The Achievement Junkie

Three days passed by casually. Gilga was livelier than ever as rumors of Frostburn City's appearance spread. Also, stories and rumors about the two largest of recent wars shocked the continent, in particular, the story of Maldor vs. Aazoon.

The tale of dragons fighting on the Reinolt border and the imprisonment of King Leodoro was international news but it couldn't compare to the end result of the Maldor-Aazoon War. Three dragons had been killed, not two. A god was killed and fell from the sky, stunning the soldiers below. And an entire capital city had vanished from the map, along with nearly all of Aazoon's population.

Many felt that though Maldor technically won the war they didn't win any benefit from it. All they received was a frozen wasteland and a few empty cities. They weren't able to loot Frostburn City or its royal palace. The entire travel system across the tundra had disappeared along with the populace. It was a very hollow victory, indeed.

When news of Frostburn City appearing in Trodar reached the rest of the world, connecting the dots was simple. Everyone learned that the rising Trodar had gotten involved and transported an entire city, along with its population that was thriving with trade beside Gilga.

Trodar was becoming more and more attractive to the rest of the world. In a time where war was starting to break out with unbelievably strong experts revealing themselves, Trodar seemed to offer the most solace for those seeking peace.

Federal City was once regarded as the safest city as well as the greatest of all cities. The once megacity was only a shell of what it once was, though.

Many businesses had left elsewhere, most of which had Gilga in mind. Losing the three auction houses and the other larger businesses to the syndicate raid was a heavy blow to the city's economy.

The only saving grace was the presence of the Adventurers Association. They remained loyal to Federal City and even paid for the reconstruction of the city. Buildings had been rebuilt or replaced but they couldn't rebuild the atmosphere Federal City once had. That was long gone, especially after the confirmation of gods living within Trodar.

Nowadays, most Federal City residents were torn as to what they should do. Should they tough it out and wait for Federal City to regain its international fame? Could they last that long?

With most of the residents being local business owners, things were incredibly tough as the amount of foot traffic now was incomparable to what it was prior to the attack. The cost of food within the city was also at an all-time high. Most taverns, without any income from their attached inns, were forced to raise prices to accommodate their budgets. And the food shortage only made that worse. Even buying fruit or vegetables in the marketplace was overpriced. But that's what happens when the majority of food for the entire city comes from exports. And when the common farmers are reliant on protection from others, why would they stay in a declining city? Why stay when there's a thriving nation with elven goods and nature magic, known to increase farm efficiency, that has divine protection, proving capable of killing rival gods, twice?

Some larger businesses did expand to start farms outside the city, but that would also take time. It wasn't a way to immediately fix the situation. And if a business went under before their crops finished, it was all over.

With the remaining residents split on whether they should tough it out or leave for greener pastures, Federal City was gradually growing into an uncertain economy.

But, while the sun was at its highest, a humongous pillar of light fell upon the city. All the city walls were encompassed in that holy light. This lasted for half an hour, giving all citizens time to come outside and experience the unusual warmth seep into their bodies and hearts. It was comfortable, the most comfortable feeling they had felt in a long time.

A voice finally spoke while the holy light remained, "Citizens of Federal City… We've finally returned!"

That proud yet amiable voice echoed across the city streets and within the hearts of the residents. They didn't understand what was going on, but the comforting light completely changed the mood and atmosphere of the depressed city.

Then, everyone made sure to step outside. A figure was spotted descending from the clouds above. A second figure followed. Then a third, and a fourth… One-by-one, figures of the past descended to stand in the air just above the city square.

While they glided down the sky, all of the citizens rushed to the city center by any means possible. Each of the wiser residents recognized at least one of those figures based on ancient stories and their ability to stand on the air. People flooded the city square while those deities took their sweet time to descend to a height more easily viewable for the citizens.

The final person descended, still not saying a word. Seven figures stood there in the air, letting the citizens gather and guess about their identities.

Another hour passed with the gods saying nothing but the entire city was together, shouting at the figures above.

"I apologize for my absence… It was my fault for being injured during my final battle with Skaryn…"

Same as before, that ethereal voice echoed across the city and rocked the people's hearts. But it wasn't coming from any of those seven figures…

"Allow me to reintroduce myself…" stated the voice, riling the crowd even more.

A new figure began to descend, only that one was incredibly huge. Even as it passed through the clouds, it almost rivaled the human figures overhead in size. As it got lower and lower, their eyes of shock filled with wonderment and awe. Every person across Kartonia knew exactly who that figure was.

Cascading in holy light, the figure's countless golden scales dazzled the world below. His behemoth body proved its strength, believed to be greater than all others. And the calm, amiable voice gave hope to all citizens as they were glad they could witness the return of their greatest, most respected god.