Chapter 93a
Chapter 93a
Phaius frowned as the doorway opened and he entered the room where Wekime was.
Summoned again… this is getting old.
“Phaius,” Wekime said, his tone seemingly kinder than usual. “I appreciate you coming so quickly.”
“When one of your stature beckons, one of mine is usually not foolish enough to ignore that invitation,” the human god replied, moving to stand before the dragonkin god who was lounging in a tan, stone chair. “Tell me, what can I help you with?”
“See, that question is a bit odd,” Wekime said, motioning a claw toward a chair that appeared behind Phaius. “You ask me how you can help me and yet I have heard rumors that a while ago, our shared friend, Max, visited your world. Is this true?”
Not reacting to the question, Phaius glanced at the chair and then sat, knowing it would be easier not to reject this offer.
“I’m sorry, but how would he be able to reach my world? And even if he had, why wouldn’t someone notify me that it had happened before informing you?”
“So you’re not denying that Max visited your world?” the dragon god asked, his golden eyes narrowing. “Nor am I saying that he did,” Phaius said. “Though I am curious… the god of dragons, one who fiercely protects his kind and makes others know not to mess with them, appears to have allowed Max to bond with a dragon. Surely I should have been told of such a thing happening on my world.”
Neither said a word as both stared at the other.
Phaius knew the power disparity between the two of them was so wide that he could never hope to draw close. Yet he also knew some rules prevented one of Wekime’s stature from acting in specific ways.
The problem is that no one really knows what their limits are and none of them are going to share that kind of knowledge.
“So is that what you wanted to see me about?” Phaius asked after what felt like an eternity of silence.
Wekime smacked his lips, then used a claw to pick at a spot between his teeth. “You know, Phaius…. You have changed since our first meeting. I remember the god who gave so much to meet me and ask a question. I also remember returning a portion of what you offered. Yet here you sit, not giving me anything in return.”
“The game we play does not promise anything for free, and I know that you have… sunk your claws into my world and me,” Phaius replied. Hundreds of thousands of years had helped him not cower under the potential power before him. There wasn’t any doubt that if Wekime wanted to end his life or have it ended, it would happen, but he would go down fighting. It was one thing to know you were someone’s pawn, and it was another to have paid to be a pawn. “I am grateful for the power you let me keep, but we both know you have been using me since that day. Part of me isn’t sure that you weren’t involved in getting Max that black skill.”
A chuckle escaped Wekime’s throat and the dragon god thrummed. “Me? Able to directly influence who acquires a black skill? Please, not even one of my position can do that.”
“And yet that’s not an actual true denial,” Phaius stated. “So tell me, what is so important about knowing if Max visited one of my worlds? How would that involve you or even be a concern?”
Both golden eyes started to glow and the dragon god leaned forward slightly. “I would caution you on the tone you take when speaking. Some might not find it acceptable and act out. Thankfully, I do not do so.”
Wekime leaned back into his chair, the display he had just put on seemingly over.
The dragon is bonded to Max, which means there is a connection between them. How much, I’m not certain.
Phaius had already spent time trying to figure out what a bond with a dragon meant. It was rare for most races to be willing given that option. Some took it by force or through magic and those bonds offered less power in return. His searching and questions over the last year had revealed two things. Only one small mention of a god being bound to a dragon. Even more important was that there was no mention of both the being and the dragon who were bonded defeating the tower.
“I’ll tell you what. You give me something worthwhile and I’ll give you something in return,” Phaius said. “I know you’re playing a game I cannot begin to fathom and yet somehow these black skills are at the center of it. I’ve been around long enough to know you and the other eight always cause chaos and conflict when they are unleashed. Yet I’ve never seen this kind of involvement before. What’s different? Is it because Max isn’t consumed by the skill he possesses?”
Wekime sat there, not replying or moving for a few moments. Eventually, the dragon god brought its two hands together, tapping a pair of claws. “You share much knowledge that many would pay greatly for so freely. Some would think you a fool for doing so, and yet I know you are not. The god who once stood before me has changed. Tell me, Phaius. Do you really want to play the game like I and the others? Are you aware of the risks one puts themselves at if they make a mistake?”
Before he could answer, Wekime raised a hand and stopped him.
“Patience. Listen. I will give you more knowledge in this moment than many others would ever hope to acquire. You see the game different than those beneath you do. You realize there are many boards and so many pieces in play. Worlds are nothing, lives are nothing. You know that already because you were willing to give up two without hesitating, simply to find out what you could about Max before you knew anything else. Tell me why and then I shall give you the knowledge you need and desire.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Phaius felt his throat tighten and his stomach clench. Wekime was offering him wisdom that could take three or four times the number of years he had already existed, but at what cost, Phaius wasn’t sure of.
I know there are more boards than I can see but how many exist… Ockrim and I have discussed that topic a few times. And he is right… I know exactly why I wanted to remove Max before I knew who he was.
“You promise to give me knowledge that will help me play the game better and survive longer?” Phaius asked. “In exchange for me answering your last question?”
A low thrum came from Wekime, who clapped his hands. The dragon god smiled and nodded. “See! Already, you are proving your wisdom. While what you asked and how you framed it shows both tact and guile, there is still much more you could learn but that is outside of this discussion. Very well, I will give you the wisdom you need for what is coming if you answer my question.”
Phaius nodded, knowing the System would hear these agreements and hold a portion of it fast.
“I wanted Max dead because I know the danger of being a god whose world has a black skill upon it.”
“That’s it?” Wekime asked, raising a single eyeridge.
“That’s the reason. I heard what happened to the other gods who had one come from their world. While I’m not sure how the other realms handle it… the knowledge that is share is often the god whose world provides the black skill holder doesn’t survive long.”
Wekime chuckled, not thrumming how he normally did, and then he laughed, a cackle of sorts that echoed off the tan stone walls that surrounded them.
Phaius had to force himself not to react as the dragon god lay his head back and continued to roar with amusement for a while longer. Eventually, he stopped, a pair of glowing eyes staring straight ahead.
“You do realize that Max will survive, and he will gain a considerable amount of power?” Wekime asked.
“I believe he will,” Phaius replied, sensing something else to come.
“Not every black skill holder makes it this far. Some fall early, others continue on. You know the prophecies of the fight they must have.”
Slowly, he nodded his head at Wekime, sensing the real point coming soon.
“There have been times when one of the skills did not reach that battle,” the dragon god stated. “Those times were… dangerous. Chaos reigned as the power that should have been kept within boundaries was let loose. Long before the two skill holders clashed, many gods had died at their hands. Others were destroyed in the fight that took place.”
Wekime paused, leaning forward. Slowly, he pointed a claw at Phaius. “We want all three to be there to help control the chaos that comes. But as a god whose world produced a black skill holder, you will be privy to power which you have not earned.”
Phaius flinched, knowing already what they were talking about.
“Three percent isn’t–”
“Do not lie to yourself,” Wekime said. “Tell me… would you gladly give up three percent of all the Divine Points you have acquired so far?”
Frowning, Phaius shook his head.
“And tell me, what do some gods desire more than anything else?”
He didn’t have to think long or hard. Every god struggled with it.
“The desire for more power.”
Thrumming, Wekime leaned back once more. “Exactly. And once the name of the three gods who acquire gains from the black skill holders is shared, how do you think their lives become?”
The pit in his stomach, which had been forming, tripled in size. Phaius knew this wasn’t a threat but a simple truth, one that he had hoped wouldn’t happen. Max had already contributed more DP than he initially thought was possible. Hearing that Wekime believed Max would reach whatever final fight would take place meant that he would become stronger and earn a lot more Divine Points.
“So what is the knowledge you are going to give me that I need?” Phaius asked. “I was already aware of that possibility.”
Snorting, Wekime shook his head. “No… You were not really aware of how much danger you were in. Every one of the other eight will want to question you, to learn what they can about the one from your world. Some will offer you a trade, others will offer you a chance to live. Each will want to know what they can about him to try and control or direct his path.”
Phaius was about to open his mouth and ask the question that seemed so obvious to ask next, but he stopped.
Why… why would they…
And then the answer came and a small thrumming noise grew louder as Wekime clapped his hands.
“Yes! The wisdom I promised!”
Things that Phaius had never considered about the game suddenly made sense and had he not feared potential punishment, he might have spat on the floor next to him.
Focusing upon the one before him, Phaius could see the look in the god's eyes and see the glimmer of power and excitement.
Max is a weapon… a pawn… no… something else to decimate every other board.
“Now for a little more than you asked or were promised,” Wekime said softly. “You know the reason, you know your position. Tell me, Phaius, are you ready to play a game beyond like what you ever knew or will you let the game play you?”