GOD GAMES

“Ughhh,” James grunts. He opens his eyes to the sight of light streaming in from an open tent flap. He leans up from his bed. The covers slide off his body.

“Morning [Bishop],” a woman's voice enters his ears. He looks to the source.

“[Paladin] Samantha, morn-.” he pauses when he notices the bags under the woman's eyes. “Have you not slept?”

She shakes her head. “I-I can’t. The memory of his death is still too fresh.”

He leans to the side of his cot. He raises his hands up and places them together. “[High Paladin] Simon Laquerdis should not be remembered for his death. He should be remembered as a man who put his life on the line to protect others. He is a man of honor and should be remembered as such.”

“I… I know. It’s just so difficult. He was my mentor, my idol, practically a father. It hurts. It hurts a lot.”

James nods. “Simon spoke about you often- proudly too. He said you are a fine [Paladin] and the best [First Mate] a [Captain] could ever have. I dare-say your presence spurred him to greater and greater honor.”

Samantha blushes as tears fall down her cheeks. A small sad smile finds its way on her face. Then, all at once, she sniffs, wipes her eyes and bows to James. “Thank you for your guidance.”

James nods slowly. “Anytime.” He glances at the open flap raining the dawn's early light. “Now, I think it would be good for you to get some sleep.”

She quickly shakes her head. “Later. I’ve too much on my mind to sleep. I hope you will allow me to accompany you.”

“Oh?” James perks up. “Does the crew not need the presence of their new [Captain]?”

She snorts. “No. They need the presence of their [Bishop]. A [captains] only needed when we’re out on the skies- which we can’t really do at the moment.”

James grimaces at her statement. He stands up out of bed to find that he’d slept in the same clothes yesterday night. “Valentine. Has he said anything since he warned us not to depart?”

“No. He’s been silent since he’d left.”

“That’s… good. I was afraid he’d terrorize the flock until the divine chosen returns.”

“Divine chosen? Are you referring to the cat?” Samantha questions.

“I am. I believe [Captain] Quasi is someone of importance to the divine- similar to the wolven [Emperor].”

“Is that not blasphemous?”

James chuckles. “It would be if I’d not seen him walk into the divine tower with my own eyes. Clearly, the world is changing and shifting. It would be best to keep an open mind going forward.”

The man takes a stretch and walk outside the tent. Samantha is only a step behind.

James takes a strong whiff, and is met with the smell of burnt. Yesterday, when Valentine unsheathed his sword, he killed so many pilgrims. A single moment, a single flick of his arm, and dozens die of electrocution.

He walks to a nearby tent. He peaks inside and finds all the bodies wrapped up and ready for cremation. They will be transported to the ship cold storage and then be brought to a crematorium nearby where they will be burned to ashes. The ashes will then be given to the closest members of the family. If there is none, then he will accept the ashes and spread them in the divines presence.

Finished with this tent, he heads to the medical tent. When he enters, [Priests] bow in his presence. “The divine be with you.”

“And you.” He answers back. “How are the injured?”

“Recovering.” The [Priest] replies. “Your healing saved their lives. I imagine they will be thoroughly recovered by next week.”

“Good. I’ll let them rest then. If something comes up, send someone to find me.”

“Of course, [Bishop]” The [Priest] bows.

He exits the tent. “Now then, Samantha, is Timbergroves' crew still using the tent we provided?”

“They are.”

“Good. Let's head there now.”

______________________________________________________________________

“Must you drink so much so early?” Irmgard asks the drunk scot. “Our lives could be in danger any moment. Being drunk will make it difficult to fight.”

“Da, comrade Irmgard is right, comrade Cillian. Vhe must be ready to break neck like Russian babushka break chicken.”

“Aum, fine. It's only a wee bit of…” Cillian holds the ground in his hand. “Sake, I think.” He then shrugs and downs the rest.

Just then, the tent flaps open to reveal [Bishop] James. He walks inside with Samantha in tow. Then he gives all those present once over, stopping at the clearly drunk cillian.

“Drinking early? I can’t blame you. The situation is rather nerve-wracking,” James confesses. “I hope it would be alright for me to join in?”

Cillian grins. “Aye. Drinkin should be don wit othas,” He slurs.

James takes his words as an acceptance. He finds a seat on the table. Cillian, ever happy to have a drinking parter, quickly opens a gourd and pours sake into one of the saucer.

“Thank you.” James accepts the saucer and takes a sip. Then he glances at Samantha standing firmly behind him.

“Samantha, join us at the table. A drink will do you good.”

“I’d prefer to stand.” She answers.

“Suit yourself,” James replies. He then looks at everyone else on the table. All eyes are curiously on him.

He clears his throat. “I hope you all slept well. I imagine the situation yesterday wasn’t easy to deal with.”

“Passed out.” Cillian chuckles.

James nods. “I imagine tha-.”

“Ask your questions.” Irmgard interrupts. “There is much to speak and plan. Wasting time on pleasantries is only good when we are not on a time limit.”

James chuckles at her exclamation. “Some prefer the pleasantries first before the major topic- but I digress. Let me start first by asking, who or what is Quasi Eludo? And why can he enter the divine ear?”

The group as a whole looks at one-another. They share glances, most of which are between Irmgard and Myers. The old man shakes his head.

“All I can say is Quasi is our [Captain]. Why he can enter is something you will have to speak to him about.”

James nods. He’d expected such an answer. Knowledge of one who can enter into the divine's presence could spell danger to them and those they hold dear. At the moment, it would be best to avoid such questioning until or if Quasi returns.

“Then, my next question. Do you expect him to survive and return?”

“Fluffy will come back!” The child next to Myers yells.

“Da.” Boriss grins resolutely. “Comrade Clay is correct. Comrade Fluffy will return like successful soviet marshal after he makes suka of enemy. Is only right.”

Myers clears his throat. “To answer your question, Quasi is phenomenally capable. So long as he is not faced with a challenge akin to an expert, he should survive.”

James grimaces. “The tower had a Magna Scorpis inside. Such monsters are advanced threats alone, but can be expert threats in groups. I’m guessing your [Captains] class level is at least advanced.”

“That information is restricted.” Irmgard replies, to which James only nods.

“That’s fine. It was just my curiosity asking.” James takes another sip from his saucer. When he plants it back down on the table, he releases a sigh. “Irmgard, right? You’re Quasi’s [First Mate]. Valentine will check your job to make sure it hasn’t changed.”

“I was told to board the Bone-Leviathan every evening. I’ll need to leave in the next several hours.”

“I see. That’s fine. But, if possible, I’d like you to notify me first if something does change. I’d like to prepare my people for death.”

Most of the room grimaces at James's words. Everyone except the heavily drunk Cillian and the grinning Boriss.

“Die fighting. Is good idea,” Boriss announces.

“Heh,” James chuckles, “I was thinking more along the lines of prayer- but I guess fighting would also be good.”

“What about escape?” Emma finally speaks up. The Gemma had been silently sitting and listening up to this point. “Valentine and his entire crew are aboard the ship. If we all depart at the same time with all the ships, we may have a chance to get away.”

James shakes his head at the clearly young and ignorant girl.

“Valentine's ship is far too fast and powerful in comparison to what we have. We’d never get away. A single broadside from a battleship would completely drain the hull integrity of the tower's keeper. We’d need some kind of distraction.”

At the man's words, Myers eyes widen.

“I may be able to supply that distraction.”

Everyone now looks at the old man curiously.

Especially James. Anyone that could even propose a viable distraction against Valentine is not someone to be ignored.

“Valentine recognized you.” James remembers. “I’d argue he was even a bit respectful. Who exactly are you?”

“That’s something I’d like to keep to myself unless Quasi is to perish,” Myers answers. “For now, know that I can create a distraction so long as certain criteria are met.”

James nods. “Considering the predicament we’re in, any semblance of hope is something I’d accept. What will you need?”

“Control of all vessels as a [Fleet Captain].”

The alarm bells in James' head start to ring at such a declaration. [Fleet Captains] are a rare class requiring control of many ships and at least a master class. Considering the man proposes the ability to create a distraction against Valentine of all people can only mean one thing.

“You’re an expert class. A [Fleet Captain] couldn’t do anything against valentine. Which means you’re actually a [Fleet Admiral].”

Looking at the expression on those present, the only one surprised is the Gemma. Everyone else either knew of the man's capability or are ignorant of how rare a [Fleet Admiral] actually is.

“I would prefer such allegations to be kept hidden until absolutely necessary. Hopefully, Quasi will return and my presence will not be required.”

“Hopefully.” James repeats. He glances back at Samantha. “Hope is good, but it’s not always enough. Samantha, speak to the other two [Captains] and tell them to make sure their vessels are ready for immediate departure. Don’t mention anything about Myers or what conversations transpired here.”

“Yes [Bishop].” She bows and rushes out.

He then looks back at Timbergroves crew. “I’ll make sure everything is ready just in case in the meantime. I hope that is acceptable.”

“It is,” Myers replies.

“Bah, is waste.” Boriss waves a hand. “Comrade Fluffy will return. Is doing good anyvay. He level thrice.”

All eyes glance at Boriss.

“How do you know he leveled three times?” Irmgard asks.

“I have [Combat Authority]. It go up one and half percent.”

It is at this moment that Timbergroves crew remembers that though Boriss struggles to articulate his thoughts, he is not an idiot. On the contrary, he is quite a savant.

_______________________________________________________________

One moment you’re struggling with an overwhelming amount of mana and pain. And in the next, a single dominating word in your head. Followed then by excruciatingly more pain.

Then complete darkness.

Followed by complete lightness.

I blink rapidly to find myself back in the white realm where my ship floats casually above. In front of me, green waiting obediently.

“I’m not dead, am I?”

“Negative.” Green answers.

Oh, perfect. I was worried I’d died. Or am I dying right now? Am I going to cease to exist the moment I leave this realm?

“Do you know If I will die after I leave this place?”

“Negative.”

“I see. Well then, fuck. I’m guessing I leveled considering you’re here.”

“Correct. You have gained two levels and a Title.”

Wait. What? A Title? I got a Title?

“Show me my entire trait sheet.”

Traits.

Human Average

Individual Base Calculations.

Level modifications

Trait Actual Value

Strength

10

41

+31%

53

Endurance

9

46

+0%

46

Vitality

12

0.27%M/R/M

28

0.63% M/R/M

+0%

+9.31%

28

9.94% M/R/M

Perception

9

29

+0%

29

Intelligence

11

16

+0%

16

Mana

388.8

510

+0%

510

Control

12

10

+0%

10

Attributes Available/Attributes total:

2

33

Level:

24

Titles Obtained: 3

Title Name

Leviathan Slayer

Title Rank

Legendary

Title Effect

+10 Attribute points

Title Name

Underdog Boarder

Title Rank

Rare

Title Effect

[Captain’s Authority] stat decay is slowed when boarding enemy vessels.

Title Name

Mana Fur

Title Rank

Divine

Title Effect

Increase Mana Regeneration by fur density.

Current Bonus: +9.31% M/RM

Damn, that's a lot of mana regeneration. Kinda defeats the purpose of putting points into vitality...

Wait a second! Why is vitality higher? No, wait, all of my physical stats are higher.

You know what, how did I get that title? The last thing I remember is getting penetrated by dozens of stingers. Then the pain, the convulsions, the rampaging mana, and finally the… voice.

“I evolved.” The words come out at the realization.

Fenrimorphs at the prison had the ability to adapt to external stimuli and literally transform their bodies. If memory serves, one transformed after getting poisoned, and several others transformed when they were set on fire. The transformation made them slightly bigger and stronger, but it also made them immune to the external stimuli.

I must have done the same and the Scorpis venom is the stimulus to the transformation. So, I must be immune to the poison now. Considering the poison forces the body to exponentially regenerate mana, that’s probably where the Mana Fur titles comes in. My body is mimicking the effect of the venom. Neat.

Still, something bugs me. If memory serves, I heard a voice. A command right before I passed out. Was that a god saying such a thing or is it some weird Fenrimorph hallucination?

“Green, Is Divine rank the strongest rank of title?”

“That information is restricted.”

Of course it is. Fine, I’ll ask Myers when I get the chance. He might know. But first, I should see about spending my attribute points.

Going through the trait sheet, I can’t help but find the thought of putting points into vitality intriguing. I mean, I’ve been putting points into strength precisely because it gives me the best returns per percentage. But now, Vitality may give me better returns on account of my much higher mana regeneration.

Then again, I could be very wrong in that adding attributes to vitality only increases my base regeneration and not the bonus from the title.

Well, for now, my regeneration is more than adequate for whatever equipment I have access to.

“Green, put both attribute points into strength. Then get me out of here.”

“Acknowledged.”