Ultimate Level 1: Ultimate Truths (Ultimate Level 1, #7)

by Shawn Wilson

“Uh… is anyone else’s this crazy?” Cordellia asked as she slid a ring that looked like Max’s first one on. “Ten percent?” Their ranger nodded at Batrire, both women starting to smile. Fowl ran up and gave Max a hug. “Gods I’ve missed you and your broken loot!” Laughing, he patted his friend on the back. “I’ve missed you and how much of a loot whore you are.” Both men chuckled as everyone took a moment, enjoying the fact they were all together and once more touched by the gods.

“Dear boy,” Alfreda cried out, tears coming from her eyes, “you are the son I never had but wished I did!” Everyone laughed as the older woman came and gave Max another hug. “Hey, he’s already spoken for,” Tanila cried out. “Bah, he’s young enough for two!”

“Batrire, my love—” “I already said yes!” she exclaimed. “Stop with the goblin shite, take out that ring, and put it on my finger!” Everyone chuckled as the healer held out her hand, glaring at the dwarf, who wasn’t expecting her to be acting like this. “But… fine… I had it all worked out… where I was going to ask and everything,” he complained while opening the lid and pulling out the ring Max had seen before. It was a gold ring, covered in dwarven runes, and had a single ruby set in it. As he slid it on the trembling hand of the woman he loved, Fowl smiled. “A ruby to match your fiery personality and warm heart.” “Bah! Don’t sweet talk me! You’ll get some tonight regardless, you big oaf!”

If Phaius isn’t bad, then who is? Why do neither of the gods want Thuyja to arrive? How strong are the other skills, and who has them?

Up there, do you see that? A muscular, glowing black hand and arm appeared in their vision, pointing to a building that shined brighter than the others. It was surrounded by many lines of energy that pulsed in every direction. What is it? Where we need to be in order to access something. Now we don’t have much time. Hold on. Max wanted to ask Bob what he meant, but one moment, the buildings next to him streaked by so fast that they seemed to blur into a solid line. Even though he didn’t think this body was real, a sensation of nausea came over him, and Max found that they were flying toward a set of windows, large red bars pulsating with power over them. How can we fit— Watch. [ System Manipulation - Phase ]

Neuromancer-ish...

“Actually I was thinking about asking Bob if—” “No! If you’re going to do this, do not pawn it off. The problem with leading, making change, and doing what is right is sometimes you have to be the one that hands out punishment. All night you’ve tortured that man. Now it’s time to end it.” She is right. Do not ask me to do what you must learn to do. There is coming a time when you will have to do more of this, and there is no better time than now to prepare yourself.

Let go. Remember what you believe in and why you do what you do. To protect those that I love. Even beyond that. It didn’t take more than a second for Max to sense what Bob was getting at. To protect everyone who cannot.

I could tell you to imagine her draining your sister’s life, but then what? Would we need to induce a rage every time something hard or difficult comes? No. You need to be able to keep the conviction you always have, no matter what is before you. Since the beginning, you told me that you are a protector. You said that you will do whatever it takes to keep those you love safe, even if it means killing yourself. Now then, are you willing to do that?

"weigh"...

“No, listen and learn, Max. This is how your dragon will grow! Simple things like meat are good but for him to be able to eat items of power at such an early age is… something that makes me jealous. Even now, I wish to revert to my normal form and swallow her whole, but this is not my prize to claim.” Her golden eyes sparkled as Aerthen grinned, a row of white sharp teeth displayed for him to see. “Do you now understand why dragons are fine with adventurers coming into our home?” she asked. “The more you eat, the stronger you become.” She nodded at his reply and pointed at the body at his feet. “Rakonath needs to eat this elf. While you might not like it, take a look around and ask yourself, where are the other three bodies you tossed out earlier?”

Columns bearing Phiaus’s likeness supported the large overhang, each created by someone skilled at working with stone. Murals depicting the god fighting, healing, protecting, and performing other acts of godliness were displayed. How much money was spent on all this? Bob scoffed in his mind. You do not understand the power of all this. For his worshipers to believe how great of a god Phaius must be, someone must tell stories of what he has done. Those carvings will always be there, promising that perhaps he might do the same for them. Being powerful isn’t enough to have someone worship them. One must also make them believe that they care and will provide or threaten to destroy and torture if they do not. It can’t be that simple? Oh it is not. There are many ways to gain a following of believers. You alone know that as Everett told you about those who wear those silly armbands around this city and call them disciples of Seth Pendal. Idiots… all of them! Yet an army of loyal idiots is what every leader and would-be god desires. So that they can control those people and have them carry out the instructions they are given.

MAGAts and their cult of personality or lack thereof...

Do you believe she honestly doesn’t know how Phaius gains power from the followers? I do. There are many more things that go beyond just a tithe or gift. Even she said that the gold or gems they tried to offer long ago that didn’t come from someone outside their inner circle couldn’t be absorbed. Also the fact that they can’t pay someone to make an offering is interesting. It appears the system can detect a true dedication and gift to the god versus someone giving it for the wrong reason or not meeting some specific criteria.

“Oh, we like spending time with each other,” Batrire said as she stood. “Unlike my real family, I like these people.”

“Still… I can do more. As such I will inform my people that you five are allowed in any part of the tower you desire. Now then, tell me the news about the wedding you two are planning.” Max was grinning, and yet before he could say thank you, Batrire was on her feet and headed toward Dagon. “I have a list, and these are the things I was planning on doing, but if you think you might be able to help with them…” “Oh, he’s in trouble,” Tanila whispered as they watched Dagon’s eyes widen as their healer put sheet after sheet of paper before the king’s eyes, each one with details on the perfect wedding. “Uh… a parade of goats? Pulling the wedding party?”

“What’s wrong?” Forcing a smile, he shrugged. “Nothing, just admiring how beautiful you look.” A groan came from Fowl, who tossed a pair of ogre testicles in his bag. “Oh yeah, she looks amazing, standing there, getting all the attention while I’m over here, knee deep in this mess harvesting these things for Erwini.” “But you’re the closest one to their midsection,” Batrire replied with a grin. “I mean… besides, you also have the most practice out of all of us.” Giving the woman he was engaged to the middle finger, he trudged over to the last one and began working on retrieving its privates.

Love was always something I feared… the power of it is impossible to control, and when it is skewed or one is hurt by those they love, it causes damage that can undo everything or turn someone into a raging monster. Max stored the hammerhead he was working on and stood there, focused on the conversation taking place with his skill. There is great power and danger in the concept of love. I would kill for those I love. You know that. Even when I couldn’t bring myself to dish out punishment, anytime they were in danger I never hesitated in that moment to end the life of any threat. But it is also that love that kept me grounded, knowing if I went too far, that I wouldn’t be the person they loved.

“Opinions?” “One day we may face a floor like this and not have the luxury of just leaving it,” Batrire replied. “I understand your concern, but surely you can overpower them all. Right?” “Yes, but that leaves you all here alone by the portal. Are you okay with that?” A chair appeared in Fowl’s hand, and he placed it down in the black soil between the portal and their team. “If I need to sit here all day while you clear this floor and earn us all experience, I guess I’ll endure.” Shaking his head, Max gave his friend a gentle tap on the shoulder. “Always knew I could count on you to do the hard stuff.” “Always.”

I’ll be your anchor like you were mine. Together, we’ll overcome our fears and doubts and conquer the tower and raise a child who knows real love.”