The Achievement Junkie

"Maldor is attacking Aazoon?" Argyle was surprised to hear that.

"Yeah, but it's not just Maldor. Maldor is now an empire and our informants say that Naparn has returned to Maldor," stated Willim. "He wants Maltor to expand and some neighboring nations joined in to receive a god's divine protection."

"They'd rather be allies with a god than enemies…" Rydel mumbled.

"Please, help Father!" Erina ran up to the party and hugged Maura along with Lina. "Please!"

Maura and the other women sighed, understanding what this meant. They were going to have to spit up.

"How about I go with some people to Aazoon while you take some to Reinolt?" Argyle suggested while nudging Rydel. "Wouldn't that be best?"

"Yeah… but now we'll need gods to come with us. If Naparn's the cause of the sudden war in Aazoon, then who's to say that a different god is responsible for the increase in numbers from Zuran? Things will be much more difficult with deities involved…"

"Then let's hurry up! We've got no time to waste," Argyle chuckled, getting excited for another battle.

Erina and Willim joined the party as they made their way to find the gods. After a few minutes of walking, the party found a secluded courtyard and entered without saying a word.

Inside, they found the same three gods that had intervened during the conference discussing what Eedaj had learned from his mind readings. When they spotted the others entering, they gladly waved them in and allowed them to join the discussion.

"Before we discuss anything else, we need your opinion on something," Rydel stated. "Zuran's military forces have increased drastically overnight and Maldor has officially attacked Aazoon without warning. And according to Prince Willim's informants, Naparn's appearance in Maldor is the cause of the sudden war."

"Naparn? He's shown himself?" Sterfen asked, getting a nod from Prince Willim. "Hmm… We'll have to react carefully. As much as I hate him, Naparn is a real threat to most gods. We have Moranti, but if Moranti acts then Halmut may show up himself…"

"That's why we need your opinion on this," Rydel reminded. "Either way, we want to at least go and help while we can. Maybe we can hold things off long enough to expand our borders?"

"That's doable, I believe," stated Eedaj. "But let's wait for--"

"Eedaj wait for who?"

The second door to the courtyard swung open as Rikko led the other gods of the Leisure Guild into the courtyard.

While the party was a bit surprised, Sterfen spoke up, "Since everyone's here, we've got a few things to discuss. And with what we just learned, it may involve all of us."

"Really?" Dragas asked, holding a hand to her chest. "What happened for all of us to get involved."

Eedaj scanned Rydel's mind, followed by the other members of the group. "Allow me to explain. First, know that Sandros is currently trying to steal Limneer as a territory. They wanted to do so politically but we've already made that impossible. We'll need to prepare accordingly for that, especially if we want to expand the border there."

"I think I can open Churstin to the idea of joining Trodar," added Choron. "That's where my reputation is strongest, so it shouldn't be too difficult should I be allowed to show my face."

"Of course! Go for it!" Sterfen slapped Choron on the back.

"Rikko take charge. Then Rikko defend and invade Sandros," added the Goblin God.

"Also," Eedaj continued, "Maldor has attacked Aazoon before their alliance was officially formed. That attack was supposedly sparked by Naparn's return to Maldor."

"So they're returning?" Lunara asked. "Is that how it involves us all?"

Nodding, Sterfen replied, "Yes. And Zuran's military grew too quickly to not be suspicious. If gods are rilling up war again, then it won't be much longer."

"We want to help Reinolt fight Zuran and Aazoon against Maldor," Rydel chimed in, already accustomed to speaking with deities. "While Rikko is hurrying to expand the borders, we want to prolong the wars until there's space for those nations to relocate."

"And you want our help? I'm in!" Lunara grinned, walking over and taking Lina by the hand. "If it means it means holding back Naparn then I must agree."

"You're not going alone, are you?" Sterfen asked.

"My father is coming with us to Aazoon, so maybe--"

"What do you mean 'us'?" Dragas interrupted Eliza. "Didn't I say you'll be staying here with me?"

"Then come with us to Aazoon, Mother. You'll be there to save me and we'll leave immediately if we know we're going to lose," reasoned Eliza. "Also, you may be able to spend some alone time with Father. I know you've been considering it."

"Eliza! That's--"

"Fine, then I'm coming with you, Lunara," Dragas stated, sauntering over to her daughter. "I hope you won't mind if I support you. We can't have you falling to Naparn and leaving my grandchild exposed to that monster."

Laughing, Lunara smiled back. "I'd be happy to have your help."

"That means the others are going to Reinolt, right?" Jin cut in. "And if a god returned to Zuran, it should be Tyres, right? Then I'm going there!"

"Then how about I join Jin?" Eedaj suggested.

Sterfen nodded and sighed, "I'm alright with that, but it means I'm going to Aazoon. There's no way I'm letting you two face that monster alone."

"You care about me?" Dragas teased.

"Yes, my dear sister," replied Sterfen, getting Dragas to roll her eyes. "I'm not the best at fighting head-to-head but I'll be fine alongside my wife. Especially thanks to Jack."

"Oh, why's that?" asked Dragas, curious what Jack could've done to help gods thousands of years old.

"He suggested something we had considered prior, but Jack made us reconsider. I'm sure you'll find out eventually," joked Sterfen, leaving Dragas and the others hanging on a metaphorical cliff.

"That leaves Rikko, Guuro, and I to guard Trodar, with Choron available if needed," stated Moranti. "Just make sure not to die. I promised Jack that I would keep you safe. So, if you need a quick escape, contact me and I'll get you out of there. Okay?"

All of the mortals felt the pressure of Moranti's friendly glare, nodding.

"Great, then let's hurry up and go get the others," added Moranti. "I'm sure Karronteel and Bowzer would like to tag along for your adventures. Phoro won't join you, but not out of laziness. He'll be coming with me and Hadurt to recruit the beasts of the storehouse."

With everyone in agreement, the gathering of gods and mortals was teleported to Dragov's massive underground courtyard where Bowzer and Karronteel were sparring.

"You two, save your energy for the war!" Sterfen shouted with a chuckle, instantly stealing the attention of the two giant beasts. "One of you will go to Aazoon to defend against Maldor and the other to Reinolt to face the Zuran Empire. Any--"

"I'm in!" Bowzer shouted, his voice being deeper as he was now an adult Hell-flame Fox. "Wherever I'm needed, I'll go!"

"Same!" Karronteel shouted, also eager to hunt enemies on a battlefield.

"Bowzer go Aazoon," stated Rikko. "Fox defend fire good. Karr go Reinolt. Karr kill soldiers more and more."

"Since the tactician agrees with me, then Bowzer's with me. Karronteel, you're with Jin and Eedaj," Sterfen added. "Eedaj, mind finding us the best place to travel?"

"Sure."

Casting God's Perspective, Daruun scored Reinolt first. Eventually, he found the current battlefield and was startled by the difference in numbers between the two armies. Eedaj hastily found an open clearing not too far from the battle and shared the sight with Moranti, another perk of the personal spell God's Perspective.

Nodding, Moranti opened a rift while Eedaj found no battle taking place on the Maldor-Aazoon border. The Mind God only found military camps and the carnage of the first skirmish.

The Reinolt party then left and Moranti opened a second rift leading to Frostburn Palace, where Eedaj had found King Wilheim preparing to leave for the battlefield.

Both parties were gone in seconds, leaving Moranti and the remaining few gods along with Dragov.

"I'm sure you'll be needed here, so don't feel jealous, okay?" Moranti joked with the Draconic Centipede as he and the other left the courtyard in search of the napping Phoro.