บท 9: 9 - Agreement
20 minutes ago
Sasuke just watched Erza disappear into the depths of the Tower, determined to save Jellal despite his warnings. But as soon as she was out of sight, he felt it—a presence, dark and oppressive, creeping into the room like a noxious fog. He knew who it was before she even revealed herself.
"You're persistent," Sasuke said coldly, his voice cutting through the silence. His Sharingan spun slowly, tracking the movement of the dark mist that coalesced into a figure before him. "But your tricks won't work on me. I've already seen through your illusion."
The mist thickened, taking on a more solid form until a young girl stood before him, her dark robes flowing like shadows in the dim light. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, met Sasuke's with a mixture of curiosity and malice.
"You're not like the others," Ultear said, her voice smooth and lilting. "You see beyond the surface, but there's so much more to this world than you realize, cute boy."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "I don't need your riddles. I want answers. Who are you, and what do you want with Jellal?"
Ultear's lips curved into a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I am Ultear Milkovich, a member of the Grimoire Heart guild. My master, Hades, has taken an interest in you, Sasuke. You possess a power unlike anything we've seen, your eyes are special. He believes you could be of great use to us."
Sasuke's expression remained stoic, but his mind raced. Grimoire Heart... Hades... These were names unfamiliar to him, remnants of a world he had not yet explored. But the more Ultear spoke, the more pieces of the puzzle began to fit together.
"And Jellal?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Is he just another one of your tools?"
Ultear's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Jellal is a means to an end. He was... susceptible to our influence. We needed someone to lead the construction of this Tower, to complete the R-System to bring the Government's attention. Jellal's mind is weak, easy to mold. But you, Sasuke, are different. You could lead Grimoire Heart to heights even Jellal cannot achieve."
Sasuke's fists clenched at his sides. The thought of someone else manipulating Jellal, turning him into the twisted shell that he know, ignited a fire of anger within him. "You admit it, then. You're the reason Jellal is like this."
Even though he wasn't very close to this group, these people trust him and are attached to him, or rather attached to his strength. Jellal is like some kind of idiot that needs to be taken care of for him, reminding him of Naruto in a way.
Ultear raised an eyebrow, her expression almost amused. "It was necessary for our plans. Jellal needed to believe in the mission, in the power that the Tower of Heaven could bring. It was all for the greater good, Sasuke."
Sasuke looked at her with great suspicion. 'She knows my name, so she's been spying on me while I've been here. That's dangerous.'
Sasuke's eyes flared with a dangerous intensity. "And you think I'll just join you, follow your master's orders like some obedient dog?"
He wasn't interested in a absolute quest for power. She's part of a "guild", not even knowing what that meant. A group of people surely, he's pretty sure she's part of something clandestine.
Ultear's smile faded slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You're stronger than that. But you're also lost, Sasuke. You know nothing of this world, of the powers that shape it. Grimoire Heart can offer you a place where you'll learn true strength, where your abilities will be honed to perfection. But there are conditions."
Sasuke remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"You must cut ties with your companions," Ultear said, her voice growing colder. "They are a weakness, a distraction. If you wish to join us, you must leave them behind. You will come with me, to meet Master Hades and begin your training. In exchange, we will give you the power you seek, the knowledge to understand the true nature of this world."
Sasuke's mind whirred. The offer was tempting, tantalizing even. He always sought power, knowledge, a way to achieve his goals. And yet, the idea of abandoning the people he had fought alongside—even if he it was for a short period, felt like a betrayal of everything he had once stood for. He already abandoned his comrades once before finally opening his eyes when Naruto defeated him, but what about Erza?
She's a naive, kind, intelligent, shy girl as well. He sees Naruto in her, having been alone for most of his childhood. He wasn't a charitable soul like the stupid blond, but he wanted to try something new, so he created a bond between them, but was it more important than the threat that weighed on this world? The Otsutsuki will have no mercy, all these people will become Chakra fruits, without exception. They had to be two to defeat only Kaguya, but what about this place? Even if Sasuke does not know the overall power of this world, if the Sage sent him here, it is because this world does not have the strength to contain the Otsutsuki. He alone clearly does not have the strength to contain several of them.
"And if I refuse?" Sasuke asked, his voice low, dangerous.
Ultear tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "Then you will be left behind, trapped in this pitiful Tower with the rest of them. You will be forgotten, while we continue to shape the world in our image. But I don't think you'll refuse, Sasuke. You're too smart for that. You know that in order to survive, you need allies. Powerful allies."
Sasuke's jaw tightened, his mind torn between conflicting emotions. He knew Ultear was dangerous, that her words were designed to manipulate him, to draw him into her web. But she wasn't wrong about one thing—he was lost in this world, unfamiliar with its laws and its power structures. And if joining Grimoire Heart meant gaining the knowledge and strength he needed to achieve his own goals, could he afford to refuse?
He intend to use these people to learn more about the world, even if they come from a dark organization, that's not the most important thing. He only intends to gather information and act accordingly.
He remained silent for a long moment, weighing his options. Finally, he spoke, his voice steely with cold resolve. "I'll join you, but on my terms. I'm not your puppet, and I won't follow orders blindly. I'll see what this Grimoire Heart has to offer, but the moment I see anything that goes against my goals, I'll leave. And if you try to control me like you did with Jellal, I'll make you regret it."
Ultear's smile returned, this time more genuine, though still laced with a hint of menace. "Agreed. But remember, Sasuke, this is a world where only the strong survive. You'll have to prove yourself every step of the way. And if you ever become a liability..."
"I won't," Sasuke cut her off, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "But tell me, why was it necessary to change Jellal? What purpose does his madness serve?"
Ultear's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "His madness is the key to completing the Tower. His belief in Zeref's resurrection drives him to work tirelessly toward our goal. Without that obsession, he would lack the conviction needed to complete the R-System. In a way, his madness is his strength. And it will be ours as well."
Sasuke's eyes darkened, no matter the world, there will always be these kinds of people. He himself is not an exception. "You've turned him into a monster for your own gain."
Ultear shrugged, unfazed. "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good. You, of all thoses people, should understand that."
Sasuke stared at her, his expression unreadable. "I'll go with you, but don't think for a second that I trust you. I'll be watching every move you make."
Ultear chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down Sasuke's spine. "Of course, Sasuke. We wouldn't have it any other way."
With that, Ultear turned and began to walk away, the dark mist swirling around her form. Sasuke watched her go, his mind a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He agreed to join Grimoire Heart, but not out of loyalty or trust. It was a means to an end, a way to gain the power and knowledge he needed to achieve his goals.
Now he have to take care of Erza. As sad as it was, he had to break the bond between them. He wanted her to hate and fear only him rather than Jellal who had nothing to do with this mess. He was going to be selfish once again, but whatever. Even if the threat that loomed over this world was of little concern to him, the problem being that his own world was probably in danger. To him, a small bond like this isn't worth the risk that his world can be destroyed.
---
Sasuke watched as Ultear's form dissolved into the mist, leaving him alone in the cold, empty room. He knew this was only the beginning, aligning with Grimoire Heart would be fraught with danger, but the potential to gain valuable knowledge was too enticing to pass up.
Moments later, a swirling portal of darkness began to form in front of him, radiating a power that sent a shiver down his spine. This was no ordinary portal ; it was infused with a malevolent energy that spoke of ancient, forbidden magic.
Ultear reappeared, her voice echoing softly from within the mist. "Step through, Sasuke. Master Hades awaits."
Without hesitation, Sasuke stepped into the portal. A sensation of cold washed over him as the world around him warped and twisted. In the blink of an eye, he found himself standing on the deck of a vast, floating fortress, Grimoire Heart's air base. The skies around them are normal, indicating that the airship was not necessarily hidden.
Sasuke was immediately struck by the imposing presence of the fortress. It was unlike anything he had seen before, massive, dark, and foreboding, with countless spires reaching towards the sky.
Such flying technology did not exist in this world, which momentarily fascinated him. He had a curiosity for the unknown, but not as much as the crazy Orochimaru.
Ultear led Sasuke through the corridors, which were lined with ominous, glowing runes. The silence was palpable, broken only by the faint hum of magical energy that coursed through the fortress like a heartbeat. Eventually, they reached a large, ornate door, its surface covered in ancient, unreadable symbols.
"Master Hades is just beyond this door," Ultear said, her tone serious. "Remember, Sasuke, speak carefully. Master Hades is not someone to be trifled with."
Sasuke nodded, his expression unreadable, and pushed open the door. Inside, the room was dimly lit by flickering torches that cast long, eerie shadows on the stone walls. At the far end of the room sat a man who exuded an aura of immense power and authority. His appearance was that of an elderly man, yet there was an air of vitality and malevolence about him. His eyes, hidden beneath the brim of his wide hat, seemed to pierce through the darkness, and a sinister smile played on his lips as Sasuke entered.
"So, this is the young guy I've heard so much about by Ultear," Hades said, his voice deep and resonant. "Welcome to Grimoire Heart, Sasuke."
Sasuke met Hades' gaze, unflinching. "I came here to gain power and knowledge, not to serve blindly."
Hades chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that filled the room. "Such fire, such determination. But you are still just a child, Sasuke. You have much to learn about this world and the true nature of power."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his Sharingan flaring to life. "I'm not here to be patronized. If you think I'm just a child, you're mistaken."
Hades' smile widened. "I see the fire in your eyes, those cursed eyes that have seen too much for someone so young. But tell me, Sasuke, what do you know of true power? What drives you to seek it so desperately?"
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "I need power to protect myself. And to understand the true nature of the threats we face."
Hades leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Ah, the noble protector. But power comes at a cost, Sasuke. Are you willing to pay that price? Are you willing to cast aside your attachments, your humanity, to achieve your goals?"
Sasuke remained silent, his gaze unwavering. He had already made sacrifices, abandoned those he cared about for the sake of his vengeance. But hearing it spoken so plainly by Hades made it feel all the more real.
Hades leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You are not the first to seek power in this world, Sasuke. Many have come before you, driven by their ambitions, their fears. But only those who are willing to embrace the darkness, to let it consume them, have truly succeeded."
Sasuke's expression hardened. "I'll gain power on my own terms. Not through your means."
Hades studied him for a long moment, as if weighing the truth of his words. Then he nodded slowly. "Very well. You will be tested, Sasuke. You will face challenges that will push you to your limits, and beyond. Only then will you understand the true nature of power. But know this, there will be no mercy."
Sasuke nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I won't fail."
Hades' smile returned, though there was a coldness to it. "We shall see. Ultear, prepare him for his first test. And Sasuke... welcome to Grimoire Heart. May you prove worthy of the power you seek."
With that, Ultear gestured for Sasuke to follow her out of the room. As they left, Sasuke couldn't shake the feeling that he found himself in an annoying situation, but he thought it was not bad.
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