NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: The Angel of Red
"I Wonder if that has something to do with your birth. Isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence that both events took place roughly the same time?"
Silent. The Calamity Giant could not utter another word, neither could "He" think of one. "His" head remained mostly empty, incredibly silent, yet numerous thoughts continuously ruptured in "His" stale mind. "He" watched, as the 'God' in front of "Him", "His" smile ever so bright and alluring, took another step forward, now standing not even a foot away from "Him".
Grisha opened "His" mouth, while "His" gaze remained fixed on the Calamity Giant, who limply sat in front of "Him". "His" words, ethereal in nature, a voice that seemed to penetrate through all evil and degeneracy, seemingly echoed through the environment, resounding in the ears of everyone present. "You seem to possess a lot of questions with no answers in sight. Shall I help with them?" "His" ethereal voice, carried with it a strange sense of serenity, which instantly calmed the minds of everyone that heard it.
Subsequently, The Calamity Giant felt himself at ease, and noticed the 'God', extending "His" hand towards "Him", "His" fair palm stilled itself in the air, waiting for the Calamity Giant to either refuse or accept it. The latter, first calmed himself completely, before pondering on "His" options. After a while, "He" let a sigh escape and got up from "His" position, neither accepting nor refusing the 'God's' offer. "His" figure towered over Grisha, Klein and Sasir.
"He" looked back down at the 'God' in front of "Him", witnessing "Him" retracing "His" hand to "His" back, while lifting "His" head up, the two gazes locked in with each other, while the smiling 'God' only seemed to turn brighter.
Further away from them, Klein Moretti, leaned against a rock, taking the role of a spectator in the convo between a Dual pathway true deity and a Sequence 2: Weather Warlock. As expected of a hunter. "He" is taking caution, but Grisha did manage to peak "His" curiosity regarding "His" origins. This should make "Him" roll with whatever "He" has in mind…
As Klein narrowed his gaze, he noticed The Calamity Giant's open mouth "His" mouth and asked, "What do you know of me?" Grisha remained silent for a moment, before slowly speaking, "Not much. In fact, I have already stated everything I know about you at the moment…
"Of course, this doesn't mean I can't know more." The Calamity Giant narrowed "His" gaze and leaned back a little. After some moments of contemplation, "He" spoke once more in a calm tone, "And about my… father?" His voice became slightly distanced at the end, seemingly an influx of emotions taking over, as the Calamity Giant's mouth slowly closed itself.
Klein narrowed his gaze further, and tilted his head. Whereas Grisha remained unfazed, maintaining "His" smile, "He" spoke up. ""He" is a servant of the Mutant King, Kvastir. One of "His" Subsidiary gods, the God of War." Grisha provided the most basic information, making the Calamity Giant bop "His" head vertically. "Why did "He" give birth to me then?"
"Hehe, who knows?" Grisha's response slightly made the Calamity Giant frustrated, not because of the lack of information in them, but due to the failed conspiracy.
A Conspiracy. Hehe, As a born Mythical Creature, "He" is incapable of feeling emotions such as love or longing, especially without a shred of humanity. This Mythical Creature, who had only learned to properly speak just now, naturally does not possess any humanity, and hence the distant emotions "He" displayed at the end of his previous question does not make sense. This immediately gave away the conspiracy "He" was brewing using misdirection… Should have learned from me, a senior Mentor of Deceit! Klein had a mischievous grin plastered on his face as he couldn't help but tease himself ever so slightly. He felt his humanity slightly strengthened, which only turned his mischievous grin more genuine, as he inwardly chuckled.
As far as I know, a born Mythical Creature wouldn't care for how they were born. "They" only care about their current existence. Very solemnly would one be interested in their origins; a Red Priest Mythical Creature isn't one of them. But then, what was the end goal of "His" Conspiracy? What was "He" trying to achieve? Klein rubbed his chin, as the smile on his place disappeared. He wasn't worried about the King of king Angels, Sasrir that stood beside him, noticing his change of moods or expression due to long having erected his nascent divine kingdom. This not only concealed his thoughts from Grisha, but if Klein wished, also "His" physical actions.
The Calamity Giant, who had remained silent ever since Grisha's response, did not attempt to hide "His" annoyance. After a moment, "He" took a deep breath, closing "His" eyes and then opening them once more, while "His" lips slowly parted from each other, "What do you seek of me?" "He" did not attempt to beat around the bush, coming straight to the main point after realizing mental games were futile before this 'God'. Grisha chuckled, and continued to do so for a while. Finally, the smile on "His" pretty face slowly disappeared as "He" looked up back at the Calamity Giant, and asked.
"Would you like to become an angel under me?" The Calamity Giant eyes widened. It took "Him", no longer than a second, to fully recognize the opportunity that was being presented. Yet, of course, "He" remained skeptical of the words that left this Deity's mouth, and very cautiously questioned, "An Angel? You mean one of those 'subsidiary gods'?"
Seeing Grisha nod, the Calamity Giant quickly followed, "And why do you think I would want to?" "He" was a bit tense while stating this, as "He" had long confirmed that "He" stood no chance against this Deity . Neither did "He" stand a chance against the other two that remained by the side. This situation was absolutely unfavorable towards "Him" and so "He" naturally didn't wish to provoke any of them.
"He" noticed Grisha's unchanging expression, and inwardly sighed a breath of relief. "Don't you wish to rise in strength?" Grisha replied, narrowing "His" gaze, "His" lips curling back upwards into a smile. The Calamity Giant was instantly taken aback, before calming himself and tilting "His" head.
"You have already bore witness to the sheer strength my Angels possess, capable of empowering entire armies at moments." "He" turned around pointing towards Sasrir, and looked at Klein, who shook his head and moved away from Grisha's gaze, refusing to be called "His" angel.
The Calamity Giant looked at Sasrir and remembered how "He" had been trapped within "His" Fog of War, a previously believed impenetrable barrier that should have protected "Him" from all outward interference. Yet, not only were "His" movement and powers restricted, the very fog of war dampened due to the strange, illusory shadow that cloaked the entire island.
"You can reach that strength." Grisha chuckled upon saying that. While the Calamity Giant, whose gaze remained fixed on Sasrir, seriously began to consider "His" options and this lustrous opportunity. Several minutes passed, as the Calamity Giant stood still, "His" eyes blank, while "His" temperament remained stoic and still. At a glance, "He" seemed to have been frozen in time. When suddenly, his fiery skull moved, turning from Sasrir back to Grisha, as "His" jaws moved. A calm yet rough voice cut through the silence that had enveloped the environment.
"How can I become stronger?" Grisha's smile visibly widened, as "His" hands reached behind "His" back and slowly pulled from it an ancient weathered stone slate, on its surface was the record of all 22 Pathways potion formulas, sequence names and rituals.
Klein immediately recognized this ancient slate as The First Blasphemy Slate! Klein was about to use the observational abilities of Error Pathway to take a look at the first Blasphemy slate, before completely halting his activity, as he immediately noticed from the corner of his eyes, Grisha's gaze that was fixed on him.
Klein's eyes twitched and turned completely towards Grisha while flashing "Him" a slight smile. During this, the Calamity was completely and utterly shocked, as "He" looked at the engraved words on the strange stone slate. While having not ever seen those words before, he immediately understood them at a conceptual level.
Sequence 9: Hunter, Sequence 8: Provoker, Sequence 7: Fire Mage, Sequence 6: Conspirer, Sequence 5: Reaper, Sequence 4: Iron Blooded Knight, Sequence 3: War Bishop, Sequence 2: Weather Warlock, Sequence 1: Conqueror…. The Calamity Giant was incapable of reading the last sequence, due to it being blurred out. Even then, the sheer knowledge that the Blasphemy Slate provided "Him", it opened an entire realm of possibilities.
Quickly, The Calamity Giant remembered being referred to as a Weather Warlock by this powerful Deity. Making the connection, "His" gaze instantly wandered to Sequence 1: Conqueror potion formula and ritual as the realization dawned on him that…
Yes, "He" can become stronger.
Without any further thoughts, "He" bowed down "His" head and dropped to a knee, as "He" solemnly muttered, "I swear in the name that you may provide, to serve you and only you from this day forth until the very end of mine." Grisha put away the Blasphemy Slate and raised "His" right hand, resting it on his head. As "He" did so, the surroundings immediately brightened far more than ever before, burning away any and all sins that this 'Calamity' had committed ever since "His" birth, washing away all "His" 'regrets', all his 'worries', morphing him once again, into a pure soul born from the fires of War, and the molten iron tainted with blood of countless.
He felt his very words being tied with his soul forever and ever, It was like his statement had been engraved deep within his very soul, tying him to the 'God' forever and ever.
"Hehe, If you so wish then so it shall be. I, The Resplendent and decadent Sun, have you as my Second Angel…
"The Angel of Red, Medici."
Grisha's voice echoed through the entire Harbour, traveling through the vast sea, the air, the land and even through the spirit world and the astral world. It was akin to an absolute declaration to this entire world-No, the entire cosmos. The weather itself began to change as a storm occurred amidst the bright sky and the clear clouds. A shadow taller than this very world loomed over as it extended beyond just the material plane, but also penetrated the astral world. It was a spectacle that could not have been put into words, a spectacle that could not be described, comprehended, or even thought about.
As Klein bore witness to this massive spectacle, he suddenly came to notice, at the foot of the shadow, erupted a liquid that seemingly contained within itself all colors, a sea that encompassed within itself, Everything and nothing. Light but Darkness, Purity yet Degeneracy. A sea that encompassed within itself, all possibilities, all colors, and essentially the mind of all existence, even that of the Original Creator. It was utter Chaos.
The Chaos Sea. Klein chuckled upon viewing that, before breaking into a short yet simple laughter. Amazing. It has only been some weeks, yet his connection with the Chaos Sea has already deepened this much! Wearing a grin, Klein clapped with his hands, seemingly congratulating his 'Friend' upon gaining a new servant.
As the environment soon returned to normalcy. Medici stood up from "His" position, feeling both at ease and serenity. His mind was clear as "He" faced the one and only Deity he had sworn to serve from this day onwards. Grisha maintained "His" smile, and walked away from Medici towards Klein while Sasrir approached the angel of red.
Grisha stopped a few meters away from Klein, both of them staring at each other for some moments. Grisha's smile slowly disappeared from "His" face, as "He" tilted his head and began to speak,
"This place…. It has a Mystical connection with a higher level object or existence. Considering Medici was born here and that a Conqueror was attracted here, I am assuming…" He paused for a moment, before continuing. "This Mystical Place correspond to the Red Priest pathway? And since the Demoness neighbors the Red Priest, I am assuming the High Sequence group corresponding to this mystical place constitutes the both of them." Klein, in response, simply displayed a slight smile, and said.
"Guess."
Grisha narrowed "His" gaze and continued to stare at Klein. "Just… What are these Mystical Places?" Klein's smile slowly faded away from his beautiful and handsome face, as he seemingly pondered for some moments. Finally, he spoke up, not replying to Grisha's question but instead asserting a statement.
"There are some things that make it easier to be 'infected', the more you know. The knowledge you seek is something I do not wish to provide you at the moment. Only, once you gain partial authority over omniscience, should you deduce the answers." Grisha remained unfazed from Klein's statement, and simply nodded.
"He" the. thought for a moment before saying, "Where are the other Mystical places? Unlike Sefirah Castle and Chaos Sea, this island only seems to possess an extremely weak, almost imperceptible connection to it, so it can't be the proxy. I am assuming you can answer this much." Klein slightly chuckled and replied, "Sealed."
Sealed? Grisha nodded, not making an attempt to ask who had sealed them, as "He" knew Klein would not answer. Besides, Klein's simple response gave Grisha more than enough information. These Mystical Places should, at the very least, be above the sequence 0 level. If an existence is capable of sealing these high level items or existence, then it is safe to assume there are existence above sequence 0…
While I am not sure if rising to the level of this existence is possible, the fact that my status as well as that of some of the other deities can be elevated to beyond sequence 0 strength simply due to me having a level of control over Chaos Sea, it is safe to assume that is the case. All of these Mystical places seem to also possess a high level neighboring group, such as Seer, Apprentice and Marauder, or Red Priest and Demoness. So, perhaps by gaining the authority of all neighboring pathways as well as nigh absolute control over the corresponding mystical place would one ascend to… Above the Sequence?
Grisha paused his instantaneous train of thought, and slowly smiled reassessing "His" usual demeanor. "He" had decided to investigate more on this later, in isolation. Grisha turned away from Klein, before turning back at "Him" and curiously asking. "Was Medici born due to corruption subjected to the God of War of Kvastir by…."
"The City of Calamity. And yes. The God of War was likely attracted by the convergence effect erupting from this place. Once "He" came here, "He" likely suffered some corruption and got rid of a high level characteristic to somewhat stabilize "His" already delicate condition. Medici was later born when this sequence 2 characteristics came to life due to the corruption it enquired through the "City of Calamity."
Grisha keenly listened and followed after Klein, "That means "He" should have some level of connection with the City of Calamity..." Observing Klein's nod, Grisha smiled and walked away. This prompted Klein to lean forward back again and walk towards Medici, only to be halted by Sasrir. "Remember I talked about having something to discuss with you?"
Klein nodded, in acknowledgment. Sasrir tilted "His" head for a moment and spoke, "Why don't you consider coming under the shed of our lord?" Klein smiled, and replied in a nonchalant tone. "Because I neither see "Him" as one, nor do I wish to serve any in that matter."
In a similarly nonchalant manner, the Dark Angel continued. "The ability you previously displayed—partial authority over time. If I am not mistaken, it should be an ability of the Marauder pathway, whose Uniqueness is possessed by our lord. You would eventually need it from "Him", if you were to try and ascend to Sequence 0 of the corresponding pathway and become a dual pathway true deity, which I don't see a reason why you wouldn't. Wouldn't it be better for you then to serve under "Him" and with time be bestowed the Uniqueness?"
Sasrir was soon a bit taken aback when Klein began to chuckle. Composing himself, Klein extended his hand and tipped his hat. "Nice try. But here's the thing Sasrir, I won't need to serve or even fight "Him" for it. By the time, I'll be needing the Uniqueness, the trend of times would have long gone through multiple, uncontrollable changes."
Klein slowly walked away from Sasrir, while maintaining his smile. He walked towards Grisha and Medici and looked at the former, speaking to him in an eloquent manner, "If there is nothing else you need from me, shall I take my leave?"
Grisha nodded, indicating he could take his leave. Seeing this, Klein turned his head towards Medici. "I suppose we will be seeing each other often." Medici remained motionless, only "His" gaze seemed to ever so slightly flutter. Klein chuckled once more and waved his hands as his figure disappeared from the Bansy Harbour towards his next destination.
…
[A Few days ago]
Sitting in her comfy pillow, Amanises yawned, tired, while wearing a solemn face. There was only one thought that constantly rang through her mind, sharply, prompting her to repeatedly shake her head.
I was wrong about Klein not being mad… That guy is clinically insane….