Bonded Summoner

Book 5. Chapter 7: Divine Party

When Jake and his girl’s minds were transported for a meeting with members of Hestia’s Pantheon, they weren’t sure what to expect.

Jake nearly stumbled upon arrival, the change of his clothes and surroundings jarring. He was wearing a white warrior’s toga with accents of red and gold for the belt, bracers, and sandals. Fhesiah was wearing a stunning red toga-style dress with similar gold accents, her beauty on display.josei

Ophelia was wearing a warrior’s toga similar to Jake’s, but she had a sort of white shawl that went over her bare shoulder. Tanda was wearing a tribal edition toga, which separated into a skirt and sort of sports bra up top.

Bloodberri–

Tanda asked, “Why are you wearing your snake-puppy pajamas?”

Berri looked down. “Oh! I just tried really hard to picture me wearing them! Arf! Arf! Hehe.”

Blood frowned and seemingly tried to change their clothing, but then appeared to be a little distressed when she couldn’t. “How do you do that? Please, sister, change us to something more normal. We’re going to be meeting the Divine!”

Berri pouted. “Aww, but this one is cuter! Fine.” She scrunched up her face and groaned, and the outfit switched to likely what Hestia had set her up with: a dress quite similar to Fhesiah’s.

They all wore strapped sandals, aside from Bloodberri and Tanda.

Looking at his girls, Jake smiled. “You look great, girls. This should be an interesting experience.”

Fhesiah gave him and herself an appraising look. “Hmm, yes, I do approve of Hestia’s choices. This is not a bad look for you either, husband.”

Exiting the hallway they appeared in, they appeared to be standing on the edge of a house party, the room large enough to be called more of a ballroom.

Only the furniture and fixtures in the room lead them to believe it was a home, with various couches and seating arrangements gathered near a blazing Hearth.

Fhesiah sidled up to him and pulled his right elbow to her chest. Ophelia was about to take his other side, when Hestia appeared in front of them. She was wearing her white toga with red and gold accents, much like the version when they summoned her on Highlands, only softer and less for combat.

“Welcome to my home! I’m afraid this is a sort of limited edition, as you are restricted from being in a Contested World. Someday, I do hope to welcome you in truth.”

Giving the place another look, he could tell it was quite cozy. There was an adjacent kitchen, and various snack and drink carts held special refreshments. Jake was dying to try some of her cooking.

“Thank you, Hestia. I do look forward to it.”

Hestia gave him a smile. “This is a more of an informal meeting, and we are allowed to discuss certain topics. Everyone you meet here is either a Divine, or has a Noble Rank–meaning, they own worlds of their own. Now come, my Champion and Hart family. There are many of my friends and allies wanting to meet you all finally.”

Hestia began to escort their group, walking only a few paces ahead of them.

Ophelia joined Jake’s left side, following Hestia, the other girls taking in the sights as they entered.

Hestia took them over to a circle of couches around a hearth, and from their clothes, Jake got the feeling they were mostly Romans. He had done some research on Marcus Aurelius when he heard Ariminum had been previously owned by him.

He was present, as well as Mars, Vesta, and several other powerful mostly-human people, with a handful of various others. There was a minotaur, some Lares and Penates–a spirit people as well.

Hestia introduced Jake as her Champion, and Mars, Marcus, and a third man came to shake Jake’s hand.

Hestia said, “This is Cyrus the Great, you may have heard of him from Earth? Marcus and Cyrus are both of the third Tier, within your Sector.”

Jake shook both their hands, the girls exchanging friendly nods and watching in interest. There were all sorts of groups scattered throughout the more intimate setting, and many were mingling for the girls to observe as well.

Marcus gave Jake an appraising look. “I heard you visited the world of Ariminum. While it’s no longer under my protection, I still care about its fate. I think it will be ready for its Raid soon thanks to your victory.”

After leaving Ariminum, Jake had learned that some time ago, it had the opportunity to join a [War Trial]. The people voted against joining this conflict, and as a Tier 1 World, its importance to the Great War was minimal. It could not hold any true entrances to Tartarus, and it was clear the people had a failing desire to join and impact the war on a greater level.

War Trials were one method for a World to potentially rise in Tier, aside from time. Since they declined to join, their world would not progress very rapidly. As such, Marcus had allowed his ownership of the world to wane. This provided an opportunity for a new ruler to rise, and allow himself to focus his efforts on other areas.

Jake nodded. “Once the conflict in Highlands is over, we plan for Hearthtribe to aid them there. The Sons of Rome seem especially motivated now.”

Cyrus the Great chuckled, his voice filled with mirth. “And you are to thank, for that. My descendant has had a fire lit under him. Living under others’ shadows, it can be hard to find their light. Some thrive in it, and others need a little push.”

Marcus Aurelius nodded as he rubbed his chin. “It was not just the Sons of Rome you influenced, Champion Jake. The loss of several towns and the creation of the special challenge had shaken the citizens of Ariminum. The defense against the lava wyverns is a major point of discussion among the residents, the number of lives saved from your Heroics despite Tartarus’ plot was impressive.”

Mars had a vicious smile. “Defeating four Champions at the first Tier also inspired many. Warriors have competitive spirits, and now they train hard hoping to match Hestia’s Champion, and his party of wives. They might have only been of the second Tier brought down to the first, but Tartarus is known to win in that case more often than not. Defeating four in one conflict with no losses is a major accomplishment.”

Hestia smiled with pride. “My Champion and his wives are something else, aren’t they? The Hart family will soon enter the second Tier, and their impact on three worlds will already be a Tale of Beginnings that stands up to most legends.”

Cyrus smiled. “I can’t wait to visit my homeland once more. When Earth finishes integration, there will be a bit of turmoil. It’ll be up to us to help smooth the transition.”

Jake couldn’t help but frown at that. The information on planetary integration was restricted, at least at his Tier. The idea that Earth would come to conflict had him a bit worried.

Odin had made a fleeting mention that success in the Trial would be much better than if Tartarus attacked, making it Contested. Just what would happen to it?

He asked, “How can we help?”

It was Marcus who answered. “Us natives can return to the world, and help the leaders of the world transition into their new roles. Earth’s core will be infused and enhanced to the beginning of the first Tier, as an award for completing its Trial successfully. As a result, the mana levels of the world will fluctuate heavily. Thus, the Framework creates artificial dungeons for the first several years, to ease the world into this transformation.”

Cyrus added, “This will be especially important for the Earth. The modern society will have significant difficulty with mana, at first. Our dwarven and gnome friends can manage technology with this, but it won’t be an instant thing, and requires much effort. It’ll be up to us at such a high Tier to enter the stage and prevent conflict. Lord Guan Yu will be helpful in this. At the fourth Tier, his number of powerful avatars and projections should allow him to solve many problems.”

Jake asked Mars and Hestia, “Are you unable to influence things there? Your stories and Myths are present in Earth’s history, after all.”

Mars stroked his curly beard. “Earth is a bit different from most worlds. It’s abnormal for so many of us Divine to seed the world with both our myth and our influence before it’s integrated into the Framework like it was. You could say it was a grand experiment, to see if we could raise more warriors and people that resonated with all of us, before it entered the Trial.”

Hestia sighed. “It was meant to obtain the most possible from Tartarus from the Trial. But instead, it sparked conflict. Many Divine got greedy, wanting to influence their seeds to take over the prize of Earth and prove their superiority, and gain the most. Between all the infighting and backstabbing, much of civilization was destroyed. We eventually sealed off mana altogether, and pushed integration earlier than intended. Us peak Divine agreed on a slow Trial, one that would span millennia as the world recovered from all the wars and battles through the ages.”

Mars nodded. “In truth, we didn’t expect it to take quite as long as it did. Your party sped things up significantly near the end, or it would have taken much longer. Now, to answer your question, we Divine can descend on the world with our avatars. However, Earth is a unique situation. Which of us lays claim? It could spark a new conflict, as each of us tries to claim the most residents for ourselves. As a result, we would rather stay out of it. A neutral Administrator will be assigned, and only true natives may return. Both to recruit to their factions and protect the people from any turmoil.”

Hestia smiled. “That’s right, this is the fair method that was agreed upon by us Divine in accordance with the Framework. The Top Ten contributors or parties in Earth history are invited early. Naturally, that includes you and your wives, Jake.”

Jake wasn’t sure what to feel about that, but Fhesiah and his girls all sent their reassurance over their bond. They were excited about this prospect, and were doing their best to send their confidence in his ability to accomplish this task.

He and his girls each spent a little more time talking to the three and meeting with some of the other Roman Divine and nobles. Mars in particular praised Ophelia for her martial prowess, and Vesta complimented Fhesiah for her flames.

Jake got to try some delicious foods being passed around, along with the girls. It was an almost pointless exercise as mental projections, but they were quite enjoyable. Tanda and Ophelia both enjoyed some outstanding honey cakes, while Jake had delicious crostinis. They had a divine tasting cheese and dried tomatoes, the oils, and herbs used tasting truly special.

Hestia smiled. “As mental projections, you can hardly enjoy what these things have to offer, but I’m glad you did just the same. Some day, you will get to try the real things.”

She eventually brought him to a section which held the Norse and Greek Divine.

Odin was there, along with Freyja. Ophelia bristled at the sight of her, but looked at the Norse warriors, Odin’s Einherjar, with interest. She was interested in fighting the many other warriors she had seen in a spar, but something about the Norse warriors drove her competitiveness.

Odin and Freyja approached his family, and Odin spoke. “Hello again, Champion Jake and family. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Tanda, Blood, and Berri.” Looking at Ophelia, he was about to speak, but Freyja interrupted, seeing Ophelia’s expression.

Freyja looked full of remorse. “I do apologize, Ophelia. Your mother fought well, but we had let Drengrbjord down. The betrayers–”

“I–It’s okay. I’ve learned more about what happened, and I don’t blame you. It still hurts though, you know? What happened there, is there no way my father can be retrieved? Or my mother?”

Freyja gave her a somber look. “Your father can be retrieved, for a Price. However, without your mother…”

Ophelia nodded in understanding, her eyes brimming with tears as Jake hugged her to him. The man before his death was a shell of a man, and without her mother, it was a mercy to leave him passed on.

Odin gave her a serious look. “There’s hope for her, too. We had retrieved you, along with many of those before the first Tier. Then, we halted Tartarus’ consumption of the souls it won, betting against it for the upcoming [War Trial]. If we win, both can be retrieved.”

Ophelia was shocked, but she wiped her tears as her expression changed to fierce determination. “How do we take part?”

Freyja replied, “All worlds within the Frontier Sector will be given the choice to join. The conflict will take many years, the worlds at different Tiers having varying levels of influence on the overall event. Drengrbjord is a second Tier world, so Highlands just might be able to directly compete for its redemption.”

Jake could, of course, feel how important this was to Ophelia. He reassured her that if they were given the option, they’d pull out all the stops to win back her home world. Jake wanted to look at Odin or the other Einherjar’s outfits for more rune formations or otherwise, but the mental projection’s clothing lacked these, or he found they were blurred to his sight.

They spoke with a few of them for a while, Ophelia and Berri were both excited to speak with an actual giant, a Jotnar.

He was around four meters tall, and massive. Berri could raise herself up to make herself taller than him, but he was definitely wide. As they spoke with the man, another Divine, a Nordic Warrior with one arm, approached from their side.

Jake looked at him with interest, but something about his posture or expression seemed like he was a little upset, or unhappy.

Thanks to Fhesiah’s helpful reminder in his mind, he knew the man was Tyr, the Nordic God of Justice and War, among other things. Remembering how Jake rejected both of his clergy, Jake wanted to apologize.

However, he realized that was probably a bad idea. He wasn’t actually sorry for it. Then, it might be like adding fuel to the fire, that he just might be imagining brewing.

“Tyr, I’ve been wanting to meet with you. I have a problem, and it’s a matter of justice.”

The man looked shocked. “Justice?” His teeth clenched. “I’ll hear it.”

Jake went on to detail the situation, where [War, Glory, Profit] had abused Rifts to try to take advantage of the natives on Highlands. How Morwen was ready to testify, and Jake would take this to the Sector Council.

“It may be difficult, but I think it’s important these guys are brought to justice. The Great Enemy is difficult enough, without people working against us. They need punishment, to deter others from taking on this behavior.”

By the time Jake was done explaining, the man had an odd smile. It was a conflicting one, Jake thought. Eventually, Tyr laughed uproariously.

“Good! This is good! We will get those little fuckers this time, mark my words! You’re alright, Champion Jake. I was a little furious you declined both my clergy, but you couldn’t help it. You only worked off the information you had available to you, after all! When you start your case with the Sector council, I’ll be ready. Well, I have some other things I need to work on now, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

How can one be a little furious? The man patted Jake’s shoulder, and he could have sworn Tyr was mumbling something about a daughter or otherwise, as he walked away.

Fhesiah smirked, as Jake scratched his head. He thought the Divine here were only essentially avatars or mental projections, and they could be in dozens or even hundreds of places at once. Was there really a reason to leave?

Athena was present, and they spoke with her briefly. She confirmed what Hestia had said–that she was, in fact, willing to take Ophelia on as her Champion. However, her focus was on her securing and protecting her Sector.

Ophelia could help by joining her, but joining Guan Yu was simply superior, even for Athena’s goals at the moment. She requested Ophelia strongly considered it.

Hestia had a mirthful expression. “Well, that was fun, wasn’t it? Tyr is a strange character. We have some more people I would like you to meet.”

They said their goodbyes to Odin and Freyja, along with the Einherjar. One would be joining them on Earth, and he appeared especially formidable. Apparently, his party of five back in the day was quite impressive.

They moved on to meet the Egyptian, African, and Mesopotamian Divine.

Jake met with Horus, Anubis, and Enki. Ramesses the Great was the man from Earth, a powerful man exuding wisdom and confidence. Anubis reeked of death to the point one would guess the god would join Tartarus. However, Anubis wanted to protect the cycle of death and the afterlife, Tartarus robbing people of it.

There were various races that Jake had never seen or heard of here. Bug people that looked like scarabs, some jackal and crocodile people, and various tribal people. Jake took interest in the various nobles, as they would be involved in the coming conflict.

After meeting with them, and they went back to their discussions, a voluptuous dark-tanned woman stood. She had black feline beastkin features, and her tanned body exuded feminine charm and grace. She held an ankh staff with images of the sun and moon pictured, and wore golden jewelry with various symbolism on her neck, wrists, and ankles.

It was Bastet. She wore an Egyptian tiara, with golden strings flowing down her black hair. Golden beads capped the ends of them, and her outfit was clearly Egyptian inspired. She had sleeves that started at her hands and ended at the elbows, and an almost black tribal top that held up her breasts.

Her flat stomach was exposed, and her baggy black cloth pants with gold highlights had openings along the sides, exposing her long legs.

Bastet’s voice was sultry, but her speech was upbeat. “Greetings, Hart family. It’s so good to finally meet you! I’ve long-since followed your exploits, even before your Trial.” She smiled as she looked over them, “Such a wonderful family.”

Jake was a little weirded out by her voyeurism, but reasoned that the Divine had few boundaries among those considered mortals. To them, everything was public unless it was hidden. If Jake didn’t want to be watched, he should have hidden his actions from them, or something like this.

He managed to reply, “Thanks, Bastet. It’s a pleasure.”

Fhesiah gave her a smile. “It is good to finally meet you. I have read so much about you! You and Hestia have been friends for quite a long time.”

Hestia chuckled. “That’s right, along with Vesta over there too. We’ve been through many hardships. We are not family by blood, but our family sticks together just the same.”

Bastet looked on with a fond smile. “Let’s take a walk?”

Jake saw Hestia’s encouraging smile, so he nodded. As they began to walk toward a hallway nearby, the space seemed to contract around them, and in just a few paces they arrived in a more private area. The fireplace was in the wall, with a more intimate couch and love seat, recliners and more.

Hestia and Bastet sat on a couch across from another, and they motioned Jake and Fhesiah to sit. There were snacks and drinks laid out, which the other girls were quick to try out with happiness.

Bastet nuzzled into Hestia as she wrapped one arm around her waist, causing her to giggle.

She chuckled. “Sorry, I get a little frisky in this form.” Her body then shifted, changing into a lioness beastkin. Her black hair stayed the same, but her ears changed from that of a black house cat, to the tawny golden ears and tail of a lioness.

The air or aura around her changed, and now she felt like a powerful woman, a leader full of wisdom, rather than a sensual and sexy mother.

Jake now felt that Bastet was even more similar to Fhesiah than he imagined.

“Now, Fhesiah, I should mention that my aid to you was simply a gift, on behalf of my dear friend. I know how difficult it is to balance two forms, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Still, I can help a lot more than that, if you become my Champion.”

Jake knew that Fhesiah believed she could solve her own problems. That seeking the truth was a part of a Daoist’s, a cultivator’s path. To have a solution handed to her was not the way of a cultivator. Everything must have a price, and there should be equivalent exchange.

This may have less influence thanks to the New Heavens Fhesiah now believed in, but receiving too much guidance or benefits could cause one to experience a phenomena called heart demons.

The premise being mostly that if they never stood on their own, they would doubt themselves at the most critical of moments. This could be deathly combat, tribulations, or even when merging with the heavens; making the Dao a part of oneself.

Whether heart demons were real or not, it was certainly true that standing on one’s own where able would result in people more self-proficient and reliable. Such people would often be better cultivators, in the end.

“What’s in it for you?”

Of course, Fhesiah mostly knew the answer to that, but she still asked. She would like it voiced, that she was somehow earning the assistance she received.

Bastet smiled. “Of course, I know some about cultivators. I know it’s important to you that you earn your keep. I said that I could help more, but I will definitely make sure you must find your path on your own–I’m just getting you within reach of your target.”

She continued, “I know your family is competent and capable, and you will earn many Divine Sparks and influence many worlds as a shining example, spreading my name far and wide. Then, you resonate with me heavily. This is significant both in the power you can bring about, but also what you earn to expand my power. Faith energy is gained through the resonance, conviction, and resolve you have in my Eternal Essence. For a cultivator who resonates so well with me, your conviction in your Path, your Dao, transfers to me.”

Jake gave a nervous chuckle. “I had worried about that, with Hestia. I am not very…pious.”

Hestia gave Jake a broad smile. “Ah, worried that you didn’t do your allotment of Hail Hestia’s? You should not worry about this, my Champion. You resonate with everything I embody, upholding and protecting the virtues of my Eternal Essence. With every breath you take and every action you make, you are carrying out my will and expanding my influence, my power.”

She continued, “The beastkin have already begun resonating with me and joining my clergy through your actions, and I have even had some join my clergy from Ariminum! You should be confident in your efforts as you respect and protect the Hearth and the Home, and guide the beastkin with the State. I am extremely proud of my choice to make you my Champion, and no matter what happens from now on, I know I shall never change my mind.”

Fhesiah and his girls were filled with pride at Hestia’s proclamation, and Jake couldn’t help but feel wonderful from the praise of his goddess.

“I…Thank you, Hestia. It means a lot to me for you to say that.”

Bastet clapped. “That was cute! That is exactly right, coming back to Fhesiah. There are no downsides for me because she resonates so well. It’s as Berri would say: a home run!”

She gave Berri a smile, who was scrunching down some small cookies. “You are so awesome, by the way. I’d have taken you both if I could, but Echidna was much more important.”

Berri smiled at that. “Where is she, by the way? I thought she would be here, too.”

Jake thought he’d see her towering figure in the last room, but she was clearly not there.

Hestia’s smile became wooden. “It seemed she couldn’t make it today? We’re actually a little concerned.”

Bastet smiled. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Now, aside from these things, I can add a Task that will be mutually beneficial for us. You wanted to seek a [Battlegrounds], yes? There is one within the neighboring Sector in the coming months at your Tier. I can get you an express ticket when it’s time. There, you should be able to aid some of my followers, and even if you do not receive what you need–which is unlikely–you should be able to trade for what you do.”

Fhesiah frowned. “What about Highlands?”

Hestia interjected, “This would be after the conflict on Highlands is completed. If extra time is needed, we may even be able to pay a Price to push back the event slightly. There’s no way we would have you miss the Raid.”

This mollified her, and Jake was having a hard time seeing a downside, aside from the increasing difficulty of having another Champion on their roster. However, it was important to her that she did not fall behind. The next Tier would be especially difficult without assistance for her to do so. Jake was definitely on board.

Fhesiah smiled at Bastet. “I accept. I’ll be your Champion.”

Bastet stood, and slammed her Ankh-staff on the ground. The sun and moon glimmered, shooting a beam of celestial light into Fhesiah’s Dantian.

Within her Spiritual Palace, the Kitsune mural shifted, the bloodline bricks taking on the divine-infused energy. Like Blood’s Holy Dark, Fhesiah’s Dark kitsune flames took on a more holy or divine quality.

The change for her bloodline energies making a qualitative difference shifted her heavenly energy, and spare heavenly energy flooded out. A lake formed in front of her palace and was drawn out.

Then, in her deepest room with the hearth, the thrones had a skylight, allowing the sun or moonlight to come through.

Above that skylight, the heavenly energy gathered, and her hearth spewed out a powerful gout of flames, causing a massive golden mirror on a swivel to appear. The mirror was engraved with sun disk and moon patterns, matching Bastet’s own Ankh-staff and jewelry.

Fhesiah’s sun was currently high in the sky, but somehow, the mirror’s reflection showed the moon. It was as if the moon’s light was shown in the lake, and this was reflected into the mirror. The beam of moonlight struck Fhesiah’s mural, and her kitsune bloodline flames lit.

[Passive Skill: Celestial Mirror (No Level)]

[Enables user access to 30% of opposing bloodline’s flames in either form.]

[Champion Magic Spell Learned: Sun and Moon Hex]

[Uses Bloodline Flames combined with the Sun or Moon to create a powerful curse. Flames of creation or destruction will burn the target until it is destroyed, depending on what form the user was in when the spell was used.]

Fhesiah was moved. The mirror was truly perfect for her, and no matter how much she scanned it within herself, she couldn’t understand how it functioned. As a Tier 3 entity, her understanding of something within herself was significant.

For it to be beyond her understanding, it seemed like a true treasure, and it had been created from her own heavenly energy.

Whatever doubts she had about the partnership were completely erased. Like the hearth itself and the bloodline transformation ability, the importance of it for aiding her on her path had been immense.

“T-This… is an astonishing gift. I… thank you, Bastet.”

Jake wasn't sure when, but the Goddess had now shifted to the house cat form.

Bastet’s smile was proud. “I make sure all my girls are well taken care of, whether they’re my kits or my daughters from another mother. That said, I look forward to our partnership! Those reptile beastkin, as they worship you or hold you high in their will and conviction, will indirectly empower me. It’s a little less than if they did directly, but with how strongly you resonate with me, it’s quite good. That is, until or if you become a goddess yourself, someday.”

Jake had wondered about this. That meant that whatever was going on with the spriggons was, in fact, empowering Echidna, one way or another.

Bastet spread her arms as she stood, giving Fhesiah a welcoming and loving smile. “How about a hug, new daughter of mine? Do you mind if I call you so?”

Fhesiah was filled with emotion as she shifted, quickly switching to the kitsune with her [Bloodline Transformation] as she stood up. She hugged Bastet, and Jake could feel the happiness of Fhesiah over their bond. She had lost her mother, possibly forever, but she now had someone willing to take on this role. It was a good feeling.

The two girls parted, and Bastet continued. “Now, I mentioned the Battlegrounds Task, but there is another before that. As you are aware, there are Champions present on Highlands. The truth is, a potential Champion is a target, both now, and during the Raid. I would much rather you experience only one terrible battle without being able to summon me.”

[Trial Task Received: Defeat Champions or equivalents present on Highlands, or force them to flee. Rewards based on personal or party contribution.]

Jake asked, “Is the result or rewards better this way?”

Bastet hummed. “It’s close. I do think you’d receive more rewards by staying prospective Champions for the start of the Raid, but that’s counteracted somewhat by the difficulty increasing by moving from a prospective Champion to a full one. You are only allowed one Trial per Tier, but your merits and achievements are still counted for advancement, with diminishing returns. When dealing with Champions, this Trial Task is certainly comparable to a Raid or personal Trial. Only a Permanent Death Trial would obtain more potential for yourself.”

Jake raised his brow. “That means those that pass this Trial Task could raise their Tier, as soon as they reach level 25?”

Bastet chuckled. “That’s right. Fhesiah aside, it is something you trigger or accept at a Node or your Refuge; it does not just happen. If Fhesiah began her core formation, she would be surrounded by the golden light of the Framework, and taken away from the world.”

Hestia smiled. “Well, that was wonderful. Now, there is the last meeting today to take care of, then you can mingle a little where you choose. Let us go and meet with Brother Guan Yu now.”

Jake nodded, and the family once again headed back to the party area.

In one area, there were Asian and Indian Divine within one area. Jake was quick to notice Lord Vishnu and Lord Skanda among them. Skanda had many heads and a peacock tail behind him, while Vishnu had his many cobras and blue skin.

The other Asian Divine Jake was not overly familiar with, but he spotted Bishamon and Amaterasu.

At the front of the entourage were three men. The three men over three meters tall in Chinese robes. One was wearing green robes mixed with armor, another white with green scholarly robes with a tall hat, and finally, one in red robes mixed with armor. They were Chinese men, with long, flowing black beards.

As mental projections, Jake couldn’t really feel anything emanating from them. However, the leading man with the flowing green robes with gold accents gave Jake a strong impression.

Despite his obvious size and strength, the man appeared humble, holding a noble expression. Guan Yu gave Jake the feeling he truly matched what he read about him, that he was a man of boundless loyalty and honor, and also filled with righteousness and compassion.

Guan Yu smiled, as he focused on Jake’s family. Despite being a towering man rippling with power, his voice was filled with gratitude as he gave them a martial bow, with his fist closed in his other hand.

“Well met, Champion Jake and family. Your strength and accomplishments precede you, your example shining brightly for all warriors to follow. I wanted to personally thank you for your service in aiding Earth, my homeland, to complete its Trial.”

He bowed further, along with his entourage, and the surroundings clapped, many giving surprised proclamations. Bowing as a divine was no small thing.