Chapter 22: Goren: It's Time

  “That was a bit too much, Goren.” Chronos said after Viktor was sent back to Solvane. “Don’t ever do that again.”

  But Goren’s mind was only half-listening. Most of it was stuck on what Viktor revealed at the end of their conversation – the marked person he encountered in the last loop.

  It felt too easy.

  Goren didn’t know what the Clerk’s role was – nor did he consider himself sharp enough to figure it out – but one thing he was certain of: this was part of Dolos’ schemes. He wanted them to believe she was his Champion.

  And the only way to deal with Dolos’ plans for certain? To take him out of the equation for good. It was time to remove the saboteur from the game forever and improve humanity’s chances for millennias to come.

  That, at least, was something Goren could do. Something he and Aureon had been planning for a long time. Something they were finally ready to execute.

  Now.

  “Hey, are you listening to me?” Chronos asked, pulling Goren out of his thoughts.

  Goren nodded, hoping to end the exchange quickly. “Yeah, sorry. Got a bit too agitated. Won’t happen again.”

  But Chronos wasn’t done. He had a habit of turning everything into a lecture.

  “Goren, I’m fine with how you are. With who you are. I’m not bothered by your character at all. I’m blessed to have three amazing assistants, each one so distinct they cover all my bases. You’re you – and never change. But physical violence toward our Champions is not something I’ll tolerate. The last thing we need is to set him against us – “

  Goren just muted him at this point. Chronos just kept going…and going…

  Luckily, Pixelle was always there to bail him out.

  “He got it, Boss.” She said, enthusiastically and energetically stepping in between them. “And if he didn’t, I’ll make sure to drive it into his thick skull. Privately.”

  She then looped her arm around Goren’s and pulled him away.

  Chronos nodded, smiling as he saw them together.

  Goren was glad she intervened. Aureon was already waiting for him at the Realm Bridge.

  But then…she said something unexpected.

  “Let’s go on a date.” She whispered to him. “Been a while since we’ve been on one.”

  That was true.

  They had known each other for two thousand years now. But they only started dating ten years ago. Ten years might sound a lot to a human mind – but in the Divine Realms, time passed far faster than Goren remembered it in the human world.

  In the first few years of their ten, they went on plenty of dates – Pixelle’s way of showing him around, helping him explore everything the Divine Realms had to offer, since up to that point Goren was mostly a grumpy shut-in that refused to leave Chronos’ realm. But recently, both of them had been consumed by work, preparing for the now ongoing battle – the one that would decide Solvane’s fate.

  Goren looked into her eyes – they were glowing green at the moment, thanks to something she called ChromaLenses – a…cyber-something implants from her home world. Among its many features, it allowed her to change her eye color and intensity with just a thought – or at least that’s how Goren understood it. He never really grasped how they worked – nor how the implant that changed her hair color did – but he had to admit they were pretty cool.

  He knew he needed to decline. And it hurt. But after a moment of hesitation, he gathered the strength to do it. He couldn’t risk bringing her anywhere near this mission.

  “Listen, Pixie,” He said, locking eyes with her. “Could we do our date later this cycle? I actually already agreed to meet with Aureon. We’re having a boys’ night out.”

  The disappointment on her face was instant, but he knew she understood.

  Aureon was more than a friend to him – he was the last thread connecting him to Tepan, to who he used to be before…he was erased from existence as a human.

  Pixelle wouldn’t guilt him over that. In fact, he’d counted on her encouraging him. That was his plan. That was his manipulation. To abuse the fact that she was such a gentle and loving soul.

  It only made him feel worse.

  “Oh. Okay.” She forced a smile, one Goren saw through instantly but chose not to mention. “Have fun, and say hi to him from me!”

  Her voice was light, but her posture betrayed it. It was clear she was disappointed by his answer.

  “I will.” Goren said, his own smile faltering into something pathetic he was ashamed of.

  Then, he hesitated.

  He almost reached out.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Almost told her the truth.

  But what good would that do?

  Instead, he turned his gaze ahead, summoned a portal with a flick of his fingers, and watched as it opened into a shimmering circle in the air before them – a path to the Realm Bridge beyond.

  He didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t kiss her. Didn’t look back.

  Maybe he should’ve. But it was too late.

  He stepped forward – and disappeared into the light.

  ***

  The Realm Bridge was exactly what it sounded like – a bridge between realms.

  Nestled in the very center of the Divine Realms, it connected the gods’ personal realms to the Greater Domain. In human terms, if the personal realms were houses, then the Greater Domain was the neighborhood.

  It stretched indefinitely in all directions, yet met perfectly at a four-way intersection made of solid dark-blue clouds. It formed an X-shape in mid-air, suspended beneath a vast, starry sky.

  When a god or any other higher deity wanted to visit another’s personal realm, they first had to arrive at the Realm Bridge. Only from there could they travel to their destination. Direct transport was possible, sure – but rare. It required the host god to use their own power to open a personal gate, and if there was one thing Goren had learned during his time with Chronos, it was this: gods were hoarders. If they could avoid spending their own energy, they would in a heartbeat.

  Aureon was already there, standing close to the center where the cloud-paths met. He was lost in thought. His usual glowing white armor was gone – replaced with matte black. His radiant sword was missing too.

  Goren wondered what the deal was. He thought part of Aureon’s ascension required him to don bright colors – it was part of the god he chose to become.

  He made his way to him slowly.

  Meanwhile, to his sides, he saw other minor deities just like him running around, jumping through portals.

  Gods had their own ways of cloaking their presence in the Realm Bridge, since they wanted to keep their visits to other realms a secret. But for minor deities like Goren and Aureon – who hadn’t completed his ascension yet – stealth was harder.

  He approached Aureon. The knight, leaning against the cloudy railing, didn’t seem to notice him until the last possible moment.

  “No way we’re both going to this party wearing the same clothes.” Goren said, grinning as he gestured toward his own black armor. “One of us needs to change. And it’s not going to be me.”

  Aureon glanced at his own armor, then grinned. “I thought we were going in coordinated.” He replied dryly. “Besides, black is slimming and gods know I’ve been eating too good since I started my ascension.”

  “You’re exaggerating. You’re as buff as ever.” Goren said. “Besides, both of us going black would make people assume we’re heading to a funeral – which is not completely wrong. Ahem-ahem – Dolos’.”

  Aureon smiled faintly, changing the subject. “How are you, my friend?”

  Goren leaned on the cloud railing beside him. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. And behind Chronos’ back? I feel like a criminal.”

  “Once a Rogue, always a Rogue.” Aureon noted, referring to Goren’s class back in Tepan with a chuckle.

  Goren eyes him dryly. “Yeah, I think it’s best if you leave the comedy to me. Unless your plan is to make Dolos and Cicero off themselves because of your terrible jokes.”

  Aureon laughed again – more genuinely this time. “Well, if Cicero hears us coming, he might kill himself just to avoid the conversation.”

  “Smartest move he’d ever make.” Goren said.

  “Agreed.”

  A long silence stretched between them. Thoughtful. Heavy. As if both were weighing the enormity of what they were about to do.

  “Are we sure about this?” Aureon finally asked.

  Goren blinked. “You’re asking me? You’re the one with the plan. And you’re the one who’s a god – “

  “Almost a god.” Aureon corrected quickly.

  “Fine. Almost a god.” Goren said, relenting. “Point is, I trust you to lead here.”

  Aureon exhaled slowly. “And I will. It’s just…”

  “Just?”

  “I’ve dreamed about this for so long – killing Dolos.” His voice hardened. “He raped my mother. That’s how I was conceived. Then, he made sure to kill my brother in that cursed tomb. He did everything he could to bring our world to ruin. Twice. And now, when I finally have the chance to exact my revenge, I hesitate. I can’t help but feel like he’s still at least one step ahead. Like he’s planning for our arrival.”

  “I mean…” Goren hesitated, unsure how to reassure him. “He can’t be planning for us…right? How would he even know we’d go after him directly in his realm? That’s reckless no matter how you look at it.”

  “Maybe.” Aureon murmured, his expression darkening. “And still…”

  Goren spoke quickly, afraid that if he didn’t, he’d lose his own courage.

  “Listen,” he began, “Dolos is a fucking piece of shit who used me and made me lose everything – including myself. If there’s a way for me to redeem myself truly, it’s this. I need it.”

  Aureon nodded slowly. “I know. We both do.”

  They both sighed at the same time, then laughed at the synchronicity.

  “Do you ever think about Aidan?” Aureon asked. “How he would’ve acted in our place?”

  Goren nodded, his thoughts drifting to the old friend he’d lost. “Spellsword always acted like he was calm and collected. But I got to know him enough. If he had a shot at Dolos like we do…he would’ve taken it. No hesitation. I’m sure.”

  “Yeah.” Aureon said softly, a flicker of smile on his face before his expression turned serious again. He stepped forward and pointed toward the exact center of the cloud-crossed bridge, where assistants of other gods jumped through portals, carrying out the errands of their patrons.

  “Let’s go.” He said. “I worked too hard to get the location of Dolos’ realm. It’d be a damn shame if we chickened out now.”

  Goren nodded, the fear was still there – but overridden by determination.

  “Let’s do it.”

  He followed Aureon as they approached the center of the Realm Bridge.

  Aureon raised a hand, channeling his divine essence. A swirling black-and-silver portal shimmered into life, humming with mana. The air around it felt heavy.

  They exchanged a single, final nod.

  Then, Aureon stepped in first.

  Goren remained for a heartbeat longer, staring into the vortex. He took a deep breath.

  He knew he needed this.

  After everything he’d done as Dolos’ Champion…this was the only thing that could even begin to make it right. He didn’t even care if he died – truly died – this time. Perhaps he even wanted this.

  The memory of Pixelle stung sharply - an ache in his chest.

  He hated the idea of leaving her without a proper goodbye. She deserved it. A moment of honesty, not some half-assed lie about meeting Aureon for a boys’ night out. But if he’d said goodbye properly…he wouldn’t have had the strength to leave. Fuck...she wouldn't even let him leave.

  He clenched his jaw, swallowing the lump that formed in his throat.

  His own family had forgoteen about him. But she...she loved him more that he could comprehend – and that terrified him. Because deep down, he knew he wasn’t deserving of it. The memories of all the people he killed during his Battle plagued his mind. He could never truly forgive himself for what he did as a human.

  He was a dirty piece of shit in life.

  He never deserved happiness.

  He didn’t deserve a second chance at life.

  He didn’t deserve her and her love.

  He could only hope that what he was going to do now would actually make a real difference. That finally he would matter. That at the end of the day he won’t be remembered as the sad Rogue that almost brought his own world to ruin, only to be saved by a lousy and depressed Spellsword.

  He wanted to be the one to do the heroic thing for a change.

  He wanted to matter.

  Before he could change his mind, he stepped forward – and vanished into Dolos’ realm.