Chapter 541
Rattan felt his mind reel, struggling to grasp the enormity of what he was hearing. His brain went blank for a moment before he managed to articulate the thought that crashed through his shock. "Do you mean... that such an object can be handed to any mage, as long as their interests align with its purpose?"
"That’s precisely it, Rattan," Vellok confirmed, a grim nod emphasizing his words. "This colossal, planet-sized vessel, this ’impossible’ construct, isn’t some unique, divine artifact. It’s a tool, a research station, a mobile laboratory for those mages powerful and reckless enough to wield it. It functions like a vast, cosmic canvas for their experiments, a place where they can conduct research that would impact lesser worlds."
He paused, a chilling realization dawning on Rattan’s face. "Imagine the kind of power that conceives of such a thing, Rattan. Not just to move a planet, but to build one and then bestow it upon their chosen. It demonstrates a level of magical mastery that utterly dwarfs anything our gods, or even the ratfolk gods, could ever dream of."
"And the purpose, you ask? The alignment of interests?" Vellok scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him. "For us, trapped within its mechanisms, it meant we were nothing more than test subjects. Our world, our history, our very existence, was merely a contained environment for their observations. They didn’t care about our gods, our struggles, or our civilizations. We were, in their eyes, simply a variable in their grand cosmic equation."
At the precipice of the Abyss, three powerful beings observed the history lesson unfolding before them. Ikenga, who always was paying attention, noticed Vellok’s growing interest in Rattan and his willingness to reveal their world’s hidden truths.
Ikenga conveyed this insight to Keles, who immediately saw an opportunity. The idea of inviting Zarvok to partake in this secret was proposed, with the promise of a more larger share of the world’s knowledge and mysteries as his reward.
And so, the current scene played out. The unfolding history was projected through phantoms sight for the immortal beings to witness. Zarvok, a wide, unsettling smile on his face, even rose to serve, ensuring Ikenga and Keles’s chalices were meticulously filled with his finest wine.
"Your Highnesses truly surprised me with your accomplishments with your chess pieces," Zarvok purred, settling back onto his elaborate throne.
Ikenga’s laughter echoed softly. "I believe more surprises await us, Zarvok. Why don’t we continue listening?"