Chapter 425a - A Gift Given |
Chapter 425a - A Gift Given
“Thank you for seeing me so quickly, Wekime.”
A simple nod of his head was all the god gave, sitting on his throne in a much larger room than last time.
Easily fifty feet tall and over a hundred feet long, massive columns with different kinds of dragons were engraved into whatever stone made up this room.
Taking a deep breath, Phaius did his best to not let his eyes depart from the golden pair that were studying him.
“I know you have your hand on Max Hoste somehow, and I am here to declare that I am on his side, which hopefully means we are on the same one.”
No reply came, and after an awkward fifteen seconds of silence, he continued.
“Ockrim is also on board with assisting–”
As the dragon god rose, Phaius held out his hand.
“He has defeated another world and become a world champion.”
“Of that I am aware of,” Wekime sighed. “He slew one of my children to take that title and that world.”
“Yes! But did you know his skill isn’t what it should be?”
The slightest reaction, barely a twitch of a single eye was displayed, but Phaius saw it.
“What do you mean it isn’t what it should be?”
“His black skill. You know he has one. That is why you are so interested in him and what it will mean once he does defeat the tower. It isn’t controlling him. It hasn’t consumed him as it should have. Max is in control of it.”
Slowly, Wekime lowered himself back into his stone throne and, after getting comfortable, began to tap his three fingers against one of the arms.
“So he has Consume… I wondered which one. And yet you say it hasn’t turned him into a mindless host?”
A grin appeared on Phaius’s lips, and then a moment passed and the dragon god shook his head. “For a moment, I wasn’t certain if you were making a joke, but no. Max Hoste is still in control. There was no hunger, and he was wise enough not to attack Ockrim or me. I did some research and everything I have learned states that the skills do not leave much of their… host as they once were. If he can control the skill, keep it from making him into a monster…”
Wekime’s head began to move up and down, the tiniest appearance of teeth being displayed as he smiled. “Then the piece is even more powerful in this game than one could imagine.”
“Which is why I came. I figured you would want to know this.”
A minute passed as both gods stared at each other.
“It appears you have grown wiser since last we spoke,” Wekime stated. “Gone is the god who ran around like someone had cut off his head, tossing away worlds and power as if they were nothing. Now I see someone who is beginning to understand how the game is played. Tell me, what are you hoping to get from aligning yourself with this boy?”
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“We all know the stories and prophecies or call them what you want. Never has someone who was given a black skill been able to maintain control. If Max can keep this control, then the game as it has been played will not be the same. Those who know this ahead of time can make gambles most won’t be in a position to make. They will be able to maximize the mistakes others make. I would like to learn how to play the game better and when to make the right moves. That is why I have come here.”
Silence filled the large room as each god almost appeared to have turned into a statue, neither moving at all for some time.
“Very well, Phaius. I will see if you are ready to learn how this game is played. How many besides Ockrim know what you have told me?”
“None. He agreed that we would keep it a secret after I told him my plan of seeking you out again.”
A single talon tapped against his gold-scaled jaw, and Wekime nodded, eyes staring up at the ceiling momentarily. Then he turned his gaze back to the one who stood before him.
“The world you gave me the last time we spoke will be replaced. Along with it, a small gift of power will be given. You have two choices. You can keep these things and gain much. Many gods would be greedy and horde the power I am about to bestow, using it to climb the ranks faster, build a few worlds, or some other foolish endeavor. That, however, is the real test.”
An image appeared above Wekime’s left hand.
“You know what this is and how rare they are.”
“I… do.”
“Then the other option is to take what I have given back along with the gift, purchase one of these, and deliver it the next time you see the boy. He shall understand the value of this gift. Perhaps in time, he may come to appreciate what you have done for him, and that will serve you far more than what I am going to give you.”
“How could he know how important one of those are? I mean… only if he had one already, and you could only know that he does if you gave him one.”
Laughter echoed through the throne room as Wekime stood, his body transforming as the room changed. Gone were the stairs and throne. Now the size of the room tripled, and the god of dragons was present in his full glory.
His immense head came near Phais, warm air washing over the young god as he breathed on him. Each breath carried the smell of death.
“Know this young one. I am a powerful ally to have in this game but you only get one chance. Fail me and the odds of us ever speaking again are so slim, the numbers could run the length of this room if they were written down. Oppose me and I will find someone else to crush you. That is the way the game is played when you align yourself with one like me. Now tell me, Phaius, which path do you still wish to walk?”
His knee hit the ground before the golden snout, head bent slightly.
He couldn’t remember having bent his knee like this in so long. Yet there had never been a moment like this one; most likely, one would never come again.
“I agree to walk the path that you are on.”
A deep, low thrum came and then it stopped.
“Lift your head.”
Wekime’s voice seemed to be like a string, pulling Phaius’s eyes upward.
There, before the younger god, was the humanoid dragon again, covered in his shimmering clothes.
“A wise choice. Now go. The game is about to change, and we are about to have some fun, watching as others trip over their actions and find themselves caught in the traps they set.”
Without hesitating, Phaius turned and moved to where a portal awaited him.
For the first time in forever, a smile of pure excitement appeared.
He knew the chance every god hoped for had come.