The clash of the magical holy weapons was awe inspiring. As a young boy there was nothing greater in all of creation. Nicholas knew immediately this was his calling in the Temple of Sol the Sun God. Each weekend while most rested, the battle hardened clerics would practice in the court of the temple. He watched their weapons glistening with golden runes and armor laden with white marks of magical protection. Clerics were feared across all the lands as fanatics whose god's told them to eradicate certain people groups like the dragonmen, dwarves, orcs, and elves. Above all clerics hated demons, dragons, and other gods.
Today was Deacon Josh's official challenge day for the venerated position of Father. He had been a Deacon in the house of his father for 4 years. He was tall and strong for a young man. His consistency of prayers for the last 2 weeks was showing. Consistency of prayer increases the brightness and power of the runes on the weapons and armor. Josh swung the battle hammer with all his might to wear down the defense of one of the mighty fathers before him.
The Father, known as Ham, laughed a great laugh as the blow bounced off with seeming no effect.
"You shall have to do better than that young Josh if you want a seat at our table!"
"I shall have my day at the table!" Josh yelled as he tried an overhead swing with the hammer."
Ham quick spun around and partially blocked the hammer blow off his shield while sweeping Josh's feet off the floor with his spear.
"Just saying that you will have your day doesn't cut it, like those degenerates of false god Pistis. I easily got into your head which made you fight poorly. Now lets see how your magic is at least."
Ham put his spear in his shield hand and with one hand pulled an old leather tome. Speaking a few words of power a gleaming wall of light arose around him. Just in time because Josh came in swinging and bounced off the wall of light. The father sent a spear made out of light at the young man named Josh. Josh tried to block too late and the spear went through his leg. He dropped in pain not willing to yell out to show weakness.
"Suffice to say Josh, you have some work to do. Now go to the infirmary and get healed up for tomorrow's holy day. Nickolas walk with me, now."
"Nickolas, my boy, you show great promise. You may not have the size, power, and speed of one like Josh, but you have the strength of mind, will, and character unmatched since the early days of our great leader Bishop Rob. When you try out for becoming a deacon, lean more on the magic of Sol than on strength of arms like Josh. Do you think that you can beat Josh?"
"Yes, with the magic of Sol at my side I can beat him."
"Pretty confident aren't you, Nicholas?"
"Yes, I read my book of spells every day and have up to level 3 spells memorized."
"Memory is not enough. A holy man must be able to take blows without flinching. Proper training and consistent preparation are the arms of Sol. I have trained every day in prayer, reading, and fighting for the last 10 years. I am about to go up against our bishop Rob soon and I know I still don't have any chance. He has been consistent for 25 years at least. Don't give up even if you think you will fail. Persist in your hard work and it will pay off some day."
"Ham, what about some of the others that get magical powers quickly in year one from outside our Temple. I have heard of level 3 enemies piercing the best armor of our deacons in fights."
"Nicholas, here is the truth of the matter. Many other religions and people get twisted forms of magic quickly but none of them hold any weight against our Bishop. Rob has never been defeated in battle and he leads us."
"I am sure there are some out there who could beat him, even within the order of Sol there are those who are higher like the archbishops, cardinals, and all-father."
"Of course some of the most powerful in the world can or even many of the same order or level as our Bishop. As a unit though our temple is so strong. We have not been truly challenged by outsiders in 60 years. Yet we stay strong for the enemies of Sol grow many and strong. Go home, son and Sol be with you."
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As Nicholas came home late, his mother was waiting at the door angrily.
"Nicholas Joseph, you disobeyed a direct order by staying out 3 minutes past 9. Extra chores tonight! Even though you have your challenge tomorrow, I will not have you thinking you are above my house rules. We are all waiting for you in the living room for scripture reading."
"Apologies, mother, it will not happen again. I will do the chores right after reading."
That evening, mother read a passage about how Sol will one day burn all of his enemies by pulling them into the sun. Only the most holy will be able to remain and not get pulled in by knowing the deep magic of Sol and living a different lifestyle. After chores, Nicholas could not sleep. He was lying awake in his bed with moonlight shining down on him through the window. Using one of his light spells he recreated a scene of the sun pulling the world into its fiery bosom. He used his spell to show eyes watching from afar as if Sol was watching the whole event.
The eyes changed color from wispy light to golden radiance with sparks and a fierceness that Nicholas has never known nor could ever hope to comprehend. The eyes stared at Nicholas intently for a few seconds and he heard a voice that sounded like many voices speak.
"Leave your parents to a place I will tell you."
Nicholas immediately got up and ran over to his mother who was still up reading the tomes of healing.
"Mother, something really odd just happened. I think Sol just spoke to me in bed!"
She looked up, "I thought I heard a voice a moment ago as well but Sol only speaks to men." Tomorrow while you have your Deacon test your father will talk to the Bishop. This is exciting Nicholas, you may leave to the capitol to a special position! We will back whatever the Bishop decides. Now head back to bed and welcome to the beginning of your journey with Sol!"
Nicholas did not sleep for 2 hours thinking of all of the possibilities.
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