Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Max set down the four hundredth and twenty-eighth book he had read. The stack had grown so large that Bob had summoned more earth before they eventually descended to the floor of this summoning spell. After that, Max just stacked them on the kaleidoscope floor. Multiple times, the demon had caused the ground to shake, knocking over the neat stacks he had made. Almost a week of nonstop mayhem like that had passed before the god gave up that tactic.
This game is not like the previous one.
And yet you have a whole library of books to read.
We’ve read them all before. I can quote the words from each page to you.
Does that mean you’re going to give in? Are you going to let this god take your daughter from you? If you give in now, he will control your life.
Max grunted, his eyes flickering upward at the demon who sat before him. It was almost comical, watching it sit on the kaleidoscope floor about a mile away on its knees. That single eye glared at him with a rage that Max could feel even through the distances that separated them.
At least he’s stopped trying to threaten me. That got old quick.
Max turned and looked at the timepiece he had sitting on the floor near his chair, walking toward the well-cushioned seat. We’re approaching month three. Surely this has to end at some point. I know the spell cannot last forever, but how does the system handle things like this? When we crafted my artifact, we were once again in a “time” bubble of sorts. We need to learn more about things like these and how they affect the flow of everything.
I’m not sure we will ever learn that much knowledge or truth. The time golem we fought showed us the power of reversing time. It is a shame we couldn’t absorb its power, but I doubt the system would have let us have that kind of power. Though it does make me wonder about the Nine.
Max grunted and nodded, summoning a book on gardening, and then studied the well-worn pages.
A favorite of Cordellia’s. Now what are you wondering?
The lesson we first learned upon becoming gods. We both remember the words.
*****
Life grew too vibrant and too swift.
Death sought to prune every intolerable overgrowth.
Matter found pride in density and form, while Void whispered of flawless simplicity in absence.
Time controlled every motion, insisting upon sequence.
Thought ascended beyond the sequence, doubting the need for any.
Element drifted between them all, chaotic yet deliberate, scattering sparks of possibility.
Binding forged unseen chains that linked matter, flesh, and spirit.
And Force exulted in sheer emotion, its roar begging for resistance and war.
*****
While I’m not certain, I would assume that our demon friend over there has a connection with me and the other two black skills. I can sense… feel a… thread in some ways. Remember those words:
*****
But harmony offends those who feast upon endings.
Death knows that every story must close.
Void whispers that the surest peace is silence.
Together they breathed upon the Arbiter.
*****
Based upon what Death said to us earlier, he has sought us out before. Or well… myself or another black skill. Something inside him still desires to use us as a tool in whatever game the gods are playing.
Similar to Wekime…
Yes, but he was honest about that up front and gave you what he did. That mark has helped us before this moment, and it appears to have done so again when Death tried to reach for us.
Another example of this game taking a similar path. You think Wekime knew this day might come? And knowing that is one of the reasons why he did what he did?
Perhaps. Those are philosophical and profound questions about things we have limited knowledge to base our understanding on. What bothers me more is that Death knew you had a child. Somehow, it could set a snare like it did around Miranna’s life. It also made the gamble that you would do what you did. The coincidences are too much.
Max did his best to keep his frustration and concern hidden, his eyes focused on the words someone had written long ago about cultivating soil with compost.
So… do you think—
His mind saw the connection in Bob’s thoughts and in his own.
All of the Nine can now sense us… and in doing so can potentially sense those around us… and since Miranna is part of my flesh…
The same sensation he always felt in his mind when Bob agreed with him came, and Max frowned.
We are connected in a way I don’t truly understand, but yes, I do believe they can sense us. If you recall when I entered the system and you came with me, there are lines of life all around. When we stood before the Archons, you saw the mass bundle of threads of life and power that flowed into each of them. I believe the Nine can sense and find myself and the other two black skills.
I don’t know what that purpose might be, but I believe…
For the first time in so long, Max felt a bit of fear coming from his skill.
You believe that you, Devour, and Command are just tools and a game for the Nine to grow stronger.
Neither spoke as Bob remained silent, but once again the sensation that his skill agreed was there.
You have often wondered what or why you were picked to have me. I have spent many days and months trying to figure out what made you so special, and yet now… Now I feel like the smallest pawn of all.
Was… was I part of a being… a child who tried to replace their maker and am now suffering for my mistake? What about the other two parts of me? Why do we always fight and wage war against each other? Phaius and Ockrim both spoke on how the three of us must come together and fight.
Has all this been… planned? Ordained? Foretold?
Max’s head struggled to cope with the multitude of thoughts Bob finally revealed. A tiny barrier had been built, shielding Max from those thoughts. Just as Bob hid behind it when he and Tanila spent time together as husband and wife, his skill spent time behind it, trying to unravel their relationship and reason.
I… I didn’t realize you struggled with all this. The revelation that came upon defeating the tower… You’re worried about what happens when we face the other two black skills.
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A version of a sigh echoed inside his soul. Max could feel the dread that seemed to be gripping Bob.
When Death came and said he had sought me out, meant to use me… You as a tool, I saw pieces take place in a puzzle that I didn’t recognize. In this small span of time we’ve been here, I’ve remembered more… small glimpses of times before that I never could recall. As I leveled up in rank and more knowledge came, now when one speaks to me about it before , it does something similar. See for yourself.
Max felt his mind flooded with images, and his stomach felt the need to expel anything in it.
They were snapshots of moments, frozen now in his mind. Worlds, galaxies, and more were destroyed, and small pieces of what had once been planets floated in the darkness of space. Powerful black spaces with white and golden auras on their outside sucked everything toward them.
Two other creatures… abominations of sorts waged against what he realized was Bob. His mind struggled to give words and descriptions to what he saw as they shifted and changed multiple times. Tremendous amounts of energy filled the space around them all.
Those are all different battles. Each one brings destruction, and then… it all vanishes. Nothing more… nothing else. My… being… core… You would call it a soul… aches. I… I thought I realized I was more than just a base desire to consume everything, but these memories… they make me doubt that.
But you’re not that anymore! You’ve changed. I’ve changed because of you! In a good way. Even now, you’re not wanting to just go out and consume all life. You’re here, helping me try to find a way to save my daughter.
The river of pain that washed through Max’s being faltered for a moment, and he could sense that Bob had stopped drowning himself in the river of sorrow he had been submerged in.
Yes! That’s it. Remember how you saved Tanila. How you saved my friends! Don’t forget what you are, what kept me alive and prevented me from becoming what Death and all those other gods wanted us to become when we were captured! You, Bob! I swore to you before that we’d figure this out together, and I will keep that promise. Do not go down this path.
Max closed his book. His eyes felt like they might ignite from the passion and fury that swelled within.
This “game” they play isn’t going to take place like before. Ignore Death or anyone else who says we have no choice. Our choice is what allows us to be who and what we are. They cannot make us take a path, and if some god attempts to force us by holding the ones we love hostage, then we shall show them how wrong they were.
Max stood, storing his book. Then he began storing everything else he had set out on the ground.
He could feel the gaze of Death watching him, those large eyelids narrowing.
I’m done playing this game where those above us think they can control us. You and I, Bob, we’re going to save Miranna, and in doing so we’re going to show the Nine and every other god out there that we’re breaking this rule. I’m going to find a way to help you remember more and become something different.
Max paused his storing of books that were stacked before him. His lips drew tight and his jaw clenched.
Show me the friend you are. Because that, Bob, is what you are to me. A friend. A brother. More than just a skill.
Max continued storing books, ignoring the gaze of Death as he felt the shift inside his core, knowing Bob was working through things.
You… Max… I am reminded once again how lucky I was to be given to you. Thank you for… accepting me and treating me as you do. And this plan of yours… I like it.
I thought you might.
A smile grew on his face, and Max paused his storing of books, turned, and moved toward the kneeling god.
“It seems you are ready to surrender,” Death said, a wicked, toothy grin appearing. “Good, I was—”
Max continued to move toward the god, smiling as he did, and then laughed as the demon rose to its feet, its single eye widening as he continued his approach.
“What are you doing?!”
Max laughed, pointing his finger at the god who took a step back from him. “You have not agreed to the terms I set forth! May the Archons, the other Nine and the system hear that you have answered my call when I used my Demonic Summoning! May they know you attacked me and continue to attack me now!”
“I have done—”
Death’s voice went silent as Max drew closer, the red barrier beginning to appear as the black and purple aura that radiated around the god’s body started to touch it.
“Even now you assault me with your foul attempts on my life!” Max shouted. “Every step I take, unarmed, you—”
“STOP!” Death roared, taking a gigantic step backward. “I am breaking no such rule!”
Max didn’t slow down his approach. As he moved closer, the aura around Death grew, and a peal of thunder rang out.
It won’t work, and he is realizing it. A masterful plan.
It’s all because of you, Bob. We’re forced to play by rules, and if that’s the case, I’m going to bend every one I can to make it work for us. Someone out there wants us to do so. In time, we’ll see who and why.
No door came, and Death glanced around, its single eye moving in each direction. It tried to take another step back, but the wall that Max and it knew was there stopped its escape.
“Here are my demands, again,” Max shouted. “If you want to be free from this prison, not punished by the system more than you will be, swear to release my daughter so that she returns to me the moment I end this spell. She must be as she was before you did whatever you did, except she’s now awakened to the system. You must also agree to refrain from interfering with me again. Attack me or those I love in any way—”
“I CANNOT!” Death roared. “Everything I do attacks you! I will free your daughter!”
Max shook his head, getting close enough that once again the red barrier ignited, flashing as wisps of the demon’s aura touched it. “Not good enough!”
Death moved sideways, sliding along the barrier of the kaleidoscope domain. Each time it escaped, Max made his way toward the god.
Time passed, and he knew it had to be days and probably at least a week as the game of cat and mouse played out. A two-mile-tall god trying to avoid letting Max get close, Each time the aura flared, the demon scowled.
Every time it did, Max called out, “System and Archons! All of the Nine! See that Death has once again broken the rules and attacked me!”
The scowl on the demon’s face grew larger with each incursion.
A rumble came, and the domain of the summoning spell seemed to falter.
“It appears time is running short!” Max shouted. “The spell is going to end, and you have broken the rules countless times!”
“I will devour you and yours!” Death roared.
“Another threat and a breaking of the deal!” Max shouted. “Tell me, system! How great should the punishment of one who built all this be for breaking the very rules they set in place?!”
His words caused the god to stumble as it took a step to gain distance again.
That large red eye flared and then dimmed.
“VERY WELL!” Death roared, his aura surging outward as the god cried out. “Your daughter returned as she was! I will take no actions against you or yours for 10,000 years!”
Not enough. The spell is faltering, and he knows it. Death is in trouble. Go for 100,000.
Think that’s enough?
You’re a god now. All you can do is seek more time to grow stronger, and if one of the Nine can’t do anything against you for that long…
Good point…
“100,000 years!” Max yelled back.
“25,000! That’s the most I can give!” Death replied. “Any more would be too much and limit my purpose in the system!”
Max started to open his mouth and call out for more time but paused.
Death’s part in the system…
Balance… order… all things die… well most. I would take the offer.
Max stopped his approach and nodded. “Very well! My daughter, as she was before you interfered, awoken and well. 25,000 years of you not making a move against me or my family and friends. And a warning… let the others know, we’re not a pawn to play with.”
Death let out a howl, not one of rage or anger like all the others, but Max sensed pain was the reason for how it sounded this time.
“ACCEPTED!”
When those words came, a giant black door appeared behind Death, and the god didn’t hesitate, darting inside the open area, a red eye burning with power as it stared at him. “25,000 years will pass quickly, Max Hoste. Prepare yourself for what comes after!”
After it had finished speaking, the door slammed shut, and the kaleidoscope domain began to shatter.
You never cease to amaze me, Max.
A chuckle came from within his mind as Max prepared to move, knowing in just a moment, he would return to the chaos he had just left.