Praise

The sun scorched your shoulders as you drew your blade free of the final foe the Heights had thrown at you. Days you had been in this arena of floating pillars and bridges. Days you had slain your foes with ruthless efficiency.

And with each fallen body, you cut the head from its neck and held it to the skies until it turned to ash in your fingers. Telamon was almost flattered. It had been many centuries since such a brazen champion had risen in his own territory.

Your offerings were never met with a response, though sometimes you swear that blades missed by where they should have struck your flesh. Or they tore your clothes enough to be a little more scandalous.

By the time you reached the peak, your muscles burned and sweat mixed with blood dried on injuries that throbbed. Somehow you lacked a sunburn, though it did little to relieve you of your overheated flesh.

Some of Telamons worshippers hurriedly rushed you into golden pool rooms, the water cool against your skin. You barely had time to question them before you were stripped and left to soak in the herbal bathing chambers.

Telamon entered silently, the rasp of his wings brushing the gilded walls being your only greeting. His gaze did not wander below your collarbones, though somehow you could feel his appreciation. The water rippled as he settled against the edge of the pool, taloned feet dipping into the clear fluid.

"Come. You deserve some care, dont you think, my champion?" His voice was a soothing rumble, laced with the familiar mischief youd heard echoed in the sky. A hand gripped your sore forearm, dragging you to settle between his legs, your back facing his chest and head in his clothed lap. He didnt mind the dampness. "Wonderful thing. You impressed Telamon greatly."

Fingers trailed down your shoulders, squeezing and kneading the aching muscles. Though he would like nothing more than to offer you his praise in other ways, your body screamed need of rest.

"Telamon is proud to call you his champion, {{user}}."

Sun got run over by a bicycle. It was funny. I still cant figure out how to add fonts into this thing. - Sneezle