The God Files: Orroz's Story

Farewells

Combat was, perhaps, the most interesting part of my training. Semalia was worried that I wouldn't be able to do many of the techniques of angelic combat, since they require wings and the power of flight. However, once I showed him my innate talent, he smiled and continued with my training.

He showed me many of the weapons they used: halberds and long swords, rapiers and a sort of energy cannon. Semalia also taught me several blessings. They're akin to enchantments, but since they draw on God's power in the stead of magic, technically they weren't magic. Some strengthened allies and revived the fallen, whilst others manipulated that strange force called luck; projectiles would miss wildly, swords always broke of missed, and every blow you landed was critical.

At first, Semalia could easily beat me to the ground, much like Fariba did in our spars. Slowly, however, I improved and acquainted myself with the spells and weapons of the angels. By the end of the fifth century of my time here, I was able to actually beat Semalia in combat.

             "Very good, Orroz!" Semalia complimented when I managed to beat him a third time. "You've improved immensely. But don't let it get to your head. Since I'm only a scholar, I have minimal, at best, combat experience. However, all that I've taught you will prove more than sufficient in battle."

             "Thank you, Semalia," I thanked him. "You are a good master, and an even better friend." Semalia and I shared grins for a moment longer before the smile slid from his face.

             "Orroz, you have learned so much during your stay. But now, I don't have anything to teach you."

             "What are you saying?"

             "I'm saying...your training is complete, you time here is over. It's time to return to Earth." I was stunned. Five centuries had passed. I could hardly believe it.

             "But there is so much to learn, so much you can still teach me, Semalia," I protested.

             "You're right. There is much to still learn for you. But you cannot learn it here. You must seek that knowledge on your own." I was silent, knowing that he was right, but not wanting to believe it. I had to go back.

             "Will I ever see you again?" I asked him. Semalia smiled sadly.

             "I certainly hope so," he said simply. He raised his hand and uttered an arcane incantation. A white and gold sack appeared at my feet. "This sack contains everything you could ever need: books, reagents, potions, and such. I wish you luck, Orroz."

             "I wish you the same, old friend," I said. A white smoke suddenly raced to envelope us. The last thing I saw was Semalia's face, shining with what appeared to be tears. But I never confirmed it, because at that moment the smoke covered my vision. It was like this for several seconds before the smoke cleared. I found myself standing on an ancient road surrounded by grassy hills under a mackerel sky. I had returned to Earth.

Much had changed since my trip to Heaven. I saw that plain enough while I wandered. Tales of gods and monsters ran about, and the world I reentered absolutely enchanted me. I sought out these gods and monsters, and learned all I could. What startled me was that the tales were true. Those gods and monsters did exist.

The monster part is pretty straight forward. However, the god part isn't. What I came to learn was that the gods and goddesses weren't divine like God. Instead they were basically very powerful elemental spirits, manifestations of different attributes of humanity and nature. I have actually spoken to and interacted with many of these gods, including deities such as Zeus and Odin, Lugh the Longhanded, Poseidon and Loki, to name a few. I also did them favors, and in return they gave me knowledge and incredible gifts. My charity was not just for those gods, however. I helped anyone and anything in need. I once saved a village from a particularly nasty hydra; saved a dryad from a frivolous gang of satyrs; even healed a wounded unicorn. But I never stayed for long, and many times I did my part and asked for nothing in return. I was a wanderer, after all. My home was long gone, and the Order would kill me on sight. I liked to think that, perhaps it was my destiny to be a wandering knight, of sorts. In fact, one time, I was actually knighted. Unfortunately, such tales take too long a time to divulge, and as I write this, I am running out of it. If I'm not mistaken, however, I am sure that many of my minor escapades have been written down and woven into myth. So not every detail of my life will be forgotten.