Part 8 - Gods and Wolves

Chapter 134 - Perfect Trap

The plan was put forward to the spider people of the multiverse and most agreed. Now they had to persuade Max.

"What did you do to upset him?" Gwen asked as they made their way up a mountain path.

"I asked about something he then told me never to talk about."

"Oh. That."

"Why can't we talk about it?"

"Didn't Max explain? It's an idea."

"He said that, but never explained what he meant."

"It means if enough people know about it, it will come back to life."

"Ah. So…wanna talk about wedding plans?"

Gwen chuckled.

"Sure. Venue first. Your world or mine?"

"Yours."

"I was gonna say yours, but sure."

As they were talking things over, something swooped overhead before thumping down behind them hard enough to make them stumble. They turned to see a bronze dragon watching. It wasn't Odahviing, but it spoke in a similar voice.

"Drem yol lok. Dei Volente has sent me to carry you to the summit. Climb on."

Max was waiting for them when the dragon landed. At least ten more of the creatures were there with him. He waved.

"Drem yol lok as these guys say."

"Dream yolk to you too. We need your help." Miles replied.

"I know. I've been watching since you stopped talking about the Sword."

"How would you know we stopped talking about the Sword if you weren't listening?" Asked Gwen.

"I figured it out when you left Miguel's place. So, where am I going and where am I leading Wolfy?"

"We figured somewhere here, then you've got the dragons if things go wrong."

"Nobody, not even Wolfy, is gonna walk into a ring of dragons. They're too big."

Some of the dragons grumbled. Max said something back in Dovahzul, the dragons' language.

"Maybe if they hang about in the clouds?" Miles suggested.

"I guess. Where abouts is the spider army?"

"An old fort called Helgen. Looks like something burnt it a while back." Gwen replied.

"Oh ho ho. Sure it did. Someone also sent some people to Sovngarde there, but let's forget that. Alright, Dovah; let's roll. Or fly, cos I'd imagine rolling is kinda hard."

The dragons took flight as Max climbed on the back of one that looked particularly old and worn. Miles and Gwen hopped on the same one as before.

"I could get used to having a pet dragon." Miles joked.

"A Dovah is not a pet." The dragon snarled.

"I don't mean everything I say. Sometimes it's a joke."

"Joor. You trust me with your life. I would need but roll on my back and you would plummet to your death."

Miles stayed quiet after that, just watching the world go by far below.

The spider army was already there when the dragons landed and offloaded their passengers. Max gave them instructions in Dovahzul, then they left again. Miguel ran over as the other spiders took the positions.

"Where are they going?"

"Into the clouds which very conveniently just appeared. They'll come in if they're needed."

"Right. We're ready to go. Miles, Gwen, get up on that watchtower with Spiderham. Max, when you're ready…"

"I'll open a portal and call the guy into battle. It's the perfect trap, which I feel like should be a roll credits moment, but we're a bit past the whole fourth wall breaks bit."

"Err…sure."

Max drew Furore Mortale and grasped its hilt firmly. A tear appeared in space leading straight to Wolf Spider.

"I hear you wanted a fight, Wolfy. Well, you've got one. You're not killing my girlfriend, or kidnapping my mum ever again. That's a thought; why's it only the girls you go after? Do I detect a bit of sexism?"

There was a moment of silence in which the spider army held its breath, knowing if Wolf Spider didn't respond to the taunt this was all a bit pointless. But it seemed his pride was too fragile to ignore it. A second later, he stepped through in his dark cloak.

"The females are weaker." He sneered.

Max shrugged.

"I dunno, man. If my dad didn't have his venom strike and invisibility, my mum would hand him his ass on a plate. Did you know I inherited four times her strength? Even if I wasn't an HEG, I'd be a tough fight."

"No matter! I will gut you like a fish."

"So long as I don't get turned into a really greasy fried fish from a fish and chip shop, sounds fun." Max changed his stance to a little more of a ready position. "Prove you have what it takes."

Wolf Spider discarded his cloak and extended his legs, reaching for his belt from which he pulled a sword. Its blade ignited in flames. Max felt cold in its presence, but it didn't deter him as he paced towards his foe and delivered the first blow. Wolf parried it and his legs wrapped around Max who waved his hands and sword before throwing his weapon at him. Wolf tried to grab it, but yelled in pain as his hand was scorched. Max raised his hand to the sky and brought it crashing down with a lightning bolt. Wolf leapt back, letting the God free who picked up his sword and dusted it off.

"Sorry, old buddy. Just wanted to prove a point." He said to it. "Now, Wolfy; what other stuff can I summon that's not lightning?"

"I imagine many things, Morales."

"Morales? Nah, that's my dad's name. Call me Volente. Dei Volente. You can say hi to Morales, though."

Max swung Furore Mortale forward, despite Wolf being out of range. A shockwave rattled out and hurled his enemy even further. There was an orange explosion of electricity as Miles mega venom struck Wolf Spider. A second later, Miles found himself webbed up but it was far too late for his target. The spider army pounced, battering Wolf into the ground. Some held back, knowing too many spider people in such a tight area was a bad idea. Eventually, however, Wolf escaped and started to run. However, before he could make it out the keep, a black and teal foot connected with the side of his head and knocked him flat.

"That's for freezing me!" Gwen yelled.

Wolf tried to slash at her with the Sword Perilous, but she ducked and caught his wrist before wrenching the blade free. He continued to run, disappearing in a temporal warp. Everything was eerily quiet. Max sheathed his weapon and walked over to his mother. Who was twirling the Sword dangerously.

"Looks like I've still got my muscle memory."

"You also have a scar over your eyebrow. Don't think your entirely reset." Max replied as she stopped.

He put his hand on the hilt of the weapon and shuddered. Just touching it, he could feel it tearing at his soul. He stepped back again.

"I'd say destroy it, but I want to know what Death wants done with it."

"Me and Miles can take it to him."

"Sure you can, but I'm coming with you."

Death was waiting for the trio when Max warped them into Bastria.

"It would seem you have reclaimed the Sword." Said the voice on the wind.

"Very observant." Max replied, crossing his arms.

"We're wondering if you want us to do anything with it or just destroy it." Said Miles.

"It must remain safe from the High Elder Gods, and intact."

Max narrowed his eyes.

"I'm right here."

"Indeed you are, Dei Volente. However, I do not see you as a High Elder God. You are human by birth, and lack the arrogance of one."

Max tilted his head from side to side, weighing up the argument.

"Sure. I'll take that as a compliment."

"That's all good, but what about the Sword Perilous? I'm not keeping it; I feel like it would just be an insult to Max." Gwen pressed.

"It will remain in Bastria, guarded by the legions of the dead until time's ending, or a time arises that its power must be called upon."

Gwen stabbed it into the mud.

"Have fun, then. Can we go? This place gives me the creeps."

Max chuckled.

"Suck it up, Mum."

"If we've taken the Sword from Wolf Spider, that's him dealt with…right?" Asked Miles when he, Max, Gwen and Miguel were in the latter's apartment.

"I guess it is." Replied Miguel.

Max mumbled something from his usual corner.

"What was that?"

"I said I wouldn't be too sure. Most people who want to kill a God don't give up so easily. We don't know why he wanted to kill me, and I think that's an answer we need. I'll be gone for a bit. Try not to die."

Max turned into a patch of mist, a little like Death, which dissipated quickly.

"I guess we just get back to business as usual in the meantime." Said Gwen.

"Great. You and me have a wedding to plan." Miles replied, kissing Gwen on the cheek.

Crossovers in this Chapter

- Skyrim