AN: So, here we are once more. In case anyone is wondering. I am considering writing a side-story involving captain Johnson. We'll see.

Chapter 4.2: Earth Daze

The soft *skrtch* of a straw broom sweeping stone tiles echoed through the air. A novitiate of the Blizrum War College went merrily about his task. One might think that a man of thirty should not be so happy as to actively smile and hum while he swept a stone walkway, but that individual would be wrong. For you see, the man in question was living the dream.

Captain Adam Johnson, decorated war hero and veteran of six separate tours as an officer of the US Army happily swept the dirt and dust from the temple grounds. In the fantasy world of ARS he was not a captain, nor was he a decorated war veteran. He was nothing more than a novice priest-in-training who hoped to see as much of the world as possible while he could.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness. Eh, Johnson?" called out another of the novitiates.

Adam looked over to the younger man then smiled. "I've always thought so."

The younger man laughed then went back to wiping down the stone benches near the front entrance. Cleaning the temples and shrines was one of the primary tasks of a novitiate. It was how they paid for their room and board during their training.

The older novice finished sweeping after another few minutes then went about his second task for the day. He needed to clean the altar room in the main temple before he would be released for the day. Soon, he would have to return to Earth as he could only train on the weekends. Thankfully, the priests were accommodating to his needs. He was a part-time student. Many working professionals in the world of ARS wanted to become priests, but they had to make a living or had families to support. Until they took the Oath of Faith, part-time studies were acceptable.

Blizrum, god of war and champion of justice; Adam looked up at the massive tower shield that stood as a representation of the lord of the battlefield. Priests of Blizrum were not blood thirsty killers. In fact, they acted to stop such people. His chosen priests and paladins were shields, walls of flesh and metal that stood between the darkness of hateful violence, and those whom they desired to protect. In the eyes of many, Blizrum was the god of heroes.

Adam set about cleaning the altar room starting with the wooden pews. The room doubled as a place of worship for congregations as well as a space to offer prayers and offerings to Blizrum.

While he cleaned the area, he slowly made his way toward the massive shield. It was neither beautifully crafted nor did it seem to be extraordinary in any way save for its size. The shield of Blizrum was a plain item without adornment, little more than a shiny piece of metal backed with wood and cloth.

A placard on the altar bore simple, but powerful words. They were words that Adam could not resist repeating. "I am the shield which guards the realms of life. In the face of wickedness, I shall not falter. Let evil break itself uselessly upon me. Fear not, my child. Stand behind me, and know peace."

It was the full quote once spoken by a champion of Blizrum. Adam often heard the last part in common speech when a priest or paladin was asked to use their powers. They would always reach out and clasp the shoulder of the one who beseeched them and then say, "Fear not, my child. Stand behind me, and know peace."

The words were the sort of stuff that a jaded person might snicker at before stating how lame they were. Adam was of a different mind when he read them. He had chosen to be a priest of Blizrum on ARS because it seemed like the best fit out of the options when his military service was taken into account. However, the more he studied about the war god of ARS, the more he finally felt like he had found something profound.

"It is fitting to find you here speaking the words of our lord." said a strong masculine voice.

Adam turned toward the new arrival then placed a closed fist over his heart while keeping his arm parallel to the floor. It was best to perform the customary greeting while equipped with a shield, but he had not earned his shield, yet. "Priest-Commander Equitas, greetings."

Frey Equitas smiled warmly. His head was completely shaven as was his face. He wore the customary steel grey robes of the order, but anyone who looked closely would see full plate armor hiding beneath it. The priests of Blizrum took pride in their shield and armor as they were guardians. It was expected for a member of their order to always be ready to perform their duties during temple hours.

"Greetings, Novitiate Johnson." The priest-commander did not hesitate in the slightest as he moved toward Adam's location. "I have words to speak with you."

"Sir?" asked Adam curiously. Why would the priest-commander need to speak with a novitiate? In his experience when someone of high rank had to speak with the lowest ranking individual in private, it was never good for the lower ranked individual.

"Our mighty lord, Blizrum, has sent me a vision. It is not my right to question it, nor shall I. I will simply related what I have been tasked with as is my place." Though Frey spoke those words, it was obvious that he was overly curious about the fact that Blizrum had deigned to send him a vision about a novitiate.

"Yes, sir..." said Adam hesitantly. He had never met Blizrum, though after meeting Origin it had become obvious that the gods of this world were real people. Whether they were actually gods remained to be seen, but they were close enough to it that he did not want to claim otherwise.

"The vision was most strange at certain parts. Suffice it to say, I do not understand the meaning. Perhaps you will." said the priest-commander before he took a breath and related the message received. "My child, I am most pleased that you have chosen my path. I will speak with you directly if you choose to go to worlds beyond..."

Adam blinked slowly then nodded his head. "I see... I think." It seemed to him that Blizrum was referencing the possibility that he could end up on the classic server. At least, that was what he had felt was the situation.

"There is more." said the priest-commander. Adam nodded once more and the priest-commander continued. "Also, I understand how hard it is to start a family when you serve in the military. So, take this as an incentive."

"What does that mean?" asked Adam.

The priest-commander pulled a lore crystal from his pocket and presented it to the confused captain. "This lore crystal is an ancient relic, one that is rarely found, and rarely given."

"I... see." said Adam.

"I think not. This crystal is only handed from a priest-commander to someone whom our lord Blizrum wishes to groom as a potential champion. Do you understand that implication, captain?" asked Frey.

Adam started to respond, but froze part of the way. "Captain...?"

Frey nodded. "Yes. Lord Blizrum has informed me of who and what you are. He deemed it necessary, as you do require special dispensation due to your... commute, as he put it."

"I thank you for telling me this, sir." said Adam, still a little confused by the situation. Couldn't Blizrum have just told him all of this directly?

Adam received the crystal from Frey then looked it over carefully. He had heard about them briefly, but this was the first time that he had ever held one. Once he saw the information screen for it, his face turned slightly red and he coughed a little.

Summon Shield Maiden [Master Grade Crystal]

A personal gift from lord Blizrum to his stalwart sentinels. Shield bearers are reincarnated souls of ancient warriors who continue to fight for justice. They are bodyguards for important individuals in the church of Blizrum.

EXP Required: 200,000

"Sir...?" asked Adam.

"Yes, novitiate?" asked Frey.

"Did Lord Blizrum... just give me a girlfriend summoning crystal?" asked Adam in slow, careful, words.

"Who can say that they know the mind of god? I have heard from our lord that you have a condition that will not allow you to move beyond level ten. The summoned maiden has no such restriction. You will be able to see more of this world at her side than you would have otherwise."

"Master grade... that means that whoever I summoned with this would be able to go with me if I choose to go to the world beyond?"

"Yes. I suppose that is what it means. I have never been to such a place." said Frey.

The truth became apparent to Adam in that moment. Blizrum was trying to entice him with the things he desired most so that he would choose to leave Earth behind and become his champion. Why a god would take such an interest in him was something he did not understand, but it was certainly a fun thought!

Adam and the priest-commander talked for a while then parted ways. The novitiate went back to cleaning the alter room. Once his tasks were completed he returned to Earth. His weekend was almost over. Soon, real-life would encroach upon him once more.

The good captain sat up in his bed then looked around at his bachelor pad. Relationships had been few and far between for him, as the Army had been his life. He stood up then walked over to the bathroom. In the mirror he saw a tired man who had lived for his nation. The words of Blizrum and the priest-commander weighed heavily on his mind.

If he chose to forsake Earth, he could live on ARS. He would eventually become part of something of major importance, could even aid in the defense of an entire world. Yet, he had his duties on Earth.

After a moment of reflection he closed his eyes and sighed. "My service will be up soon. I need to figure this out before that happens."

It was not long before he checked his phone messages and discovered something interesting. Scott was in town.