“Palamin… Is that really you? Where were you?” Drazdan stammered, still in shock.

Palamin answered by pointing up at the sky.

“I was up there, I was approached by a couple celestials who served Aelstur, they tried and succeeded in recruiting me. It seems that if I raise my rank and skill high enough, I will be able to join the army and gain the privilege of having my arm and leg regenerated.” he explained calmly.

“They also wanted to recruit you, but you were long gone by then, so they settled for me.” he elaborated.

“I see…” Drazdan responded, still mildly speechless at the whole situation.

“Well, I did tell them that there was no way you’d join them, still they kept insisting on finding you ‘specially Lex over there. She became obsessed over us after she lost to me and set out to find and challenge you. Although, I doubt, she expected to get corrupted and killed by you.” Palamin continued with a frown.

Throughout this one-sided conversation, Aelstur and the party members just looked at the both of them, unsure as to what to do. That being said, Aelstur was starting to grow annoyed as he finally processed what had happened a few seconds ago. That and being ignored to this degree was quite grating, his ego slightly bruised from the previous events.

Finally, to break the silence, Aelstur cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention. Once he was satisfied by everybody's attention, he began talking.

“Now then, Drazdan Fleetfoot why don’t you reconsider my offer? Your dear friend and comrade Palamin is already part of my entourage, and I’m sure we’d both be overjoyed by your presence in my glorious Parthenon. A few Honorable duels, endless drinks and massive banquets await you in your downtime along with the training to increase your natural skills with the sword. How does it sound?” he offered again.

To this, Drazdan took a pensive look as he tried to wrap his head around the offer, weighing the cons and the benefits. It didn’t take him long to mull it over and delivering his answer.

“Don’t get me wrong, food, and drinks sound great. Palamin joining me sounds even better, and the training sounds great. But…” Drazdan answered.

“But what Harengon? What’s displeasing you within this gracious offer of mine?” Aelstur asked.

“I quite enjoy my mortality. Honestly, I couldn’t give a rat's ass as to what you gods do up there, and I certainly don’t want anything to do with them, especially after last time. So my answer would still be a no, but I am quite happy that Palamin seems to have found a place where he can keep growing stronger.” Drazdan said with a soft smile as he looked back at his old friend.

“It was very depressing watching him stumble around with makeshift prosthetics, his expression is much brighter now than what it was. I do wonder, tho, did you get used to your prosthetics yet?” he asked as he looked back at Palamin.

The bright, fierce smile betrayed him when he answered with a challenge.

“Care to try me, old friend?” he asked as fire blazed in his eyes.

A soft chuckled escaped Drazdan’s lips before he answered.

“Perhaas another day Pala, kinda injured here.” he answered with a bright look on his face.

As these two chuckled at their own exchange, Marcus and Xandarr were growing progressively uncomfortable as Aelstur seemed to begin stewing in annoyance. He once again broke the atmosphere, this time striking a tree with lighting to gain their attention.

“Soo… You dare… You’ve denied my gracious offer twice now for what? Conserving your mortality? You plan on living in that mortal body until it finally gives out on you, and you lose the one thing you have going for you? Really, is that what you really want?!” he said the light seemed in turmoil, unable to take a concrete shape or form.

“So it would seem.” Drazdan answered simply, to the displeasure of Aelstur.

“Palamin… Has your friend always been so… Unbearable?” he asked.

“Unbearable might be a bit harsh, he is quite hard-headed, tho. Doubt anyone ever truly managed to change his mind. But hey, we tried, that's what counts, no?” Palamin answered with a shrug, dismissing the issue.

Aelstur seemed to stir for a few more moments before easing up and regaining its sphere like form.

“Fine… Live out your life, Drazdan Fleetfoot, but when you are on your deathbed I shall be back to ask you one last time. Your skills are invaluable to me, and I know that I’ll require your strength in the future. Palamin! We’re going back.” the light spoke as it lifted the bodies of the former celestials.

The sphere of light that was Aelstur eventually disappeared behind the clouds, along with the bodies of their enemies. Palamin was still standing on the ground as they all watched the god ascend to his plane.

“Now Drazdan, are you sure about this?” Palamin asked.

“Yes. I’ve got a team, and I’ve got a job to do. If I ever change my mind, you shall see me again.” he responded firmly.

Palamin shook his head in resignation before respondng.

“What did I expect? You’d never change so easily. Well, when the time comes, I hope you join me. I’ll be waiting.”

As he finished his sentence, Palamin’s glowing form began to dissipate until it completely disappeared.

Once Drazdan was finished staring at the spot where Palamin stood mere seconds ago, he turned around to see two speechless humans eyeing him suspiciously.

“What?” he asked.

Before Xandarr could say a single word, the paladin yelled out.

“ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!? WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK TO A GOD IN SUCH A DISRESPECTFUL MANNER? WHO ARE YOU TO DENY SUCH A GRACIOUS OFFER? YOU SHOULD BE KISSING HIS FEET IN REVERENCE AND JOIN HIS HEAVENLY RANKS!” Marcus yelled loudly.

“Why should I? He ain’t my god, no one is.” Drazdan answered with a shrug, leaving Marcus speechless.

“While I do not agree with everything, our muscle brained companion here said. WHY?! WHY DID YOU ACT SO IRRATIONALLY IN FRONT OF A LITERAL DEITY?! THEY LITERALLY PRESIDE OVER THE WORLD AND DO AS THEY PLEASE! YOU WERE PLAYING WITH FIRE!” Xandarr began screaming as well.

Drazdan chuckled in response, “What can I say? I just didn’t care. Their stupid arguments caused the death of my men in the past, and it crippled my best friend. I don’t owe anything.” he answered nonchalantly.

“You are never allowed to talk to godly entirety again.” Xandarr stated blankly.

“On that. We agree.” Marcus said.

After this wild day, they all just decided to settle down and make camp for the night, as rest was most definitely in order. They ate a few jerkies and drank some of the leftover alcohol they brought along, before long they all fell asleep, not even bothering to take turns guarding camp.