Abyss's Point Of View
I hit a hard surface abruptly and landed flat on my stomach. The force knocked the air out of my lungs, and I was left weezing and trying to catch my breath.
When I was finally able to stabilize myself, I opened my eyes and gasped immediately.
'Well, I know what that ominous feeling I had before was all about... This can't be anything but terrible...'
"Cease your worrying and stand, boy." A deep voice rang out.
I looked up at the enormous luming figures peering down at me and audibly gulped.
'Well, looks like they can hear my thoughts as well... frikkin great...'
I wasn't dumb enough to mistake who these beings were. They were spitting images of the statues lining the cathedral, stone and all. The problem that I was having, was that judging from the shocked gasps I heard before coming here, this was anything but normal.
"I've never seen a more ungrateful human being in all my days..." A light whimsical voice echoed.
"He's simply confused, I think..." A deep voice replied.
"Boy...? Do you know who we are?" A soft airy voice asked.
"If I had to wager a guess, then I'd say the deities of this world?" I replied.
"So you know, and still act this way?" The whimsical voice questioned.
"Forgive me but, why have you brought me here? No one ever mentioned that I'd be face to face with a bunch of Gods... so I must admit, I'm a little concerned. Did I die again, perhaps?" I asked.
It wasn't such a far-fetched idea, considering I was late to the ceremony, and my brother was probably praying for my downfall every moment of everyday, since my birth.
"No my child. Far from it actually. We have summoned you here, to ask you a favor." A goddess with vibrant green hair said, as she completely appeared before me.
Then one by one, the statues turned from stone to flesh and all the Gods made their presence known. And honestly, the stone work was good, but it was doing a great disservice to the Gods and their beauty. They were insanely beautiful. Which should have been a given but, it felt like the word beauty was defined by looking at these beings.
"Ahahahaha! Flattery will get you nowhere little one."
"Seriously, what pure thoughts he has. Such a rare find these days..."
"Hmm? You seem familiar boy... You mentioned dying again. Is that to say this is a reincarnation for you?" The pale God asked.
"Yes. I died in another world. Then I woke up in this one." I replied.
"Ugh! Seriously, Remmi!? That's why this boy is bathed in divinity!? You idiot!" A gray skinned God yelled.
"Endorh, you expect me to remember all the beings I reincarnated? That's a bit much, isn't it?" The God, Remmi, groaned.
"Haaah... Well, let's do the introductions first. Shall we?"
"Right. I'm Luminia. The Goddess of Light."
"I'm Volcanis. The God of Fire."
"I'm Tempestia. The Goddess of Wind."
"I'm Aquarii. The Goddess of Water."
"I'm Leafiah. The Goddess of Earth."
"I'm Remmi. The God of Rebirth."
"I'm Endorh. The God of Death."
"And I'm Voidis. The God of Darkness."
After hearing all of their names, I nearly burst into laughter at how on the nose their names were. But I didn't get the chance, because once Voidis gave me his name, I was filled with immense magical power. So much so, that I immediately got a headache from it all.
I slumped to the ground and gripped my head. The Goddess of Light knelt beside me, and placed a hand on my head. A soft light emanated from her and my headache stopped immediately.
I looked up at her perplexed. Even though she had cured my headache, I knew there was no way her help didn't come with a price. I may be in a 7 year old's body, but I had the mind of an adult.
"What the hell did you just do to me?" I asked, with a glare.
"Mind your manners little boy!" Luminia scolded.
"Few humans in the history of this world have known all of our names. In fact, it is taboo to even say our proper names. Doing so will strip you of your mana and ability to wield it. It will also nullify our blessings that we have bestowed upon you as well." Luminia said.
"So why tell me all of your names? What is this so-called favor that you're hoping I'll agree to?" I asked.
"We need you to kill 8 beasts." Voidis said, nonchalantly.
"Eight beasts that rank as cataclysmic beasts on the humans scale of catastrophes." Remmi added, with a shrug.
"You must be joking!" I yelled.
I never wanted to hunt regular monsters, lead alone ultimate beasts! This was ridiculous, and I wouldn't be a part of it in any way, shape, or form.
"It's a simple task for one such as yourself. You aren't strong enough yet, but once you go to Magic Academy and get a bit older you'll be fine." Volcanis said with a chuckle.
"Yes, agreed. You only need to level up to 100. Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about." Voidis added.
"Why can't you guys do it yourselves? Or better yet, give this task to someone else? Why me?!" I asked, nearly panicking.
They were completely ignoring my wishes and just doing as they liked. It would be irritating if it weren't so terrifying.
"Well, not only can we not interfere with the world of man to that degree, we will run out of time to give someone else such a blessing. In 10 years time, the beasts will have outgrown their cages and break free. If left alone, they will bring ruin to the world." Leafiah said, solemnly.
"Where did these beasts even come from? How am I even supposed to find them? No never mind, I won't do it... So it doesn't matter..." I said, exasperated.
"Ugh! So arrogant! What gave you the impression that you had a choice? In 10 years a mark will appear on your hand. It will lead you to each beast. Kill each beast and claim their mana core. That is your task!" Luminia said with a huff.
"Those beasts will just have to bring devastation and ruin to the world then because I. Won't. Be. Going." I said with an angry glare.
"Haha! We'll see about that." Remmi chuckled.
Luminia snapped her fingers and I was bathed in a bright light once again.
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Sigghfreid's Point Of View
He was infuriating, insufferable, and annoying. My little brother who could do no wrong, was a freak. He was unnaturally beautiful, and insanely smart. But he was also a huge coward. He always seemed lost in thought or spaced out, and he would always try to impress me.
This time however, he definitely screwed up, and I couldn't be happier. He was supposed to pray for protection, and a statue would light up and answer his prayer.
Instead, after he said his prayer, he was surrounded by lights and then disappeared. The entire family was freaking out, but I couldn't stop laughing.
"See mother? Is this not retribution?" I chortled.
"You will hold your tongue Siggy, or I will ensure that you never inherit a thing!" She gritted out.
It was ridiculous! That she would threaten me in such a way was the height of cruelty.
"Priest! Please explain what has happened!?" My father yelled.
"Did we all see a multicolored light before he vanished?" The priest asked.
"Yes. I certainly saw it as well. What does it mean, priest?" Mother asked, desperately.
"I cannot be certain, since I haven't seen this occure in my lifetime, but I suspect that he was summoned by the Gods..." The priest replied, nervously.
"Well what does that mean?" The Marqueed exclaimed.
"Will he even return?" The Duke questioned.
"I cannot say. Only time will tell. Please try to remain seated and wait a bit longer. If it drags on into the next hour, we may have to postpone his ceremony..." The priest sighed.
I was becoming increasingly irritated. Because from what he was saying, this wasn't retribution, but a Holy Summons. I had only read about things like that happening in books about the heros of old. They defeated a beast Master and imprisoned his beast subordinates.
The heros were said to have been summoned from another world and given multiple blessings by the Gods. But those were just stories, not real life.... Right?
Suddenly, a multicolored light began to flash on the alter at the feet of the statues again.
"I said no! You cannot make... me... Damn it!" Abyss yelled, as he reappeared at the alter.
"Young man you will mind your tongue in this place of worsh–"
The priest cut off his words when Abyss glared in his direction, his eyes were glowing a blood red. He was incredibly pissed off.
"Abyss hunny, what happened?" Mother asked, running up to him and giving him a hug.
"Can we talk about it later... I'm extremely tired..." Abyss grumbled.
"Ah yes, well before your departure, you must reveal your status plate to us. So that there are witnesses and so I may record your blessing for the King." The priest said.
"How do I do that?" Abyss asked.
"Press your thumb and middle finger together on your right hand then spread them apart to reveal your plate." The priest explained.
Once Abyss did as instructed, the entire room erupted into a panic all over again. My eyes nearly bulged out of my skull. It was unbelievable! And unfair as hell!