Blessing

Nympha: "Are you sure about this?"

Ray: "Yes."

Nympha patted his back.

Nympha: "Well go on. It's worth the experience."

Ray: "Thanks, sis."

Announcer: "A young lad wants to give it a try. Brace yourself people!"

The crowd was silent.

"Wait… Isn't that the kid we saw on the 3rd District Training Hall?" The old man in a robe said.

"Go kid, show us what you got!" cheered by the bulky man.

Ray passed by the first challenger.

Lire: "Good luck."

Ray just smiled and head to the stage.

Ray: "Greetings, Mister Berdo."

Berdo: "I was anticipating this. So, you came to challenge me as well."

Ray: "Yes."

Berdo: "Let's start."

Ray suddenly walked towards Berdo.

Berdo: (What is he doing?) He was confused by the kid's action.

The crowd and the announcer were confused as well. Ray placed his hands on the legs of Berdo.

Berdo: (This won't do.) "Are you just going to push me?"

Ray: "Un."

The crowd felt a sudden burst of energy. All of the people in the 2nd District felt it. It was a flash of tremendous energy.

Berdo: "!!!"

Berdo was shocked. He never felt an energy like this before. The energy was light but it was indeed powerful.

Ray: (Hope this will work.)

He took a deep breath and focused his energy within his palms. He started pushing Berdo with all his might.

Ray: "Nghn…Haaahhhh!! AAAAGGGHHHH!!

Little by little Ray made a slight progress. He was able to move Berdo half an inch! The whole crowd was astonished!

Berdo: (This kid is serious.)

Announcer: "Impossible folks! This is the first time that Berdo was moved. Will the kid fulfil the challenge?"

Nympha was even more shocked.

Nympha: (Aren't he just lying on the bed a moment ago?!)

Berdo looked at Ray and was simply fascinated by his action.

Berdo: "Hmm. Sorry kid, but I'm going to put some pressure."

Ray: "Pressure?"

Berdo's body became much heavy. Ray felt that he was stuck on the ground.

Ray: (I can't move him any further. I'm almost close.) This is cheating, Mister Berdo!

Berdo: "Cheat? Me? Of course not. There's no rules stating we can't strategize."

Ray: "AGGHHH!!!! AGGHHHH!!!" He is forcing himself to the limit.

Suddenly, Ray's entire body released a massive form of energy. His eyes is about to glow.

Ray: (No!...Don't!)

Berdo noticed that the force Ray is exerting slowly degrades.

Berdo: (Huh? Did he give up?) He lowered his guard down.

Ray took another deep breath. A shocked wave was created into his hands and pushed Berdo an inch and a half away.

Ray: "YES!!!!" He jumped into the stage.

The crowd couldn't believe what happened.

Nympha: (WHAT?!!)

Announcer: "UNBELIAVABLE! THE---THE KID WON!"

The crowd bursts into cheers. Though Ray received positive recognitions, negative comments didn't escape him.

"Don't feel bad about this, Lire. Probably this is just a show the guild put up. How could a mere kid win?" Her companion stated.

Lire refrained from speaking.

Lire: (I don't think so. That kid is---)

Companion: "Isn't this ridiculous?"

Her thoughts got interrupted.

Lire: "Wh--what?"

Companion: "Geez. Nevermind."

Berdo knew what actually happen.

Berdo: (Heh. I never thought that he will use my weakness against me. I should've not let my guard down.)

Ray: "Thank you, Mister Berdo. For letting me win.

Berdo: "Haha. You win because of you alone."

Ray smiled and waved at the cheering crowd.

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The Founding Festival was a great success. All the citizens and the visitors enjoyed. The grand event that everyone is waiting for was the last ceremony. The Blessing of the Goddess Aegis. It's a special ceremony where all of the founders of the city pray to the large statue of the goddess. After the prayer, the blessing ceremony will be presided by a host master to the people. Legend says that the blessing brings peace and protection to the city.

GM Esley: "Beloved citizen of the Underground City of Ambeist, in behalf of this ceremony, I congratulate each and everyone of us for this another fruitful year. Let us give our own prayers and adoration to our Goddess."

Ms Kara: "Good thing we made it." She whispered.

GM Esley: "Shh. We're about to pray."

All the people bowed their heads and invoked their prayers. The crystals were set to dim to follow the solemn atmosphere of this spectacular event.

From a distance stood two figures of women.

"Kukuku…Look at them adoring and worshiping you, my dear sister."

Aegis: "Stop it. My people do this as a sign of reverence to me. Don't disrespect their tradition."

Vienna: "Well, it's the only way they can say their thanks. You even lend them your place to begin with."

Aegis: "I believe it is my duty. They need a place for them to be protected."

Vienna: "Now, I feel nostalgic about my people."

Aegis: "Really? And who accidentally wiped out her worshipers?"

Vienna stood silent, while looking at the people praying.

Aegis: *sigh* (It feels just like yesterday.)

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*Flashback*

The world was in total chaos. Humans were on a brink of extinction. They were being slaughter by strange creatures that came from a dimensional void.

Young man 1: "Those filthy evil dark creatures are still on the run in the plains of the earth. Even though the gods and goddesses killed the gigantic ones, still the smaller ones remain."

Young man 2: "It is thanks to them that humanity was saved."

Young man 3: "But where are they now? Why didn't they finish their job? They have forsaken us."

"You children are indeed still young. You didn't know the details." The elderly women reminded.

Man 3: "But mother…"

"Enough with those useless chatters! We are here to find a place for us to live not to start with an argument." The head of the family had spoken. "We were separated from the others. Pray and hope they find a place for shelter and protection."

"Yes!" All of them respond.

The family didn't stop with their travels. They searched for their companions and looked for a place to stay.

Elderly woman: "Charles, do you think we can survive from this dreadful world? I'm starting to lose hope. I'm worried about the children."

Charles: "Don't think any bad thoughts, Mira. Just a little more and we will find a place. We will reunite with the others."

Mira: "I hope so."

They both looked at the night sky and watched their children asleep. Arthur was their first child, Herm their second and Mori their youngest.

With many months of travel, the exhaustion had reached them. They started to lose hope. Another night fell. There were no stars in the sky and the moon was covered with clouds. The darkness engulfed them. Hand in hand, they continue to walk slowly passing the mountainous areas and desert plains. Since darkness prevailed, the family had a difficulty determining which way to go. They accidentally fell into a very deep hole.

Charles: "Is..*pant*..everyone okay? *pant* Mira?"

Mira: *cough* "I'm here."

The old man took a step and tried to locate his wife.

Charles: "Where are the children?" He helped her stand.

Mira: "I don't know where they fell but I hope they are okay."

Charles: "Let's find them."

Amidst the dark ground alley, a flicker of light illuminated. They then followed the light. At the near distance, they heard a voice.

Herm: "Mother! Father! We're here. Come quick!"

The couple followed the small tunnel and saw their children.

Mira: "Are all of you alright?"

Herm: "Yes. We're good."

The couple's worries faded.

Arthur: "Father, we found something."

Herm: "Yes, father. I think we are in a tomb."

Mori: "No, I think it's a statue."

Charles: "Everyone calm down."

Mira: "Speak one at a time."

The three young men turned silent. Afterwards they looked at each other and decided who to speak first.

Arthur: "Okay. I'll go. Father…Mother…We discovered something. Maybe it's better for us to show it to you."

In their long journey to the dark tunnel, they saw a large massive statue of a woman. The statue was holding a shield on it's left hand and a replica of the sun that lightens the place.

Mori: "Isn't this one of the goddesses,father?"

Herm: "I think it's their tomb."

Arthur: "Shut it, Herm. This place doesn't look like a tomb."

Charles looked intently at the statue.

Mira: "What's the matter, Charles?"

Charles: "I can't be mistaken. This is the statue of the Goddess Aegis. We first met her back when we were kids."

Mira: "Give thanks! The goddess gave us a place for refuge."

Charles: "Quick children! Scan the place!"

"Yes father!!!"

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Vienna: "Sister…Sister?…Big sister Aegis!"

Aegis: "What?"

Vienna: "For a moment, I thought you were asleep while standing."

Aegis: "What did you say?"

Vienna: "Nothing."

Aegis and Vienna watched the ceremony as it came to an end.

Vienna: "Ehem. They are waiting for your respond, my dear sister."

Aegis: "I know. KLESTEJIMAS!"

As soon as the Goddess Aegis invoked her spell, the statue glows in a golden aura. The golden aura surrounded the entire Underground City of Ambeist. The people felt a warm light energy within their bodies. They all rejoice.

GM Esley: "It always delights me whenever I feel the Goddess' aura."

Ms. Kara: "Same as I."

Among the rejoicing crowd were Nympha and Ray.

Nympha: (This year's blessing is different from the other.) "Did you feel anything?"

Ray: "Huh?"

Nympha: "Yes, Ray. It's like a warm feeling. It's the blessing of the goddess."

Ray: "No?"

Nympha: "That's odd."

The ceremony ended with a large buffet party.

Vienna: "That's a lame blessing….Kukuku."

Aegis: "Shut it. You rushed me so I gave just that."

Vienna: "Then redo it. Another blessing won't hurt."

Aegis rolled her eyes.

Aegis: "How about you give them your blessings?" She said with sarcasm.

Vienna: "Sure. I will give my ble---"

A ball of fire appeared in Aegis' right hand.

Vienna: "Kukuku. I'm kidding."

Aegis: "Whatever."

Vienna: "My dear sister, you never take my jokes too well. Here!"

Vienna tossed her some rare candies she got. The ball of fire immediately disappeared from Aegis' hand. Her anger subsided.

Aegis: "You're forgiven."

Vienna made a sign of peace and focused her attention to the grant event.

Vienna: *sigh* (I miss my people.)

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