Callum, The Sovereign of Flames
Callum stood at the edge of his domain staring off into the direction where his entertainment would soon take place. All around him, blue-white fires burned with enough heat that the air warped and distorted. The heat didn't bother him, even as he stood right next to the blistering flames, for the fire was his.
Everything in the domain behind him was unequivocally HIS. Nothing was out of place and everything acted the way it should with exacting precision. Just the way he liked it and he had achieved perfection over the work of centuries.
Unexpectedly, another presence came into being off to the side. The area he used to be connected with pulled away as another laid claim to it in order to manifest. He didn't turn to look at the new presence for there were only a select few who would so brazenly enter his domain and stand beside him.
Even fewer would then initiate conversation.
"Callum, my friend, it has truly been too long." The intruding presence joyfully exclaimed to break the peaceful quiet that had once been relaxing. A silence with only the barest hint of a crackling fire in the background that shattered at the shrill voice to his ears. The voice itself wasn't shrill, but any voice felt that way to Callum. Especially from someone he wasn't fond of.
"Not long enough," He huffed back, still looking ahead. "What is it you want Vasariametz." He used the full name of the meddlesome being, for there was no way he was using whatever new pretentious title he was using currently. Callum couldn't even remember the last one he went by it had been so long since he'd seen the man last. If it were up to him, that record would still be standing.
"You know you can call me Vas, or, if you must, Vasaria," The intruder waved away. Vasariametz had always been a talker, assuming everyone who he conversed with was his friend.
Not wanting to play word games with one of the most irksome beings he knew, he repeated the question less politely, "What do you want."
Others would take offense to such directness and impoliteness, but it didn't seem to bother the other god. "Oh nothing much, just a little birdie told me that you got a slot to sponsor one of the tutorials on the new worlds." Vasaria said, "And with custom additions, I hear."
Callum didn't even ask how it was Vasaria had heard about it, for he had various ways of sniffing out information from places he didn't belong. Even the Allfather himself couldn't figure out how Vasariametz did it. This exact trait was one of the reasons that Callum found the other being so irritating. It was also the reason that his presence was tolerated inside his own domain and not burned to ash for the intrusion. To anger a god when he didn't know how much they knew or didn't know was the height of folly.
"That wasn't a question," Callum replied, measuring his words wisely. Any slip of the tongue would give away more than he wished, especially considering who he was talking to.
"Come on, at least give me something. A little hint is all I ask for." Vasaria begged, reminiscent of what a child would do for sweets. Unbecoming of someone of his station and Callum's anger began to rouse.
"You will have to wait and see, just like all the rest who have asked," he said, holding steadfast and not letting it affect him.
He didn't want any interference with his newest experiment, especially from the annoyance next to him, and the only way for that to happen was to tell no one.
"One of these days the games you play with the newly integrated will come back to get you," Vasaria said with an uncommon seriousness and heaviness. Unlike how he spoke previously.
Callum wanted to say 'What are those insects going to do,' but he stopped himself in time. Any information, no matter how unrelated and unconnected, could be used against him. Instead, he grunted noncommittedly.
His latest... experiment was set to begin soon and he didn't wish to miss it. The cost to get specific groups of people hurt his pocket, add in the cost of adjusting the default difficulty, and it would even beggar some gods.
It was something of a social experiment this time, where different-sized groups all got put in the same tutorial. He even paid specifically to keep the children from being sent away. They'll provide a better incentive.
If everyone worked together in one large group then the tutorial would be a breeze, but if they split up and actively hindered each other it would turn impossible. Thinking of the possibilities caused his excitement to build.
He knew a drowning human would sooner pull another down with them than help push someone else up to safety.
Vasariametz
Vasariametz saw the subtle smile begin to form on Callum's face and sighed deeply. Callum didn't understand how his actions would have consequences. Just because there haven't been any yet didn't mean that there never would.
The bill always comes due.
Sooner or later the consequences would come, and he didn't think that Callum would be very happy when they did. He had heard through the grapevine that Callum spent a significant sum to keep the children from being sent to specialized tutorials this time around.
That's just cruel.
Not desiring to spend any more time here, he left the spiteful fire god and thought ahead to his upcoming unprompted intrusions... -cough, cough- visits.
I think Artio got a slot this time, but his grove is so far away even if the fruits there are heavenly. I know Yvette has one, maybe she is finally over her grudge with me. Thinking back on that particular memory brought a smile to his face, I mean, you show up at the hot springs she was bathing at one time and she holds it against you for centuries.
The smiling god continued on his journey through the void, wondering how many new gods this integration would grind out.
----
"Aarrgghhh," I bellowed as I chased after the little munchkins that hadn't left me alone for most of the day. "You better hope your little legs can carry you faster than that or I'm gonna getcha."
"Hahaha" Children's' laughter was the only response as they both little ones tried to run faster than their little bodies would carry them.
It only took a few more strides until I caught up with them and gave them their due punishment.
"Look out, you've awakened the tickle monster," after that statement began their consequences.
"Hehehehe, Uncle-hehe-Topher-hehe-stop-hehe," they both said back to me, but it was too late, they deserved a few more seconds.
After that time was up, "Sigh, alright fine," I said as I stopped the punishment. Before they could scurry off somewhere I reached down and picked them both up with one in each arm. "Let's go get you two washed up for dinner before your mom starts yelling at me."
Both children looked at each other for a second before the smaller one looked up at me and said "Aww, come on Uncle Topher, just a couple more minutes, dinner isn't even ready yet."
"No can do buckaroo, your mother tasked me with getting you two cleaned up while she sets the table. We don't want your mom angry with me now do we," I tried to give them both my best parent glare but it probably came off as more of a curious eyebrow raise based on their snickers.
"Fiiiine," they both huffed in annoyance and settled in for the shoulder ride they were getting to the restroom.
"Uncle Topher, are you scared of Mom?" the older one jabbed trying to scheme a few more minutes of playtime out of me.
"Now that's a hefty accusation little Anna. One day you'll learn that discretion is the better part of valor." I replied, which was definitely not a deflection to the question.
"What does dis-cre-tion mean?" the younger one sounded out.
"It means that he's a scaredy cat," Anna oh so helpfully pointed out. Oh, how I miss when they were younger and got distracted by big words. Thankfully the restroom was in sight by now.
"Oh look, here we are. No more time for questions, so go wash up. And be sure to actually use soap Josh, I'm watching you," I said as I put them both on the ground and not so gently pushed them in the direction of the sink.
That was the end of that line of questioning as they both washed up and we all headed to the dinner table where the sounds of dishes clanking could be heard. It turned out to be a great day for the occasion. The whole family was over at our grandparents' house to celebrate Grandma's birthday, and the weather was perfect. Light clouds in the sky gave the occasional reprieve from the sun and a slight breeze kept it cool.
Spring was coming out of its Winter hibernation as scents of growing grass filled the air.
Most of the family was here, even though we would all see each other again in a couple of weeks when Easter rolled around, but that was life with the Zalenski's. 'If you haven't seen each other in a few weeks, it's been too long' Granddad always said.
It was nice to be a part of a big family that took the time to actually get together, but sometimes it could be a little much. Part of me wished to be like my mother right now and be at home having a quiet weekend before Monday came, but alas, my immune system betrayed me and kept me from catching whatever she had, unlike my brother.
No free weekend for me, but I made up for it by piling my plate high and settled in for a nice meal. I was just about to dig in when a tiny elbow pierced my side drawing my attention away from my fork of food. Turning to look at the culprit, I saw my eight-year-old niece trying to sit like a grown-up and be all proper. It was completely undermined by her blonde hair going wild in every which way from our roughhousing, but she was trying to look prim. She even had a napkin in her lap trying to copy me.
"Mom says we have to say grace before you can eat." She nodded her little head while looking at my fork that was making its way to my mouth.
Oh yes, how could I forget? I thought that I could at least get a few bites in before everyone was ready but I guess not with my little watcher next to me. Not wanting to argue with a child over something that wasn't worth it, I waited for the rest of the chairs to fill up.
When everyone was ready, Granddad did his usual spiel about thanking the Lord for the meal and whatnot while I used this time to be way more productive. I sat and looked around at all the little kids to see if I could catch any of them trying to start eating early. And I took that job very seriously, because if I didn't get to eat early, then neither did they.
It might be petty for a twenty-four-year-old man to police little kids like this, but hey, you have to get your joy from somewhere. Plus, seeing how fast they shut their eyes and bow their heads when they notice me staring at them always put a smile on my face.
The meal went by smoothly, we sang Happy Birthday and had some cake doing the whole shebang. It happened often enough in the family we were all used to it by now.
After the meal was over, and we were cleaning up the table, the little rascals' mother made her way over to me.
"Thanks for playing with them Chris, they really like you," Abigail said while giving me a pat on the shoulder.
I looked up from wiping the table and saw her pushing her hair out of her face before she let out an exasperated sigh. She looked exhausted, most likely from all the planning and cooking that this whole day took. Her brown hair was tied up into a bun, but some stragglers had escaped confinement and were hanging down in her face.
"You know this amount of stress will lead to grey hairs," I said back with a smirk about the jab. Seeing her kind smile about giving me a compliment scrunch up would always be fun. I had been trying to get her to delegate these tasks to the rest of the family for years but apparently, 'they just don't do it right'. Maybe with a few more grey hair comments would finally get her to delegate.
"Oh thank you for that. Just what I wanted to hear from my sweet and loving little brother after the day I've had." She retorted turning her calm pat into an aggressive shaking.
"Some day you'll learn that you can't do it all," I said back while looking up at her. "Or die of a heart attack."
By that point, my father had walked up to us and heard the tail end of what I had said. "Chris be nice to your sister, she put in a lot of work for today."
The way he said it reminded me of back when we were kids. My younger brother and I would gang up on her when we played causing him to step in and mediate. Funnily enough, the usual reason was because she was too controlling. Gabriel and I didn't really want to play by her rules, even if she was the oldest and claimed to know better.
This would devolve into a screaming match in which our dad would say, 'Boys, be nice to your sister.' quite similar to how he said it now, believe it or not.
"Yes, Dad," I said back in a monotone voice, just like I would have fifteen years ago when we were kids. That earned me an eye roll from Abigail and a chuckle from Dad.
"Oh don't be like that Christopher," He said, ignoring our flashback moment. "Anyways, I came to make sure you were coming to Easter in two weeks. It'll be at our house this year so it's a bit closer to you."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" I said back cheerfully and not at all sarcastic which caused him to give me a withering glare in return. Now that he couldn't look down on me with that face it had lost some of its effect, but the meaning was clear. Being the same height had its advantages now that I was older.
"Son, these things won't last forever and you might come to miss the family get-togethers when they don't happen anymore. By then you should have a family of your own to bring along. Speaking of, I noticed that Megan couldn't make it, is she alright?" He slipped that last part in like it wasn't his main reason for coming over here.
I groaned, "Dad, don't even start with that. Just because Mom isn't here to butt into my love life doesn't mean that you have to fill that spot."
"Oh, I noticed that too. Everything okay there?" Abigail not so helpfully joined in, adding to my troubles.
"Not you too," I said pointing at her while sneakily starting to back away. My attempt to get out of the question was painfully obvious but I continued with my performance anyway, "Oh, would you look at the time. I think I hear Anna calling for her favorite uncle."
I turned and started to briskly walk away while ignoring the peanut gallery behind me. Usually, it was my mother that always brought up my love life, but with her home sick, it looked like my dad would be taking up the mantle. A quite well-executed exit stage left if I do say so myself. Avoiding the questions before they even started.
There were only so many questions about my missing girlfriend that I could take and that quota had been met... within minutes of arriving without her. While there were perks of having a large family, everyone wanting to know your business wasn't one of them.
As I walked away, I wasn't actually going towards Anna but I ended up finding her anyway with another girl her age. She was with one of my cousin's kid and they were trying to steal more cookies from the dessert table while the grown ups were all talking.
Embracing my inner child, I snuck up behind them and employed my deepest and authoritative voice, "What do you think you're doing!"
They nearly jumped out of their shoes from the unexpected deep voice behind them causing me to laugh so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes. They whipped around and found that it was not one of their parents or grandparents catching them red handed, but me laughing my ass off. Finding out it was their Uncle instead of their parents made them start berating me while pushing me away with aggrieved expressions.
"That's not funny Uncle Topher," They both whined. While was wrapping up my laughter, they quickly adjusted their strategy, "I think that you owe us a cookie for scaring us."
"You think you're slick? I see what you did there and I'm not falling for it." I liked their quick thinking of trying to get me to give them a cookie but I wasn't gonna give in that easily. They would have to try harder than that.
Before they could go into detail about why they did indeed deserve a cookie, a low rumbling cut them off. The ground started to shake and I could hear the wind chimes in the yard start to get louder and louder.
Both Anna and Lily, my cousin's daughter, started looking around frantically wondering what was going on. The whole time, the shaking and rumbling was increasing in intensity. The only thing I could think of was an earthquake, but we didn't get earthquakes in Ohio. Tornadoes occasionally, but not earthquakes.
While the ground felt like it was tearing open, a bright flash lit up the sky. The flash was so bright I had to shield my eyes and a few people let out shouts of exclamation at the unexpected second sun.
Words could be seen but I wasn't sure what they could mean and before I got a better look, they were gone.
...Initializing...
...
...
Initialization complete.
Welcome to the multiverse.
Prepare to be relocated into a designated tutorial zone.
A robotic voice rattled in my head and saw the matching words floating in the air in front of me come into focus. At first, I thought I had hit my head during the earthquake or something but I could see other people swiping in front of them right where I saw the words appear. On a whim, I asked the two girls if they saw it too.
"Anna, did you hear a voice in your head and see words floating in front of you?" I asked.
"Yeah, it's so cool! My hand goes right through them like they're not even there. AND they move with my head." She said enthusiastically while shaking her head back and forth and swiping her hands in front of her face. Lily started doing the same thing as Anna and soon both girls looked like they were trying to find their way down a hallway in the dark.
I had no idea what to do. I didn't think that I hit my head and it didn't seem like a hallucination if the girls could see it too. At least someone is having fun with it, I thought to myself while looking at the girls look like fools as they vigorously shook their heads to make the words dance.
That was my last thought before everything went black.