THE ONE:GODKING
Chapter 12: A Place to Belong
The enormous gates of the Temple of a Thousand Gods slowly opened.
Baryon stepped through first.
He stretched his arms above his head and released a satisfied sigh.
"Finally."
Behind him came Lucien, followed closely by Poseidon.
And bringing up the rear was the BloodScaled Ravager.
The enormous creature's footsteps caused the marble beneath them to tremble slightly.
Baryon turned around.
"Come on, Raze."
The Ravager raised its head.
Its crimson eyes rested on Baryon for a moment before it continued forward.
Poseidon watched the exchange.
"You know, I'm still surprised it actually listens to you."
Baryon smiled.
"I told you. We're friends."
"Friends?"
Poseidon looked at the enormous beast.
"That thing?"
Raze's head slowly turned toward him.
Poseidon froze.
"...I meant that respectfully."
Lucien laughed.
Baryon burst out laughing.
Poseidon looked at both of them.
"You two are becoming annoying."
"Becoming?"
Lucien smiled.
"You mean we've already succeeded."
Poseidon stared at him.
Then, despite himself, a small smile appeared.
Baryon immediately noticed.
"You smiled."
"I did not."
"You did."
"No."
"Lucien."
"I saw it."
Poseidon sighed.
"Traitors."
The four continued walking.
The temple was considerably different from the forest they had just returned from.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Warm golden light poured through enormous crystal windows.
Gods from countless pantheons walked through the corridors.
Some spoke quietly.
Others laughed.
Divine children ran past them.
Fairies flew through the air carrying small objects.
A pair of elves argued over something that Baryon couldn't hear.
Far above them, an enormous dragon passed through the open ceiling before disappearing beyond the clouds.
Baryon stopped walking.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa."
Lucien stopped beside him.
"What?"
"Look."
Lucien followed his gaze.
"A dragon."
"I know!"
Baryon practically bounced on his feet.
"That's an actual dragon!"
Poseidon folded his arms.
"Yes."
"You don't sound impressed."
"I've seen dragons before."
Baryon turned toward him.
"You've seen dragons?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
Poseidon thought.
"Several."
Baryon stared at him.
"You're boring."
Poseidon raised an eyebrow.
"I'm boring?"
"Extremely."
Lucien laughed.
Poseidon shook his head.
"You've known me for barely any time."
"And I've already figured you out."
"Oh?"
Baryon grinned.
"You're secretly fun."
Poseidon stared at him.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Raze released a low rumble.
Baryon pointed toward him.
"See? Raze agrees."
Poseidon looked at the Ravager.
"I don't think that's what he said."
Baryon shrugged.
"I'm choosing to interpret it that way."
Lucien laughed again.
The four continued down the corridor.
None of them noticed several gods watching them.
A few whispered among themselves.
The sight was unusual.
A child with crimson-gold hair.
A blonde boy with crimson eyes.
A blue-haired child surrounded by faint traces of water.
And an enormous BloodScaled Ravager walking calmly behind them.
They looked like they shouldn't have belonged together.
Yet somehow...
They did.
Baryon eventually found himself in one of the temple's gardens.
He stopped immediately.
"Whoa."
Lucien looked around.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Baryon stepped forward.
The garden was enormous.
Flowers grew in impossible colors.
Some floated in the air.
Others emitted soft lights.
Small streams of crystal-clear water flowed between the trees.
Tiny fairies flew between the branches.
A large tree stood in the center of the garden, its leaves shimmering like emeralds beneath the sunlight.
Baryon walked toward it.
"This place is beautiful."
Lucien nodded.
"It is."
Poseidon looked toward the stream.
"There is water everywhere."
Baryon glanced at him.
"You sound happy."
Poseidon paused.
Then looked away.
"I like water."
"I know."
Baryon smiled.
"You've mentioned it approximately fifty times."
Poseidon frowned.
"I have not."
Lucien nodded.
"You have."
Poseidon looked betrayed.
"You're supposed to be on my side."
Lucien shrugged.
(A/N can I get comments please, I don't get any comments, or encouragement from you guys)
"I've changed sides."
Baryon laughed.
Raze walked past them and settled beneath the large tree.
His enormous body curled around itself.
Baryon noticed the creature's injured shoulder.
He immediately became serious.
"Raze."
The Ravager opened one eye.
Baryon walked over and crouched beside him.
"Does it still hurt?"
Raze stared at him.
Baryon carefully placed his hand against one of the creature's scales.
The scale was warm.
He could feel the creature's energy beneath it.
Slow.
Powerful.
Ancient.
Baryon frowned.
"You should rest."
Raze released a low rumble.
"I know you're strong."
Another rumble.
"But being strong doesn't mean you can't rest."
The Ravager lowered its head.
Its massive snout came to rest beside Baryon.
Baryon smiled.
"Good."
Lucien watched quietly.
Poseidon stood beside him.
"He really cares about that thing."
Lucien nodded.
"Yes."
Poseidon glanced toward Baryon.
"I didn't expect that."
"Neither did I."
Baryon suddenly looked back.
"What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing."
"You're definitely whispering about me."
Lucien smiled.
"Perhaps."
Baryon narrowed his eyes.
"Suspicious."
Poseidon sat beside the tree.
"Come sit down."
Baryon blinked.
"You're inviting me?"
"No."
Baryon immediately sat beside him.
Poseidon stared.
"I said no."
"You said sit down."
"I said it sarcastically."
"I don't understand sarcasm."
"You clearly do."
"Thank you."
Poseidon shook his head.
Lucien sat down beside them.
For a while, none of them spoke.
The garden was peaceful.
A gentle breeze moved through the trees.
The sound of flowing water filled the silence.
Raze rested nearby.
Baryon looked at the three of them.
Something strange happened.
He felt comfortable.
Not powerful.
Not excited.
Not curious.
Just...
Comfortable.
He leaned backward and looked toward the sky.
"This is nice."
Lucien nodded.
"Yeah."
Poseidon looked at the stream.
"It is."
Baryon smiled.
Then he closed his eyes.
For several minutes, they simply sat there.
No fighting.
No arguing.
No danger.
Just four beings sharing the same quiet moment.
Eventually Baryon opened one eye.
"I'm hungry."
Poseidon immediately sighed.
"Of course you are."
Lucien stood.
"Let's find something to eat."
Baryon jumped up.
"Yes!"
Poseidon looked at him.
"You were asleep two minutes ago."
"I was resting."
"You were snoring."
"I don't snore."
Lucien smiled.
"You did."
Baryon pointed at him.
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Raze lifted his head.
Baryon stared at him.
"Don't you dare."
Raze released a low rumble.
Poseidon smiled.
"He agrees."
Baryon looked betrayed.
"Raze!"
The Ravager lowered his head again.
Baryon stared at him.
"You've changed."
Lucien laughed.
Poseidon laughed.
And after a moment...
Baryon laughed too.
They eventually found a large dining hall.
Baryon stared at the amount of food.
His eyes became enormous.
"Is all of that edible?"
Lucien looked around.
"Probably."
"Probably?"
Poseidon sat down.
"Don't eat anything glowing."
Baryon stopped.
"...Why?"
"Because it's glowing."
"That's not a reason."
"It is in the divine realm."
Baryon looked at a glowing blue fruit.
Then at Poseidon.
Then back at the fruit.
He slowly reached for it.
Poseidon slapped his hand away.
"No."
"Ow!"
"You'll survive."
Baryon rubbed his hand.
"You're mean."
"You're reckless."
"I'm curious."
"You're reckless."
"I'm adventurous."
"You're reckless."
Baryon crossed his arms.
"You're repetitive."
Lucien laughed.
Then he picked up an ordinary-looking fruit and handed it to Baryon.
"Try this."
Baryon took a bite.
His eyes widened.
"That's good."
Lucien smiled.
"I know."
Baryon took another bite.
Then another.
Soon the entire fruit was gone.
He looked at Lucien.
"More."
Lucien laughed.
"Fine."
He handed him another.
Poseidon watched.
"You realize you've just encouraged him."
Lucien shrugged.
"He's hungry."
Baryon smiled.
"I like Lucien."
Poseidon looked at him.
"You didn't like me?"
Baryon stared.
Poseidon immediately realized what he'd said.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
Baryon's grin slowly grew.
"You want me to like you?"
Poseidon looked away.
"I didn't say that."
"You basically did."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Baryon laughed.
"You're funny."
Poseidon sighed.
"Just eat."
Baryon happily continued.
Raze eventually entered the dining hall.
The moment he did, conversations stopped.
Several gods stared.
One servant nearly dropped a tray.
Raze looked around.
Baryon waved.
"Come here."
The enormous creature approached.
Baryon pointed at an empty space beside him.
"Sit."
Raze sat.
The floor shook.
Baryon smiled.
"Good."
Poseidon stared at the creature.
"You brought him into the dining hall?"
"Why not?"
"Because he's enormous."
Baryon looked at Raze.
Then at Poseidon.
"He fits."
Poseidon looked at the enormous creature occupying enough space for six people.
"...Barely."
Lucien laughed.
Baryon reached toward a piece of meat and held it out.
Raze sniffed it.
Then gently took it from Baryon's hand.
Baryon's face lit up.
"See?"
Poseidon smiled.
"What?"
"He's polite."
Lucien nodded.
"He is."
Raze looked toward Poseidon.
Poseidon slowly held out a piece of meat.
The creature sniffed it.
Then took it.
Poseidon smiled.
Baryon immediately pointed.
"You like him."
Poseidon froze.
"I was feeding him."
"You like him."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Lucien laughed.
Poseidon looked at Raze.
The Ravager calmly ate the meat.
Poseidon sighed.
"...Maybe a little."
Baryon smiled.
"That's progress."
As the evening approached, the four returned to the garden.
Baryon walked between Lucien and Poseidon.
Raze followed behind.
The sunset over the divine realm was breathtaking.
The sky was filled with gold, crimson, violet, and deep blue.
Floating islands drifted across the horizon.
Distant temples glowed.
The sounds of divine life slowly faded into peaceful evening music.
Baryon stopped.
"Guys."
Lucien looked at him.
"What?"
Baryon looked toward the horizon.
"I think..."
He smiled.
"...I really like it here."
Poseidon stood beside him.
"Me too."
Lucien nodded.
"Same."
Baryon looked at them.
"Then we should stay together."
Poseidon looked at him.
"We're already together."
Baryon smiled.
"Yeah."
He looked toward Raze.
The Ravager's enormous head lowered beside him.
Baryon placed a hand against it.
"You too."
Raze released a quiet rumble.
Lucien smiled.
Poseidon looked away, but there was a small smile on his face.
Four strangers.
Four completely different lives.
And yet, without realizing it, they had begun becoming something more.
Not brothers by blood.
Not friends because of some grand prophecy.
Simply four people who had found themselves together...
and decided they liked it that way.
Baryon looked toward the setting sun.
For the first time since waking in this strange universe, the thought of his old life didn't bring only pain.
He still remembered his children.
He still intended to find them.
That would never change.
But tonight, he allowed himself to be happy.
Because happiness didn't mean forgetting them.
It meant having something worth fighting for.
Baryon smiled.
"Tomorrow, let's explore the temple."
Lucien nodded.
"I'm in."
Poseidon sighed.
"Fine."
Baryon looked at Raze.
"And you?"
Raze lowered his head until his enormous snout touched Baryon's shoulder.
Baryon laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
The four remained beneath the setting sun.
No battles.
No gods demanding anything from them.
No mysteries.
No destiny.
Just laughter, food, friendship, and the beginning of a bond that would eventually become impossible to break.
And somewhere deep within the Temple of a Thousand Gods...
the future of the multiverse had just begun enjoying its childhood.