CHAPTER 82: MEETING WITH DRAVEN

I’d like that very much," Jack said, meaning every word with an intensity that surprised him.

As Charlotte moved away to rejoin her own group, Jack found himself watching her retreat with fascination that went far beyond mere physical attraction.

She represented everything he found compelling: intelligence, power, historical significance, and beauty that took his breath away.

"AHEM!"

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought Jack back to awareness of his surroundings.

Priestess Lyanna stood nearby with an amused expression, clearly having observed the entire exchange.

"Young love blooms quickly in sacred spaces," she observed with gentle teasing. "But perhaps we should focus on preparing you for communion before exploring matters of the heart?"

Jack felt his face flush with embarrassment at being so obviously transparent in his fascination. "I was just... she’s from House Stormblood."

"Of course," Priestess Lyanna agreed with twinkling eyes. "Purely academic interest. Now, shall we begin your purification process? Divine communion requires proper preparation of both body and spirit."

She led them deeper into the temple complex, past more statues and altars dedicated to pantheons from across the known world. Jack noticed that the deeper they went, the more the ambient sounds of worship faded into reverent whispers.

Trickle...

The sounds of flowing water grew stronger as they approached what appeared to be the temple’s central bathing chamber. Sacred pools of crystal-clear water reflected the light from floating candles, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility.

"The first step in communion preparation is physical purification," Priestess Lyanna explained as she gestured toward the largest pool. "The blessed waters will cleanse your body of earthly contamination, preparing you to enter divine presence without offense."

She handed Jack a set of pure white robes that were folded immaculately. "Remove your garments and immerse yourself completely. Let the sacred waters wash away not just physical impurities, but the spiritual residue of mortal concerns."

Jack looked around uncertainly at the others in their group. Brother Matthias and his companions had withdrawn to a respectful distance, while Sera leaned against a column with her usual predatory alertness.

"We’ll maintain privacy," Priestess Lyanna assured him. "The cleansing is a sacred ritual, not a public spectacle."

The purification process was more intense than Jack had expected. The blessed water felt alive against his skin, tingling with gentle energy that seemed to penetrate beyond just physical touch. As he immersed himself completely, he felt layers of tension and worry dissolving away like steam.

When he emerged and donned the white robes, Jack felt different. Lighter, somehow, as if earthly burdens had been lifted from his shoulders. The simple garments were surprisingly comfortable, their fabric seeming to breathe with his movements.

Gong...

Gong...

Gong...

The sound of a ceremonial bell echoed through the temple. Priestess Lyanna nodded with satisfaction at the signal.

"The purification is complete," she announced. "Now comes the period of fasting and meditation. Twenty-four hours without food or worldly distractions."

The waiting period passed with surprising swiftness. Jack spent the time in a meditation chamber adjacent to the main temple, his consciousness gradually shifting from mundane concerns to spiritual preparation.

When twenty-four hours had passed, Priestess Lyanna returned. In her hands, she carried a small golden chalice filled with dark red liquid.

"The God’s Blood," she announced with reverent solemnity.

Jack stared at the thick, crimson liquid with fascination mixed with apprehension.

"Is this different from the Divine Communion?" Jack asked skeptically.

"Very similar, you should experience the same feeling." She said softly.

She offered him the chalice with both hands.

Jack accepted the chalice.

Gulp...

His vision began to blur at the edges, reality becoming fluid and uncertain. The temple chamber seemed to stretch and warp around him, marble columns reaching toward infinity while the floor became as insubstantial as morning mist.

The world dissolved completely, leaving Jack falling through spaces between dimensions toward something that felt like coming home.

---

When awareness returned, Jack found himself standing in the familiar grass field of Draven’s domain. The eternal sunset painted the sky in shades of purple and gold, while crystal-clear streams wound between hills that rolled toward distant horizons.

Draven looked slightly different from before. He wasn’t as frail, but wasn’t as big as he was with his brother the God of Death.

A testament to how much power the god was receiving by Jack worshipping him.

Not all worshipping one’s god requires you to pray or visit a temple to commune with a god. It varies from god to god.

"Jack," Draven said, his voice carrying the rumble of distant thunder. "Welcome back to my domain. Much has changed since our first meeting."

"Everything feels different," Jack observed, noting how his own perception seemed sharper and more expansive than during previous communion.

"Your power has grown considerably," Draven confirmed with satisfaction. "The bond between us strengthens with each challenge you overcome."

Jack felt the weight of that statement settling around him like a storm front. "The cultists spoke of prophecies. Of cosmic destinies and divine purposes that extend beyond mortal concerns. Is there truth to their claims?"

Draven’s expression grew thoughtful, lightning flickering more intensely around his form. "There are prophecies, yes. Ancient words spoken by oracles who saw glimpses of possible futures. But prophecy is a dangerous thing, Jack. It shows what might be, not what must be."

The god gestured, and images appeared in the air between them. Visions of a figure wreathed in white lightning, standing at the center of cosmic forces that could reshape reality itself.

"The most significant speaks of a child born of white lightning," Draven continued, his voice heavy with the weight of cosmic significance. "One who will shape the world according to his will, who stands at the crossroads between salvation and destruction."

Jack stared at the prophetic images with growing unease. "And you believe that’s me?"

"I believe you have the potential to fulfill such a role," Draven replied carefully. "But potential is not destiny, and prophecy is not command. The choice of what you become remains entirely yours."

The god’s eyes met Jack’s directly, divine wisdom tempered with very real concern. "The child of white lightning could save the world from threats that mortal minds cannot comprehend. Or they could burn it all to ash in pursuit of their own desires. The prophecy speaks of power without limitation, will without restraint."

"That’s... a terrifying amount of responsibility," Jack said quietly, feeling the weight of cosmic expectation settling on his shoulders like lead.

"It is," Draven agreed without attempting to minimize the magnitude of what they were discussing. "But remember, prophecies show possibility, not inevitability. Your choices, your character, your growth as both person and power. These will determine which future comes to pass."

Jack nodded slowly, processing the implications of what he’d learned. "The cultists also mentioned something called the Thirteenth Throne. They seemed to think it was connected to my supposed destiny."

Draven’s expression shifted to something that might have been dismissal mixed with old sadness. "The Thirteenth Throne is an old legend, passed down from a god who died long before your birth. Stories of cosmic amphitheaters and divine councils that never existed except in the fevered dreams of a mad deity."

The god waved his hand, causing the prophetic images to fade into nothingness. "Pay it no mind, Jack. Focus on the real challenges before you, not the fantasies of dead powers seeking relevance through mortal belief."

Something in Draven’s tone suggested there was more to the story, but Jack decided not to press the issue. The god had given him enough overwhelming information.

More than Jack thought he would get.

"There’s so much I still don’t understand," Jack said, feeling the inadequacy of his mortal perspective when faced with cosmic scope. "About the nature of divine power, about my place in larger conflicts, about what’s really at stake."

Draven smiled, an expression that managed to be both comforting and slightly ominous. "Understanding comes with time and experience, not revelation. You’ll learn what you need to know when you’re ready to bear the knowledge."

The god stepped closer, his presence radiating warmth that contrasted with the electrical energy that surrounded his form. "But there is something important I want to show you, Jack. Something that will help you understand the true scope of what you’re becoming part of."

Jack felt anticipation mixed with apprehension building in his chest. "What kind of something?"

Draven’s grin was mysterious and filled with promise. "Come with me..."