61 Old and New (2/2)

Old Thane paused. He gave Li an acknowledging nod, knowing that Li was the one to have saved Jeanne, knowing that though none would ever acknowledge him with a medal or burn incense, he could still show his appreciation. And honestly, to Li, that was the only appreciation he needed.

\”Aye, lass, give the spirit your respects, but never forget that those nearest to you are the ones that have truly supported your back.\”

\”I've never forgotten, and I never will,\” said Jeanne as she smiled to Sylvie and Azhar.

Li nodded. Old Thane seemed like he was giving out a piece of sage advice, and he was, but he was also honoring Li's efforts subtly, as she would never know that the being sitting so very near her had been her savior.

\”If that's true, then make sure to put in a good word for us with the duchess,\” said Sylvie with a smile. \”Now, I do believe it is time for us to be going. The ceremony is early, and though I hardly doubt you need it, it would not hurt for me to pretty you up before you stand on the square.\”

\”Oh, is that truly necessary?\” pouted Jeanne. \”The last time you tried to make me presentable, it took a whole hour, and there were still these big dark smudges below my eyes.\”

\”Because you wouldn't sit still.\” Sylvie sighed. \”You have natural beauty, but a few touches of makeup, and you can truly shine with the gods. This time, you aren't in the presence of a lord, but the very duchess herself.\”

Jeanne looked at Sylvie's admonishing eyes and nodded. \”I suppose.\”

\”Glad I ain't a woman,\” said Azhar as he tossed his chicken bone into the garbage pail. \”Only paint I'll ever toss on my face is war paint.\”

\”I fear for the happiness of the woman you woo, if ever that happens,\” said Sylvie, shaking her head. She stood up, and Jeanne and Azhar followed her lead. \”I would bid a more formal goodbye, but we are to see each other tomorrow anyway, so until then.\”

___________________

When Triple Threat left, Old Thane retired to his room quickly. Something was on his mind, but the way his brow furrowed, Li knew there was no point in him asking about it. The old man would work it out over the night, probably.

Li himself went into sleep only after he made sure Old Thane's breathing had settled into the gentle and constant rhythm of slumber. Well, it wasn't truly sleep. Li didn't need to sleep, but he could enter into a state of inactivity similar to it. Basically, unless there was hostile stimuli, he could enter some state of stillness where time seemed to fast forward, letting him \”wake up\”.

He could choose to wake up whenever he wanted during this quasi-sleep, as he could see the events around him moving at high speed, but in general, he just let time flow out until the mornings came.

This time, however, things were different.

Very different.

When he usually closed his eyes to enter this state, he could still sense the world around him, but that had disappeared. It felt as if he was in a void of nothingness, where sensation left him and only his consciousness floated.

Then there was light. Light that filled in a new world around him, gaining color and shape and form as it painted up a vast blue sky that was noticeably sunless, though light did seem to shine brightly all around regardless, lighting up grassy hills that stretched from horizon to horizon.

Li felt a sense of confusion, and yet, at the same time, he could feel…belonging? A similar type to that which he experienced when he used his divine powers.

\”And another one joins us!\” came a gravelly, booming voice.

Li turned behind him and saw the owner of that voice. A giant of a man stood there, his body covered in rippling muscles fashioned out of some ethereal bronze. His face was that of a bull's, the horns curled up like blades, the eyes beady and red like rubies. Six arms graced his sides, each holding a different weapon. Sword, shield, spear, bow, axe, and staff.

Li knew who this was. He recognized the image from the game. This was Chi-You, the god of the strength stat. And then Li realized he himself was in his true form, his human skin stripped away.

\”Welcome to Valhul, new god!\” said Chi-You, a puff of steaming breath sizzling out of his bovine nose.