Chapter 97: New Gods or Old
Gresham walked away next to the other purifiers then Peter started questioning Howard once more.
"Sorry for what happened, but since his actions were out of his control I hope you can forgive him". Said peter in a calm tone.
"It's alright I'm no stranger to matters of this nature so, I won't hold it against him".
Peter was thankful for Howard's understanding yet, it still didn't change a thing. He needed answers to the questions on everyone's minds.
"With that out of the way can you please tell me how you came across information pertaining to those gods you discovered". Peter's burned with anticipation as he waited for the answer to leave his lips.
"It came to me in my dreams". Howard's answer was short and simple, but it only raised more questions as Howard began to doubt everything Emerson claimed and what Howard was was going to say next.
"Knowledge about dozens of gods came to you in you're dreams so, in short, you're being manipulated by someone and yet, you don't even try to hide that fact".
Howard snickered at Peter's deduction then said, "We're all being manipulated by forces and beings our minds cannot even begin to comprehend. Though I can assure you my mind is my own, but my will is that of another".
"There is no difference in what you said. If your will is not you're own then who's is it, who am I talking to, is it a mage?". Peter was beings not to trust Howard, but he needed to know more before he made a decision.
"No, the things I know will make even those magi know fear, you are speaking to me and me alone".
"Alright then if it's just you then why did you seek us out? You must know how dangerous trying to serve any deity is? The elves may still believe in the moon, but they don't worship any god or give the slightest bit of praise or recognition to any god associated with the moon. They believe the moon was their origin since they were created from a drop of water produced from it. If they stray from that path in the slightest they will be put on the magi's extermination list".
Howard looked upon Peter's face with his unnerving eyes calmly replying, "I didn't seek you out I found you by accident nor do I care what the magi think or do. My goal is to simply do as I have done before and worn the world So, that I can finally sleep".
Peter was confused by Howard's statement the more he thought about it the less it made sense.
"I was told there was no record of any of your gods so, how could you have spread knowledge of them all over the world yet, there be no record of them".
Howard didn't answer the questions he instead mumbled to himself fervently.
"Howard please answer me".
Howard continued to mumble to himself, but Peter was able to pick up a few words that he said.
"I saved them ... Tried to save ... Listen ... Mistaken ... I disobeyed again ... Won't ... I failed ... It's what they wanted ... Must try ... Repeat ... It's what they want".
Tears began to stream from Howard's eyes and drip on the floor. Seeing that question got him no were Peter moved on from it.
"Tell me about these gods of yours?". It took some time for Howard to stop mumbling for him to respond properly.
Once he did he said, "once you know of their experience you can never unknow them".
"I still want to know".
Howard knowing full well that Peter may end up regretting his decision in the future or even a full-fledged believer of one of the existence written inside the book's pages if he didn't go mad from the knowledge first. Howard still handed Peter the blook he kept close to his chest.
Peter took the leather book and looked at its unremarkable outward appearance then checked to see what was inside. The moment Peter's eyes fell on the pages inside he couldn't believe what he was looking at.
Strange glyphs, symbols, and pictures covered every single page of the book. The book was as complicated as it was horrifying. Peter couldn't read a single thing inside the book with alien text but, looking at what was written inside gave Peter a sense of dread.
Feeling an unsettling feeling growing inside his heart Peter slamming the book shut unsure if he wanted to open it again.
With a cold sweat, Peter asked Howard, " what in the world is that book".
Unsurprised by Peter's reaching Howard told him, "that book called Kitab al-Azif, also known as the Necronomicon it's even referred to as The Book of the Dead. In it are rituals capable of summing, communicating, and banishing beings like the elder gods, outer gods, and the great old ones. Its pages also contain Spells, stories, information on different creatures, and places beyond your thought process".
"Where did you get this book?". Peter asked sternly.
"I wrote that book, not because I read the original one. I couldn't possibly remember every little detail. I was able to write it because it came to me in my dreams".
Hearing that line again made Peter wish he had let Gresham shoot Howard in the face. Knowing it was too late for such regrets Peter continued.
"Can you read what is write in the book?".
Howard nodded his head in agreement. Peter happy about that fact asked Howard if he could teach him how to read it. Howard's response was unsettling to Peter.
"There's no need you've already been exposed the knowledge will come to you just like all the others".
Not liking a single word Howard said that time Peter took out his gun forced Howard to his feet. He then swung behind Howard wrapped his left arm around his neck and placed his gun to his temple.
Furiously Peter demanded of Howard to know what he said meant. Seeing a gun being pulled on Howard a second time the people in the room tried to calm Peter down.
Steadily approaching Peter was one of the other purifiers in the room he wanted to deescalate the situation as best as possible.
"Peter listen Howard didn't mean what you think what he ...".
"Shut up" Peter shouted at everyone in the room.
"I know exactly what he meant". Being influenced unknowingly was nothing to scoff at so, to Peter everyone in the room except for Gresham was his enemy.
Emerson not wanting things to get out of hand wanted Gresham to talk to Peter, but when he turned around his view of Gresham was obstructed by the spare gunGresham caried now pointed at his face.
"Everyone down on your knees I won't hesitate to shoot every one of you" Gresham's eyes were cold and focused he was completely fine with what he was doing.
To prove they were no threat everyone in the room listened to Gresham's demands. They laid face down with their hands on their heads. While Gresham and Peter left with Howard as a captive along with the Necronomicon.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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