Rico stuttered, feeling the weight of Thalor's intimidating presence as he walked to the chair.
It felt like sitting before a king, and he instinctively respected the authority the overseer held.
"I can tell you come from the Heaven of the Righteous Faithful, Tiyaga," Thalor said, his voice steady and commanding.
"It is rare to find beings from there coming here. Most end up living as ordinary, while those who ascend join Archangel Michael's crusade."
Rico listened intently, aware of the significance of his arrival.
"But I was surprised when you fell here and exhibit the energy from the Heaven of Righteous…" Thalor continued, pausing to study him.
"And I can sense that you have the blessing of our lord Ares."
"So, Tiyaga, I will ask again: What is your purpose here?" Thalor's question hung in the air, and Rico felt the pressure mounting.
"Huh?" Rico thought, deep in reflection.
It dawned on him that he didn't have a purpose for being in Helikon; it all felt like a whirlwind of emotions driven by fear rather than choice.
As he grappled with his thoughts, beads of sweat formed on his brow.
What am I even doing here? he wondered, panic creeping in as silence enveloped him.
Finally, he broke the stillness.
"To be honest, sir, I don't know." His honesty hung in the air, raw and unfiltered.
Thalor, sensing his sincerity, relaxed his demeanor.
"It's okay. I understand," he said, brushing a hand over Rico's forehead.
"But from henceforth, I shall bestow a purpose upon you." His voice was calm, filled with a sense of destiny.
"You are a new soul in heaven, and since you are here, it means you are somewhat special." With a flourish, Thalor held Rico's forehead, invoking a solemn ritual.
"In the name of Ares, my lord; in the name of Zeus, King of the Gods; in the name of Nyx, our Watcher;"
"and in the name of the Creator, Elohim, I bestow unto you the power to serve and protect. I bestow upon you a 'Warrior'."
As Thalor spoke, a radiant light descended from above, enveloping Rico in a warm glow.
The shimmering light was visible throughout the city of Helikon, drawing the attention of its inhabitants as they looked up in awe.
Power flowed into Rico, and he could feel it coursing through him.
Ting!!
[Baptism complete]
[Being Tiyaga has ranked]
[Ordinary → Warrior (Novice)]
[All stats have increased]
"Woah, my body feels lighter and stronger," Rico thought, astonished by the transformation.
"You are now a warrior, Tiyaga, and you shall be under the guidance of Demetrius," Thalor continued.
"He shall provide you with everything you need." The overseer's tone turned serious.
"And remember, Tiyaga, you are not immortal yet. Take care of your life, for if you die here, you shall cease to exist."
Rico felt the gravity of those words sink in.
This wasn't just an adventure; his life was now intertwined with the fate of this realm.
"You may take your leave," Thalor said, dismissing him.
Rico stood, still feeling the weight of the moment as he exited the room.
As he stepped out, he found Demetrius waiting at the door.
The guard nodded, signaling the way.
This time, Rico understood the gesture, and he returned the nod with a smile, feeling a flicker of camaraderie.
"Let's go," Demetrius said, guiding Rico through the halls of the citadel.
They traversed corridors adorned with carved writings depicting great battles and heroes of Helikon, each telling stories of valor and glory.
Eventually, they arrived at The Residence of Trainees, a cozy building that served as housing for new warriors.
Inside, the walls were painted a warm hue, and rooms were shared between two trainees.
Demetrius showed Rico to his room, where a modest bed awaited him.
"Tiyaga, this shall be where you will reside, and your training shall begin tomorrow," Demetrius said, pointing to the second bed.
"Your roommate shall come tomorrow; he is also a trainee."
"Thanks, Demetrius," Rico replied, feeling a sense of belonging.
"Now, let's go. I'll show you other key areas," Demetrius said, leading Rico through the residence.
They passed by various rooms, each buzzing with the energy of camaraderie and discipline.
Demetrius pointed out the training grounds, where warriors practiced their combat skills, and the armory, filled with weapons that gleamed under the light.
They even stopped by the kitchen, where the smell of hearty meals wafted through the air, making Rico's stomach growl.
As they walked, Rico felt a sense of belonging growing within him.
The familiarity of human culture and routine made Helikon feel like a home more than the Heaven of the Righteous had.
With each new sight, he realized that this was where he truly wanted to be, ready to embrace his destiny as a warrior under Ares.
Rico walked back to the residence with anticipation buzzing through him, the weight of the day's events settling in.
Once inside, he moved to the small balcony connected to his shared room, drawn by the sounds of life beyond the stone walls.
The city of Helikon stretched out before him, bathed in the fading glow of dusk.
Below, people moved about in an intricate dance of daily routine.
Merchants called out to passersby from their market stalls, colorful fabrics and wares catching the light as they swayed in the evening breeze.
Warriors and craftsmen alike walked side by side, exchanging greetings as they passed.
Children dashed across the square, laughter filling the air as they played games that reminded him of Earth, of home.
For a moment, Rico felt a pang of familiarity in this world so far removed from everything he had known.
In the distance, torches began to flicker along the cobbled pathways, casting warm, golden hues across the ancient Greek architecture that dotted the city.
Towering statues of gods and mythical heroes lined the main square, symbols of Helikon's devotion and pride.
He watched a group of warriors sparring in a designated practice area, their movements disciplined and swift.
He admired their strength and focus, wondering if he could one day match them.
As he leaned over the balcony railing, a gentle breeze ruffled his hair, carrying with it the faint scent of olives and wildflowers.
Helikon had a rhythm of life and culture that felt so tangible, so human, and it resonated with something deep inside him.
Standing there, he felt both a stranger and a part of this world, as if he had been drawn here for a reason yet to be fully revealed.
His heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Rico took a deep breath, watching as the city of Helikon continued on, oblivious to the new warrior watching from above, eager to carve out his own place in this vast, mythic realm.