[ WP ] You regularly `` select '' mortals to take down another god on your pantheon as a practical joke . Your most recent charge is somehow ... different .

My armor glinted in the pale sunlight like a mirror, scattering flecks of light over the gravel on which I stood. The view from the top of the Sacred Mountains was truly spectacular. Part of the sky shone white with sunlight, making half of the land below appear to shine like burnished metal, while fierce storm clouds covered the rest in broiling darkness. 
 
 
 
 *Almost there, my love. Soon I will rid the sky of those dark clouds. Soon you will feel the warmth of the sun upon your skin once again. * 
 
 
 
 I turned back to my path, and found my way blocked by a strange figure in simple clothing. He was small, barely coming up to my waist, with a beard long enough that it dragged across the floor. He smiled kindly. Immediately, I fell to my hands and knees, gasping for breath. 
 
 
 
 `` My lord!'' I stammered. `` I am so sorry for not noticing your presence!'' 
 
 
 
 `` Peace, child.'' The figure placed a small hand upon my gleaming shoulder. `` There will be no need of that. In truth, it is I who must apologize to you.'' 
 
 
 I raised my head questioningly. `` My lord?'' 
 
 
 `` You have undergone great trials, my child.'' The figure said quietly, a look of pitying kindness on his face. `` But it is my great honor to tell you that your journey is over. You have earned your people's place in the sun.'' He waved his hand toward the dark clouds, and they vanished like a fading dream before my very eyes. Hope swelled in my chest, and I found myself so overcome with emotion that I could not even speak. Tears welled up in my eyes, falling to the ground below like raindrops. 
 
 
 `` I have a confession to make as well, I am afraid,'' continued the dwarven god. I looked at him questioningly. What could a god ever need to confess to a mortal? 
 
 
 `` You see, it was I who darkened your sky for so long with rain. Not my brother, like I would have had you believe.'' His expression darkened. `` I am truly sorry for all of the horrors that I have caused. It was never my intent to go this far. But I needed a champion, someone who would scare my brother into ceasing his evil ways.'' He shook his head sadly, beard shaking. `` I needed to push you, my child. Without the storm, my brother would have caused far greater calamities to befall your fair land.'' 
 
 
 
 I shook my head in disbelief. The god of merriment and laughter, causing all of that pain? All of that destruction? 
 
 
 
 `` Our crops withered...'' I choked out. `` My wife took ill... we lost a child!'' 
 
 
 
 `` Yes.'' Said the god simply. `` And all of those who were lost will be welcome at my table in the next world. You can not begin to comprehend how much pain I feel for your loss.'' 
 
 
 
 A pit of anger began to burn in my stomach. *No! * I thought. *He must be lying! This is all some trick... yes, a trick to make me turn back! * 
 
 
 `` I...'' I started. 
 
 
 `` Yes, my child?'' Said the figure, leaning closer. 
 
 
 
 With one swift motion, I ripped my sacred sword from it's sheath and swept it at the dwarf-god's head. It bit into his neck without resistance, sending shining white blood spraying over my face and armor. He groaned in pain, sinking to the ground mortally wounded. 
 
 
 `` I am sorry... my brother.'' He whispered. As he drew his final breath, his shining blood turned an inky black. 
 
 
 I stood, face and armor stained dark with god's blood. `` I will not be swayed.'' I turned back toward the path, and began running up the mountain once again. 
 
 
 
 
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