I knew it was a dream because I was standing in the Palace of Night looking over the city below. It was unblemished, undamaged, and filled with life. I looked over at my companion and sighed, "Why have you brought me here Dumathoin? Its all gone and there is no going back. Even I know time moved one way and even if I could reverse it, I have no idea what would happen if I tried to go back in time." I told the Dwarven diety.

He gave me a gentle smile, "I know, I just thought you would enjoy this view as opposed to the one you saw today. The city you helped rebuild and in its prime, opposed to the one that had been gutted by the Chaos Warped and Bound. How are you doing young god? I heard you helped slaughter a whole group of Blood Cultists, why? You know they could have been your worshipers." the Dwarven god pointed out.

I snorted in disgust, "Sorry, but mass murder to gain power isn't my thing. If I am willing to accept that, how long until I am willing to accept anything to gain power?' I asked the Dwarf making him smile. 'Sorry, but as I told the Dwarves

The large burly god smiled as he joined me leaning against the railing, "Things are not going well for us. The Dwarven Pantheon, we lost most of our people during the Gods War...Fools, it was insanity to start a war just after the Primordials had a war, but some of the Pantheons saw it as a chance to take more power and to settle old scores. All it did was devastate the Mortal Plane even more and sent the Mortal Races even further back then the Chaos War had." the Dwarven god lamented and I frowned.

"Ok...but that does not answer my question, what do you want? Why are you here Dumathoin?" I asked the god as another one appeared and I frowned at his presence.

"What my brother is trying to get too is we need your help. All the chief Pantheons have been slowly strangling the survivors of the Gods War.' Moradin replied and I arched an eyebrow at his response and his presence. 'We need your help is the simple way of stating things." the chief deity of the Dwarven Pantheon replied.

I looked at Dumathoin and snorted, "He realizes that I am pretty much a god in name only. I don't have any real worshippers, just those bastards trying to twist me into what they want. I don't have a Pantheon or a nation anymore, its just me." I asked the other Dwarven god who chuckled.

"We don't expect miracles, but because you are so low, you can move around freely and unimpeded by the ruling Pantheons and the Primordials. After the Gods War, the Primordials emplaced bindings upon all the gods and goddesses on how much they could be upon the Mortal Plane. The destruction the war caused was worse than any war since the Celestial War. Whole kingdoms were wiped out, the landscape of all three continents was changed, even the underwater kingdom of Atlantis was damaged by the war.' Dumathoin explained and Moradin made a gesture for him to get to the point. 'The point is all the Dwarven Depositories of Knowledge were wiped from existence. All the knowledge was lost, but some of the threats they contained were also unleashed upon the world. Everything the Mortal Races have recovered since then can be undone once those threats recover from their imprisonments." Dumathoin explained and I frowned.

"What exactly did you guys imprison that could wipe out civilization as we know it?" I asked them and Maradin answered.

"Being too powerful to kill outright, Elder Dragons, creatures a lot like Chaos that want to wipe out known existence and start over again. Things like that." Moradin responded with a snort of amusement. The Chief Dwarven deity being sarcastic, who knew?

"Ok, what do you want me to do? I have a personal Level of five, I am a Level one Deity, and I have no Class...At this point, I would probably cause these things indigestion before I could cause them a problem." I told them causing both Dwarven deities to chuckle.

Dumathoin looked at Moradin who shrugged, "We are wanting you to work with our people for the foreseeable future to help contain these threats and in return, we will assist you in setting up your...church. Cult, whatever you want to call it, they are your followers." Moradin stated and I shrugged.

"Neither the Cult of Blood or Church of Blood inspire much confidence in my mind that these will be people who won't go looking to sacrifice their neighbors for power. Suggestions?' I asked them and the Dwarves shrugged in response. 'So you are supposed to help me out, but you can't even help me figure out a name for the religion I will represent?" I asked them and they both chuckled again.

"It can take centuries to start a religion, give it time," Dumathoin stated as he put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

I frowned at him, "I am the one having people sacrificed for in a twisted perversion of what I am. When we went down to those caves, I could feel what they had been doing and I could feel it trying to twist me and accept what was happening. I know for a fact, if I don't direct these people, it will eventually twist me into a perversion of what I am currently. I have no idea how long it will take, but eventually, it will happen." I shuddered and Moradin of all beings placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Becoming a deity, a god, slowly changes us. With you, your current worshippers believe in a drastically different persona then you are. This allows you to resist their influence, what you have to be wary about is the more subtle influences. For example, when I began my Ascension, I was just a mediocre blacksmith. Then eventually I became a Master Smith and Warrior. I had never swung my hammer in anger or battle a day in my mortal life, yet as a god, it was a part of my fundamental makeup. Not all the changes will be bad, some of them can be good, you just have to help direct their perceptions so you can control the changes. Ok?" Moradin asked me after he finished relating his tale.

I frowned and nodded my head in understanding, but it also scared me a little that the worshippers of gods could cause actual changes with their mental makeup. "You have my work Jacob, if you help us, we will help you," Dumathoin added and I agreed.

"Yes, I will help you contain the threats to Ithea, not just random things that you or yours do not like. Agreed?" I asked them and they nodded.

"As far as your Class, we can help with that. When you wake up, you will have to go see the Grand Master Engineer Arnold Brewmaster. He will assist you. Ok?' Dumathoin asked and I nodded as the world shuddered around us. 'Our time is coming to an end, Jacob. We will see you again in time. Keep heart and your morals in your heart, my friend. Good luck." the huge Dwarf stated as everything fell into darkness as a restful sleep reclaimed me.

I woke groggily and pulled up the interface, I moaned as it read seven in the morning. I stumbled out of bed and went to the washbasin and quickly washed my face and stared back at myself. My eyes were still clear of any sign that I was hungry for now, but I knew it would be a matter of a day or so before that changed. I quickly donned my robes and made my way downstairs to the common room.

Few people were in attendance but the kitchen was already open and for five Copper Marks, I got a plate of eggs, bacon, toast, and a pitcher of juice. Not a bad price tag all things considered. I slowly ate while considering my options. I could accept the Dwarves' help and Class or strike out on my own. Both choices had their advantages and dangers attached to them. If I accepted the Dwarves' help, I have their assurance that I will have a Class and support from them, but if I struck out on my own, I wouldn't have a Class but I was free of any attachments from the Dwarven Pantheon.

"Enjoying breakfast?' I looked up to see another Human sitting down across from me. I frowned in surprise having not sensed his approach and could not smell him, I considered him as I watched as everyone around us ignoring his appearance. "Trying to figure out what I am? Let's just say I am a lot like you. Well, I am not a Lesser-Minor, but I am a god." He stated with a small smirk as his eyes roamed the room.

"Who are you and why are you here?" I asked him and his smile grew.

"I am just a messenger. A friend of a friend, so to speak." the man replied with a smile and I rolled my eyes.

"All my friends are dead and turned to dust by now. So feel free to explain better please." I pushed him causing him to chuckle.

"I am Hermes, and no I am not here on behalf of Zeus or any other Olympion, I am here on behalf of Balance who couldn't be here. Running the universe is always so busy I hear.' I frowned at his response as I sat back in surprise. 'He gives you a warning that you should keep your independence and not join any Pantheon. It would be better for you in the long run. He also passed on a few items and a Class suggestion for you, but that will be up too you.' Hermes relayed and I frowned and he smiled.

"Yes, those are his words, not mine. Mine is that you should join us Olympians, we are the winners of the Gods War and control all the Divine events here in Arakon. You might as well join us and save yourself some trouble, but you have free will and all that. Good luck Blood God and I hope you take my advice!" Hermes stated and winked before disappearing through a shimmering portal. I sighed in frustration and went back to eating and ignored the ping of a personal message being received. I looked and saw it was from the Grandmaster himself. I dismissed the notification and finished with my food before heading upstairs to my room.

Nothing had been disturbed. but several items had been laid out on the bed, including a note. I picked it up and started reading immediately and chuckled as I read it.

Jacob, I know it has been a shock to wake up and a thousand years have passed you by, but you will survive. No, the world has not forgotten you and what you completed before the Chaos War so it might be better for Jacob Longstridder to remain hidden for now. I know you lack a Class and you need something to help you survive and complement your Blood God Skill Tree, I recommend the Pyromancer Class. If you accept, read the Primer and consume the Elixer. The Tome will unlock your potential with Pyrokinesis. Good luck...Balance

I watched as the note dissolve as I studied the tome. It was pitch black and seemed to emit some light around it and I pulled up its information as I studied it.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Item Name: Tome of the Spark of Potential

Description: Anyone can fling fire around, but it takes a true master to control it. With this Tome, you can begin to master the Flame within and without.

Effect: Unlocks Pyrokinesis Skill Tree, see your Pyromancer Skill Tree for more details.

Instructions: Open to use.

I frowned as I studied it from different sides it was crafted from blackened leather, and precious metals, and somehow it glowed with a subtle white and...blue aura. I sensed a warm power from it. I looked over at the little glass vial [Heart of Fire] popped up as I studied its red, blue, and gold contents.

The [Primer of understanding the Flame and Harnessing the power of the Primordial Fire] beside it seemed to be crafted of simple leather and paper. I picked up the vial and weighed my options as I thought of what I wanted to do with my future. I opened the Primer and I felt a hot power flood into me and staggered me and I knew I had to down the Elixer, so I quickly popped the top and downed it as I shivered as the power flooded into my body and rushed out of me.

>>>

Class Unlocked: Pyromancer

>>>

I dismissed the information as the Primer dissolved into ash and I picked up the Tome and started reading the pages flew by until it slammed shut on its own accord as two new notifications popped up.

>>

Ability Name: Pyrokinesis

Description: Pyrokenisis is the study of the Flame, both within and around you, and the process to command, control, and manipulate heat and fire. Through Pyrokenisis you can begin to understand and completely Dominate the various paths of the Flame. Unlike the Pyromancer Class, the Pyrokenisis has ten levels to each Skill Mastery. These skills are unlocked through the use of Pyro Points you will accrue as you manipulate and control the heat and Fire.

There are five main Skill Masteries within Pyrokenisis; Thermosis, Engorgeous, Bulbumous, Momentus, and Omnisis. Once you have reached Level 3, 7, or 10 in any of the Basic Skills, a new spell will unlock that the Pyromancer can use. These Spells are usually upgraded through use, accomplishment, or occasionally through Pyro Points.

Skill Name: Thermosis

Description: The lowest and easiest skill of Pyrokinesis. Use it to make the flames burn hotter or cooler. Higher levels of this mastery unlock additional Pyromancer spell modifications.

Skill Name: Engorgeous

Description: Unlocks after reaching level 5 in the Thermosis mastery. Control the size of any fire, including Pyromancer spells at higher levels of the mastery.

Skill Name: Bulbumous

Description: Unlocks after reaching level 5 in the Engorgeous mastery. Control the shape of a flame, simple shapes at first, but more complex the higher the mastery level.

Skill Name: Momentus

Description: Unlocks after reaching level 5 in the Bulbumos mastery. Move fire at will, short distances at slow speeds at lower mastery levels, but farther and faster as you progress in your mastery levels.

Skill Name: Omnisis

Description: Unlocks after reaching level 10 in all the other masteries. Control two of the masteries at once at lower levels, and all masteries of the fire at once when Omnisis is at level 10.

Skill Name: Thermosis

Skill Level: 1

Skill Type: Active

Description: The heat of the flame is yours to command. Glow bright white, burn blistering blue, or smolder a deep red, its all up to you.

Damage: N/A

Effect 1: Control the temperature of any flame in range by using most of your concentration. You cannot cast spells or speak while in use.

Price to Upgrade: 100 Pyro Points

Range: 16 Yards

Duration: Until Cancelled or interrupted

Cast Time: N/A

Cost: 100% Concentration, Mana Spirit

Cooldown: N/A

>>

I dismissed the information and hissed in pain and pulled my shirt off to see an odd mark that looked like an eclipsed sun growing on my chest. A tattoo, and one I had no choice in acquiring.