Ultimate Level 1
Chapter 511: Wedding Day

Chapter 511 - Wedding Day

Standing on a platform raised in the Colosseum, Max tried to understand how everything had come together so quickly.

All around him were flower garlands, strung together and covering the open area as a canopy from the sun.

Each seat was packed, and one’s station in life didn’t matter as a lottery was conducted, giving everyone an equal chance to attend such a moment. Pauper and noble sat shoulder to shoulder, and none complained as each person watched in anticipation of a wedding that had sent the city into a tizzy upon its announcement.

Molly and Macy had opened the city coffers to help get things together in time and Dagon was present, having brought as much dwarven ale as he could.

His suit had been crafted by the best maker in town. What made things even more special was that his mother helped make Tanila’s dress.

Glancing around, Max saw the four who stood by him, all dressed in gold like he was.

Fowl was rocking back and forth slightly, still a bit anxious as the best dwarf. Beside him was his father, looking better than Max could ever remember.

Next to him was a towering warrior who had introduced him to this faction and forever earned a place at his side.

Dexic smiled at him as he looked down the line at the last person there.

Pete looked absolutely in shock. He had been unable to speak when he had teleported to the city and asked the dwarf if he would be one of his attendants.

If it hadn’t been for his friendship with Fowl, Max would have been shocked at the amount of tears and snot a dwarf excreted in joy.

All four of them smiled at him, and each nodded as he waited for the moment that was about to start.

Across from him stood Cordellia, dressed in a forest green color that accented her beauty. Her hair was done perfectly, and she smiled at him, a tear breaking free from the corner of her eye.

His sister chuckled and rolled her eyes before winking at him as she waited third in line.

At the end was the happiest of the bunch.

Max couldn’t help but laugh when Tanila told him she would ask Alfreda to be one of her bridesmaids.

They were thankful that a healer was on hand when the older elf passed out, completely in shock that they would want her there.

Turning his attention to the front, Everett stood there, dressed in a black outfit, with a large pin of their faction on his chest.

A nod of his head came as the older man signaled to someone off stage.

Trumpets began to play and the crowd went silent.

When they stopped, harps began to ring out, and the melody of an elvish song came forth, with a few wind instruments joining in.

Two large doors swung open, where a path of flowers ran to and gasps were heard from those in the crowd who could see Tanila from the display above.

Part of Max wanted to turn his neck upward and get a peek. The other couldn’t tear himself from the doorway, waiting for this moment.

His breath caught in his throat as she stepped forward, Tom at her side, and slowly made her way along the flower trail toward the platform.

A veil covered her face, but her gold hair was braided and sparkling with gems. Her dress fit her perfectly, accenting her natural physical beauty while somehow avoiding overemphasizing that she was carrying their child.

Beneath the veil, he could see the gold eyes that locked onto his.

She laughed suddenly as Tom whispered something and the crowd chuckled along with them.

“What did he say?” Fowl asked.

“Beats me, but I’m sure they’ll lie about it later,” Max replied.

Each step felt like a dream and soon they were at the platform, walking toward him.

“Gods, she’s beautiful,” Fowl said quietly.

“She is,” Max said back.

“Oh… I mean yeah, Tanila looks good, I was talking about Batrire.”

Laughter came from his attendants, and Max finally realized that behind Tanila was Batrire, dressed in the same green as the other women and holding a bouquet of flowers. Her beard and hair were braided, and he had to admit that she did look great, but no one compared to the woman before her.

Smiling, he turned his attention back to Tanila and moved beside Tom, who winked at him as they approached Everett.

Every second seemed perfect, and Max couldn’t help but stare at her through the veil. It was just thin enough to show her smile and those eyes. Neither of them could look away, and it took his friend's assistance to avoid looking foolish.

Take her hand!

Max shook off the fog that had him and took Tanila’s hand from Tom, who gently patted his shoulder before moving off to join his attendants.

“Had anyone told me that these two would be wed the day after they entered our faction and joined, I would have told them that Max was going to be in trouble,” Everett said, his voice carrying to all within the open-air Colosseum.

Laughter and chuckles came from the crowd as the older man continued.

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“Both of them were steadfast and confident, sure of what they wanted and what they could do. Since that first meeting, I knew they were different and looked forward to seeing how great they would become. Today I get to be part of their growth, joining the two of them together in marriage, a testament of love and example that there are no boundaries to stop one from loving another.”

Everett smiled at him and then at Tanila.

“The two of you have your own vows. Speak them to each other and before those gathered so that they will know the depth of your love for each other.”

Max turned, holding Tanila’s hands as she stood there, waiting.

The veil…

Groaning internally, Max reached with both hands and quickly lifted it, his fingers almost failing as he saw how amazing she looked up. Every square inch of her face was flawless and her lips almost begged him to lean forward and push them against his.

She winked at him as he retook her hands.

“Max… since the day we met, there was something I couldn’t figure out about you. So many times, I have been told that men and humans are selfish and only look out for themselves first. Yet every day I spent with you, I saw a man who cared about everyone, regardless of their race or sex.

“Even though you didn’t know it, dozens of women threw themselves at you and somehow, I’m the one you wanted.”

Chuckles came from Fowl, and Tanila’s smile grew.

“You showed me what love is. That it’s unconditional. That’s ugly. It hurts to love because you hurt when the one you love suffers. You rejoice when I succeed, even if it means you fail. While others horde, you give away, trying to help others prosper.”

She swallowed after taking a deep breath.

“You, Max, kept me from losing myself in the thirst for power. You gave me something to hold onto, and now I look forward to the day we both have another to love.”

Freeing one of her hands, Tanila touched his cheek gently and smiled.

“I love you, with every part of m,e and cannot wait to be called your wife.”

A tear ran down along her nose, and Max used his thumb to gently and carefully whisk it away.

Taking her hand, Max smiled at her.

“Tanila… you know my darkest secrets and struggles and yet you stayed by me. I’m the man I am today because of you.”

His voice struggled momentarily as Max admitted the truth he had always known.

“If it weren’t for you, this world would be darker. Since the day we met, I knew you were different, and my mind and heart couldn’t wait to find out what it was. Having spent all our time together, I cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives with one another.”

Squeezing her hands gently, he smiled.

“When I was kidnapped, taken to another world, and faced with giving in to the darkness, you are the light that guided me home.”

Ignoring the gasps and murmurs from the crowd that didn’t know about those details, Max freed a hand and brushed her cheek.

“I want nothing more than to be your husband and for you to be my wife.”

Applause broke out in different areas of the Colosseum and Everett gave them a moment before drawing the attention back to the wedding.

“With your vows spoken, we now move on to the rings.”

Fowl and Batrire stepped forward, smiling as they handed the rings to each of them.

“Their moment is different than most,” Everett proclaimed. “Unlike so often, we ask if one will honor, cherish, protect, and love, but we do not need to do that with these two.

“You see, as tower climbers… as adventurers… as heroes who protected this city… who protected each and every one of you, they do this already.”

A roar of applause came, and the Faction leader held up his hand, cutting it off after a moment.

“So I don’t need them to make these promises because they have bled for each other, sacrificed for one another. Now they simply wear a symbol of love, another outward sign of their commitment.”

He nodded at Ma,x who took his ring and slid it onto Tanila’s finger.

A moment later, she did the same to him.

Both of them fingered the rings slightly with their thumb, still holding hands with the other.

“Now, all that is left is one more thing.”

Aerthen appeared from behind, moving slowly. Murmurs came from the crowd as her tail moved along the ground from under her green dress.

She came to stand next to Everett and let out a low laugh before smiling at the two of them.

“Today, not only elves, humans, and dwarves see the union of these two, but know that others from this world look forward to this union,” the older man proclaimed. “As such, this next moment comes with a blessing unlike any other.”

Everett motioned to the two of them, and they put their hands on Aerthen’s open palm.

She then covered theirs with her other hand and closed her eyes.

A hum came from her as she cast a spell, warmth and heat growing as red light escaped through the cracks of her hand.

Max could sense something similar to the time Wekime had marked him.

Glancing at Tanila, he saw her eyes locked on Aerthen, neither of them certain what would happen.

[ Blessing Acquired ]

[ Blessing of the Father - When near one of his children, you shall receive a bonus to resistance against magic. 5% ]

His eyes widened at the notification, and Max saw that Tanila was as shocked as he was.

“May your marriage be blessed,” she whispered, almost panting.

“Thank you,” Tanila whispered. “For everything.”

Aerthen nodded and took a step back as Everett moved forward, an eyebrow cocked at the two of them.

Clearing his throat, he smiled.

“Now that that moment is over, we come to the part we all have been waiting for. May I present to you Max and Tanila Hoste!”

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, and a bright stream of fire shot up into the air from where Rakonath had been watching from.

“You can kiss her,” Everett whispered.

“I know,” Max replied as he stepped forward and pulled Tanila close. “Now I can kiss her whenever I want.”

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