—— ? ——

  Simon blinked, or at least he thought he did. Unlike the other times this day, he didn’t lose his vision or pass out.

  Instead, he felt... It was hard to describe.

  It felt like he “tilted” into the new world. There was no sense of movement or vertigo but it was definitely a shift as if the universe itself skipped over a frame. One second, he was surrounded by the soft glow of the white world around him; the next moment, he stood on solid black stone that radiated heat and old blood.

  The sky above was the color of iron that had been cooled far too quickly. It had ugly cracks and almost seemed angry with him gazing upon it. In the distance, there were jagged mountains that formed a ring on the horizon. In front and in the middle of this bleak, dark landscape was a fortress.

  No.

  Simon thought

  It looks like a pagan altar to the concept of conquest.

  Chains made of slate-colored obsidian and dark red fire crisscrossed the outer walls. Giant warriors mid-battle were captured in motifs across the scarred walls. Dozens of Statues seemed to be in the middle of conquest or defeat and created a path to the main entrance.

  Beyond the open gates, a massive figure was resting on a throne that seemed to be made of anger itself. Simon froze for a few moments and then figured his next action was obvious. He slowly walked down the shattered path through the depictions of carnage and approached the throned figure.

  As he neared a prompt from the system dominated his view.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE —-

  > WELCOME TO THE DOMAIN OF VARRAX THE UNYIELDING

  You are now under observation.

  This selection has been deemed your optimal divine alignment.

  > Traits aligned: Combat Prowess, Willpower, Resilience, Tactical Instinct

  This patron does not tolerate insubordination.

  Divine hierarchy enforced. Growth is possible… within limits.

  Limits are defined by… VARRAX

  Good luck.

  ——————————

  Simon blinked again.

  “Varrax?” he whispered to himself as he neared the figure. The figure seemed to be made of pure muscle covered in scars. The scars were obscured by a red steel that clung to him like a second skin.

  Simon gulped and continued his soft monologue. “Name sounds like an off-brand protein powder.”

  The figure's dark eyes shifted to Simon.

  “Kneel.”

  A voice like a hammer slammed into Simon. His mind swirled as he felt an innate desire to obey. To listen and take a knee. Simon had frozen, and his right knee was halfway through the motion before he clenched his teeth. His movement stopped.

  No. Not like this. He had fought for everything he had. He had been subjected to a world that seemed determined to grind him into a gray paste.

  Even with these thoughts, his mind buckled. This was something so much more than anything he had encountered. Normally, when you are scared or influenced by some emotion, you can feel your mind blanking and your instincts taking over.

  The feeling Simon felt now was so alien to him. It was like the world around him was invading and instructing his mind. These thoughts and desire to bend and be compelled weren’t internal but instead came from another presence that had descended on him.

  Simon hated it.

  Steeling himself, Simon tried with little success to calm his quivering. Not possible. However, he had one thing that never failed him. His mouth.

  “I… prefer to stand, thanks. Honestly, you need to do something about the hard floor. Not great for the whole kneeling thing.”

  A new sensation permeated the air. The world froze. The uninterested god tilted his head down and squinted in disbelief at the mortal standing before him.

  “You were selected,” Varrax growled. “A pathetic mortal should feel honored. This is not some request. You will surrender your loyalty to me. It is required,” the god ended the sentence with disdain in his voice.

  The pressure grew on Simon. It felt like a vaporous liquid as it compressed the human.

  Simon coughed and took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves. He didn't know much about this new world, but he was sure this being could sneeze, and he would cease to exist.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  However… It seemed that he was still alive despite his snarky opening.

  That was probably a good sign.

  He hoped. Then gulped. Then asked.

  “So… spitballing here,” Simon fought the tremor in his voice, “but what exactly does 'Surrendering' my loyalty mean here? Do I wear a team jersey? Do we meet up for coffee? Gotta submit monthly reports?”

  Varrax’s fleshy metal-clad muscles clenched on the armrests of his throne. The air vibrated with his indignant response

  “You obey. You serve. You live, and you die for my will.”

  Simon was beginning to grow bolder. So this guy needs me to submit? I'm kind of thinking he’s not going to just murder me… sheesh, most intense interview ever.

  “Well, that's not ominous at all.” Simon squeaked out despite his newfound gusto. He coughed then continued, “What do I get out of this deal? Besides bruised knees and a spinal compression from being around a big, terrifying guy like you.”

  The god seemed to smile the faintest amount at his rambling.

  Score! Alright, so he’s not totally against the bold. Simon mentally praised himself.

  “The strength to become more than your pathetic self,” Varrax replied, seemingly bored but not as annoyed as before. “My blessing will accelerate your growth. My mark will channel your martial abilities. Power, skill, and glory await you in my service.”

  Well, that doesn’t sound horrible.

  “So.. you will accelerate my growth? All I need to do is submit to this... Uh, contract?” Simon asked.

  “Correct.” Varrax’s face began to take a sinister grin. He was getting what he wanted.

  Simon thought for a few moments. A question popped into his head.

  “In time, I could become as powerful as you?” He asked while his mind swirled with possibilities.

  There was silence.

  A heartbeat passed. Two. Three.

  Varrax’s lip curled, and the scars on his face contorted with it. The realm chilled.

  “You cannot,” the god simply stated and locked his eyes deeply onto Simon.

  Simon met the Varrax’s gaze and then squinted.

  “Like, it's impossible? Or they aren’t allowed?”

  “It’s impossible for a mortal to ever match my strength” Varrax growled.

  With that statement, a system prompt appeared in front of Simon.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE —-

  > CLARIFICATION NECESSARY.

  Followers of Varrax the Unyielding cannot surpass the deity in martial strength or any other means.

  Limitations are enforced by divine law and contract.

  ——————————

  Varrax's head snapped skyward when the prompt appeared.

  He stood still for a moment, fury building.

  Then his gaze descended again.

  “Now KNEEL, mortal,” The god boomed. Once again, Simon felt the obscene pressure as he quivered.

  But there was more to this story. It felt like he was standing in front of a cosmic evil car salesman. The fact that this god kept insisting meant that logically… he had to agree.

  Simon desperately hoped that was true as he replied to the demand.

  “So… your followers are capped? Like some kind of cosmic power ceiling?. Sounds like I could become stronger than you.”

  The realm froze. The ground started to crack audibly, and the sky dimmed.

  “You pathetic speck. You know nothing of the realms you have entered. Ignorant, arrogant, and insignificant. There is only one path that doesn’t end with you splattered across the soil. Now kneel, I will not speak again.”

  This time, the god's voice was quiet and sinister.

  The presence in the realm had become tangible. Simon felt it coalesce near his throat. He could feel cold, sharp steel rest against his tender flesh.

  Simon was terrified. He had no idea what the rules were in this situation. All he knew was that he was on the brink of death or something worse.

  His mind was in full lizard brain mode. Simon tried to calm himself, but his brain was begging him to do anything to protect itself. He could find a way away from this god, right? The realms were expansive from what Glint had told him. Maybe he could get the little fireball to help him at some point?

  For now, he could take this deal and suffer this asshole until he was able to escape from this contract or servitude or whatever it was.

  Simon’s mind was finally calm enough for him to realize something. The system had responded unprompted by Simon, but in response to something the god had said.

  What was that line from the earlier prompt?

  ‘Harmony is offered. Growth is earned. Limits are unknown.’

  This didn’t make any sense. Why would it say that, then this asshole suddenly got the ability to limit something the system told him to do?

  It was time to take a calculated risk.

  Simon was shaking like a leaf, but he had to ask.

  “Ok. ok.. Just one last question.”

  The God stared at him with disgust. It became clear that Varrax wasn’t going to answer.

  That was fine. Simon wasn’t asking this god.

  “System. If I do this, can I ever escape this vow or servitude or whatever this guy is trying to sell me? Is it true I will never be stronger than a being such as this?”

  The world started quaking as the god stood up. Yup, Simon had pissed this divinity right into rage mode.

  But to Simon’s joy, a prompt appeared.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE —-

  > CLARIFICATION REQUESTED.

  Followers of Varrax the Unyielding cannot surpass the deity.

  Followers of Varrax the Unyielding cannot leave service to the deity without divine permission once contracted.

  Varrax the Unyielding is a deity with immense experience, age, and power.

  > Subject: [Simon] is a newly integrated being into the realms.

  Harmony is offered. Growth is earned. Limits are unknown.

  ——————————

  Varrax was shaking in anger but refused to say anything.

  Simon grinned. This is such a stupid plan. To hell with it.

  He crossed his arms and looked up at the seething face of the god.

  “Yeah, buddy. Let’s go ahead and skip this divine pageantry. I'm not signing up for a regime that is going to keep its boot on the throat of my progress. You want obedience? Get a golden retriever.”

  Simon squeaked out, shaking but growing calmer with every syllable.

  “Scratch that, even a golden retriever wouldn’t kneel to someone like you.”

  The world screamed.

  Simon was blasted backwards, through the gates, past the statues, over the cracked path, straight toward the jagged, teeth-like mountains.

  His final thought, right before impact into the razor web of metal hills:

  Well shi---

  —— ? ——