章 4: The God Of Time's Deal
The word "Next" echoed again and again, pulling Vael from the depths of unconsciousness. He blinked, trying to grasp his surroundings. Before him, a tall figure stood behind a podium. Nearby, orbs floated, each pausing momentarily by a scale.
Approaching the podium, Vael noticed the numbers on the scale associated with him. They fluctuated, refusing to stabilize. The room's occupants shifted their attention to him, their routine interrupted. Vael's unease grew with every passing second. The numbers danced, drawing prolonged attention from everyone, including the figure who had so far only uttered "Next."
The numbers on the scale hesitated, then locked onto 25,225. Vael's brow furrowed, trying to decipher its meaning. The figure, who had only said "next" until now, stood up. "Pass," he declared.
Vael's thoughts swirled. What did "pass" mean? Before he could reflect, a sudden shift in his surroundings landed him in an endless white void. From this vastness, a small winged lizard approached. "Hey there, I'm Moxy," she greeted, her voice unexpected. "Looks like I'm your new companion."
"Companion?" Vael repeated, his voice tinged with confusion.
"I'm here to help you in Elysia," Moxy said, a touch of exasperation in her tone.
"Elysia?" Vael's eyes narrowed, trying to understand.
Moxy sighed. "You've just left the Hall of Judgment. Your score? It's rare. It speaks of a powerful soul." She floated a bit closer to Vael, who asked, "What does that mean for me?"
Moxy paused, choosing her words. "Most souls get reincarnated, their next life a roll of the dice. But strong souls like yours? They go to Elysia, where Gods and mortals coexist. And sometimes, they get a companion." She gestured to herself, "That's me."
"Imagine me as your personal guidebook," Moxy said, a playful glint in her eyes. "But first, we need to ink a deal with a God for some elemental power." Vael's face darkened at the mention of Gods, memories of Luna's fate at their hands flooding back. His voice firm, he declared, "With this chance, I'll kill every one of those Gods."
Vael's gaze fixed on Moxy. "What if I turn down all the Gods?" Moxy paused, clearly unsettled. "No one's ever done that. Going into Elysia without a God's backing? It's risky. Gods don't take rejection lightly." Concern was evident in Moxy's expression.
"Let's move, Moxy," Vael said with determination.
Moxy paused, then nodded. She couldn't help but think, This isn't an ordinary human. The prospect of what lay ahead intrigued her. In a blink, the vast white around them vanished. They now stood in a grand hall, its design reminiscent of a lavish auction house. Gods, each distinct in their attire and symbols, were engrossed in spirited bidding for souls. Hidden in the shadows of a side room, Vael and Moxy observed, unnoticed. Vael's eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimness, the stark contrast from the blinding white void they'd just left. The muffled cacophony from the grand chamber filtered through the walls, a mixture of authoritative voices raised in eagerness or frustration. He could feel the intensity, the sheer power that resonated from the next room, and it sent a chill down his spine — a reminder of the formidable beings he was about to defy.
Moxy, sensing the shift in Vael's demeanor, floated closer, her wings emitting a soft, comforting glow. "Remember, Vael, these are Gods. They're used to reverence and obedience, not defiance. Tread carefully," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the commotion from the chamber.
Vael nodded, his expression stoic yet resolute. "I understand the risks. But I won't be a pawn in their games," he replied, his voice low but firm. The memory of Luna, her fate sealed by the whims of these very entities, fueled his courage. He wouldn't dishonor her memory by bending to the will of the Gods.
As they edged closer to the entrance of the grand chamber, the voices became clearer. "Five thousand Aetheris for this soul!" declared a voice, rich and commanding. "Seven thousand!" countered another, this one sharp like a whip's crack.
Vael and Moxy peered into the chamber from their secluded vantage point. The Gods, engrossed in their bidding war, hadn't noticed the new arrivals. The deities were an eclectic assembly, each exuding an aura of power specific to their realms — from the undulating fluidity of the Water Goddess to the flickering, shadowy presence of the God of Illusion.
It was then that the auctioneer's gavel pounded, silencing the room. "We have a special entry," he announced, his voice tinged with excitement. The room's energy shifted, a current of anticipation buzzing through the air. "A soul of extraordinary potency has just arrived. The bidding will start at twenty thousand Aetheris!"
The Gods leaned forward, interest piqued. This was no ordinary soul, and they knew it. The air practically hummed with their eagerness.
Vael felt Moxy's gaze on him, a silent question in her luminescent eyes. He gave a slight nod, and with a deep, steadying breath, he stepped into the light, fully visible to the assembly of Gods.
The chamber erupted in murmurs, the entities taken aback by his boldness. No soul had ever presented itself this way. Vael's eyes scanned the crowd, meeting the gazes of deity after deity, his defiance laid bare for all to see.
"I am Vael," he announced, his voice unwavering as it carried across the stunned silence. "And I refuse to be bound by any God here. I am my own being, with a will that's not up for auction."
A heavy pause suffused the air, the Gods exchanging incredulous glances. This was unprecedented, an affront to their tradition and power. They were the ones who chose; they were never the ones rejected.
The silence stretched, taut as a wire, before it was shattered by a slow clap. A figure stood, hidden in the shadows, its features obscured. "Bravo," a voice drawled, rich with both amusement and something sharper. "This should prove interesting." The shadowed figure stepped forward, revealing himself. He was unlike the other Gods. His attire was simple, almost austere, and his eyes held a depth that seemed to span eons. "I am Chronos," he began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "the God of Time."
The other Gods shifted uneasily. Chronos was a neutral entity, rarely involving himself in the affairs of the other deities. His appearance here was unexpected.
"You've made quite the entrance, Vael," Chronos continued, his gaze fixed on the defiant human. "While the others might see your actions as insolence, I find them... refreshing."
Vael met Chronos's gaze, trying to discern the God's intentions. "What do you want?"
Chronos chuckled, a sound that seemed to ripple through time itself. "Straight to the point. I like that. I offer you a proposal, not as a binding contract, but as a partnership."
Moxy floated closer to Vael, whispering, "Be cautious. Chronos is ancient, even by Godly standards. His motives are often inscrutable."
Vael nodded subtly, then addressed Chronos, "What kind of partnership?"
Chronos gestured, and a massive hourglass materialized beside him. The sands within flowed both ways, defying the laws of nature. "Time is a fickle thing, Vael. While I oversee its flow, there are anomalies, moments where time fractures. These fractures can be... problematic."
"And you want my help to fix them?" Vael inquired, trying to grasp the enormity of the task.
Chronos nodded. "Your soul's potency isn't just for show. It has the unique ability to navigate these fractures without being torn apart. In return for your assistance, I offer you knowledge — knowledge of the Gods, of Elysia, and of the fates they've decreed."
Vael's thoughts raced. This was an opportunity, a chance to gain an edge in his quest for vengeance against the Gods for Luna's fate. But it also meant aligning, even temporarily, with a deity.
After a tense pause, Vael finally spoke, "I'll help you, but on one condition."
Chronos raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
"I want unrestricted access to the annals of time. Every decision, every fate decreed by the Gods, everything."
Chronos considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But remember, Vael, time holds truths that can be both enlightening and devastating. Are you prepared for what you might uncover?"
Vael's determination was unwavering. "I am."
Chronos smiled, a gesture that seemed to age him and rejuvenate him simultaneously. "Then we have an agreement. However, to navigate the fractures of time, you'll need to be of a certain caliber. Seek me out once you've achieved the Seedling level and have chosen an elemental affinity. Only then can our mission truly begin."
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