A/N
Timeline slightly changed in the interlude. 1 week instead of 3
The last day in Mount Celestia arrived faster than I'd expected. I'd spent a week exploring the first five heavens, studying their forges and workshops, absorbing techniques from craftsmen who'd dedicated centuries to perfecting their arts. The spell notes Bahamut had given me sat safely in my dimensional storage, waiting to be used once I could set my own forge up.
But I'd learned what I could here. I learned about the gates and celestial crafting techniques, and how divine and arcane magic interacted in this cosmology. This was a good place to set up a base, but I wanted to do a bit more exploring before making a gate.
I made my way back to the fifth heaven, where Urgala maintained her command post. Captain Mira was there as well, speaking with one of the archon commanders about future caravan routes, maybe looking to change it up. Both looked up as I approached.
"Heph," Urgala said, genuine warmth in her voice. "I heard you're preparing to leave."
"I am. I've learned what I came here to learn, and I have other places I want to visit."
Captain Mira stepped forward, her expression complicated. "Before you go, I need to ask. Who are you really? The guards and I saw what you did on the road, how you fought those devils. And I've heard rumors from the celestials about what happened in Lord Bahamut's palace and how big a deal it was, I didn't understand then."
I considered how much to reveal. She'd earned some honesty, having traveled with me and witnessed my capabilities firsthand. "I'm a god, from a reality far from here. I left my old life behind to explore the multiverse and learn how other realities function."
"A god," she repeated softly. "I think I suspected, but hearing it confirmed is... different. What's your name? Your true name?"
"I go by Heph now. My full name, my divine title, those carry power and attention I'd rather avoid on your behalf. Especially now that I've made enemies." I gestured vaguely toward the vague dirction of the lower planes. "Zariel knows something interfered with her operations. and it's better that she doesn't know exactly what."
Mira nodded slowly. "I understand. And I'm grateful, truly grateful, that you helped us despite the danger it put you in."
"You're welcome." I reached into my dimensional storage and pulled out something I'd crafted during my final night in Venya. A bronze bracelet, deceptively simple in appearance, inscribed with Greek patterns. "I made this for you as a parting gift."
She took it carefully, examining the craftsmanship. "It looks beautiful. What does it do?"
"When wearing it normally, it's just a bracelet. But if you need protection, channel your intent into it, and then it transforms into a shield, a hoplon, a Greek-style shield. The shield itself is indestructible, though you are not, so be careful."
I demonstrated by channelling a small pulse of energy into a second bracelet I'd made for testing. Bronze flowed like liquid, expanding and reshaping itself into a classic hoplon shield. "It has one additional property. When activated, the shield can generate knockbacks against almost anything that strikes it. The effect lasts one minute, then requires thirty minutes to recharge. Use it wisely, for when you truly need the extra force, it does have a weight limit, but unless you're fighting a godly being, then you do not have to worry."
Mira's eyes widened. "This is... I can't accept something like this. It must be worth a fortune."
"Consider it payment for introducing me to Urgala and Bahamut. You opened doors I wouldn't have found on my own." I pressed the bracelet into her hand. "Besides, I can always make more. You are the one who actually needs protection in your line of work."
She clutched the bracelet to her chest, clearly overwhelmed. "Thank you. I'll treasure this, and I will use it well."
"Just don't get yourself killed. Good caravan captains are apparently hard to find."
Urgala had been watching this exchange with obvious approval. "You're generous with your gifts, Heph. That's a rare thing among immortals. Longevity most often breeds apathy".
"I've spent millennia hoarding things that brought me no joy. Seemed like time to try a different approach." I turned to her. "I wanted to say goodbye properly. Thank you for escorting me through the heavens, for sharing your knowledge about celestials, and for not pressing me about what I am."
"You have saved the lives of those under my command, and that earns respect and privacy both." She extended her hand in the warrior's grip. "Travel safely, Heph. And if you find yourself near Mount Celestia again, you're always welcome."
"I'll remember that." I gripped her forearm, careful to match her strength without exceeding it. "And please, give Bahamut my regards. Tell him I'll put his gift to good use, and that I'll visit again when circumstances allow."
"I will." Urgala paused. "The sword you forged, the one I used in Avernus. It changed the course of the war in ways we're still organising. We will temporarily hire the yugoloth to disrupt the line of the demons while the devil forces are temporarily busy. You have the gratitude of every celestial who fights on those front lines for this momentary respite. Had you not been leaving, then Lord Bahamut would have definitely rewarded you again. We owe you another debt, Heph."
"No debt is incurred, it was partially to get back at Zariel. The sword did exactly what I designed it to do, and you were the one who wielded it properly. That's all that matters."
We stood there for a moment, god and dragon, warrior and all, understanding that sometimes the most important gifts were the ones freely given without expectation of return.
Finally, Urgala stepped back. "Safe travels, Heph. May your forge never grow cold."
"And may your enemies fall before you like wheat before the scythe."
I descended through the heavens one last time, retracing the path I'd taken with Captain Mira earlier. Each layer was beautiful in its own way, each one representing a different facet of lawful good philosophy made manifest. I appreciated the artistry, the dedication, and the absolute commitment of the celestials. I admired their absolute commitment to the guidance of the eternal war in defence of the weak.
But I didn't belong here. This was a place for those who'd found their purpose in service to higher ideals. I was still searching for what I wanted to be doing.
The gate back to Excelsior felt almost welcoming when I reached it. The gate recognised me from my previous passages, allowing me through without challenge.
Excelsior looked the same as when I'd left it. White stone and golden spires, orderly streets and content citizens. I'd left letters for Aldric and Korvus at their respective locations, thanking them for their assistance and promising to visit again if circumstances brought me back.
I walked out through Excelsior's eastern gate on foot, Khalkós left behind in the city stables as a gift to a young celestial who'd admired her. The horse would be well cared for here, and I didn't need her where I was going.
The road stretched before me, empty and quiet. I walked perhaps a mile from the city before stopping, looking back one last time at the white walls and golden spires.
I'd learned so much here. About magic systems and planar mechanics, about how different realities structured their laws, about craftsmen who dedicated their entire existence to perfecting their singular arts. The knowledge would serve me well in whatever realities I visited next.
I reached into my dimensional storage and pulled out my war hammer, Κοσμοπλάστης. The familiar weight settled into my grip, and I felt my divine power stirring in response.
I activated my dimensional ring, channelling power through the artifact I'd forged in Olympus's forges. The runes flared brilliant gold. Reality rippled around me, responding to my will.
The songs called again, infinite realities pressing against this one. I listened, searching for something new. Somewhere that would challenge me in ways I hadn't experienced yet.
One song stood out. It carried the scent of magic and politics, of urban complexity and factional conflict.
I focused on the song and stepped through.
The transition was becoming familiar now, the sensation of moving through spaces that weren't quite space. The chaos winds buffeted me, but my divine essence and Michael's otherness protected me as before.
Then I emerged.
I stood in what should have been a beautiful plaza, surrounded by architecture that blended organic plant growth with deliberate concrete construction. Buildings that seemed to grow from the ground itself, covered in flowering vines. Fountains that had probably been magnificent when they weren't filled with debris.
Now everything was on fire.
Flames consumed the structures around me, magical fire in various colours, purple flames that froze what they touched. Green flames that caused flesh to rot. Red flames that incinerated everything in their path.
I heard shouts, then looked up and saw a giant meteor heading my way.