I Am a Sex God Ch. 08

Once we all had found comfortable conversation, Dimitri decided to go for broke on the box I brought.

"So tell me. What is the big surprise?" Dimitri asked sincerely curious.

"This..." I handled the outside of the box. After a brief pause, I opened the box to reveal at first glanced seemed to be a regular collection of precious stones. "..is the culmination of several months of work."

Dimitri looked at the collection skeptically. His first response summed up his thoughts and gave an accurate visual assessment: "A bunch of shiny rocks?"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at his comment. "Yes my friend on the surface. Here." I placed the box on the table in front of him.

"Without touching them, try to identify each. The point of this little game will become clear."

Dimitri just shrugged. "Alright." He took in the sight and thought briefly. With dimitri's prowess over matter and any physical substance, it was not difficult for him. He took less than a few moment to give an answer. He pointed at one in the upper corner and proceeded to name each in order.

"Opal, diamond, ruby, tourmaline, amber, sapphire, citrine, and for whatever reason a zircon." Dimitri looked at me expecting to get full passing marks.

"You're mostly correct." I said with a grin.

"What do mean you mostly? That's what they are." Dimitri insisted.

"Well had you done this little game about 6 months ago you would have been one hundred percent correct. However today, these stones are more than they seem. Remind me Dimitri which among them was your favorite?" I reached out moving my hand back and forth among them as if intending to grab the one he said. Of course I knew. I couldn't resist a little showmanship.

"I know you know, old friend." He gave me the BFF grin.

"Spoilsport" I stopped my hand over the citrine, grabbed it and handed it to him.

Dimitri once he had the stone in his hand couldn't help but look into the gem. Dimitri got a surprise when he felt a slight power to the gem. Without really thinking about it he tried to grab a hold of that power. As he latched on to the power form the gem that's when the gem suddenly made a bright flash.

--

Dimitri had become a little disoriented from the flash. When he shook it off, he opened his eyes to find a surprise. He was standing in what appeared to be a large temple. Around what he gathered was an altar, many people dressed in white robes arranged in front of an altar. All were bowing their heads toward the altar many mouthing silent prayers.

Dimitri noticed the scent of incense as he took in the scene. In another twist Dimitri noticed that he was dressed in the same robes as the people in the temple. He checked himself not quite understanding what was going on. He looked at his hands and noticed they seemed more youthful than just a moment ago. He had flashes of memories and vaguely understood that he was a disciple of the order. In that moment it dawned on him and he muttered to himself.

"Alright old friend. I play along."

Dimitri let go for a moment and was immersed in the experience. He let his new 'memories' guide him on his place in this new realm. Dimitri quietly but swiftly made his way to an open spot and oriented himself in the same way as the other monks. He began meditating

Despite the unfamiliarity of the surroundings and the complete alien sensation of allowing his new found memories to guide him, he found the practice rather soothing. He thought to himself that he should try this at home when he gets back to reality.

Dimitri lost track of time. Meditation hour was nearing its end. All the other monks were making their way to stand. Even as the rest of the company started to depart, Dimitri was still deep in his own world.

"Dimitri, how long you gonna stay there?"

Dimitri looked up to find a fit young man, giving him a friendly smile. He looked into his memories and found he 'remembered' who this person was.

"I'm done Jago." Dimitri made his way to stand.

"You were really immersed in your own world. Do the Gods speak to you or something?" Jago said a bit sarcastically

"I just like my alone time." Dimitri joked.

"Yeah, sure. C'mon it's training hour." Jago led the way out of the large hall through some impressive doors.

Dimitri stood up and walked in tow with his friend. As they left the temple Dimitri was caught off guard by the sight. The temple they had left was deep in the mountain side. It was neatly placed embedded in therock itself. Dimitri saw that it was near the top of the peak looking awe inspiring. He looked down to see many carved formation with ornate buildings in the mountain side. All along the mountain, signs of life and activity permeated. In all his years he never quite witnessed anything like this.

"Hurry up Dimitri. We don't want to be late." Jago called as he walked down the massive stair leading to the temple.

Dimitri quickened his pace a bit. On his way down he notice out past the mountains the view of the world into beyond. What he found rattled him a bit. If he interpreted what he saw correctly, the gournds at the base of the mountain and beyond was desolate.

As he observed the new world around him, he and Jago suddenly reached their destination. They reached another temple-like structure but this not no where near as large as the one he had emerged from.

Inside there were several people around his age. Well the age he was in this world. He doubted any of the fit looking adults here were past 25 let alone the many millennia he's been around.

Near the back of the space a figure stood out. The men and women were mulling about but a lone individual stood out from the pack. As Dimitri neared he saw that it was an older man, maybe in his early forties. He was an imposing man with bulging muscles. He was scanning the room, almost as if assessing those gathered.

Only a minute later he called out to the group, "Order!"

By practiced movements, the entire group fell to silence and arranged themselves, lined up into neat rows. Dimitri stood near the front of the formation with Jago beside him. The man stood never tearing his watchful eye off the group. He scanned the room as we all lined up. Once he was satisfied his command was carried out he barked another order.

"Count." He nodded to Dimitri. Dimitri recalled exactly what he had to do

"One." Dimitri shouted out.

"Two" Jago called out.

This continued until the entire room had counted off.

"Excellent. Begin Drills." The man called out. At this order the entire room began practicing the same movements. Dimitri let go and let his instinct take over. He moved in sync with everyone, giving practiced movements of grace, power, and if the circumstances were right lethality. As he performed the dance with the rest of the group, he realized it was akin to martial arts training. After 10 minutes of this dance the leader barked another order.

"Line leaders. Stick drill."

Dimitri without thinking walked up to the front of the room where there was a neat pile of quarterstaffs. Everyone at the front of a line including Dimitri walked up to neat piles and began passing them out to the person behind them. The person then passed back the stick to the person behind them and so on until the entire line was armed with quarterstaffs. Dimitri stood back in line with his new armament. The leader waited until all line leaders were back in place.

"Begin."

At the order, Dimitri turned to Jago. Jago held up his staff as if ready to block. Dimitri knew what to do and began attacking Jago. Jago deftly parried each thrust. After a few strikes, Dimitri turned his staff to a defensive position and performed the actions in reverse. Dimitri blocked as Jago lunged at him. Despite the nature of the drill, Dimitri found it oddly soothing. After several rounds of this Dimitri was working up a sweat. The whole room filled with the sounds of staffs connecting and people grunting as they practiced their technique.

The master shifted around the room, observing. Occasionally he would stop a pair and lecture on the finer points of staff technique and how to properly grip the staff for maximum effect. Dimitri noticed that the master's movement when he demonstrated were so fluid, powerful, hypnotic even. It was so entrancing that Dimitri failed to properly block one of Jago's strikes that he got hit in the stomach.

"Ow!" Dimitri cried out as a sudden pain filled his chest and abdomen.

"Maintain alertness Dimitri." Jago called out. His voice was part playful part apologetic.

Dimitri shook it off, "Of course. Rule of combat." Dimitri focused back on the drills. After several rounds later the master was back at the front of the hall. He gave another order.

"Line leaders. Disarm."

At the command everyone line up again in perfect rows. Dimitri moved forward and all gathered started to pass their quarterstaffs back toward the front of the room. As Dimitri received a staff, he put it back into a neat pile as he had found them. Once all staffs had been returned each line leader returned to formation. Satisfied with the display the master again ordered:

"Line Leaders. Circle." At this command many of the people gathered gasped in shock. They however obeyed the command.

Each of the lines collapsed with those in a line forming their own circle of people. After the command was given there were about 10 different circles formed scattered all across the large space. Everyone waited for the next expected command.

"Line leaders. Center." Each line leader stepped into the center of their respective circles. Dimitri looked at his friend Jago who was bracing himself. He looked at other line leaders who were doing similar. Dimitri then looked at his own circle. He was surrounded by men and women who were looking at him, waiting the final command from the master.

"Line leaders are you ready?" The master called out. Each of the people in the circle including Dimitri pumped a clenched fist in the air.

"Very well. Begin!" The master called out

At this order, all the people in Dimitri's line lunged at him about to attack. Dimitri let instinct take over as he dodged some attacks and blocked others. He was shaken but still intact. He tried to lunged back at his attackers but the assault was too intense. He could only take the assault. He was not allowed to counterattack because the numbers were overwhelming. And so it went, as with Dimitri, for several grueling minutes the line leaders endured the assault of their peers. Dimitri was taken aback at the intensity of those attacking him. One girl in particular howled ferociously as she made her attacks. Dimitri endured the assault for what seemed like forever. It a moment of daring, he tried to counterattack. As a young man and woman made a simultaneous assault, Dimitri lunged for the man and redirected his strike as to block the woman. They collided and both were sent tumbling. The group looked stunned for a moment. Right as the group were about to go on the offensive again the master called out.

"Hold!" At the command the entire room fell still. All eyes were on the master. He scanned the room assessing the outcomes.

"Order!" At the command everyone returned to formation. Each of the line leaders returned looking much worse for the wear. Dimitri turned to Jago and saw his friend had a couple of bruises on his arm and face.

"Line leaders about face" At the command each one at the front of the line turned around to face their peers.

"Lines. What is the tenet of this temple?"

In unison all gathered said "Strength in body, A spirit of courage."

The master nodded his approval. "Ladies and gentlemen. Congratulations for the last line leaders."

With that everyone cheered and clapped. After raucous applause, the master held up his hand. Things fell silent but the mood was still cheerful

"Line leaders." The line leaders turned around and looked expectantly. "You have performed admirably and made great progress. You are the last in the rotation."

Dimitri knew what he was talking about. He reached on his wrist and held a red band. When they 'rotated' he took off the band and gave it to the person next in line. He went to the back of the line and the next person became the new line leader. The circle was a ritual created to pass off the band in succession. Dimitri and the other line leaders were the last in line to receive the band. This means that the entire line had endured the circle.

"You have all endured, and so you all move on in your journey. Line leaders step forward."

Each did so stepping to the front of the temple, standing in front of an altar.

"Line leaders. Dismount." At this command each of the people assembled removed their band and placed it on the altar. As the last of the bands was removed, each line leader raised their fist into their air as if to signal victory. The entire room followed suit.

"Dismissed." With that silence was replaced with the cheers once more. With the master's say so, people started shuffling out.

"Master?" a voice called out. Everyone stopped as they recognized the voice. Everyone knew what was coming next.

In an unusually playful tone the master responded. "Yes Oda? What is it?"

"Have you ever endured the circle?" asked Oda.

"Of course. Many times.", master responded with boredom in his voice.

"Can you demonstrate? Some of us want to see how a master handles such a situation."

"Oh? And I suppose by 'us' you want to be my circle?"

"Yes master. If it would not be too presumptuous of us."

Oh that Oda. Always trying to push people's buttons. He prided himself on the strength of body that was one of our order's tenets. He always thought himself physically superior. It's not like he was a bully but he did have a bit of an ego. People knew this was not a good move on his part. In terms of martial prowess and physical skill, only the elder could beat the master. We all knew Oda was biting off more than he could chew even if he had several of his friends helping. The master just shrugged as he seemed to reach a decision.

"Sure why not. Gather round everybody. This shall be a good demonstration for all to learn from."

With that everyone crowded around the walls of the room. The master went to the direct center of the room. Oda stepped forward to meet the masters vision. As Oda nodded, several of his friends. Looking at it the master was surrounded by twice the normal amount that was in a circle. If he was worried about the numbers, the master didn't show it. Oda and his gang was poised to strike.

"Dimitri." The master called out in a friendly tone.

"Yes master?" Dimitri called out.

"Since I am now line leader, you shall act as master. Call out when to begin and when to hold." The master was rather cheerful despite being surrounded by many belligerents.

"Yes sir!" Dimitri called back. The room looked around and were surprised at this. Many were whispering about this turn of events. The master raised his hands and breathed deep preparing for battle.

"Oda?" the master said without opening his eyes.

"Ready line leader?" Oda was getting into it not even addressing the master by his title.

"One last thing." The master breathed in then released. "Staffs."

At the order the room went nuts. Hushed whispered turned full on shouts and hollers as Oda and his group armed themselves with staffs. The master stood there with his eyes closed as if meditating. Oda and his group again surrounded the master. They were poised to strike, killing intent in their eyes. For his part Dimitri was stunned. They were going to kill him. Just then the master opened his eyes. They were serene and poised as he made eye contact with Dimitri. With those eyes, Dimitri was put at ease. No harm would befall the master. As he came to this conclusion, the master looked expectantly at him. Everyone turned to look at Dimitri as well. He then realized that he was acting master. They were waiting for him to give the order. Dimitri held out his hand.

The room went silent. "Begin!"

With that word the pin dropped. The room lit up again in shouts and cheering. Simultaneously Oda and his group all lunged at the master, weapons in hand ready to strike. The master had no weapon of his own and waited for the attackers to close distance. Oda was the quickest of the group so he reached the master first. What happened next happened very quickly.

As Oda was about to strike down on the master with his staff, the master caught the staff mid-strike close toward where Oda was holding it. Using several decades of training and experience, the master disarmed Oda, relieving him of his weapon. Oda didn't even have enough time register that his weapon had been taken. The master then grabbed Oda by the arm and tossed him at the second nearest attacker. All this happened in less than a fraction of a second. In that time Oda and the three people he collided with were dispatched.

In the next three seconds, the master gave several quick strikes, dispatching 5 more attackers and simultaneously blocking incoming swings. The room grew more silent as they realized this fight was woefully one-sided in favor of the master.

The remaining 10 attackers after being repelled, reorganized themselves for a second wave. All 10 gave a battle cry and lunged forward. No one noticed but Dimitri. The master channeled an unseen energy into the staff. All attackers reached the master. He timed it perfectly with a large circular swing, the energy imbued staff swept through all but one of the attackers. Each of them was sent flying back into the crowd. The lone attacker had been push back as well by the shockwave of the swing. As he recovered he looked around seeing all his comrades strewn across the room, crying out in pain or unconscious. He looked into the hard stare of the master. His glare alone made him shake. This presence was terrifying. The would be attacker held up his staff as if to defend. Both knew any effort would be futile against such an overriding force. The master held up his staff about to bring a swift end.

Just then Dimitri was brought out of his trance and remembered his duty as acting master. It was just as the master brought down his staff in a massive strike that Dimitri called out:

"Hold."

Though the master stopped his staff before striking, the resulting shockwave could be felt and the target dropped his staff and fell to the ground right on his butt. He whimpered in relief and not being struck.

"Well done Dimitri. You have performed your duties as master admirably." The master was still as friendly as ever.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen. It is now dinner hour."

The stunned crowd took a while to move at the master's words. Even though they were only witnesses, what they saw rattled them. How could any possess this kind of skill.

"Oh and congratulations on ascension. Dinner hour."

With that everyone was momentarily distracted from the master's power. They put food at the forefront of their minds. The would be attackers including Oda were helped up by the crowd. They all had a dazed look and had trouble maintaining balance. They managed to hobble to dinner with everyone else.

On the way out two of the female disciples went up to the master. They flanked him on both side stroking his arms, looking at him in reverence.

"Master can you teach us with your staff?" One of them went. It was clear what she meant by staff

"Yes master, we're eager to learn." The other one cooed to the master. At the same time, she undid her robes and bared her wonderfully sculpted chest and belly.

"Of course." The master said and grabbed a tit of one of the disciples and an ass cheek of the other. The other one followed her friend's example and started undoing her garments.

Dimitri stared at the display. He had to admit that the master's display had turned him on a bit too but these women were just so wanton and blatant in their desire. He looked around and was even more shocked to see that no one was really paying attention to the rather explicit scene. They were all leaving for dinner hour. A couple of the men glanced and nodded their approval and a few of the woman gave longing glances, but they were brief and none lingered. Only Dimitri was staring, unable to tear his gaze away. He was interrupted by Jago.