THEOS
Author: Arthur Wordsmith
B2 Chapter 2: Ins and Outs
You named it Blinky? Luke asked incredulously.
I thought it fit. Rex mumbled, brushing past Luke and into the stable that contained the dreadglare. He came back a second later, with the monstrosity latched onto the back of his neck, and draped around him in the form of a cape. One made of thousands of eyes, each one blinking at random, with mouths opening and closing around them.
A bead of nervous sweat rolled down Lukes face at how casually Rex seemed to handle the demon. Feeling a dull ache beginning to form behind his eyes from looking at it too long, Luke tore his gaze away from the pair.
He thought to himself, and shaking his head, he walked past him and into the now empty stable.
His shoulders slightly sank in relief at finding all his artifacts as well as Lukeuss sword and Rexs laying on the ground, he reached down and grabbed the leather grip of his most valuable possession, only to drop it a moment later in disgust. It was wet. Bile crept up in his throat, and a mild burning sensation spread over his skin.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and wiped his hand over his robe. All the while doing his best to ignore how his hand stuck to the fabric of his clothes.
He thought darkly while he shrugged out of his robes. Using them as impromptu gloves, he gathered his things, and marched out of the stable.
Wheres my manasink?
Oh, it broke. I tossed it out. Rex shrugged.
I see. Bye. He walked straight out of the room, unwilling to stay in the uncomfortable presence of the dreadglare for a second longer.
You got what you needed? Jason asked the second Luke stepped through the brass door.
Frowning, Luke returned his borrowed blade to him. I did. Do you have anywhere I can wash these? He asked, miserably lifting the blue bundle into the air.
Yeah, we do actually. Jason nodded, and stepped away from the brass door. Follow me.
They walked back up through the halls of the ship, leaving the pair of brothers behind, and towards a destination at the very back of the ship.
What do you guys do on the Argo anyways?
What do you mean?
Like whats all this for? Luke asked. Gesturing around them vaguely. Are you an army, mercenaries Pirates? And how did you even get a ship this big and awesome? He asked, curiosity and a hint of desire burning in his eyes. A small part of him, yearned for his own giant craft.
Jason laughed out loud. I we do have a goal, but at heart, all of us are adventurers. When I set sail, I didnt expect it to turn into what it did, or for so many people to set sail with me. It kind of became its own thing after Heracles said he was coming with us. You may not have heard of him here, but back in Pelion hes famous. Not just as a son of Zeus, but as a prodigy even among prodigies. As for the ship, he ran his arms along its walls, I won it.
You did?
Mhm. He grunted. In the Olympics, ten years ago.
Luke felt his heart beat in anticipation. I didnt know the prizes were quite this impressive. Cyzicus mentioned an apple that sounded really cool once, but this ship is It wont help you cultivate but Wow.
The Apple from the Evening Garden, I believe it was Lady Hera hosting that year. If I had the choice though, I dont know what Id pick. On one hand you save years if not decades of effort, but the Argo is well The Argo. Anyway, the prizes usually arent this grand Jason admitted, immediately putting a damper on Lukes enthusiasm, but, it was Lord Poseidon that was hosting the games the year I participated. Hes known to be generous. My mentor told me that its usually something more simple. Things like Weapons, armor, and the like. Still amazing, but he trailed off.
What about Lord Hephestus? I heard hes hosting this year. Luke asked.
I dont know. He shrugged. The tournament takes place once every ten years, and neither the prizes nor the challenges are the same. Its also been centuries since Lord Hephestus hosted it, and of the Olympians he is one of the most reclusive. There are likely some records of what prizes hes given before, but I dont remember reading them. Youre thinking of competing?
I will be. Luke said, already making plans to ask Clite if they had a list of past prizes and winners. What did you have to do to win?
Swim.
Swim?
It was a little more complicated than that, I assure you, but essentially, yes.
So you won the tournament, got the Argo as a prize, and have been on an adventure since?
Mhm.
And theres nothing you want to do with an entire army at your back, other than that? Luke pried.
What I want He trailed off, his voice losing some of its earlier cheer. Id be lying if I said I was doing all of this for nothing more than the joy of seeing the world, but Im afraid I cant tell you unless you join us. So what do you say?
Join you? Lukes eyes widened in surprise.
Mhm.
I uh, I dont know about that.
Well, think about it. Well stay until the games are over, so take at least until then to decide He said, throwing open another brass door.
A golden fountain, in the shape of a woman, spewed hot water from her hands and into an array of waist level aqueducts positioned around it. Each one of them was made of colorful clay and vibrating. Filling the room with the sounds of falling water and a quiet buzz.
In the far corner, Luke saw someone strip out of their clothes and armor, haphazardly chuck everything in, before walking through a door deeper in the room.
This is one of our cleaning rooms. Jason said, leading him over to one of the clay constructs. Drop your weapons and clothes in there, and when you pull them back out, theyll be free of any stains, he explained enthusiastically. The whole system is enchanted to clean basically everything.
Luke looked at the contraption, amusement dancing across his eyes as he carefully laid out his artifacts in the water.
Its impressive right? Jason asked eagerly.
It is. Luke nodded to him. For a minute, they just stood there as small particles shook themselves free of his clothes to be carried away by the water moments later. Why do you want me to join you?
Why wouldnt I? He turned to Luke. Any man that can fight countless giants for hours on end, slay thousands of them without injury, and then survive an encounter with a foe many tiers higher, is someone I want fighting beside me.
"Oh." Luke said.
"Captain!" Someone threw open the door, and a lean man with curly brown hair poked his head through. "Theres trouble on deck. Its Atalanta again.
Jason cursed under his breath. I have to go. He rose into the air, and disappeared down the hallway.
Im Luke. He nodded towards the man.
Maleager. He nodded curtly, before he too rose into the air, and disappeared after him.
Collecting his clothes and weapons from the magical laundry, he wandered aimlessly around the Argo before finding his way back to the room he had awoken in. As much as he wanted to explore the ship, and meet the people on it, he couldnt delay exploring the changes made in his status anymore.
Sitting down cross legged on his bed, he toggled the Seed, and flipped through its tabs, intent on finding what had changed.
| Skills | Quests | Inventory
Name: Lukas King
Tier: Warrior
Bloodline: Eyes of Insight
Mana: 351 / 351
Rate: 17% per hour
Strength: 14
Agility: 11
Constitution: 18
Arcana: 39
Stat Points: 9
Charges: 7/10
Status |
| Quests | Inventory
Tier: Warrior
Progress: 0.1%
An expression of a Warrior-tier Truth derived by Lukas King, from the Three Stances of Death created by Empress Alexia Xancrest. Gives users the ability to perceive the future of those that carry the desire to kill them.
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
An expression of a Mortal-tier Truth uncovered by the Hero, Alexia Xancrest. Through centuries of battle and meditation, she perfected her understanding of the Truth and infused it in the First Stance of the Sword, creating a sword-style that draws out its complete potential. A Technique that has since received the acknowledgment of the Heavens, and become permanently entwined within the Eternal Tapestry.
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
Status | Skills |
| Inventory
Over the Eons, many gods have arisen, but few have tread The Path of Paragons, and fewer have succeeded.
:
-All attributes must be advanced to 1000 at the same time to advance to the Hero-tier.
-All incomplete techniques must be fully mastered to advance to the Hero-tier.
*All attribute gains over 999 will be redirected as
, until all conditions are met.
Status | Skills | Quests |
Capacity: 1 013.4 kg of 1 540 000 kg
Overall, the differences werent unexpected.
The most notable change was that his Paragon quest had been updated to reflect his new tier, instead of vanishing from his Status by itself when the task was completed.
He closed his eyes and did some math in his head, grinning slightly at the obscenely large number.
Sighing, he added his nine free points to his Arcana stat one at a time and closed his status. Paying careful attention to how each one caused it to surge within him, and become a little more vigorous.
His eyes glimmered, as he looked towards the door.
Grinning, he closed his eyes, and focused on his mana. Circulating it around his body he let some seep through his skin.
Just like when he was under the metal slab, he could feel it brushing against space itself.
He frowned.
Letting go of his mana, he climbed off his bed, he looked around the room. Finding an empty spot, he jumped into the air. The moment his feet left the ground, he once again called his mana forward, and like he expected, he hung in the air.
He frowned, as he adjusted his mana to the soles of his feet, and took a step forward.
A lightbulb went off in his head. Channeling mana into his hands, he held himself in the air with his palms alone. Then slowly, he circulated the film of mana on his hands so that the mana at the back of his would glide forward, while the mana on the tips of his fingers would seep back into him.
Fuck yeah! He yelled, as he crawled an inch backwards in the air.
Someone banged on the wall, and startled he fell out of the air.
KEEP IT QUIET ASSHOLE. IM TRYING TO SLEEP.
Sorry! He yelled back. A wide grin plastered on his face, as he covered his whole body in mana, and darted through the room.
I thought it fit. Rex mumbled, brushing past Luke and into the stable that contained the dreadglare. He came back a second later, with the monstrosity latched onto the back of his neck, and draped around him in the form of a cape. One made of thousands of eyes, each one blinking at random, with mouths opening and closing around them.
A bead of nervous sweat rolled down Lukes face at how casually Rex seemed to handle the demon. Feeling a dull ache beginning to form behind his eyes from looking at it too long, Luke tore his gaze away from the pair.
He thought to himself, and shaking his head, he walked past him and into the now empty stable.
His shoulders slightly sank in relief at finding all his artifacts as well as Lukeuss sword and Rexs laying on the ground, he reached down and grabbed the leather grip of his most valuable possession, only to drop it a moment later in disgust. It was wet. Bile crept up in his throat, and a mild burning sensation spread over his skin.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and wiped his hand over his robe. All the while doing his best to ignore how his hand stuck to the fabric of his clothes.
He thought darkly while he shrugged out of his robes. Using them as impromptu gloves, he gathered his things, and marched out of the stable.
Wheres my manasink?
Oh, it broke. I tossed it out. Rex shrugged.
I see. Bye. He walked straight out of the room, unwilling to stay in the uncomfortable presence of the dreadglare for a second longer.
You got what you needed? Jason asked the second Luke stepped through the brass door.
Frowning, Luke returned his borrowed blade to him. I did. Do you have anywhere I can wash these? He asked, miserably lifting the blue bundle into the air.
Yeah, we do actually. Jason nodded, and stepped away from the brass door. Follow me.
They walked back up through the halls of the ship, leaving the pair of brothers behind, and towards a destination at the very back of the ship.
What do you guys do on the Argo anyways?
What do you mean?
Like whats all this for? Luke asked. Gesturing around them vaguely. Are you an army, mercenaries Pirates? And how did you even get a ship this big and awesome? He asked, curiosity and a hint of desire burning in his eyes. A small part of him, yearned for his own giant craft.
Jason laughed out loud. I we do have a goal, but at heart, all of us are adventurers. When I set sail, I didnt expect it to turn into what it did, or for so many people to set sail with me. It kind of became its own thing after Heracles said he was coming with us. You may not have heard of him here, but back in Pelion hes famous. Not just as a son of Zeus, but as a prodigy even among prodigies. As for the ship, he ran his arms along its walls, I won it.
You did?
Mhm. He grunted. In the Olympics, ten years ago.
Luke felt his heart beat in anticipation. I didnt know the prizes were quite this impressive. Cyzicus mentioned an apple that sounded really cool once, but this ship is It wont help you cultivate but Wow.
The Apple from the Evening Garden, I believe it was Lady Hera hosting that year. If I had the choice though, I dont know what Id pick. On one hand you save years if not decades of effort, but the Argo is well The Argo. Anyway, the prizes usually arent this grand Jason admitted, immediately putting a damper on Lukes enthusiasm, but, it was Lord Poseidon that was hosting the games the year I participated. Hes known to be generous. My mentor told me that its usually something more simple. Things like Weapons, armor, and the like. Still amazing, but he trailed off.
What about Lord Hephestus? I heard hes hosting this year. Luke asked.
I dont know. He shrugged. The tournament takes place once every ten years, and neither the prizes nor the challenges are the same. Its also been centuries since Lord Hephestus hosted it, and of the Olympians he is one of the most reclusive. There are likely some records of what prizes hes given before, but I dont remember reading them. Youre thinking of competing?
I will be. Luke said, already making plans to ask Clite if they had a list of past prizes and winners. What did you have to do to win?
Swim.
Swim?
It was a little more complicated than that, I assure you, but essentially, yes.
So you won the tournament, got the Argo as a prize, and have been on an adventure since?
Mhm.
And theres nothing you want to do with an entire army at your back, other than that? Luke pried.
What I want He trailed off, his voice losing some of its earlier cheer. Id be lying if I said I was doing all of this for nothing more than the joy of seeing the world, but Im afraid I cant tell you unless you join us. So what do you say?
Join you? Lukes eyes widened in surprise.
Mhm.
I uh, I dont know about that.
Well, think about it. Well stay until the games are over, so take at least until then to decide He said, throwing open another brass door.
A golden fountain, in the shape of a woman, spewed hot water from her hands and into an array of waist level aqueducts positioned around it. Each one of them was made of colorful clay and vibrating. Filling the room with the sounds of falling water and a quiet buzz.
In the far corner, Luke saw someone strip out of their clothes and armor, haphazardly chuck everything in, before walking through a door deeper in the room.
This is one of our cleaning rooms. Jason said, leading him over to one of the clay constructs. Drop your weapons and clothes in there, and when you pull them back out, theyll be free of any stains, he explained enthusiastically. The whole system is enchanted to clean basically everything.
Luke looked at the contraption, amusement dancing across his eyes as he carefully laid out his artifacts in the water.
Its impressive right? Jason asked eagerly.
It is. Luke nodded to him. For a minute, they just stood there as small particles shook themselves free of his clothes to be carried away by the water moments later. Why do you want me to join you?
Why wouldnt I? He turned to Luke. Any man that can fight countless giants for hours on end, slay thousands of them without injury, and then survive an encounter with a foe many tiers higher, is someone I want fighting beside me.
"Oh." Luke said.
"Captain!" Someone threw open the door, and a lean man with curly brown hair poked his head through. "Theres trouble on deck. Its Atalanta again.
Jason cursed under his breath. I have to go. He rose into the air, and disappeared down the hallway.
Im Luke. He nodded towards the man.
Maleager. He nodded curtly, before he too rose into the air, and disappeared after him.
Collecting his clothes and weapons from the magical laundry, he wandered aimlessly around the Argo before finding his way back to the room he had awoken in. As much as he wanted to explore the ship, and meet the people on it, he couldnt delay exploring the changes made in his status anymore.
Sitting down cross legged on his bed, he toggled the Seed, and flipped through its tabs, intent on finding what had changed.
| Skills | Quests | Inventory
Name: Lukas King
Tier: Warrior
Bloodline: Eyes of Insight
Mana: 351 / 351
Rate: 17% per hour
Strength: 14
Agility: 11
Constitution: 18
Arcana: 39
Stat Points: 9
Charges: 7/10
Status |
| Quests | Inventory
Tier: Warrior
Progress: 0.1%
An expression of a Warrior-tier Truth derived by Lukas King, from the Three Stances of Death created by Empress Alexia Xancrest. Gives users the ability to perceive the future of those that carry the desire to kill them.
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
An expression of a Mortal-tier Truth uncovered by the Hero, Alexia Xancrest. Through centuries of battle and meditation, she perfected her understanding of the Truth and infused it in the First Stance of the Sword, creating a sword-style that draws out its complete potential. A Technique that has since received the acknowledgment of the Heavens, and become permanently entwined within the Eternal Tapestry.
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
Tier: Mortal
Progress: 100% [COMPLETED]
Status | Skills |
| Inventory
Over the Eons, many gods have arisen, but few have tread The Path of Paragons, and fewer have succeeded.
:
-All attributes must be advanced to 1000 at the same time to advance to the Hero-tier.
-All incomplete techniques must be fully mastered to advance to the Hero-tier.
*All attribute gains over 999 will be redirected as
, until all conditions are met.
Status | Skills | Quests |
Capacity: 1 013.4 kg of 1 540 000 kg
Overall, the differences werent unexpected.
The most notable change was that his Paragon quest had been updated to reflect his new tier, instead of vanishing from his Status by itself when the task was completed.
He closed his eyes and did some math in his head, grinning slightly at the obscenely large number.
Sighing, he added his nine free points to his Arcana stat one at a time and closed his status. Paying careful attention to how each one caused it to surge within him, and become a little more vigorous.
His eyes glimmered, as he looked towards the door.
Grinning, he closed his eyes, and focused on his mana. Circulating it around his body he let some seep through his skin.
Just like when he was under the metal slab, he could feel it brushing against space itself.
He frowned.
Letting go of his mana, he climbed off his bed, he looked around the room. Finding an empty spot, he jumped into the air. The moment his feet left the ground, he once again called his mana forward, and like he expected, he hung in the air.
He frowned, as he adjusted his mana to the soles of his feet, and took a step forward.
A lightbulb went off in his head. Channeling mana into his hands, he held himself in the air with his palms alone. Then slowly, he circulated the film of mana on his hands so that the mana at the back of his would glide forward, while the mana on the tips of his fingers would seep back into him.
Fuck yeah! He yelled, as he crawled an inch backwards in the air.
Someone banged on the wall, and startled he fell out of the air.
KEEP IT QUIET ASSHOLE. IM TRYING TO SLEEP.
Sorry! He yelled back. A wide grin plastered on his face, as he covered his whole body in mana, and darted through the room.