Behind closed doors, I apologised to Kriel as I used magic to darken the glass windows, admitting that I tended to over-correct when trying to conceal weakness. He told me not to worry since it was a common trait among warriors, but pleaded for me to tone it down in future, my breathing was laboured and my vision was blurred.
Eve asked when it started and I told her it was when I thought about the Everlife. She pulled out a journal and began writing, explaining that she had compiled a comprehensive report on all my headaches which detailed time, date, duration, reason if known and severity. Whether she was doing it simply to narrate her actions, or so Kriel didn't think she was some kind of masochist keeping a journal of my pain I don't know.
I stopped covering my eyes to lock them onto her before calling her creepy, but she ignored the jibe and noted aloud that this is the first one with no clear link to Sil. As expected Eve caught on, putting the notebook down and asking a question she had clearly had for a while. "You called it a"device" and "man-made god", but how were you able to teach it." She spoke seriously, but was clearly reading between the lines a bit more than necessary.
"Figured you would catch on, the Everlife was a she, not an it or what. They were waiting for her to mature." I then headed off the next question, by telling her I can't imagine Sil being the Everlife, that the last time I saw her she had decided to strip herself of her power so no one could ever misuse her.
Eve could undoubtedly sense my sadness, awkwardly asking how close we had been as she took my hand to comfort me.
"I raised her from the age of five, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a father to her but I cared deeply for her. The day she stripped away her power and faded from existence made me unimaginably proud and broke my heart."
Kriel sat and told me if "his Holiness'" words were anything to go by, that sentiment probably left her more fulfilled than anything. He then went into commander mode, talking to me like a comrade struggling with the loss of a brother-in-arms, asking me what she was.
I sat up, saying she was as strange as they likely imagined, that she would run around cities with careless abandon, but cry when she realised she had lost me. Refused to eat anything that was red, yellow or blue, as though she were allergic to prime colours. She would beat me worse than Eve when I annoyed her, but nearly wiped out a town when someone tried mugging me at knifepoint.
"Didn't think things through, picky eater, didn't know the meaning of restraint, you sure she wasn't your daughter." Eve was trying to lighten the mood with levity, but it really wasn't necessary. Of all the moments in my life, my time trying to teach the would-be-god was one of the most fulfilling I had ever experienced.
So I let her know I was ok in the only way I knew how, by mocking her instead, poking her cheek as I grinned and asked if she was so desperate to be "Auntie Eve" she would invent nieces for herself.
With that Eve told me to cook some food and rest up, Kriel offered to go cook for us, but Eve filled him in on my aversion and told him instead to go draw some water from behind the house. It was clear that she had been informed of my prowess in the kitchen and wasn't above exploiting a weakened man though.
When Kriel came back with an untellable expression, we asked what happened, genuinely curious about what could have happened in less than a minute to make one of Tyrland's most competent men wear such an expression. "What, is that, thing?" Eve looked at him like an idiot, as she said "a well" but we had forgotten I had modified it not long after moving in to filter and sterilise water drawn from it.
Eve then apologised and took him on a tour of the house.
As they walked about, the vocalised wonder made me feel bad for him, so I poured some whiskey I had been gifted by Leeson whilst I was out cold.
When they returned, the steaks were almost done, so I pointed to the glass on the table and told him to tap the glass three times to neutralise the alcohol and clear it if he feared poison. He was confused until Eve explained the purification glyph worked into the glass, he then asked how many attempts had been made on my life.
"Meh, lost track after the first few thousand." He didn't say anything, just sipped without tapping and sighed with delight.
Eve asked for a glass, and I threw her the canister I kept milk in, which was quickly returned back to my knee. Kriel laughed, as Eve explained my "drinking age" rule. "He's so stupid, he says I need a portrait ID if I look under twenty five but only need to be eighteen to drink it."
It always made me laugh, I had encountered that rule in one lifetime and never forgave them for it, I didn't think Eve would ever forgive them either by how mad she got.
I then plated up the steaks, warning Kriel I used ingredients from other times, and that I had yet to find any of them toxic to demons but he should let me know if he feels off after.
Despite the hesitation my warning inspired, after the first mouthful he stopped caring, clearing his plate in seconds I passed mine across and stood to cook another.
He was about to politely decline, but Eve told him not to bother, no doubt sensing how happy I was when others enjoyed my cooking. When I finished my own dinner he begged me to share the recipe with his king, but I had to disappoint by telling him honestly that he would have no way to cook it and he should just invite him over some time. I will confess to having the temporary idea to lie about the recipe and give Tyrland's cooks an aneurysm trying to make it, but Eve could sense my intentions and put a stop to that.
He tried to decline as doing so was above his station, but I just shook my head as I said "Station never stops everyone I know from dropping in at any given opportunity. Usually when least wanted, without invitation or consideration." Leaving the suggestion on the table, I headed upstairs to try and get some rest, telling the other two to get themselves settled.
The point I had made to Kriel about uninvited guests was proven as everyone arrived for dinner, by which time I had thankfully recovered, especially since the guest list was growing longer however and people ended up spread across the ground floor and put every chair present to work.
Fala, Doran, Valo, Byurik, Leeson, Halsan, Mildra, Eve's father (finally introduced as Venda), several people I didn't know as I stared at Fala who clearly brought some friends over. "Don't be mad mister, Fala said her Uncle was a really good cook and loved to feed people." Truth be told I was a bit mad, true or not, asking is common courtesy, but all I could do was look at Eve as my next attempt to antagonise her was handed to me on a silver platter.
"If I'm uncle, guess that makes you Auntie Eve, what are the chances?" My words made her cheeks slowly turn deep red, as she failed to restrain annoyance and embarrassment. The child confirmed that was indeed how the equally bashful Fala had referred to the increasingly dangerous holy woman, but Halsan brought me mercy by distracting everyone.
He asked Doran if he intended to join Candor, but Doran only laughed and said one trip with me was enough, making everyone but Vedna laugh.
I sighed then slapped Eve over the back of the head, she turned in shock and I flicked her head before gesturing to him.
She moved over to him but he held up a hand, silencing words not yet said. "I love you, and wish you felt safe showing me the real you. I don't blame you though, truth is I never thought to ask what you wanted. Not that I would've understood if you said 'a big brother' anyway."
She laughed and told him she wouldn't have known anyway, that she didn't until Fala said we were as such.
"Mankind is cursed, baring desires we are ignorant of which leave us hollow until they are recognised, we serve gods in hopes they illuminate that which we do not know."
The words meant nothing to the rest of us, but it was clear they meant everything to the two of them. Even I couldn't ruin that moment, in spite of the multitude of potential ways to do so that came to mind.
I then served up the food as I absorbed the moment, having to fight my desire to alter time to make that moment eternal, for it was perfect and I mourned its passing as much as I treasured it.
"It was all worth it." I muttered the words aloud without meaning to, Eve asked me to repeat myself, but I told her to shut up and eat as I began telling Vedna of her newfound gluttony for red meat. He didn't say anything, just inspected the look on Eve's face as she glared at me, then coughed and began to eat.
When their stomachs were full, the children crashed into food comas, leaving Rein, Eve, Byurik and I to carry them to their homes. In hindsight it was a bad idea for a high priestess, guild master, and a recognised representative to do so. That said, it was an incredibly entertaining event nonetheless.
Every face that appeared from behind the doors we called upon was shocked, as well as terrified their children had committed some kind of crime or offence. Watching Eve play her role was comical, and Byurik and I couldn't resist laughing from the sidelines, though when she realised our buffoonery was general knowledge she realised we weren't a pomp and ceremony nation.
She asked Byurik what it has been like living in such a carefree town, and he said that he wouldn't know. "It was a normal town until Teacher arrived. We had our troubles but we persevered, they had made their decision to stake their independence. Then this madman came along, restructured the economy around my guild, wiped out the corrupt scum heading the Merchant's Guild, then brought an end to the war just so he could flirt with you."
With that she stopped walking, then asked if I don't remember my name even still, I laughed awkwardly as I tried to say I did. "Of cou… wait, no, I don't think I do. I don't remember my parents using it, or…" My head began to throb, as I asked no one if my name was forbidden knowledge.
Eve hugged me, sincerely, telling me it was cruel that I had been robbed of my identity and listened as I explained that I remembered my parents using it, but the name itself was replaced with a static white noise.
Byurik earnt her ire by clearing his throat and suggested we don't embrace in public, she growled before explaining that her father was officially excommunicating her, which she had requested so no one could use her title and newfound lifestyle politically.
The news was a shock to the pair of us, but also recognised it as a smart decision, as brash as it was. Besides, she had lived too long in the confines of her position. So I felt no issue in stealthily claiming my winnings from the Dragon kin, since we had all taken bets on what exactly she had dragged her dad into a room to speak about in private.
With that neither I nor Byurik knew how to speak to her though, so in an attempt to comfort her I looked over my shoulder with the biggest smile I could. Ready to whisper in her ear. "What's it like? It must be great to finally make a choice for yourself." The words crippled me suddenly, my vision began to flicker as the throbbing in my head turned to the sensation of white-hot searing pain.
"It's pretty great, thank you Teacher." The words were the last I heard, the smile the last I saw, then I fell unconscious.
As light bled through my eyelids, I realised I was coming to and blinked away the darkness, expecting to see Eve worrying, angry or even crying. To my surprise I saw Fala, torn between all three, then when she noticed I had awakened began to lecture me. I was so proud of her and tousled her hair as she scolded me, telling me that it was bad enough I was worrying everyone but now Eve was too.
The words struck self-concern from my mind as I asked what was wrong with Eve, swinging my legs off the gurney. Fala told me she blacked out at the same time I had, making me jump to my feet and tell the young healer it was time for her first lesson.
I conjured a sand glass and a stethoscope, instructing Fala on how to take a pulse as I grabbed one of the charts I had prepared for the clinic. Fala did everything I asked her to perfectly, calling out her counts which I was using magic to verify and I then put my forehead to the patients.
When I put the chart down and pulled a face, my assistant asked if something was wrong with the patient, then I pinched Eve's toe, hard. The rudeness and strength, made her yelp. "No she has been awake for a while I'm guessing." I explained to Fala that the pulse she took read too high for someone unconscious, and that then her temperature increased while my forehead touched hers as she blushed.
Ignoring Eve's complaints about my bedside manner, I explained to my apprentice that giving medicine to someone not hurt or unwell can be dangerous. Deciding that the teachable moment was more important than hearing her grumble about my rough treatment of self-proclaimed "delicate-flowers".
Only when I was done did I turn to Eve and ask why she was pretending to be out still. "God spoke to me again, but it was strange, she just said 'I missed you Adam.'" The name was mine, Adam, my memory reclaimed it the moment it was uttered.
As it was recovered my memories began to clear the fog, they rushed back as I hugged Eve as tightly as I could, thanking her as I heard my parents speak to me from the depths of my mind and tears fell freely.
I couldn't believe I had forgotten it, named after the first man according to some old text that had been practically forgotten by the time I was born.
Suddenly I felt the familiar numb pain as offensive magic ran through me, and a very flustered Eve called me an idiot, before asking me what made me do it. I couldn't help but laugh as I realised I had thanked her but not explained anything, when I finally did so, I stumbled as the jolt left me partially disorientated.
With her hand on her chest she took a few deep breaths with her hand on her chest, relieved that she hadn't done something to cause me more harm and then Fala began to yawn. I suddenly remembered that when we collapsed we were returning from taking her home, so I stood and scooped her up. I thanked her and asked them to keep my name secret, then told Eve to return home whilst I escorted our healer.
It didn't take Fala long to drift off, and when we arrived I spoke to her father. I informed him of my diminished vitality, requesting permission to hasten her education as to ensure the town had a reliable healer. (That included myself.)
I hadn't spoken much to Rein, what with the trips and summits and coma, and didn't feel I knew him half as well as I should given how much time his daughter spends in my care.
"Rein, I'm not a father, so I shouldn't say if one is good or bad, but I feel like I should thank you, on behalf of Newland, thank you for being the father she needs." I bowed to him as a courtesy and earned a clubbed hand to the back of my head.
He stood over me and told me never to thank him again, he was a simple man and wore his heart on his sleeve, telling me that I saved his life, kept his home and family safe and offered his daughter a future better than anything he could have.
He then said that since Fala had been calling me uncle for so long we were basically brothers, and family helps because they're family, not for words of thanks. I made a joke about the amount of siblings crawling out of the woodwork being a surprise even for someone with my memory.
I conjured a bottle of liquor and two small dishes to pour into, I then explained that long before I was born in my first life, there was a nation where people shared this drink to symbolise brotherhood not of blood but choice.
He asked if I had shared it with Eve also, and we laughed, he was well aware of my teasing her about drinking and then I sighed. Afterall, Fala would tell him everything we had said or done, often multiple times and if he seemed distracted for even a second, she would apparently start from the beginning.
I told him that she was no longer High priestess, there was no reason not to let her anymore, and his response was completely random. With no relation to what I had told him he spoke words which were some of the kindest and almost certainly the most sincere anyone offered to me before or since. "I know you have done some awful things, but if you hadn't we might not be here, so whilst I have no right to forgive those things, I'll thank you for them."
With that we toasted and drank the clear liquor, he downed the dish and it left him coughing and spluttering as made a broken comment about the people of my time liking booze strong.
Afterward I bid my host good night and returned home, at which point I was lectured for going out drinking after spending most of the day unconscious or unwell.
Then Eve asked why I wanted my name a secret and I shook my head, explaining secret was the wrong word, I simply want only the people I care about most to use it so nothing bad overwrites the love I felt in my first life.
She hugged me, then took me to my room to make sure I actually rested, hearing her say "Goodnight Adam" was a desire I didn't know I had, and it made me think of her words to her father.
The joy I felt as the words seemed to hang in the air, the light from the hallway slowly eclipsed by the door, the peace that blanketed me in the darkness and the warmth I felt within.
For the first I thanked a god, whichever one guided me to this unknown desire.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
When I awoke, I was less joyed, a measure of my strength had seemingly returned with my memories.
As a result I broke almost everything I touched absentmindedly, and my sweet sister was savouring my frustration with sadistic delight. When the hour was right, we headed to the conference hall where there were a couple of people I was not expecting to be waiting for me in the entrance way.
I was trying to put a memory to the faces, but in the end I gave up, apologising as I explained recent events had been a little overwhelming.
One man admitted disappointment, but given the drama, accepted I had my hands full at the time with a certain kanelsian commander. The other said he wasn't surprised given he had heard I was unconscious for a month. They finally introduced themselves as cardinal Halseth and commander Igren.
"Oh you're the one who sent the two back with me, cheers for that, and you came with me when I returned north. What are you guys doing here?"
After Halseth made a joke about regretting life decisions upon hearing the truth of me from Venda, the other man had said he was there to publicly apologise on Kanelsia's behalf.
Eve greeted Halseth awkwardly, clearly anxious about whether her countrymen would treat her differently post excommunication. The relief in her face, as he applauded her choice to follow her own path was indescribable, and I threw an arm around her to express my shared joy.
He said he had been warned of how close we had become, but was still shocked to see her behave so casually around me, then thanked me for giving her the courage to walk her own path. Leaving me with no truth but reply with all the ego I could muster. "Truth be told, I think it more accurate to say, I showed her that status and position are inconsequential to someone who truly does what they feel is right."
Unfortunately for the ego I expended, Eve was all too happy to set it aflame the moment I showed it off a bit. "No, he annoyed me so much I had no choice but to advocate in order to have the freedom to retaliate."
She looked smug until he told her the retainer who accompanied her to my home, had seen fit to inform him how happy she was to have met me, which saw her death grip my arm like I was supposed to do something.
Ignoring the throbbing pain spreading through my elbow, which my recent headaches had made me grow accustomed to, I asked the purpose of their attendance, stating the rebuilding efforts should surely take priority.
Halseth said he had come to request more supplies to help with said effort, but since arriving he has also been asked to vouch for Igren as a potential member of Candor.
I considered for a moment, I was not going to hold everyone to my standard of ability, but the fact he lacked the confidence to speak for himself concerned me and I said as much. Igren stepped forward and said it wasn't a matter of confidence, but rather that he had no right to address a national representative directly in such a formal setting, which led to Eve stepping forward and asking if that had changed since I spoke.
It wasn't to be cruel, simply that she knew what I was looking for, she added that Byurik was handling preliminary screening and that he should make his desires known to him before pulling me away.
"I will do what I think is right, and that is to help the man who saved a kingdom brought to its knees even after it vilified his home and brought violence to him directly. Whether you accept me or not, that goal will not change."
I turned and told him he had no need to thank me, that I was partially responsible for creating the monster that brought his kingdom to ruin. I saw his eyes change, from deep conviction to a predator approaching their prey, and he told me that if that was the truth then he needs to keep an eye on me.
I created a memory orb and tossed it to Igren, telling him to give it to Hasleth after and they were both on the shortlist, when Hasleth tried to refuse I told him I want people who act in whatever way they feel is right. Then, when he continued to fight it, I told him it was an offer, not an order and asked him what the right thing to do is.
We then continued into the conference hall, where we were greeted with the official excommunication. It was more celebratory than I imagined, almost like a father giving away his daughter at her wedding. He seemed both lost and overjoyed to be doing it.
That impression was brought to an end when I stood and said it was getting a little weird, making everyone laugh, though when I caught Vedna's expression it was that of a father teasing his daughter. A sight which made me happy, they clearly cared a lot for one another but their positions and pasts seemed to keep them at arm's length somewhat.
When that was finished, I declared that the three original members of Candor would henceforth begin recruitment and training, stepping back from politics to avoid any suggestion of political maneuvering. I wasn't expecting Halsan to call me out on the fact I simply couldn't be bothered, but I also couldn't deny it, which made the room laugh. It was definitely a factor, I was uncomfortable with all the official posturing and theatrics. I wanted to just be me, but only the most powerful politician in the room gets that honour
Eve then stood, thanking everyone who had helped her during her time in the role, and asked them to please send word to their domains in search of promising candidates. With that we turned to leave, making it three steps before we were ordered to sit, after a quick glance however we decided to play dumb.
We awkwardly stated we couldn't hear, asking those speaking to repeat themselves as we headed for the door, stopping only to zap and grab Lesson on our way.
When we were successfully out of the conference hall I told the two prospects they were being summoned, and should deal with business quickly and then come to the garrison to see the training they should expect.
Unfortunately our dallying allowed Lesson to recover so we had to kidnap him more forcefully and thanks to his obnoxious resistance we were late to meet with Kriel and had to scold him. For some reason he seemed rather angry and embarrassed about the whole affair, but for the life of us we couldn't see his point of view at all.
With that I explained that the session had two main objectives, to demonstrate everyone's strengths and to test what I was capable of at that time. When Lesson asked why he was there, Eve scolded him again for wanting to risk putting her and Kriel against me alone, which left him feeling both guilty and confused.
After sulking for a minute about how it was bad enough when there was just one of me, he stood and got ready to evaluate them, starting with Eve. "So are you gonna pray at me?" Words I would regret as a lance of holy magic flew towards me, connecting and trying to pierce the barrier I had erected.
I was already impressed, but as it began to crackle with lighting it almost began to penetrate. Knowing that it couldn't be sidestepped since the lightning would lash out as it passed, I ripped the magic apart leaving them dumbfounded.
They chattered about what I had done, ruling out simple dispelling, elemental overpowering, or mana control. Eager to continue, I told them I destroyed the mana, a talent I learned from the Everlife and I severely doubted any of them could do it, even if I showed them how and agreed with it.
Destroying mana was irreversible, destroying too much could have drastic consequences, the technique could also be employed to destroy matter which had even graver side effects. Eve asked why I used it for a sparring match and I yelled to ask what else I should do when she was trying to kill me.
When Kriel and Lesson told her to do it again, I foresaw her cooperation and quickly erected a mana destabilising barrier, I then sat down and amused myself watching the various random outcomes of Eve's spells connecting then being changed.
The outcomes were dependent on the power of the spell, but with the amount she was putting into them, it was creating effects I'd never seen.
Catching me off guard when a sword was made and slipped through the barrier unimpeded, depriving me of dignity and nearly my manhood. As Kriel and Lesson laughed, I realised that Eve was far more dangerous than I had given her credit for, forcing me to create a barrier of mana absorption around us all instead.
Continuing to surprise me her carpet bombing of spells merely slowed to a halt rather than stopping instantly.
As she exhausted herself and stumped to rest, chest heaving with every breath from the exertion it took to control mana inside, I approached cautiously as I felt the mana hum as it tried to fulfill her requests.
Finally I helped her up straight and held her, asking if she was ok, telling her to stop before she hurt herself.
"It's not fair, if I don't keep going, how am I supposed to stand beside you?"
"As my superior in terms of talent, no one has ever pushed me that far, including the Everlife, and my magic is as strong as ever."
As she relaxed, she fell asleep and I laid her down.
I then suggested to the others that we don't annoy her, and for some reason they glared at me as though I didn't know I was on fire and about to jump into pitch, but I put their feelings aside. With the WMD with a pulse on snooze, I said it was Leeson's turn to show me what he could do and help me gauge my strength.
He was… less than enthused, to put it mildly.
It was only when I said that maybe Byurik would have preferred the opportunity for vengeance that he realised the chance he was being given.
After a few minutes though, he realised that even my partially restored strength was greater, even if only by a hair and combined with the refinement of my technique he was woefully outmatched.
The desperation he felt to make the most of the chance he had been given drove him to outdo himself; however, he began working his meagre reserves of magical talent into his sword work, which left him feeling nothing but enthusiasm for the idea of improving.
His spirit had apparently been worn down by years of leadership and administrative responsibilities, but became reignited by the first truly challenging sparring match he had enjoyed in what must have been years.
Those embers were then further stoked by watching the follow up duel with Kriel, who was practically demonstrating what he could do if he developed the mana duelling he had just discovered.
My duel showed me my limits, but it also revealed how outmatched humans were in the war with demons, and how they had managed to push the humans back to their capitals. Eve had seemingly awakened and recognised that fact as well, then the two I had invited arrived and we began the real show.
In this new style of match, Eve showed herself to be more than qualified in either support or combat roles, as big as the gap was between Leeson and Kriel, the gap between Kriel and Eve was just as wide.
The three of them were exceptional, on top of that I didn't enjoy fighting so wasn't experienced at holding back, so when things began to get more dangerous I was left with no option but to break their will.
"Glyph of Final Judgement"
The technique was one created for the soul purpose of fighting god if the chance ever came, however the strain it put on my weakened body was brutal, though its effects were mostly unreliable.
My senses were pushed to the absolute limit, as was my mind which was compartmentalized in order to allow it the freedom to process the massive amount of information and keep my body moving.
Visibly, my body was almost kaleidoscopic, surrounded in illusions of myself like I was overlaid by my mirror image dozens of times over. The very sight of me inflicted our observers with a case of vertigo.
Undeterred by that however, Kriel charged in thrusting his sword at my heart which was stopped by my ribs and must have felt like he hit a tank with it full force, since it was the only time I saw him drop his sword and look at his hands.
I looked at the wound which healed almost instantly, then raised a hand casually, letting the impact enchantment woven into my muscles do the work of sending him flying.
With him clear, Eve released another barrage of spells which were absorbed and used to restore my mana, and increase the potency of my final judgement.
"We surrender." Eve had realised that something like this was certainly taking its toll on me, and spoke for the group. As I admitted that I was surprised I could even activate it, I collapsed exhausted, then they all asked about the insanity they just witnessed.