Will of the Divines (A God Civ Quest)

Whatever Horatlok is trying to do to the Humans, you need to stop it. Above all else. You just can't do so by smacking it's true self out of it's vessel, however. For no matter how much you actually want to intervene, the God is always staying too near the Humans for you to battle it directly.

Which could only meant, you must beat it by purely using the power of your own Will.

Thus, you divert the majority of your attention toward the Humans, only leaving the bare minimum of your focus towards continuing your mental struggle with Horatlok for the control over the Blacktips.

Just when you are about to do so, however, you felt it happen.


The death of Humans.

In your Sea.

All under the jaws of Your Sharks.

And from what you are able to tell, there are Three Humans who seems to had just died.

The first was a female Human. Too distracted by the sharks behind her, she was too late to notice the one which came at her from her side. That particular shark then manages to take a hold of her arm before swiftly using it to drag her off toward the dark suffocating depths of it's home. Where she was just too helpless againts it.

She died moments before she drowns.

The second was an old male Human. Alone and isolated at the very back far from everyone else, he simply got himself overwhelmed by multiple different Sharks which keeps on biting him one after another. Inflicting painful injuries after painful injuries upon his much larger form.

He died long after he suffered agony.

And the last was the male Human who had warned the one named Kizu. The Shark the female Human had half blinded seems to haven't given up on it's desire for a meal. Rather than attacking the dangerous one who had severely impaired it, however, it much prefer attacking the one who had warned her about it. Ripping off his entire head right in front of Kizu's shocked gaze.

He died near instantaneously.

They all had just been killed mere moments from each other, and from directly within your very own domain no less.

A great atrocity, and even more than that. All three of their deaths, you can feel each and every single one of them. All of which ends with a large deluge of their life substance spilling directly into your now murky water. Turning a small part of your Sea crimson red with their rapidly spreading blood.

Thus, moments later, along with the dismayed shriek of Kizu, your rumbling waves Roared Out furiously in the Dark.

You were about to OBLITERATE the Thief who is responsible for the grievous SINS that had just took place within your very own Sea, anything else be Damned, but what happened next stopped you.

The Humans have stopped fleeing.

What? You internally uttered. Confused about the decision the Humans are making by turning around to face their pursuer. Further endangering themselves by not continuing their escape, but standing around waving and hollering at the Sharks as if to provoke them instead. With Kizu being the loudest of them all.

That is, until you noticed how it wasn't a decision which they themselves had even made.

Just like what it did with your Sharks, Horatlok seems to have influenced the Humans to be feeling far more bloodthirsty than what you thought was normal for them. There are even faint Red shimmers all around their heads which you could clearly see sticking tightly to them like a layer of oil.

Those are most likely the reason as to why your group of Humans seems to have suddenly forgotton about their sense of self preservation out of seemingly nowhere.

Fortunately for them, however, you are quick to notice this. And unlike with the Sharks, the Thief hadn't had too much time to sink it's teeth quite as deeply into your Humans.

And after considering the much lesser numbers of the Humans which are currently being affected... you think you should be able to free them all at once instead of only some of them at the time like what you are trying to do with the Sharks.

An idea which you then immediately try to put into motion with all due haste. Using the full might of your Divine Will, you quickly send a stream of vibrant Blue energy toward all of your affected Humans. Pushing your desire and intentions through it that will surely be able to overpower Horatlok's influence that is currently flowing jubilantly within their small, fragile beings. It is not safe here. You must hurry and continue on your escape towards dry land, Humans. You quickly ordered them mentally.

Only for the Humans to not even react.

...Do not be foolish, Humans. In the water where your movements are all being impeded, some of you Land Walkers would surely die againts the creatures of the Sea who had gained the experience of swimming from the very moment of their birth. For the safety of your lives, RUN! You once again ordered the group of Humans. Now with a much urgent tone.

Again however, your Will doesn't seem to have any kind of effect on them. Despite your power enveloping them completely from head to toe, the Humans act as if you haven't done anything to their Beings at all. Something which bewilders you greatly. What is the meaning of this?

For a moment, you thought Horatlok's Will was just beating yours so fast to the point you weren't even able to notice it happening. However, you felt like that possibility was just too unlikely to be true.

If not that, then what in the World is happening? You began to worriedly thought, before being interrupted by Horatlok.

Hahaha! What's wrong, Neptcys? You seems to be stuck on something there! Asked the God who you are feeling the most infuriated by at the moment. Giving you the focus you needed to shift your attention towards.

Horatlok. You said contemptuously towards the God possessed Shark before continuing. Was this your doing? You accused. Watching with a barely restrained fury at how it proceed to answer you with a wide smirk using the maw of your stolen creature. Obviously mocking you.

Oh, and what did ya even mean by that?

Don't you dare fool me, Thief. The Humans somehow weren't even able to perceive me. You must be the reason as to why.

But I hadn't done anything differently though~?

Lies and trickery.

Lies and-!? PUHAHAHA!! It's response, however, was to begin laughing at you with most glee. Seemingly to have found some measurement of joy in the answer which you had just given it.

But I really really hadn't! How should I know whatever is gotting you in such a bind? I don't know, and I honestly don't care Neptcys. It said to you very dismissively. Showing you exactly what it feels about you. As long as it keeps on making things harder for you, and not me, then I don't have any tuna with it whatsoever. HA! Have fun trying to take these Humans from me now, Lesser God.

Hearing that, you stayed silent. Much preferring to instead increase the level of focus that you had in trying to find any kind of opening into your now perplexingly hard to reach Humans. Pouring more and more of your Divine Will into the surrounding water to the point where it became a veritable SEA of it's own.

Something which Horatlok seems to view as a challenge for some reason. Oh? OH! You wanna go? You really want to GO?! Even after witnessing the true extend of my power!? It asked you with much enthusiasm. One you are unwillingly also began to feel as the God is starting to flood the area surrounding it with it's own infectious energy, before soon proceeding to grin at you with a great amount of Excitement. Then bring it on you overbloated spout!

SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT NEPTCYS!!

DO NOT STAND IN MY WAY HORATLOK!!

Both of your powers then clashed directly inside the raging water of your domain. Each pushing at the other back and forth, back and forth, over and over again like a demented tide that can't decide where it actually wanted to go. With the conflict between you soon becoming intense enough to the point where they manifested as REAL LIGHT inside of the World instead of mere facsimile they actually are. Illuminating your Sea in a twisters of Blue and Red with seemingly no definite source.

Neither the Humans nor the Sharks seems to put any mind to the sudden phenomenon that is surrounding them, however. Their thoughts apparantly being far too preoccupied with each other for any of them to even notice the grand spectacle.

Something which you maybe need to emulate for a little bit, for there is indeed a far more pressing issue for you to be concerned with over the reactions of Humans.

Damn it. You thought to yourself with a little bit of frustration. Feeling many small part of yourself that is currently inside the bodies of the sharks be suddenly ravaged into nothingness and your connection to them gone like a wave of fleeting foam. Leaving you helpless but to watch as your Presence inside of the Blacktips are being overtaken by your adversary.


As you are trying to futilely throw your power at the Humans again and again, Horatlok had savagely taken advantage of your struggle and had actually managed to stole back even more Sharks from you before immediately influencing them to begin their next all out attack againts the Humans. With almost the full might of their entire hunting school behind them, the sharks are now swimming roughly around four times the number of their feisty prey.

Headed by the ones that were just freshly taken off from your care, the now emboldened school of Sharks then charge directly forward at fast speed with all of their mouths thrust wide open. Trusting their tried and proved hunting methods of brutally tearing apart anything that got caught by their many rows of sharp looking teeth. Ready and eager to devour their troublesome meal which have finally decided to stop getting away from them.

The Humans, however, decided they wouldn't let themselves just perish quite that easily.

Strengthen by their lust for revenge, the Humans stood firm together and welcomed the Sharks assaulting them with a surprising level of ferocity. Leaded by Kizu, every single one them matched her aggression by grabbing onto the side, and even mounting on top of their foe before viciously attacking them with everything that they got. A punch into the nose, a scratch into the eyes, and even a bite into the fins. All of that and more were all done with suicidal abandon which you honestly didn't expect coming from the group of Humans. Nothing else seems to even matter for them as long as they can make their enemy feel some degree of pain.

The most worrisome thing about this, however, is how you are able to see how there are some Humans who wore manic wide smiles on their faces. Their expression undoubtedly ecstatic, even when the blood that is being poured comes from their side.

Eventually, however, the fighting calmed down, and the Sharks swam away in retreat.

For the moment.


Kizu and the rest had fought well. Despite being as outnumbered as they are. It was just very unlikely for them, nor the sharks, to actually come out of that fierce battle entirely unscathed.

Neither side seems to haven't been spared from a lack of injuries. And while the sharks had lost six of their kind from the short but brutal exchange, the Humans looked like they had only lost two.

A small number for the Humans.

That is, until you realize how the Humans only have a little more than a dozen of them in the water when all of this had began.

Most of the Humans are actually still staying on Land. Standing nervously in obvious fear and worry at the unnatural lightshow which could clearly be seen happening inside of your Sea.

You can't just focus on those Humans for too long, however. For you are still trying to make Kizu and the rest of the Humans that is with her to see some semblance of reason in what they are doing.

And with the Sharks currently backing away from them to gain some moments of respite, it creates the perfect opportunity for you to try on imposing your Divine Will upon your group of Humans once more. If a mental wave alone doesn't work...

Despite breathing quite heavily, Kizu doesn't seems to look anywhere close from being defeated. Her body is shivering from the cold and the exhaustion, but after taking one more deep breath, she still has some strength left in her to let out a loud yell full of determination. Problably with the intent of encouraging the rest to keep on fighting alongside her. Before she was able to finish, however...

Then what about an Actual wave instead?

A large quantity of water then abruptly falls on top of her suicidal head. Immediately breaking apart both her balance and her sense of concentration. Making her tumble and unwillingly swallow in gulps of sea water deep into her Being. Something which is also happening to the rest of her group.

And along with the water, also comes You.

For you are the God who ruled over the Sea. If only using your Will alone wasn't enough, then you only need to extend part of the very World itself to Force your bidding into reality.


And from the feeling that you have of your Will breaching in and pass what you are currently suspecting was the Humans strange non-physical membranes which seems to has been strengthen, and along with Horatlok's surprised yelp at your Presence sudden close proximity to it's own, you now know for sure how you had actually succeeded this time around.

Hey! What are you- Angrily demanded Horatlok through the connection. You however, don't really have any more patience left to engage in a prattle with him.

KIZU! Wasting no time, you shouted out your Presence towards the female Human while also using the very Name you know she has. Doing the very same thing to the rest of the Humans should any Name of theirs you happen to know as well.

And then, to your immediate satisfaction, she responded. W-Wha? What is this? Who are you?

What a small presence. Is what you thought as you heard her and the other Humans voice mentally for the very first time. They are small. So very small. You almost worry you would accidentally crush them unless you are being very careful.

But marveling at the Presence of their minds wasn't the reason as to why you had decided to connect yourself to them in this kind of manner. Listen to me, Kizu. I am <Neptcys>. God of the Sea. The God who ruled over the large expanse of water you and your fellow kind are currently swimming in.

God Neptcys!? Is what she then said to you with a surprised tone that is tinged with a little bit of disbelief. Inside of her, there are also many other emotions which you could easily sense floating about aimlessly. Even though a single Pleasant emotion in particular is what taking most of your attention at first, her rising level of anger is quickly overtaking it in priority. G-God Neptcys, was this your doing? Did-Did we do something to displease you? Did Zaza die to-

No, it is not. You swiftly assured, before quickly explaining the situation further for her to understand better. The God who ruled over Excitement had stolen some of my creatures away from me, and is now using them to attack you Humans all in order to fulfill some kind of goal. I am currently in the middle of stopping it before it can do any further harm to all of you.

Oh. I-I knew it! I knew you definitely wouldn't- . T-Then, if that was the case my God, then please allow me to-

That is why, I need you and the rest of you Humans to quickly make your way to Land. It is currently way too dangerous for any of you to be staying inside of my Sea, and I can't accept even the idea of any of you getting hurt while directly under my protection.

B-But, Zaza! That thing killed Zaza! I just can't ran away now without doing anything!

That's right! Suddenly said Horatlok. Annoyingly interrupting your conversation with Kizu. Those creatures had killed many of your friends and families. Surely you wouldn't just leave without giving them any of your just retribution, RIGHT!?

Then, to your horror, you can feel how Horatlok's Will was able to smoothly integrate and direct Kizu's mind seemingly without a hint of effort, much unlike what you had just did with your own Will. T-That's right. I definitely can't just leave. Not like this. I can't just let it get away like this. I need to kill that thing. For Zaza, I need to Kill that THING. I need to KILL it now now now Now NO-

LOOK AROUND YOU, KIZU!! You immediately shouted at her in a hurry. And upon her doing so after being startled by your voice, you continued. Look at all of your kind. Aren't they your comrades? Your family? Don't they mean anything to you? Do you really want to risk them dying all in pursuit of your desire?

B-But I...

But you WANT it really really badly. You can feel how your blood is just BOILING at the thought of completely blinding that creature who killed ZAZA. Of making it draw it's last LOATHSOME breath. They had also killed more than just Zaza. So the others would definitely be WITH you on this! There's no NEED for you to HESITATE. YOU NEED TO BE HELPING EVERYONE INTO GETTING THE REVENGE YOU ALL REALLY DESERVES!

Yes... I Want it. I want it so so badly. I feel like everything is just boiling inside of me. For Zaza... that Loathsome Thing needs to die. Everyone will be with me on this, so There's No Need for me to Hesitate, I need to be helping everyone into getting the revenge we all really deserve...

You almost couldn't even believe the situation which you are currently witnessing. Just how did Horatlok are able to manipulate the Human's thoughts with such ease using it's Will? Was it because of it's nature as the God of Excitement?

You then thought you heard Horatlok smugly gloats at you in triumph, but you were too busy thinking about how are you going wake up Kizu and the rest of your Humans from it's influence for you to actually form a reply.

Soon enough, however. You think you know just the way to make her snap out of it.

Kizu. You once again called out to her, and immediately upon feeling her attention, you began. Who was Zaza for you?

Zaza... Zaza was my only friend. My only one after so long... after everything. That is why, I need to-

And losing him felt terrible, right? The worst ever thing you had ever felt in your whole life?

Where are you going with this?

Yes... that is why, I NEED TO-

Do you want somebody else to also feel the the very same way as you? Not the ones fighting with you, but their family and friends that is currently on Land.

...Eh? / What?

They do have them, right? Family and friends of their own? If you were to lead them to their own demise, do you want those family and friends of theirs to also feel the exact way you do? Feel the despair and the loneliness which you are currently experiencing?

....

What do you say, Kizu?


...no. No, I don't want them to.

Wait, WHAT!?

Feeling joy in your being after hearing Kizu's reply, you asked her one more question. Then what do you think you should do now?

After that, Kizu needed no more encouragement. In an instant, she turned herself around and recontinued her waddling escape through the powerful waves of your sea. "To land! To land! Hurry! Now! Now! Now!" She loudly shouted. Setting an example for others of her kind which you similarly had just convinced albeit with a much lesser difficulty.

Nononono- wait, Wait, WAIT! You can't leave just like that! Hey, don't ignore me! Come back here all of you! HEEEEY!! Yelled the Horatlok Shark in clear panic towards the retreating group of Humans. Desperately trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation. Something which you can't help but to comment on with mirth.

Resorting to begging now, Thief? Pitiful.

Oh shut up you! This isn't over yet. They still have some ways left before the sharks wouldn't be able to catch them anymore!


Unfortunately for Horatlok, however, this entire debacle, is infact, already over.

It tried. Oh how Horatlok desperately tried. The Sharks it sends after the Humans chases them with a fervor barely bordering on outright madness. Their heightened bloodlust has well and truly passed their natural peak. Reaching to the point where they are even smashing each other away all in order to quickly converge on a single Human who is located at the very far back. Leaving nothing left out of the man within mere moments.

And yet, that lone Human was the very last one to die in Kizu's escape.

"Hah... Hah.... Hah... all fine?" Asked Kizu as she lets out breath after heavier breath. Helped by the Humans who had stayed back on Land who is now joyous upon seeing their return, she watches as how most of those who had been with her had safely reached and climbed over, with similar help, the short ledge dividing your Sea with Land. A relieved smile on her face.

You yourself are currently feeling particularly well pleased. Horatlok's rash decision had allowed you to take all of your stolen marine beast back from him. Some of them might have died, but the rest should guarantee the births of new ones to fill up the numbers in short amount of ti-

"GRAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"

Suddenly, the Shark/the God screamed/roared out loudly in pain/anger. You turn your attention towards it/him, and see how it's/his flesh is bubbling, contorting, and changing violently at a staggering pace.

You can hear through the water the sounds of bones cracking and snapping in places, see how the muscles and the sinews of old are rapidly being shred and torn before being expanded and rebuild upon into something new just as quickly, and clearly feel the sensations of Horatlok's PRESENCE pushing down it's host own deeper than what you can easily perceive. Shortly in what is basically no time at all, what was once a mere beast from the sea had tranformed into something that is definitively More.

"EVEN AFTER GRACING THE CORE OF YOUR BEINGS WITH MY PRESENCE, YOU DARE REJECTING ME!? ME!!? REJECTING HORATLOK!!!?" Demanded the God who ruled over the realized concept of Excitement. His new form is big, far larger than any Human or Blacktip, almost as big as you. He had abandoned his host original shade and instead has adapted the colour of brilliant red to his now strangely humanoid body. The sleek shape betraying the obvious strength which hides beneath the newly created scales. He still keeps the shark's original head, but it is basically impossible to mistake his look as anything else but one of absolute FURY. "UNFORGIVEABLE!! UNACCEPTABLE!!! ALL OF YOU WILL REGRE-"

"ENOUGH!!"

Just when it looks like Horatlok was trying to jump towards the group of terrified Humans, you materialized yourself over the waters in front him with a loud splash. Looming over the angered God, you said nothing else as your form conveyed every liter of your intentions perfectly to him.

Seeing you ready for a real confrontation, Horatlok hesitated. He looks between you and the Humans behind you. Weighing down his options, before....

SPLASH!!

The God then promptly diving himself below the surface of your sea.

More of a coward than Thanoigea then. Is what you thought as you sensed the fleeing God's form that is quickly getting farther and farther away. Relaxing slightly. The sounds of rejoice coming from the Humans also soothes the rage which you felt from some of their deaths. If only for a little bit.

Regardless of what you are feeling, however. The situation has undoubtedly been resolved with Horatlok's swift exit. It is up to you now to decide what is going to happen next.

Event: The Bold Newcomer Complete

Result:
-Obtained one directionless Unit (School of Blacktip Sharks)
-Kekala Human Tribe Favorability Increased
-New Actions Unlocked
-New Enemy Info Unlocked (Horatlok, God of Excitement)
-Obtained (+8) Divine Charge
-Obtained 140 Faith
-Loss 50 Faith

What Are You Going To Do?
[ ] This Is Not Over: You are going to chase after Horatlok. Did he really think he can just come in, kill your humans, and leave free of any consequences? He better think again.

-[ ] Attack Him: You will not give Horatlok any chance of doing this again. He shall die.

• DC: Opposed Martial Roll
• Cost: 25 Faith
• Result: Start the Mini-Event (Vs Horatlok, The God of Excitement)

-[ ] Follow Him: Your range of detection should be much wider than Horatlok. As long as you are careful, it should be possible for you to find out where your fellow God will be staying at for any future preparation.

• DC: Opposed Intrigue Roll
• Cost: 35 Faith
• Result: Knowledge on Horatlok's Destination and likely Lair

-[ ] Write-In

• DC: Vary
• Cost: Vary
• Result: Vary

[ ] Human After Care: Your... followers? Has gone through quite a lot with an attack this closely on their lair. Many had stand terrified not knowing what in the World is happening, some had fought for the continuation of their lives, and few had even died despite the best of your efforts. Maybe you should spent some time into looking after what you could do for them before leaving.

-[ ] A Feast Given: From your observation, giving more food to living beings like the Humans will never cause anything bad. Gather up the carcasses left by the dead Sharks, and some fresh fish to complete it all before stranding them ashore beside the Humans. They would surely like that.

• DC: 20 Stewardship
• Cost: 10 Faith
• Result: Negligible Increase in Belief coming from Humans in Craggy Coast Area + Momentary Increase in Food Supply for Humans in Craggy Coast Area

-[ ] Chance Of Strength: You had seen from up close what Horatlok had done to Kizu and the rest of her group. With some work, you should be able to mimic the process, but the connection you had with them seems to be deteriorating the longer they are out of your Sea. You need to adapt and improvise on the go, but maybe you will be able to give the survivors a much better and more purposeful improvement upon their Beings than what they had gotten with their last time.

• DC: 70 Miracle
• Cost: 40 Faith
• Result: Minor Increase in Belief coming from Humans in Craggy Coast Area + ?

-[ ] Write-In:

• DC: Vary
• Cost: Vary
• Result: Vary

[ ] Time To Rest: Horatlok is gone, and the Humans are safe. There's nothing left for you to do here. Time to leave.

• DC: None
• Cost: None
• Result: Event (The Bold Newcomer) End

Then there's the matter of what you're going to do with the sharks you had (re)taken.

Blacktip Sharks Future
[ ] Wild and Free: Nothing. They are not under Horatlok's control anymore, and that is enough for you. You will release them back into your Sea to do whatever they saw fit for themselves.

• DC: None
• Cost: None
• Result: Gained Resource (Blacktip Shark)

[ ] Guards and Companions: They are a little bit mundane. But they are still many and can fight much better in the water than any Humans. Have them be your lookouts for any danger coming from the sea. Anything which seeks to harm your followers shall need to first get pass the aquatic predators deadly and hungry vigil.

• DC: None
• Cost: Increase on Food Requirement in Craggy Coast Area
• Result: Increased DC on Attacking the Humans Actions coming from the sea.

[ ] Soldiers and Servants: You could also have them work far more closely with you. They are unlikely to be very useful for something big and serious, but leaving them to deal with issues that is too small and delicate for you does sound very pleasing.

• DC: None
• Cost: 10 Faith Per Turn
• Result: Gained Retinue (Blacktip Sharks)

[ ] Absorption and Integration: Although... there is this feeling which you had.... something is telling you how it should be possibly for you to... let the sharks in to yourself and turn them into part of you. Whatever that actually means.

• DC: 55 Miracle
• Cost: 20 Faith + School of Blacktip Sharks
• Result: ?

[ ] Write-In

• DC: Vary
• Cost: Vary
• Result: Vary

He is heading further out into the Sea. You mentally observed. Watching with close attention at how quickly Horatlok is moving through the waves in an attempt to get as far away from you as possible. A sight which filled you with nothing but fury.

The mere idea of Horatlok leaving just like that is simply not something which you would tolerate. Not after what he had done.

Thus, you allowed yourself a momentary glance toward the Humans behind you. Their sounds of cheer reminding you of a similar occurring situation which had just happened not too long ago with another one of your fellow God. Something which create a passing thought within the depths of your mind even as you prepare yourself to depart away from them once more.

These Humans just keeps on getting hunted by those they are simply too weak and helpless againts, don't they? Is what you mentally thought even as you turn yourself into a large blistering wave which burst into the sea in the direction of the fleeing God. Intent on crushing the new threat which had just endangered the lives of your Humans, and even managed to kill a few.

You repeatedly crashed yourself againts the naturally occurring currents of your sea. Leaving behind you a path made of rapidly dissolving foam after each resounding BOOM your loud passage is causing. Without me, they would surely have all died by now. Is what your thoughts had eventually all spiralled down into even as you are finally closing in on your target.

Idly, you noticed how the stolen shark body seemed to had shrunk down quite considerably. It's only around three times the size of an average Human now, instead of a few dozen like it was previously. Why? For making it easier to move much faster perhaps?

Finally noticing your definitely not so subtle approach, however, the God of Excitement then made an annoyed sounding shrill towards you. Making you abandon your current line of thought in favor of listening to what he had to say. "Really? Really? Don't you have anything better to do, Neptcys? Like, I don't know, looking after the Humans which you had just strongly defended?" Snidely asked Horatlok even as he immediately sped up the pace of his swimming. Now moving much faster than before.

"If you think I would just let you leave after you had killed a number of my Humans, then you are deeply mistaken, Thief!" You shouted at him with obvious vengeance deep inside of your voice. Trying your best to not get left behind by Horatlok.

"Oh, come on! Only a few of them had died, weren't they? Weak ones too. You still have a lot of them Humans walking around!"

"Only a few!?" You said with clear outrage, and in response, you promptly send your sharks forward in front of you and empower them with the strength of your Divine Might. Making them appear in and out of your advancing waves like sinister phantoms eager for even a shred of flesh. "Even if they are weak and few, that still doesn't give you any permission to kill them, Horatlok!"

"Permiss- whoah!?" Said your fellow God even as he narrowly dodged your attack. And after sending a quick glare your way, Horatlok continued. "And from whom might I get any permission from? You? Don't make me laugh. From what I see, before my test, you haven't even made any sort of contact with them! The only thing you did was just sending them a big pile of fish from afar before leaving not long after. That basically says they are free for grabs to me!"

Is that what it really looks like to the onlookers? Is what you thought upon hearing Horatlok's reasoning, even as you kept on sending wave after wave of sharks at the irritatingly fast deity. All of which, he managed to successfully avoid by making random sharp turns a few seconds before they would actually connect with the shark's massively altered body. Maybe I really should consider meeting with the Humans face to face soon. Even if it's only to show to any other Gods about how those Humans were all belonging to me. You continued on to think inside of your own mind. Before spotting an island filled with some sort of vegetation quickly emerging in the distance.



Also noticing the small piece of land mass, Horatlok made a swim directly towards it, and upon arriving, he wastes no time in getting on it and running awkwardly into the available thicket near the edge of it's coast. Where he would then began to quickly smash and topple over all the large sized plant life that is obstructing his way carelessly to the side before soon disappearing completely from your line of sight almost in a single moment.

A single moment too long. Feeling incensed, you made a crash againts the island without even slowing down any of your momentum. Destroying everything in your path even with the terrain hindering you more and more the longer you are there until you are finally able to see the runaway form of the Deity, which is all on the other side of the island. Having apparantly made far too much distance back into the sea while you are busy getting yourself through the small stretch of space made up of your natural enemy.

"STOP RUNNING, THIEF!" Is what you roared out even as you throw yourself back into the cold comforting embrace of the water, soon resuming your chase with Horatlok through the surface of your domain. "COME BACK HERE AND FIGHT ME!!" You continued with a little spike of your Presence.

"Damn! You are relentless." Commented Horatlok with a grin. Sounding well and genuinely surprised at you keeping up with him. "Anything else you can do back there, Neptcys? At this rate, you'll never be able to catch me!"

"Is that so?" You muttered under the spraying sound of the sea. Mentally taking hold of two different points of the surrounding area using the power of your Divine Might before smashing them together right in the center. "Then how about this!?"

Immediately, the Sea churned and quaked in accordance with your desire. And following the guidance of your Will, they swirled together and rose up into a set of two different tidal waves with equally massive heights to their existence. And inside each of them are enough strength to carve out a small bay on Land all on their own.

A set which is fastly converging on the now panicking God of Excitement who is exactly in their middle, right in the center.

Horatlok almost has no time to evade. Frantically, he swerved his course toward the tidal wave on his left. One which he was able to swiftly climb midway through before soon was being forced to jump off from to the air right before they are all able to collapse together into a single huge impact exactly on top where he just was previously.

Even after that, however, the God still needs to jump in and out of the sea multiple times in order to not get dragged in with the rapid currents and vicious waves that was made by the sudden large displacement of water.

A huge effort. Especially considering how you are actively controlling and infusing all of those currents and waves using your power to, if not to force Horatlok into staying in one place, then at least to slow him down enough for you to get near.

An effort which Horatlok seems to be strangely all too happy with to do. Even after you had forced him to. "Hahaha! That. Was. FUN! Come on, come on. Don't tell me that's all you can do, Neptcys!"

"Oh? Eager for more aren't you?" You said with a little drop of annoyance. "It seems like you truly didn't understand-" Reaching forward in the distance, you mentally grabbed as much water as you could from your Sea. Making preparations to shape them into the form you are desiring from them even as you are continuing to speak. "The kind of situation you are in!"

And then, using the full power behind your Divine Will-

You-

Began-

To-

<PULL>

At first, nothing seems to happen. But then, Horatlok seems to saw it.

Coming for him in the direction he was initially going toward was an enormous wave of truly massive proportions. Spanning almost as wide as you can see, and climbing to heights even taller than you, there's practically not a single space left for the Thief to slip his way around it.

"Oh, you gotta be kidding me!" Yelled Horatlok upon probably realizing the kind of predicament he was currently in. Instead of just giving up, however, your fellow God instead surprises you by swimming directly toward the incoming wave, and right before reaching it, he makes a dive straight for the water underneath it.

Exactly where he would be least affected by the wave resulting crash.

Pretty clever, you had to admit.

But it wasn't enough.

BLAAARR!!


It is no where near enough infact. The wave was just too big. Too strong. Too far reaching and too many more you didn't exactly care enough to actually think about. Even with where he had managed to sneak himself into after his last bout of quick thinking, you can still see Horatlok's flailing form in the water. One that is trying it's best to stop being thrown around by the erratic current as quickly as possible.

Making it easy for you to just swim in close, grab his body tightly with a large pair of hands made out of water, before swiftly using them to violently throw Horatlok up to the air. Right to a nearby shallow that is just shy from becoming an actual reef part of your Sea. Where the God you had been chasing then landed with a loud splash in the middle of some stone outcroppings.


"HYAH!!" Aggressively yelled Horatlok as he rose up from below the water's surface. Perplexingly, however, the form which he showed up in wasn't exactly the same as the one he was just using moments before.

Absently, you noticed how there's an additional shark who had just joined in with the rest of your marine predator's.


"Is this your true form?" You wondered outloud even as you approached the angry glowering visage of your adversary. Shrinking down the size of your body to match his even as you pay close attention to his lanky posture, and body that is fully covered with reddish fur. "You barely even look like you belonged in my Sea."

"Oh, shut up you!" Horatlok furiously replied while pointing a clawed finger at you. "If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you get. Bring it on, Neptcys! You damn overbloated spout. Come on here, and fight me!!"

"That's exactly my intention all along." Rising a pair of watery fist, you calmly replied back.

You are about to enter Combat for the very first time in Quest. What kind of Style you would be using in this incoming fight?

You would be using:
[ ] Crush: At first glance, you seem to have a very clear advantage againts Horatlok in terms of size and bulk. Thus, it should be easy for you to just rush in on your opponent and smash him around painfully againts the bottom of the reef. You would defeat your fellow God using overwhelming force.

• Cost: 35 Faith
• Result: Additional Wound

[ ] Build 1: Your sharks wouldn't be able to keep up in the imminent fight. Not without suffering a severe amount of casualties to their number, now that Horatlok seems to be eager with the idea of battling you. Maybe you could do something to change that? Empower them even more than what you are doing now no matter how temporarily?

• Cost: 50 Faith
• Result: Increase to Shark's Bonus Stats with the Miracle DC of 70

[ ] Build 2: You don't want Horatlok to just make a run for it again when you are close to winning, however. There's no telling when you would be able to find him again should he managed to make an escape. A couple of whirlpools placed around the surrounding area would make it difficult for him to flee through the water at the very least.

• Cost: 35 Faith
• Result: Give Malus to Horatlok's Escape Roll with the Miracle DC of 50

[ ] Stall: However, you don't really know what kind of abilities Horatlok would use to fight you in this battle. There's nothing wrong in remaining cautious againts your fellow God, though. Maybe it is better to keep your range for now, and just use long distance waves and empowered sharks to attack.

• Cost: 25 Faith
• Result: High Chance to block Wounds you are going to receive.

[ ] Write-In

• Cost: Vary
• Result: Vary

Combat are the segments of the Quest where two or more opposing groups of Characters will fight each other through dangerous prolonged battle until a clear winner has been decided. Whether it be through admission of defeat or through the depletion of one's entire Health Bar.

A Character would have a varying amount of Health Bar ( [ ] ) that will represent the kind of condition they are in. A Health Bar will usually only take Two (2) Wound unto themselves. But, a Health Bar can also take at most Three (3) Wounds if the attack they are receiving was severe enough, and the state they are in can be identified directly through their appearrance. Those being:

• [ ]: Perfect Health. No Wounds.
• [/]: Minor Injury. 1 Wound. Would naturally Heal in the same Turn.
• [X]:Major Injury. 2 Wound. Would naturally Heal in the following Turn.
• [O]: Debilitating Injury. 3 Wound. This condition can only appear when a Health Bar of a Character reached 2 Wound if the Attacker managed to score a Critical Success while using Crush or inflict more than 3 Wounds all at once during Damage Calculation againts their opponent. The Injured Character would also then lose a Percentage (%) of their Stats depending on the Total Amount of their Health Pool. This Health condition would naturally Heal after multiple Turn.
• [ ]: Status Effect. The Health Bar is under the influence of something, and will continue to be so until a varying amount of time has passed or until a certain amount of conditions has been fulfilled.

In the case where a Character would receive more Wounds after exceeding the 3 Maximum Number of Wounds a Health Bar could handle, the remaining Wounds would be tranfered to the next Healh Bar if there was any.

There can be instances when there are multiple different Characters or Units of Characters fighting on their own inside a single Combat Round. During this instances, when one side managed to damage multiple different sides all at once, then they would all be differentiated as:

• The Primary Target (1): The side who the Attacker gives most of their attention to in order to cause as much damage as possible to them. No modifications during the Damage Calculations.
• The Secondary Target (2 and 3): The side who the Attacker gives only some of their attention towards. During Damage Calculations, they would only receive 1/2 of the Damage they would have taken.
• The Tertiary Target (4 and Beyond): The side who the Attacker barely give any of their attention towards. During Damage Calculations, they would only receive 1/4 of the Damage they would have taken.

Only up to four Notable Characters or four Unit of Nameless Characters would be able to Assist you during Combat. Whether for better or worse. When they are being targeted for attacks by enemies, then the Assisted Character would be the ones fighting in the Combat Rounds. Should they lose, the Assisting Character would still receive injury as a Primary Target while the Assisted Character would be treated as a Secondary Target.

Should the Assisting Characters be attacked, then a number of Dice would be rolled to determine who and how many of them are going to get hit by the Attacking Character.

If the Assisted Character were to be forced out of Combat. Then the Attacking Character would be given a free 1 Round where they will have a Style Advantage againts all of the Assisting Characters. In the situation where all of the Assisting Characters were not a Noteable Character, however, then they will be considered as being defeated immediately.

A Critical Success would only occur in Combat if and only if a Character are able to best their opponent's Roll by double their number.

In Combat, a Character would be given a choice between Three (3) different types of strategies which would be called as Styles.

It is possible for more than one different kind of strategies with the same Style to be given during the voting process depending on the ongoing Combat situation. And if allowed, Write-In strategies could also be used.

The Styles are:

• Crush: Strategies involving being aggressive and relatively straight forward in Combat. If you win while using this Style, then directly apply one wound to your opponent regardless of the Roll Matchups. Example being, trying to do your hardest to drown your opponents by pure force.
• Build: Strategies involving trying to create indirect advantages in Combat. Regardless of whether you win or lose while using this Style, unless your opponent managed to score a Critical Success, you would be given a chance to set various different kinds of beneficial situations based on the capabilities you are possessing. Example being, suddenly changing the properties of the battlefield you are in by flooding the entire place with water.
• Stall: Strategies involving being defensive or evasive in Combat. If you lose while you are using this Style, then add 50% of your Relevant Stat into your Defense in the following Damage Calculations. Example being, looking for opportunities between your opponent's attacks before countering them using a well timed tidal wave.

Each of the Styles has an inherent advantage and disadvantage againts one another when they are paired together, and the Character which used the Super Effective Style againts the other will then be given a 35% Increase to their Roll Result. These Style Matchups are:

• Crush < Build
• Build < Stall
• Stall < Crush

After a strategy has been chosen, the battle sequence would then begun and the Characters will then participate in Three (3) consecutive Roll againts each other in order to inflict as much Wound as possible to the losing group. After which, a chance would be then given to vote for a new strategy to continue the Combat segment.

Escape Option to exit Combat will always be availabe in all three Styles regardless whether they are being presented or not. When picked, then the Character will receive no change if they won the Style Matchups, they will gain -35% Increase to their Roll Result if they're even, or they will gain -70% Increase to their Roll Result if they lose. If the Escaping Character then managed to survive 1 Round, then began the Competition segment if the other group decided to make a chase.

During the Roll Matchups, Damage Calculations would also be executed. It is where the result of your Roll Matchups (Winning Roll - Losing Roll) will need to get past the defense of those they are attacking in order to inflict Damage.

There are specific circumstances when some of the Competition Mechanic would also be applied during Combat Rounds. Such as when a Character is trying to escape into another Area because the current one proves to be disadvantageous to them. They would need to Win at least Two (2) Stage inside One (1) Combat Round in order to Escape.

Between each Round, just like in the Competition Segment of the Quest, a single d100 dice with the DC of 20/80 will also be rolled to determine whether a change of situation that is great enough to effect the ongoing Combat will occur.

Depending on the perspective during the scene when the combat was written, unable to reach the first DC will resulted in a bad situation, passing the second DC will resulted in a good situation, and only passing the first DC without passing the second will resulted in neither good nor bad situation that would happen to the perspective holder. The higher or the lower the roll, the better or the worse the resulting situation would be.

Also, if enough people voted for it, then it is possible to insert a talking topic to the fight in the following Update. Depending on the topic, the Perspective Holder Character will then need to roll a Diplomacy Dice with a varying amount of DC to decide the kind of effect their words will create to the ongoing situation. These effects could range as far as to only giving the readers new information, convincing the opponent to surrender outright, or enrage the opponent enough to the point where they become stronger. You can add a talking topic using ( -[ ] Write-In ) under the voted strategy.

Competition are a segment of the Quest involving two or more group of characters who has decided to battle each other using various different activities outside of direct Combat.

Any Stat could be used in a Competition depending on the situation. Whether it be using Martial Stat for a battle deciding who is faster, Miracle Stat for a battle which only use Divine Wills, or Stewardship Stat for a battle in bureaucracy, and etc.

During a Competition, two different Roles would be given to all participating groups. The roles being given are the Attacker Role and the Defender Role. The Attacker would usually be the aggressor, the person who is less trusted than the other, the one who is the most unfamiliar with the ongoing situation, and etc. The Defender, meanwhile, would be the target, the person who is more trusted than the other, the one who is the most familiar with the ongoing situation, and etc.

During a Competition, Three Opposed Roll of various Stat will be conducted which will then be grouped up into a single Round.

Between each Round, a single d100 dice with the DC of 20/80 will be rolled to determine whether a change of situation that is great enough to effect the ongoing Competition will occur.

Depending on the perspective during the scene was written, unable to reach the first DC will resulted in a bad situation, passing the second DC will resulted in a good situation, and only passing the first DC without passing the second will resulted in neither good nor bad situation that would happen to the perspective holder. The higher or the lower the roll, the better or the worse the resulting situation would be.

Characters would be able to achieve a Critical Success againts their opponents when they are able to best their opponent's Roll by double their amount. When the Characters had done so, a single d2 dice will be rolled which will decide whether a). The winner gain Two (2) Advantage againts their opppents. Or b). the loser sacrificed a single bar of their Health or something equivalent in order to continue the Competition.

Barring any outside interruption, Characters would need to fulfill any of the three following conditions in order to complete the Competition segment. They are:

1. The group who assumed the role of the Defender would need to gain an advantage equal to Three (3) Times above their opponent in order to achieve Victory.
2. The group who assumed the role of the Attacker would need to gain an advantage equal to Two (2) Times above their opponent in order to achieve Victory.
3. If none of the groups are able to achieve either of the previous two conditions up to the maximum of Three Rounds, then Victory would be taken by the Defender.

You had expected many different things from Horatlok immediately after you had already done speaking. From him attacking you soon afterwards with the full might of an angered beast, to him aiming for your sharks who had abandoned him previously, and even to him making a quick feint before trying to run away from you once more.

There are many different things the God in front of you could do to draw a surprise out of you, and you do not particularly enjoy the thought of getting caught by any.

Not if you have anything to say about it.

That is why you had ordered all of the sharks you are commanding to only circle around the surrounding shallows, and to not interfere with the fight. It is not only to keep them safe from harm. But it is also to place them where you would be able to work on them pretty much undisturbed.

Despite of his initial cowardice, your opponent is still a God much like you, and this would only be your second ever fight from the moment you had gained your awareness. You would need to prepare for every single possibilities in this battle and expect even the unexpected if you truly were intent to come out of it on top.

You definitely did not expect for Horatlok to just leap high into the air. Yell at the top of his lungs, before quickly then makes a fall down in an arc towards you with his upper claws raised fully above his head. Seemingly intending to rip your 'face' in while also trying to land himself right on top of you.

No. Not seemingly. That is Indeed what Horatlok is trying to do.

In an instant, you collapsed what you suppose is your 'main body' into streams of water which swiftly spread into the dark churning waves of your Sea. And after blending in with the surrounding currents, you flowed yourself forward for a short distance before turning around after hearing a loud splash coming from the same exact location you had just been in. Seeing how Horatlok had truly crashed himself there.

After reforming yourself back up together, you began to approach Horatlok from behind as silently as you could. Watching with a degree of amusement at how wildly the Thief is slashing upon the lifeless surface of water. Somehow seemingly under the impression you are still there.

Finally reaching him, you pulled a single arm behind your back, palm open and simply said to Horatlok. "You missed." You strike.

"Wha-" Was the only thing your opponent was able to say. For your attack hits true, and with it, Horatlok finds himself painfully acquainted with the bottom of the sea floor. His upper body pressed tightly againts the rocky surface which lays beneath your domain.

You are not done yet however. For before Horatlok could even react, you quickly pulled his body up to the surface and began to rapidly smash him againts the many stone outcroppings that is littering the area. Destroying them one by one using him as your unwilling implement even as you are slowly picking up speed to-

Wait. Where did he go!?

Pulling and reforming yourself up again from the surface of your sea, you instinctively raised the arm which had just moments ago been holding on to the mammalian looking form of your enemy, in a futile effort to see where Horatlok had just disappeared to suddenly. Finding nothing particular with a short glance.

*BYAR*

"GYAAOOOOOKKKK!!?"

Before you could even ponder how, however, you felt a sharp crushing pain on the shoulder looking part of your body. Causing you to let out a deep reverberating howl from the entirety of your mass even as what you now recognized as Horatlok hanging on top of your back just keeps on sinking his fangs deeper and deeper into you.

"Get off of me, Excitement! So that I can crush you to pieces!" You angrily demanded. Feeling your mind slowly slipping away from you in return for the steady increase in agitation you had with your fellow deity.

Not a chance! Said Horatlok mentally in lieu of using his one and only filled mouth. Still holding himself strongly onto you even as you repeatedly shake and twist your body around the shallows. Your sharks following the both of you along from a safe distance should you really need any help. Your work on them being almost done.

You don't, however, need any of their help.

Not yet.

Feeling enough is enough, you rapidly turn yourself inwards and began to spin your body around quickly into a ball of fast rotating water. Causing Horatlok to just simply get himself dragged in with your flow, and thus forcing him to let go the part of you he was just biting in favor of struggling his way out of your cascading grasp.

"Hey- "

*Byur*

"Let-"

*Byor*

"Me-"

*Glukglukgluk*

"GO!"

*BYAR*

After a short while, you threw Horatlok at one of the bigger stone outcroppings that is near your location, before immediately sending in a single tidal wave directly after the seemingly prone form of the deity. One which he was barely able to dodge by rolling his body to the side before making a quick crawl towards the stone's top.

You then tried to sent another wave of water at the God of Excitement, but Horatlok was able to just evade it entirely by jumping to another outcropping that is a little bit far away from you. One which he then continued to stay perched on even as you are slowly making your way closer and closer to him.

While moving, you also began to think. After those exchange of blows, you think you had a pretty close estimate on Horatlok's capabilities in a fight. As well as how hard of a hit could he, and you, are able to take.

Horatlok is slightly stronger than you are.

But defensively, you are way above him.



"Damn you... " Growled Horatlok as he intently watch your approach. Water slowly dripping out of his fastly drying fur. Slightly covering his injured and battered form from your sight. "Don't know how you are able to escape my senses for a moment there. But don't think this will be enough to beat me."

"Good." You confidently said to Horatlok. Earning for yourself a brief look of confusion from him which he soon turned into a hard glare as he finally notices the newly emerging form at your side.


Gesturing your arm widely towards the loudly roaring result of your work, you continued to speak. "I wouldn't want you to miss your reunion with them after all."


It is incredible. You almost couldn't believe how easy it was to turn your sharks into this living channel of your power. By closely joining up the part of yourself inside them, you are able to connect a few of them together into this vessel of your Divine Might that could swallow even a dozen Human at once.

Horatlok warily eyed the single large, partially shark shaped, water construct that seems to be very eager to take a bite out of him. Seemingly becoming nervous for a moment.

An eager grin soon replaced it, however, and Horatlok then gave you a challenging snarl. Seemingly trying to lunge at you, his expression was far from being afraid. "Fine by me then. Let's see how good you had made them up to be, Sea."

"You would soon find out for yourself." You eagerly replied while readying your sharks.

Well then.

You Are Going To:
[ ] Crush: You are now ready. Beside having a very clear advantage againts Horatlok in terms of size and bulk, your sharks are now strong enough to fight evenly againts your fellow God with little risk to dying. It is time for you to win this battle using massive overwhelming force.

• Cost: 40 Faith
• Result: Additional Wound

[ ] Build 1: One big shark made out of water is nice, but you need more of them! Time to repeat your strategy. If you are able to hold off Horatlok well enough, then you should be able to create even more of these water construct to fight closely alongside you.

• Cost: 35 Faith
• Result: Gain a number of Divine Water Construct (Shark) with the Miracle DC of 60

[ ] Build 2: You still don't want to give Horatlok any opportunity to run, however. There really is no telling when you would be able to find him again should he managed to escape. At the very least, a couple of whirlpools strategically placed around the surrounding area would make it quite difficult for him to flee through water.

• Cost: 40 Faith
• Result: Give Malus to Horatlok's Escape Roll with the Miracle DC of 50

[ ] Stall: Despite of what he had already shown you in this battle, you are still not quite sure about the kind of abilities Horatlok indeed have. Maybe it is better for you to keep your range for now, and just attack from afar while letting your sharks to handle the close quarters.

• Cost: 30 Faith
• Result: Chance to reduce the Wounds you are going to receive.

[ ] Write-In

• Cost: Vary
• Result: Vary