UL1 Book 10 - Chapter 2

Their helper's nose moved like oil on a hot pan.

“You realize you’re years from being able to acquire one!” Jazzjak exclaimed. “Even if you all combined points, it will take time.”

“Then do me a favor and just tell us how many Divine Points each of us has right now,” Max said.

Grunting, the vorpal bunny tapped the glass panel, slowly sliding a padded finger upward once he found what he was looking for. “Sog has 2,000. Rakonath has 2,000. Cordellia has 2,000. Fowl has 2,000,” he paused and smirked. “Guess how many Batrire has.”

“Two thousand,” Max replied.

“Yeeeessss… Tanila has two thousand and you, Max Hoste, have…” His beady red eyes looked like they might pop out of his face and that tiny jaw started to bounce up and down, sharp teeth clacking against each other.

“Jazzjack? How many points does Max have?” Tanila asked.

“Four million, eight hundred seventy-two thousand, six hundred and four… How… How can you…” 

“I killed two world champions and Sog killed two as well.”

“Then why don’t I have more points?” his demon friend asked. “I mean, shouldn’t I have more?”

“You… you killed four?” their helper asked, mouth still wide and eyes blinking rapidly.

“Couldn’t you see how many points we had when you scanned us?”  Max asked.

“I… I didn’t realize those were world champions. I need to…” the vorpal bunny trailed off.

“Of course he has points,” Fowl muttered as the rabbit began furiously tapping multiple sections on the display. “I mean, it wouldn’t be Max if he wasn’t broken. Hey, I’m level one but have more stats than anyone else. I’m Max, the guy with five hundred skills.”

“I don’t have five hundred, you know that,” Max replied.

“Tomato, tomato. Still, I guess this means we can buy that portal thingy?” his dwarf friend asked.

“Max… the system shows you have five kills under your belt. Three from your own and two from Sog. The accumulation of those Divine Points comes from the time of Igarra’s death until you forfeited that title to… Zogooruth. This is not something that should have happened. How could you defeat world champions?”

“My black skill,” Max replied. 

Jazzjak junior winced and nodded slowly. “That would explain the anomaly, but the fact that the system has allowed this through is unusual. Surely the Archons would have–” His padded finger flew off the panel as a jolt of electricity traveled from it to him.

“Are you okay?” Batrire asked, holding up her hand, green light surrounding it.

The vorpal rabbit nodded, both ears flopping over as he sucked his finger for a moment. “I… I think we shouldn’t dwell or talk about this,” he whispered. “So… It would appear you can purchase the arena teleporter now if desired. That would allow you the ability to fight if you were foolish and wanted to, as well as easier access to betting.”

Fowl rubbed his hands together and smiled. “We can bet? On Max?”

“Yes… But there will be limits. I don’t think now is the right time to discuss such things, as only so many DP can be wagered at a time. The system has very specific rules and things in place. Part of it is to prevent individuals from growing too fast. Still, most rise to fame quickly or burn out, crushed under another god's boot.”

“Max,” Tanila said. “Let’s wait a moment before you take that path.”

He looked at her, confused for a second because they had already discussed this plan. Then his Sonar sensed it. “Our daughter! She’s coming!”

Tanila winced and nodded, squeezing his hand, a tear starting to roll down her cheek.

“Yes… and if we could, can we please move somewhere a bit more… private?”

“But we’re family,” Sog said. “And besides, I’ve seen many–”

Max’s look cut the demon off, who held up both hands in surrender.

“Jazzjack, can we go to the surface?” Max asked.

“Yes! Such a fortuitous event! Shall we announce–” their helper exclaimed.

“Not yet. Just tell me when we can descend.”

The vorpal bunny moved quicker than ever before, fingers deftly flying across the panel. The lights started to swirl, and the sun started to rise from the east.

“One more moment… and… there!”

Beneath them, the world seemed to shake, and the thread that connected each world champion to the creatures of their kind pulsed.  Every heart in the world beat at the exact moment, and power flowed into the seven world champions.

“You may–”

Max didn’t wait. He moved to where Batrire was and motioned for Cordellia to come closer. The second both women touched him, he activated his ability.

[ Planetary Travel - Waypoint ]

They appeared in the room set inside the building at the center of their city.  There in the temple was a place just for them, unable to be reached without Max or Tanila bringing someone inside.

The bed and everything they would need as Tanila let out a slight hiss.

“Seriously?” Cordellia teased as both women helped her toward the bed. “You’ve conquered the tower, endured so much pain and this makes you–”

Tanila’s golden eye glowed and she squeezed her elven friend's hand. “Try pushing something as big as Fowl’s head out your–”

“Say no more!” their archer replied.

Max stood there, watching the two women help his wife, unsure of what to do.

I believe this is when you retrieve the other three and meet your people.

Wait, shouldn’t I stay?

You’ve seen sheep give birth… are you ready to see your wife do the same?

I don’t care. I’m not going to miss our daughter’s first breath.

His skill seemed to sigh, and Max tried not to chuckle.

I have blocked my mind from seeing or remembering things many times. Today will be another. Let me know when your daughter comes. Until then, I shall wait.

“My love, what can I do?” Max asked as he moved to the bed she was reclining on.

“Get behind her and support her,” Batrire said. “Put her between your legs and take off your shirt.”

He glanced at their healer and then at his wife, who nodded.

Without wasting a moment, his shirt was gone and he gently slid behind her. A second later, Tanila’s dress was gone, stored in her necklace, their skin now in contact with each other.

He reached down, taking one of her hands, and held it. “I’m here, my love.”

“I know.”

“Now, for the fun part,” Batrire said as she bent down near her friend, shifting her legs into position. “We get to welcome your daughter. You know what to do, and I’m here for anything you need. Just remember this moment.”

Tanila nodded, sweat already forming on her skin. She trembled slightly, and Max sensed their daughter shifting inside. “Cordellia, come here.”

Their ranger came and took the outstretched hand of Tanila and let herself be pulled closer.

“Sit. You shall be an aunt, and that means you must be close when she comes.”

Tears started to form and fell free as Cordellia nodded, kissing the hand she held.

Max couldn’t help himself, tears falling from his own eyes as he sat there, the moment he had waited for finally coming.

***

“She’s beautiful,” Tanila whispered, holding their daughter against her chest.

“Just like her mother,” Max said, his finger gently brushing the soft gold hair that was already present. “She has the same eyes as well. I think the ears are mine, though.”

His wife laughed and nodded.

His heart was full, and a sensation he wasn’t expecting came from within.

This child… she is… special.

You say that, and it sounds different than how it should.

She is your child. It’s not just because she is your child that makes her special but because she is both of yours. She was born to one who climbed the tower with her inside the whole time. The magic of the system flows through her. I can sense it and feel it through your finger every time you touch her. It is like… she draws power to herself.

His heart skipped for a moment as he sensed the concern in Bob’s tone.

And that makes her a threat…

To some, yes. To others… I am not sure. All I can say is we must capitalize on our three hundred years.  Your name will be known throughout the system by many. Those gods who played with your string will wonder what has become of their investments.

When word reaches them all of your daughter… You must prepare. I have been considering what must be done, and I have put together a plan to maximize your growth in the time we have before others may come at you.  You’ll need to reach the 6th tier quickly so that you can try and find Wekime. That alliance might provide you with a small safety net, but there is no guarantee how he might act.

But our pact.

His words were well chosen. Provided that neither of you attacks the other or those you love, but if one does, unknowingly… killing the dragons you have might be enough to twist words. We are in a new game, and you are at the bottom once more.

Max knew Bob wasn’t trying to ruin this moment. A sour taste was in his mouth and he sensed Tanila looking up at him, her eyes asking the question she didn’t voice.

“What shall we call her?” Max asked. “Bob says she is special.”

“I was thinking… Miranna.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Precious gift. That is perfect.”

With his finger, Max gently rubbed his sleeping daughter’s cheek.

“Welcome to this world, Miranna Hoste. Know you are loved and protected.”

He felt the weird looks Batrire and Cordellia gave him from the other side of the room.

“We need to share her with everyone. But only when you are ready.”

Tanila nodded and swung her feet off the bed.  Her robe was one of pure white as she moved, and none would ever believe she had just given birth as her hair fixed itself in a gold braid on its own.

“I am ready, let us share our gift with this world.”

***

People shouted for joy, tears flowed and Max stood there, smiling more than he ever had. Every human and elf that had lived within the capital, Sunreach, had come, paying homage to the gods that had given them life and to celebrate the birth of their child.

None seemed concerned that flanking Max and Tanila were five other gods, each caught up in the moment as they made silly faces while occasionally laughing. 

“You’re a softy,” Rakonath said. “I’d almost think you cried for a moment.”

“I did not!” Sog replied. “And if moisture escaped my eyes, it is because you feel the same joy and happiness coming from Max. To think I could be impacted so much by his emotions.”

“And yet, I know you don’t mind,” Rakanoth teased.

Both of them chuckled as people came, laying flowers at the feet of the trio. 

“I… I never imagined this,” Tanila said as she leaned into Max. “We’re… gods… have a child and all these people to care for. How… what will we do?”

He kissed her forehead and then bent down, kissing their daughter in the same way. He grinned when Miranna opened her eyes for a moment before closing them. “We will do this the same as we have every other challenge before us. Together.”

“Aye,” Fowl said loudly. “She has three uncles and two aunts who will kick the arse of anyone who tries to make her cry.”

Batrire chuckled and pulled on his beard. “We need one of these.”

Fowl grunted and smiled, unable to get away as his wife held his beard. “Uh gods… gah… me… arg how do I curse now?”

Chuckles came as their dwarven friend floundered for words.

Jazzjak junior moved closer from where he had been standing, helping the throng move as they arrived.

“World Champion Max–”

“Just Max. We’re friends… or at least the image you wear was a friend. Perhaps one day you will see us as that.”

The rabbit nodded slowly.

“Perhaps one day. For now, know that what you have asked is done. I am afraid… that may have been an error on my part.”

Max couldn’t help but stiffen slightly, and everyone who was present was doing the same. “And why is that?”

“I’ll have to show you, and it appears I need to learn appropriate timing. Perhaps later, when your wife doesn’t look ready to smite me with a spell.”

Max saw Tanila's glare, her hair vibrating slightly as the gold strands glowed.

“Yes… Let’s discuss this later. For now, we celebrate our daughter and a new life and a new world.”