Champions of the Gods by Michael James Ploof Read Free Book Online Page A

was telling the truth. He laid wards about the tower to keep your influence out, which is why I was able to hit him with a blast of power. I was free from your intrusion. It wasn’t until I did it instinctively that I was able to do it at all.”
    Whill’s mind was racing. All of the pieces were beginning to click into place.
    “You tried to take magic from the races for their own good. But the gods found a way. They blessed their people anew. First Mallekell, then Ky’Dren, then me…and now the dragon that stirs in Drakkar. But why were you not able to take the powers from the other races this time? Why have the dwarves retained their power, or the necromancers for that matter?”
    “When you gave to me the blade of power given, I used that power to strip magic away from the elves. I stole their power, and in doing so ascended to the heavens. And in becoming a goddess I became beholden to their rules—for none can take the power of another god’s creation.
    “The gods have awakened, and they have emerged from their slumber hungry for blood and war. If their appetite is quenched, the world will burn, and they will rebuild it anew.”
    Whill was trying to take it all in. For a moment he thought that he had a good handle on things, but it was all proving too much. He wondered again where he fit in all of this.
    Kellallea waved her hand, and the image of Mallekell beside the tree rippled and faded.
     
    Whill found himself on the sofa beside the fire. He reeled back from the contact with Kellallea, panting.
    “Where do I come in to all of this? Why have you kept my powers from me?”
    Kellallea shook her head, regarding him with a frown. “You still do not understand. You are the most dangerous mortal in all of Agora, in all the world. You hold the power of the ancient humans. If you are unleashed upon the world now, at a time like this, you will become the gods’ tool of destruction.”
    “But if I swear fealty to you, I become your tool. Is that it?”
    “You put it harshly, but yes. I would ensure that you do not use your power to meet their ends.”
    “If I do this, if I swore fealty to you, what then would you have me do?”
    Kellallea’s eyes flashed, and a feral quality shadowed her face. “I would have you challenge the gods.”
    Whill stared at her, unbelieving of what he heard. “Are you mad? Challenge the gods?”
    “And what would happen if they answered?” Kellallea asked patiently.
    The answer came to him instantly and he gasped. “If they answer the summons…and try to destroy me…I would become as powerful as them.”
    Kellallea nodded. “It was a clever gift that your god bestowed upon the humans. Not only did he protect them from the other races, but from the other gods as well. The gods would never dare attack you, or else they would create a new god.”
    Whill understood. Then another thing occurred to him. “You cannot act against me either. Can you?”
    “You are clever,” said Kellallea. “I have suppressed your power so far. And I will continue to do so if I must.”
    “You would do so even though you think that the gods would see the world burn? Why have you gained such a high seat in all of this? Why do you deserve the right to choose?”
    “Because I do not seek power for the sake of power. I have done what I have to protect the four races from themselves, and from magic. It was indeed a curse. I wish to free the world from this curse, to see it grow on its own, naturally. The gods are arrogant. They see the world as their playground. Always fighting with one another through their creations. I have learned many things since my ascension. I have seen the countless worlds before this one. Never in any of them were the people free of the gods’ influence, never have they lived in peace.”
    “Magic was a gift given by the gods,” said Whill. “You call it a curse. But does it not take an evil mind to make a weapon out of a hammer? Would you see every good man stripped of