Rebirth: Over the Horizon

"I task you to return to Elysia, where you endured the trials of Borthe and Adornick." 

Utheral gives the Chosen a broad grin. "But don't worry! No need to brave the Strait of Messala or the Sea of Sorrows again." 

"You can take the safe route. It's not too long of a journey from here."

Utheral continues on, his voice as joyful as ever. "Once there, you will find that the love you spread during Adornick's trial has borne wonderful fruit." 

"Many of the villagers who fell in love that day now have children. Now, as their fifth birthdays approach-"

"Wait. What?" Qora interrupts, looking confused. "That can't be. We were on Elysia only months ago." 

The Chosen exchange concerned looks, nodding in agreement.

Utheral's merry smile fades into a frown of worry. "You think that… no. You haven't realized?" 

He strokes at his beard, frowning silently for a moment. "Whenever mortals move between this realm and one of our domains, a great deal of time passes." 

"While you underwent the trial of Hadrene, almost six years transpired."

A grim silence falls over the ship. Daedala speaks next, brow furrowed in concentration. 

"It did seem odd. My time in the underworld seemed short, but the world games ended in the middle of summer." 

"When we returned, it was late Autumn. I should have considered the possibility that we were absent for years rather than months."

Chen Xi shouts with grief and horror. "You kept us separated from our loved ones for so long?" 

"Why? Why would you do such a thing to us?"

Utheral lowers his head. 

Adam calls GM, "Hey, how much time has passed in real world." 

[GM: You don't have to worry player Adam, only ten days have passed in real world.] 

For a second he was really startled there. "This does not make sense." Callia says, as confused as the rest of the Chosen.

 "I know every ancient legend of mortals traveling to the underworld."

"In the past, heroes have gone from the mortal realm to the river of souls and back within mere days. Why did it take us so-"

Utheral draws himself up to his full height again.

 Adam see a flash of divine majesty and anger in the eye of the god. 

Jolly or not, Utheral is one of the Twelve, and fully capable of appearing imposing when the situation calls for it.

 "It is not your place to question our ways, muse." 

"The nature of such things can change. You do not need to understand. Not now."

Another tense silence passes. Utheral's warm smile slowly returns, though it seems somehow less genuine than before. 

"Now then. As I was saying. The children borne from your past efforts are now old enough to celebrate my holy day, a day of presents, feasting, and the celebration of family." 

"I want you to make this the best day of these children's young lives. Bring them gifts, laughter, and joy. This is your trial." 

The god's smile falters for a moment. He sighs, then continues. "This is your trial. I shall… find you when it ends."

Utheral disappears abruptly in another flash of green light.

Daedala speaks again once Utheral is gone. "Callia is right. Something is very wrong here." 

"We are made to sail again, rather than being transported through divine energy. It seems to be taking the Twelve longer to transport others than it once did."

She shakes her head. "Something of great importance is happening. Something the Twelve are not telling us."

"Look, it doesn't really matter, does it?" Dani's declares. 

"If the Twelve wish to keep secrets from us, it would be both dangerous and pointless to attempt to uncover them." 

"We have been given another trial. That should be our focus."

Callia appears persuaded by this. "He's right." 

"This should be a fun and easy one, too. After all, we've already hosted one fantastic party. This should be a breeze."

"Utheral's day is about family, togetherness, and generosity. We need something a little more… reserved."

"Sure, sure." Dannis waves a hand dismissively at Tiara. "But many of the basics are the same." 

"We need music, of course. I know all the holiday classics, I can handle that."

"I can assist as well." Callia interjects. "Perhaps with new inspiration we can go beyond the old standards."

"Fantastic." The bard replies. "We'll also need food, of course." 

"Don't suppose wine is as high a priority for this sort of celebration, but we at least need a proper feast. Perhaps some festive decor. Let's see… what else…"

"Presents." Daedala adds. 

"Nobles have sometimes tasked me with inventing new toys and games for their children. I can handle gifts for the young."

"Perhaps I could help, dear?" Tiaras asks earning a greatfull nod from the inventor.

'I should also do something.' 

As he thought, Adam approached Daedala and Tiara. 

Adam still remembers receiving toys and learning to make toys from his grandfather. 

When he was a child, he visited his mother's father, who lives in Texas every summer. 

Even though it wasn't much of pleasant memories, he still clearly remembers learning to make toys from wood. 

He approaches Tiara and Daedala offer his assistance in making toys. 

The three of them each set to making presents suited to their own talents. 

Juria makes dozens of little elegant dolls, carefully crafted from fabric, clay, and stone. 

Daedala invents a small collection of intricate puzzles, just difficult enough to challenge the children without becoming overly frustrating.

Adam focuses on carving classic toys he remembers from his childhood, little boats, wagons, and animals made from wood. 

He may be not be able to match Tiara's artistry or Daedala's inventiveness, but Adam feels a certain pride in his creations as he painstakingly carves and paint each one. 

By the end of the day, the three of them have a small mountain of toys certain to delight all the children of the village.

Satisfied with his work, he carefully wrap the presents and put them aside, saving them for the holy day. 

There's nothing like waking open to open new gifts on a holiday morning, after all.As Utheral's holy day dawns, Adam gathers with his fellow Chosen in Elysia's village square. 

Snow falls from the sky, covering everything in white. He has never seen the place look so beautiful.

The golden light descends, and Utheral appears among them. He is as jolly as ever despite Garst's continued melancholy. 

"Ho ho ho! Merry holy day! I can feel the cheer and happiness of all the people of the island."

"You've all done wonderfully." The God of Hearth and Home says with a proud smile. 

"But I have a very special present for one of you: the person who brought the most joy to the children during this trial. And that person is…" 

"…Dannis! Ho ho ho!" Utheral laughs joyously. "You have brought more cheer and goodwill to the children and families of Elysia than anyone." 

'Some may say it's a simple thing, but I think you understand the true importance of what you've done. I couldn't be more thrilled."

Utheral hoists up his mythical sack of endless toys.

 "You approached this trial with true warmth and generosity, and the truly generous ask for nothing in return." 

"Still, I think you've earned a little something for yourself. A blessing! What would you like for my holy day this year, little Dannis?"

The bard thinks for a while and asks Utheral to bless him with the kind of fortitude that only comes from a truly magnificent meal. 

"Ho ho ho! Still got the appetite of a growing hero, do you? Well, I have just the thing!" 

Utheral reaches into his sack and draws forth a platter with a perfectly cooked leg of goose.

 Somehow it looks perfect and fresh despite having been pulled out of a sack of red fabric.

"Eat and enjoy! This will fortify you for the trials that remain." 

 "Hope you liked it, little Typhon!"

"Now, rejoice and make merry. Enjoy my holy day. The next trial will be upon you soon enough." Utheral says, fading from view. Chen Xi gives his patron one last bitter look, then sighs. 

"He can still give blessings and protection. Why couldn't he have done the same for my daughter?"

Even with Chen Xi's sorrow still hanging heavy over the group, the feeling of goodwill and cheer in the air is hard to ignore.

 The families of Elysia sing merrily and enjoy hearty meals, welcoming all of the Chosen into their homes to give thanks for everything they have done for this island.

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