Chapter 1.6 - Water God

Calder was smiling and touching people's hands and they were all very excited with his gestures. 

"Dear Adam, you're not the only Elemental God."

After the impact phase, he flew up, stopping on top of the great fire. A lake of clear water, that Adam noticed was flowing from the ground, circled the bonfire. 

From up there Calder met Adam's gaze and smirked. The young one knew he was going to do something but Adam would never have guessed. 

With one of his already famous grand gestures, the old guy used the water from the lake to create a fountain that went up taller than the fire. From the veil of water he made complex figures that imitated animals and celestial bodies. He made the animals dance and sent planets soaring over people's heads, driving them to the brink of madness.

Grandpa was showing off with no shame. Everyone was looking up at the water show and forgot about Adam. As he didn't know any tricks and could barely fly on his own he had to let that one pass. 

The show went on for a while, since the old man kept making more elaborate figures and the crowd was loving it. Adam had enough and went up to join him so he could get a hint and stop. 

"Great show, Water God." 

Adam was so butt-hurt it was possible to hear it in his voice. 

"Thank you, mate."

"You could've told me sooner, ya know?"

"I didn't want to steal your thunder." 

With that phony flattery he splashed water all over the square creating a rainbow that went from one side to the other. Everyone on the floor shouted in amusement as he waved farewell. 

Adam ignored the exhibition and acted like it wasn't impressive at all. In fact he was dying to know what kind of tricks he could do himself.

"Come. There's another place I want to show you." 

With that said Calder flew away into the treetops, making the crowd shout out goodbyes. Before leaving, Adam waved back and the people celebrated once again. Proud of himself, he followed his guide and disappeared between the trees.

Carefully weaving through the branches, Adam wondered just how tall these trees could be. He pressed on, even after losing sight of Calder's trail. The Playboy was being tested—he knew that. Refusing to call out for help, he focused on one goal: reaching the open sky.

Slow but steady Adam finally made it out of the forest. As he smirked at the challenge left behind, he found himself in another breathtaking landscape. The clouds were whiter than anything he had ever seen which matched perfectly with the blue background. 

"You made it." 

The usual godly tone was back stronger than ever. Calder emerged from the clouds to meet Adam. 

"It was good practice." 

"I thought so. That's why I have a new one for you." 

In his previous life, the Playboy was always the person to prank or pick on other people. In this new scenario, Adam was the one constantly being tested and made fun of. Such a change awakened something in him—a fierce sense of competition and pride.

He barely made it out of the forest and he didn't know what Calder was plotting behind that smug. Still, he would not back down. 

"Whatever it is, count me in, bro."

Of course the old dog already knew that was going to be his answer. Grinning from ear to ear, he approached the young one and pulled him closer by the shoulder. 

"Race me to the temple, bro…" 

He whispered the last word in Adam's ear, who immediately pulled the man away. Not thinking about the effect of his action, Adam lost balance after the movement. He stumbled like a baby deer until he could stand straight again. 

Recomposed and pretending not to be affected by Calder's content, the boy spun around, searching for the temple. Looking in all directions there was nothing in sight, not even the first temple they visited. 

"And how do I find it?"

"Look beyond."

Pointing to the horizon, the goat-beard used his godly voice one more time. He was having so much fun at Adam's expense it was driving the Playboy crazy. 

Dead silent, he squeezed his eyes trying to find anything unusual. He scanned the fluffy clouds when a dark structure started to stick out. It was lozenge shaped with a clear color that was reflecting some of the sunbeams. 

As the wind blew the white cover away, a huge square entrance in the center of the lozenge was revealed. Behind the structure there was nothing else that indicated it was a building with walls. The whole thing looked like a doorway but to where that Adam didn't know. 

Definitely a shocking sight but at that point the young God had lived through more fantastic experiences. 

"What do I get for racing you?"

"If I lose you choose one thing for me to do. If you lose you have to try on my clothes."

Adam looked down at the Dumbledore kind clothes Calder was wearing and a shiver went down his spine. He would never recover from that.

Noticing the younger fella was taking too long to decide, the Water God anticipated himself.

"I understand if you are afraid… I would be too."

"I'm not!" He barked back without a second thought. "Let's do this thing. It's not like I can die or anything."

"But you will live forever to remember." With a mouth-filling laughter Calder pulled Adam to another hug. "And so will I..."

"Now get ready. I'll give you a head start." The bearded God pushed the young man forward with an unexpected strength for a person with his physic. "And don't be afraid. Nothing can happen to you here." 

One wink of encouragement and he started the countdown. 

"THREE…"

Adam was still trying to make sense of what he was set up to do. 

"TWO…"

The temple was a few miles away, it was a short flight.

"ONE! GO!"