The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

Apparently, it was involuntary as the truth spell revealed.”

“I don’t know, All-Father,” admitted Tyler, “To be frank, I am scared most of the time

but I had to hide it. If not as a means of survival, then as a way to retain my sanity.”

At this point, Tyler realized that the best way was to be truthful as much as he can.

Though clearly Odin didn’t know about Sigyn’s involvement.

“Normally, it is at this point that would ask you to serve me as what happened with

Andreas. But your ability is a major problem. The possibility of power like that being

exercised by a mortal man when aligned with one of the pantheons or even a god

would be enough to tilt the precarious balance among the pantheons. And lead to

another Divine War.”

Odin’s face now turned towards the front, looked as if he was starting to be lost in his

memories. The heartbreaking expression on his face showed exactly what kind of

memories was going through his mind. When he looked at Tyler again, the pain and

sadness were evident in his eyes.

“You know what’s one of the most painful experiences a parent could undergo? It is

seeing your children dying ahead of you. It was shattering enough when Baldur died at

Loki’s hand back on Earth, but I couldn’t punish Loki to death. That would be losing

another son. Then again, he may have gone beyond his nature in that instance. But in

retrospect, could I really blame him for everything? He was made the god of tricks,

mayhem, and of change. It is rooted in his nature. It is what he is, for better or for

worse. His sentence came from an outraged and grieving father, blind to the fact that

the accused is also his son. Though now when I see Loki and the bouts of madness

arising from his imprisonment, I die a little. Every single time. And then we came to

Adar. I have lost many of my children in the wars. And I would do everything to avoid

another war among the pantheons.”

Tyler was again scared beyond reason at Odin’s words. The old man was going to kill

him?

“No, I don’t intend to do away with you, Tyler,” said the old man, noticing Tyler’s face,

“your death at my hands may even be the trigger for such a war. Some gods are

irrational like that. Or they may think that I got whatever power you have for myself,

thus again, a Divine War. I don’t even know what will be the consequences if I do kill

you. It may be nothing or energies may be unleashed which would threaten Adar itself.

Unfortunately, not all gods would think things through or be deterred by the possible consequences of their actions. There are worse fates than death if you fall into their

clutches. Even if you die, death will not stop their interest in you. So, what shall we do

with you?”

“Don’t you think what you just said may be heard by somebody? Your rivals? Enemies?”

Tyler asked, looking around the temple. The implications of what Odin said was

enormous and of extreme value to a greedy deity or an overly ambitious and irrational

pantheon. His mind was in paranoid mode.

“Don’t worry about that. We are in my temple where my power is the strongest. Didn’t

you notice nobody has yet entered the temple?”

“Oh, I was really worried there for a minute. Though your admission of lack of

knowledge on my nature as a visitor surprises me.’

“I may be called All-Wise, but I am not omnipotent,” snorted the old man. He was quiet

for a while, thinking. Tyler was still too scared to start a conversation.

“I have a suggestion. It’s up to you to accept it or not. First the problems facing you.

For now, I cannot send you beyond Skaney to protect you from Ymir and the others.

Other beings may get wind of you and force you to be their servant, align with them, or

worse. Within Skaney, your inherent lack of magical energy and your unbound status

will lead others to discover you. Or an involuntary major magical outburst could do the

same thing. Attract attention. Nor can I teach you how to use your ability. It is

something beyond mortal or divine magic. Divine magic is different. We came into

being the way we are and the rules are again different. You are an intelligent man,

Tyler. You may already have your suspicions about us in general. Suffice it to say you

could be right. We are magical beings, created out of belief and the magical energy of a

world. Though our mother planet is sadly almost empty of such energies. As to why,

that is not for me to explain. But I guess you’ll figure it out.”

The old man brought out a ring.

“This is an ancient artifact. A powerful concealment tool. As modified, it will show you

as an inhabitant of Adar, with inherent magical abilities. To that extent, it may help you

avoid discovery and even explain away magical abilities if such involuntary exhibitions

again come up. But remember that it is but an illusion, it doesn’t grant you the power it

portrays. As far as magical abilities, it shows you as a mage, not a High Mage, but at

the early levels of mage-ship. That will give you some leeway in explaining any magical

displays.”

“But this ring comes with a price,” continued Odin.

“No, not your soul or anything like that,” said Odin, noting Tyler’s reaction, “I explained to you already the reasons why I can’t even take your service. I want you to swear not

to take any action directly against me and nor shall I against you. You are an unknown

factor, Tyler. With so many concerns on my mind, I don’t want us to be on actively

opposing sides. If you notice, it is only me. Not me and mine. I cannot control others of

the pantheon and I do not want them to take notice of you either. Invoking them would

merely attract their attention, contrary to the needs of the situation.”

“I guess that would be fine by me,” Tyler replied.

“All you need to do is put on this ring, if you trust me. I have already said the