated the sound, he discovered that Skalr had vanished. His tracks had led Bjorn into the forest before vanishing into thin air. "Ania's going to kill me if I don't find him!" Bjorn groaned as he wondered where the elderly Runelord had wandered off to.

Meanwhile, in the Skardian region of Frostcrag, a pregnant woman sat at the edge of a river. She wept as she cradled her bump, praying for the gods to hear her. A trickle of blood ran between her legs as she furiously gripped the many religious items in her hand.

"IAmLegend, here me. Your child dying! Save them! Please!" The woman wept. 'Please, anyone, help my child!'

The woman turned her head at the sound of footsteps on the snow behind her. An old woman with a hunched back and wrapped in a grey cloak flashed a sad smile at her.

"Who are you?" The mother wept as she cradled her belly.

"No need to be afraid child," The elderly woman rasped as she slowly approached the devastated mother. "I heard you just now. Let me see what's wrong. Maybe I can help."

The mother sobbed as she backed away from the old hag. However, she soon felt a wave of calm wash over her mind. The mother's expression became serene as the old woman walked toward her with a smile. 'What do we have here?' The old woman thought as she ran a hand over the mother's belly.

Her eyes shone with a golden light as she hummed to herself. 'If we waited any longer it would have been too late.' The old woman sighed as her palm glowed with golden light. The light directed itself inside the mother's stomach and went to work healing the damage.

Soon, the bleeding stopped, and the old woman perceived that the unborn child was healthy. She gave the mother a few soothing words of reassurance before walking away from the bank of the river. She sighed as she glanced at a nearby tree.

"You can come out now," The old woman said as she shook her head.

IAmLegend stepped out from behind the tree while shooting a concerned look in the mother's direction. "Will she be ok?"

"Yes, I've healed her. But, if I had to guess, I'd say you need to keep an eye on her. I think her body is rejecting the demigod growing inside her." The old woman replied as the air around her shimmered.

Golden light burst forth in the darkness as the old woman transformed into Exile. He straightened his back with a groan as he glanced at Leggy.

"You have two other kids to worry about," Exile said as he shook his head. "It seems there's a high degree of risk for the NPCs where demigods are concerned."

"Will you help if it happens again?" Leggy asked as his lip trembled.

"Of course, as long as I am able." Exile sighed while studying his friend. "These children of yours may be NPCs, but they're still family to Ragnarok."

Leggy nodded slowly as he stared silently at the woman carrying his child. 'He's growing attached.' Exile sighed to himself. 'He acts like it's no big deal since it's a game. But with the realism, it's hard to stay disconnected from this world.'

Exile patted Leggy on the back. "Miracles are notoriously unreliable. I know you tried before you came for me. Next time, don't hesitate. Ok?"

"Thanks," Leggy whispered. "I'd like to stay here for a while."

"Take whatever time you need, and don't worry. I won't tell the others until you're ready to." Exile smiled as he released his Avatar spell.

When he found himself back in Himinbjörg he flexed his fingers. 'My personal version of Avatar is coming in handy. But its cost is too high.' Exile groaned as he shivered. His improved version allowed him to change his appearance and suppress his divinity. Even fanatics were unable to tell it was him.

'I can feel everything with this spell.' Exile frowned as he analysed its effectiveness. 'Still, I can't believe it creates a mortal shell to hold my consciousness and power. I'm glad I can finally interfere directly with the mortal realm. If anything like what happened during the Festival happens again, I can protect Ania.'

Exile checked the time before focusing on creating more enchanted items. 'Two hours left till I meet Dretheir's goddess. If it comes to it, I can leave it in Midas' hands after the initial talks. But it's going to be tight on time.'

[Your Oracle, Ania Eraldsen, is trying to contact you...]

Exile groaned at the interruption before accepting her request to talk with him. 'What's wrong, Ania?' Exile asked with a frown.

[Forgive me, but I need your advice. It concerns an individual who has joined my group.]

'What advice do you need?' Exile asked, but he had already guessed what it was about.

[He claims to be a Runelord and uses runestones as you did against the spirits. I was hoping you could take a look at a runestone he gave me and tell me what it does.]

Exile groaned as he cancelled the mental link. 'I thought it would take her longer to bother me with this.' He sighed as he activated Avatar without bothering to go to his room.

Ania yelped as Exile suddenly appeared in her tent! She gaped at Exile as he glanced around with an amused smile.

"Show me," Exile said while holding out his hand.

"He said it was a blood oath that prevented him from betraying Skardia," Ania replied as she hurriedly handed over the smooth stone.

Exile turned it over in his hand and studied the crimson glow of its rune. He appeared to be thinking deeply as he studied the magic contained inside of it.

"It's exactly as he says it is," Exile said while nodding his head. "You don't have to worry about it."

Ania revealed a surprised expression as she took the runestone back from Exile. She studied it in confusion before placing it back in her pouch. Then, her face turned scarlet as she realised her situation.

She had not expected Exile to come straight away. So she had contacted him in the middle of the night. She yelped again as she hurriedly pulled on the fur blanket to cover her almost exposed chest. 'I can't believe Exile just saw me like this!'

"My apologies for dropping in so suddenly," Exile said when he noticed her distress. "It sounded urgent. I'll leave now."

"Wait..." Ania murmured before Exile could cancel his Avatar spell. "Don't go."

Exile frowned as he glanced at her. "Did you need something else?"

Exile's eyebrows shot up as Ania suddenly reached out to grab his hand. His eyes followed her figure as she stood up with the fur blanket only covering from her chest to her thighs. 'Oh, don't tell me.' Exile gulped as Ania pressed her body against his.

He watched as she tilted her face toward his own. Her eyes were shut, and her lips trembled as they nervously searched for his own. Exile felt his pulse rising as he held her in his arms. 'She'll never forgive me if I don't answer her advances.'

Ania moaned as Exile allowed their lips to touch. He ran his hand through her hair while his other one applied a small amount of pressure to the small of her back. Ania's hand ran over Exile's armour until she caught his helm and removed it. Before Exile knew it, he lost himself in the pleasure of her embrace.

Meanwhile, Ciena's eyes narrowed as she spotted Dretheir flying out of the sea and releasing a roar. 'I guess his Goddess has finally arrived.' Ciena ruffled her dress as she barked at a nearby warrior to fetch the Captain. 'We have to be ready in case this goes the wrong way.'

Ciena transformed from a stunning woman to a great golden eagle within moments, startling the warriors who were keeping watch. Her sharp gaze scanned the sea and surrounding area for any sign of a divine presence. 'Whoever she is, she's earlier than Dretheir said she would be.'

"You, go to the temple and have prayers sent to Exile. Let him know the Warbeast Goddess has arrived." Ciena grunted as she tilted her head.

Suddenly, a column of seawater rose into the air as Laskia made her appearance. She shone with a dull golden light that made Ciena curse. Her body trembled in rage as she stared at the Goddess. 'She's in the process of committing to the dark element!'

Ciena suddenly shrieked as she spread her wings. She launched golden feathers at the goddess who looked at her attack with an amused expression. Laski unfolded two giant fans and swept them in a graceful movement. Ciena's expression turned grim as the fans took control of her attack and redirected it harmlessly into the sea.

"Now, now, little bird. I'm a guest here. Would Exile appreciate you attacking one of his guests?" Laskia chuckled as she glared mischievously at Queen Ciena. "No, he wouldn't. So why don't we have a little chat before our host turns up? What do you say?"

"Not a chance!" Ciena roared as Dretheir rose into the air to protect his goddess. "You've already been corrupted!"