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Days go by training with my new abilities leaving me feeling physically drained. Laying in bed I feel hardly prepared for leading the horsemen, hell I still have my doubts about being able to recruit the others in time if they all manage to pass their trials. A mystic book, a transforming scythe, and a suit of armor didn’t feel like it’s enough to change the fate of the world. Well at least I make the suit look good at the very least.
Comedy has always been how I deal with stress, anxiety, and just life in general. A member of my congregation once asked me if their loved ones were in Heaven and they got a joke about God instead of a straight answer. ‘Hey, Pastor Blackthorn is my grandpa in heaven?’ ‘Nope he’s not because he requested to be buried face down so the world could kiss his ass even in death and we couldn't fulfill his request due to having a sense of morality. I think he may be haunting you because of it.’ Maybe that humor is a touch dark but I’m good at knowing when I can get away with it.
I’m really hoping Ciel will have more for me than a training montage to get my hopes up. Dude didn't play me eye of the tiger when we were discovering all the new gadgets. I feel like I have changed so much with everything I have been through. I feel like I dont even sound the same any more. How can I after discovering all that I have about God, the universe, and the horsemen.
“David, I have some good news for you if you have a minute.”
“Damn it Ciel. knock or something, don't just sneak up on me like that.”
“I’m sorry, David, it's a residual effect from being Death for so many eons.”
“No, I can see that. What is it you wanted to tell me Ciel?”
“Will be receiving some support from a few of the old gods of the human pantheons David.”
“Ok. Am I missing something here because I know you made reference to them being around still but I'm sure humanity hasn't seen them for some time. There are not too many people that openly express believing in old gods any more, but this is all still so new to me.”
“I'll get you up to speed David on the gods' situation because it’s going to play a role in what we are doing here. First let me give you some back story on what happened with the old gods to help things make more sense. Oh, and David, don't be shy to ask questions even with our given history of how we met.
All human beings have the ability to self actualize and some of them would become what humans would refer to as gods when they are more like immortal beings with limited power.
In the beginning God took interest in these beings as their accession was intriguing to him. As they grew in power the Nephilim would also take an interest in the gods of mortal men. Some Gods would align themselves with our creator when others would begin to favor the Nephilim. God saw the aligning with the Nephilim as a potential problem and decided to destroy them, but when he went to smite them he had found that the majority of them had vanished.
The old gods of mortals created a place they called the Land of Nod that God and the majority of his creations could not enter beside human beings when the old gods of mortals allowed it. They have lived in the land of nod for ages appearing briefly in the realm of mortals taking mortals back with them from time to time. When a mortal went to the land of nod, the books of life would stop recording their lives. We could never figure out if they died or if the old gods of mortals discovered a way to block the workings of the divine.
David, some of these gods still wish to aid the divine because they can feel the state of the universe and wish to see it balanced. With that being said I have managed to recruit a few of them to aid us in your training.”
“I am going to get trained by other gods?” I’m filled with a sense of excitement to find out what gods would agree to train with me.
“Yes David. Anubis of Egypt has agreed to train you in the ways of magic. Even though God is strict with who and how magic could be used, Anubis sought out knowledge to discover the limits of its use. He organized an order of magicians and created a magic school in the land of nod so God and beings like myself could never see what he is teaching. The only reason we ever knew about it is because we have caught a few rogue magicians working for the Nephilim and they gave up their secrets easily with the right motivation.
You will also be receiving combat training from Thor of Asgard. I think he is just a drunken idiot, but he does possess a talent for violence. I was there the day Thor's so-called legacy began. His name appeared in my book and I awaited his death. He was just a farm boy when I came for him that would be struck down by lighting in the fields during a festival. The lighting came and struck him for all to see, but he didn't die. In the moment of his death he self actualized that he was the lightning. I think he was just so damn drunk that he truly believed himself stronger than the lighting that struck him. When the village saw that the lighting didn't kill him they started to worship him as a god of lighting and overtime he did gain powers of the storms.
It’s also important that you have a mind for battle. To support your training we managed to recruit Athena of Olympus. She is skilled in combat herself, but her mind is her deadliest weapon. She will teach you how to play the mental games of combat. She has won countless battles with never needing to resort to violence. Her teachings will help you see beyond the face value of a given situation, and in return it will help you live a much longer life.
The final god that has come to your aid has been a secret friend of mine.”
“Wait, I thought you said God wasn't on the best terms with the other gods so you went behind his back.”
“Don't be absurd David! I simply withheld information because I saw value in a friendship that at its core supported the works of our creator. Friendship is like love. Who would judge love just because it looked different from how they know it?
My friend is Ganesh. He will help you control your emotions so you can stay focused and not give into the ego. The ego is a driving force behind the corruption of mortals and the last thing we need to deal with is you getting a big head.
These are the only gods of mortals we could get to help you David because some of the other gods are still loyal to the Nephilim, but most of them refuse to help out of fear. They don't want to get caught between God and the eldar beings.”
“Well I am most grateful and honored to be working with such historical beings.”
“Good David. The gods of mortals did grant you passage into the Land of Nod. They have provided me with a pendant that will allow you access to their realm. Now if they ever feel threatened by you the pendant can cast you out of their realm so please act with diplomacy. To open the portal to their realm, draw the sigil that is engraved on the pendant on any doorway and it will open into the Land of Nod. The sigil only works while you are wearing the pendant so don't lose it.”
“What if I lose it while I'm in the Land of Nod Ciel?”
“David, I honestly have no clue, but when beings travel through dimensions without proper preparation they tend to get turned inside out, so don't tempt the devil David.”
“Oh! Ciel, can you please do me a favor and get me a carton of cigarettes. I have an old friend I made a promise to that I need to keep. I’m sure it would crush him if I backed out on it.”
“Well if it means something to you David i'll get it, but please don't think I’m some errand boy for you because I have passed you the mantle. I can still rend your soul even in this state if you ever cared to try me David.”
“Nope. Not looking to test you. I appreciate your help Ciel.”
“Very well David, I will return with what you asked for and the food your mortal body needs to survive.”
I’m worried about the deal I made with Bob, but Bob has kept to his bargain. I’ll keep sending the cigarettes as long as he continues to honor our deal. I have not mentioned him to Ciel because I don't think he has the power to do anything about Bob’s situation, but once I find God I intend to make good on our deal.