(Aiden's POV)
"How long has it been? 100 years, Nah, Definitely more." Aiden thought while laying on a cloud bed. So much time had passed that most of his memories, including his mother's face had become blurry. Xavier instructed him on how to use weapons like Guns, sword, spear,bow and many more. His teachings were not limited to those, there was hand-to-hand combat, war tactics, Driving, parkour, mountain climbing, even swimming. Which made Aiden feel that he is being trained to be a spy
Aiden thought about his first combat class on swords. His body was full of cuts and blood. He remembered getting wounded by Xavier's sword and screaming only to find that Xavier had put another wound on his body during that time. That was a time that Aiden could describe only as 'hell', it was filled with pain and mental fatigue. But now things are different.
Aiden's mind was filled with his upcoming duel with Xavier. They had engaged in duels before but out of them 4 duels were different. Those duels had a spectator. Today's duel is going to be like that and a win in it can get him his return ticket.
A cloud came near Aiden's face and started to make a really annoying noise.
"Ok, I will get ready." As if understanding Aiden's words it stopped and moved away.
Aiden decided to do some warm up to get ready for his duel. After some time a door materialized and Solarius walked through it and following his was Xavier.
"Good luck boy." He said and walked to a floating cloud, which has the shape of a reclining chair, suddenly some popcorn appeared in his hand and he started eating it .
"His certainly looks like a villain."
"Thanks for the compliment boy." Solarius said. Aiden ignored him and focused on getting ready for the duel.
After some time Aiden can be seen with a katana in his right hand and a wakizashi in his left hand, wearing a leather armor with chain mail. Opposite him was Xavier wearing a golden metal armor and a longsword in his hand. Then Solarius clapped indicating the start of the duel.
Xavier made the first move advancing with deliberate steps, his armor clinking with each movement. The sound of metal clashing filled the room.Xavier moved his longsword, his strikes focusing on strength and precision but Aiden's Swift movements allowed him to evade them. The katana danced in his hands, deflecting each attack.
As the duel intensified, it became clear that Xavier's sheer strength was a force to be reckoned with. His powerful swings forced Aiden into a defensive stance, Aiden's hands started to ache while his katana struggled to parry the relentless assault. Sweat dripped from Aiden's face as he countered with swift, measured strikes of his own.
The wakizashi came into play as Aiden sought to exploit openings in Xavier's defenses. Xavier however, proved resilient, using the length of his longsword to keep Aiden at a distance. Aiden's movements became more desperate, the weight of the longsword proving challenging to counter. With a strong blow, Xavier knocked the wakizashi from Aiden's hand, leaving him with only the katana. This made Aiden's confidence to shake but only to be replaced with determination. "Today I am going home" he thought. Determination filled his eyes as he adapted to the changing dynamics.
At this time if Aiden had looked at Solarius, he could see a face filled with pride.
The tide of battle seemed to shift, Xavier pressing his advantage. Aiden's katana parried blows with the precision of a master swordsman, but the relentless assault took its toll. A deep cut adorned Aiden's cheek, a proof to the opponents unyielding strength and experience. But Aiden was not ready to be defeated, his hands started to move with a new found agility. Xavier, surprised by the unexpected change in Aiden's movements, started to press hard. Aiden, seeing his plan working, moved to the next part. Aiden carefully started moving to his desired position, slowly not giving any doubt to Xavier. Xavier pulled his sword to his right to strike Aiden, Aiden instead of side stepping or parrig rolled below it. Xavier changed his sword tregectory and slashed to his right with a 90 degree turn. His sword met Aiden's katana and in Aiden's left hand now carries his wakizashi, its blade resting on Xavier's right wrist, separated by a golden shield.
"That's not fair, I want to cut his wrist. He deserve at least that much for all the pain he had put me through." Aiden screamed, turning towards solarius.
There Solarius stood on the ground with an appreciative smile.
"Aiden, you did good. I will come back shortly to send you off." He said and walked out through a door on his side.
Aiden stood there, like a statue. His heart filled with happiness.
Aiden returned his swords and armor to the cloud, who came to collect it.
" Thanks buddy." He said to the cloud, who moved away without batting an eye.
He walked towards Xavier. Xavier got rid of his armor and turned towards Aiden.
"What?" He asked.
"Did you forget? You promised to answer my question, if I beat you."
"My promise was to answer only a single question and I will be the one choosing which one to answer."
"Fine."
"You want to know why you never heard about Solarius before."
Aiden nodded.
"Different god pantheons have jurisdiction over different world and there is an ancient rule forbidding the pantheon of gods having jurisdiction over a world from being worshiped in that world."
Aiden felt like that was a necessary rule to make sure that the gods are not show partiality towards their believers. doesn't it mean there are different groups of gods.
"So, All the gods are real.."
"Mm" Xavier nodded
Aiden opened his mouth to ask more but was interrupted by Xavier.
"Don't ask more. I have answered one of your questions."
"Fine."
After some silence Aiden asked.
"Hey, After I am gone, Will you miss me?"
"No."
The answer was the same as Aiden expected but it still made him angry.
"Thank god,I don't have to feel sorry as I certainly willnot miss you ." Aiden said looking at Xavier's emotionless face. His face was always neutral, Aiden had never seen him get angry or smile. Aiden had once asked about it but Xavier's didn't answer it.
"Boy are you ready to leave?" Aiden heard Solarius's voice from behind.
"Ya, born ready." He replied.
"Don't make my girl cry, remember you are comming here again after you death.."
"Yes, sir."
Solarius raised his hand to Aiden's head.
"Wait, how will I recognize her?"
"She will be the first person you will see when you wake up."
Then Aiden received a tap on his head and everything went dark.
(General POV)
After Aiden disappeared from the room a young man appeared beside Solarius. He had long crimson hair and eyes, his body packed with muscles and face carrying a serious expression.
"Finally, you let me inside, father. Did you send him back?" He said to Solarius.
"Yes." Solarius replied
"Father, Are you sure about this? Wouldn't it be better if one of us went there possessing his body?"
"Ares, You only look at the small picture. Think about what will happen to the boys soul if a god posess him and what will you do if they got caught. Will you take responsibility for the safety of all gods."
"I am sorry father. But I don't think he is ready."
"You are right he is not ready but time doesn't wait for anyone, even for gods."
"I understand father but why do you want to involve Thena in it?"
"Son, a good punishment not only prevent one from repeating a wrong, it should also teach them what is right."
"But father.."
" No but, It was you and your mother who spoiled her and made her like that." This time Solarius voice was not calm.
"I am sorry father." Ares replied whe keeping his head down.
"You better be."
"Then I will take my leave." Ares said and Solarius nodded.
"I hope the boy will effectively use the gift I have prepared for him." Solarius said after Ares left.