Chapter 28: Faith
Karna had warned Rocky that if he chose to come out as the champion, his entire life would turn upside down, however, Rocky could have never anticipated just how much it was going to change, until he experienced it himself.
He was kept in observation for one full day after he woke up at the medical facility before being granted discharge, however, in this past one day, after the pope Sir Cole confirmed him to be the champion of Gemini, his life was altered forever.
He had already experienced fame as an influencer, so initially Rocky questioned just how much of a change could it be?
While at the influencer stage he had millions of followers who shared a love-hate relationship with him, the biggest reaction he saw to someone seeing him in public was to approach him with their face turning euphoric as they rushed to click a selfie.
' I like your content-'
Or
' You motivate me to become better'
Was the best compliments that Rocky received, while
' I hate you-, you're a phony' were the worst sort of comments someone had said to his face.
After being declared as the champion, Rocky expected that all this would be amplified by ten times or maybe even a hundred times, however, never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the sheer magnitude of emotions that his mere presence stirred in the eyes of believers.
*AUDIBLE HYMNS*
The glass of his medical room reverberated by the hymns of the believers who sang the praises of Gemini outside the facility.
Verse 1:
In the shadow of fate, under the gaze of the night,
Shakuni plots our path, with wisdom and might.
His strategies woven in the stars above,
Guiding us forth with his foresight and love.
Chorus:
Hail, Gemini, two faces of the divine,
In your balance, our destinies entwine.
Shakuni the planner, Ravan the brave,
Lead us from cradle, to triumph, to grave.
Verse 2:
Ravan, fierce warrior, in the moon's pale light,
Your prowess unmatched, your spirit takes flight.
Blood is your domain, the battlefield your shrine,
In your strength, we find the courage to fight, to shine.
Chorus:
Hail, Gemini, two faces of the divine,
In your balance, our destinies entwine.
Shakuni the planner, Ravan the brave,
Lead us from cradle, to triumph, to grave.
Bridge:
Together as one, yet distinct as the day,
In your duality, our faith shall stay.
From Shakuni's mind to Ravan's fierce hand,
Under your guidance, united we stand.
Final Chorus:
Hail, Gemini, two faces of the divine,
In your balance, our destinies entwine.
From the heavens above to the earth we crave,
Guide us, protect us, mighty and brave.
The religious men and women sang the hymn of Gemini non-stop outside the medical facility, their voices laced with hope and their eyes full of tears of joy.
Initially Rocky questioned whether this had anything to do with him, as similar chants could be heard inside the church of Gemini at any day of the year, however, the moment he took a single step outside the medical facility and appeared in public sight, all his illusions were broken.
As Rocky stepped out, he was immediately enveloped by an entirely different world than the one he left behind in the medical facility.
Before him stretched a meticulously enforced quarantine zone, a clear buffer of several dozen meters that separated him and the amassed crowd by at least a few dozen feet and there being countless high level climbers enforcing the distance and keeping the crowd at bay.
However, while Rocky could notice the start of the crowd, he could literally see no end, as for as long as the eye could see, humans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the champion emerging, as the second he walked out of the medical facility, the hymn chanting stopped and an unprecedented roar erupted from the crowd.
"He's here- Rocky's here! THE CHAMPION HAS EMERGED"
The crowd shouted as Rocky could feel the energy behind their voices which prompted those at the back to shout as well, as soon the entire crowd erupted into cheers.
This was no ordinary gathering; it was a melting pot of humanity, drawn together by a singular, momentous occasion.
Among the sea of faces were individuals from all walks of life—commoners, believers, skeptics, and clergy alike, all united in their desire to witness the emergence of the champion of Gemini.
" MY SON! HE IS FIVE AND COULD NOT WALK, YESTERDAY HE TOOK HIS FIRST STEPS WHEN HE SAW YOU BEING DISPLAYED ON THE TELEVISION.
HAIL GEMINI!
HAIL THE CHAMPION ROCKY" Rocky heard a particularly loud fanatic shouting this over the voice of the crowd, as Rocky felt goosebumps all over his spine when he heard him say this.
Rocky was sure that he had absolutely no role in helping his son whatsoever, however, the tears in the eyes of that man and his fervent passion told Rocky that he was a firm believer that this miracle was performed by him and that even if Rocky asked him to take his own life for salvation, he would do it without a second doubt.
Camera's flashed, security officials escorted him to the chopper that was pre-arranged to take him out of this place, as it was only at this moment that Rocky began to realize the magnitude of the situation he was in.
As he looked at the crowd, he could see their hands reaching out to him, not in demand but in supplication, as if merely touching the hem of his garment would bring blessing, healing, or even a fragment of the divine favor that rested upon him.
Faces, young and old, were lifted to him, eyes shining with a mixture of awe, hope, and unspoken prayers.
The sheer depth of belief, the unfiltered emotion directed at him, was unlike anything he had experienced. This was not the adulation of fans; it was devotion, a collective outpouring of faith in what he represented.
'Just what have I gotten myself into?' was what Rocky thought as he sat inside the chopper and it took off.
As he went airborne, he saw the full size of the crowd that had gathered below and the sheer scale of people that had came to see him walk out of the medical facility made him feel dizzy as there were hundreds of thousands, if not a million people who had gathered outside his medical facility, as a sea of humans stretched for at least a few miles on all directions.
Chapter 29: The plot thickens.
A new home had been prepared for Rocky, a massive mansion worth hundreds of millions of dollars, right beside the Church Of Gemini within the Upside.
Initially, it housed over 20 clergymen who resided there together. However, once Rocky's accommodation needs arose, they voluntarily evacuated the church-owned property, relinquishing it for the Champion.
Private security, comprising a dozen elite climbers who had ascended beyond floor 40, and enchanted runic barriers, were among the extensive security measures at the private residence, as the church and Pope Cole spared no effort to ensure Rocky's safety.
"This is too much… What will I do with such a large mansion? I'm off to university tomorrow. Give it back to the clergymen. Just give me a small apartment somewhere, damn it," Rocky protested. However, after the incident involving Riva, Pope Cole refused to acquiesce to his demands.
Despite Rocky's protests, it was clear that the champion's security was his paramount concern.
The good news for Rocky was that the application submitted on his behalf by the Earth branch of the Church Of Gemini to the university for the nourishment of young talents was accepted almost immediately upon review of his talent and credentials by the admissions office.
In an unprecedented move, they even awarded Rocky a full scholarship for all semesters, a development that took even Pope Cole by surprise.
"Praise Gemini—You have been blessed with a full scholarship," he said with a smile, yet Rocky could only frown at his words.
He had been receiving too much 'special' attention lately, and with the memory of the crowd outside the medical facility still fresh, Rocky longed for an end to any further special treatment.
Unfortunately, from the moment he had stepped forward as the champion, he had relinquished his right to privacy and normalcy.
As the champion of Gemini, he was never going to be treated ordinarily, regardless of whom he met or where he went.
" Unfortunately, The university has refused our request to send you to the campus grounds with additional security, however, they have assured us that you will be protected at all times.
In my understanding, you should be safe there, however, in case you ever find yourself in a perilous situation, just break this charm for support" Pope Cole said as he placed a green pendant over Rocky's neck that seemed to be made out of fragile crystal.
" Thank you, I appreciate your concern," Rocky said, as Sir Cole laughed at his choice of words.
"Praise Gemini-, the champion is such a kind man. May your wisdom guide us all-" he said, smiling towards the heavens as Rocky realized that Sir Cole was just like all of those believers that had gathered outside the medical facility just to catch a glimpse of Rocky.
His eyes carried the same reverence, the same form of blind faith when he looked towards Rocky.
The kind of eyes that made Rocky feel like he was far too unworthy for that sort of reverence, making him feel awkward.
" Please rest today, Champion, for tomorrow you shall enter the tower for the first time" Pope Cole said, as he left Rocky to enjoy his massive mansion alone, however, all it did was make Rocky feel even more insecure as the same question kept rising in his head.
This attention? Was he even worthy of it? Afterall, he wasn't even the first choice of the gods to become their champion, he was only a last moment replacement-
***********
( Meanwhile, somewhere on floor 21 of the Tower Of Ascension )
Joe shuddered in fear as he looked into the eyes of Perseus who looked like a deranged man on the brink of insanity.
" Joe…Joe…Joe….." He said, his voice becoming deeper with each subsequent 'Joe' that he said.
" You told us that Riva had confided in you that she CONFIDENTLY remembered this universe in a different way.
That to her this place was like a dream that she did not belong to.
That she felt a divine connection to Gemini-" Perseus said, as he slowly unsheathed his sword.
"It's true….. she told me all this in confidence during a dungeon raid, we were the best of friends! She would never lie to me" Joe scrambled to explain, as he swore that whatever he had previously claimed was the truth.
" THEN EXPLAIN TO ME, HOW HIS LITTLE BROTHER IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN BRANDED AS THE CHAMPION OF GEMINI!
DO YOU THINK WE ARE STUPID? HOW DARE YOU MAKE US CHASE AFTER THE WRONG TARGET" Perseus screamed in anger as he kicked Joe off his feet, knocking him to the ground and slamming his sword right beside his ear, drawing a trickle of blood.
" What? This is the first time I'm hearing of this? Rocky is Gemini's champion? B-but Gemini has never claimed a champion in the history of the tower!
All the other gods have had several champions roam the tower, but never Gemini-" Joe said, as Perseus judged his expression and realized that Joe was truly as unaware as he pretended to be, but that only fuelled his anger.
" Rocky Yadav, is Gemini's Champion and we had the opportunity to nab him.
UGHHH, MOTHERFUCKING SHAKUNI, He fooled you. That snake is plotting something from the top of the tower.
I should've known….
I should've known...
Shakuni's plans never go wrong, we are all but dancing at his palms" Perseus groaned in frustration as he felt stupid for nabbing Riva when their real target should have been Rocky.
" Perhaps, you can release Riva and nab Rocky, now that you know that she's not the possessor of the power your father seeks, perhaps you can let her go?" Joe suggested, as deep down he did feel slightly guilty for betraying his friend, however, Perseus only laughed at his words.
" Let her go? She is the only bargaining chip we have over Rocky. We will never let her go.
We will either break her mind and turn her into our obedient slave, or we will hold her hostage for when the time is ripe for negotiation.
However, we shall never let her go-" Perseus said as he found Joe's ideas to be ridiculous.
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/// A/N - We hit the PS target last week, so bonus soon!
Also, if you could spare a moment of your time and drop a review for this book and how you are enjoying the story so far, it will help me a long way! Cheers! ///
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