Chapter 30: SEE GOD, SLAY GOD

SEE GOD, SLAY GOD.

I read the words once again slowly, carefully, with confusion written all over my face. I was in a lit-up dock with various machines standing by. The entire place gave off a futuristic vibe. With large black doors underneath the words.

CRACK.

I whipped my head to the left only to see a red pulsing egg.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

The egg slowly cracked out and out came a scaled humanoid figure. If the stories of Earth where any accurate this would be a lizardkin or dragonoid type of creature. The creature proceeded to turn back to the egg and eat it in its entirety. Going as far as to lick the ground clean even. I watched it from a safe distance noticing the field of eggs on the left side of the dock.

“Ahhhh, that was satisfying. It’s always a problem with the hunger these new bodies face. Come out Aegis let’s have a talk.”

I froze. Both my body and thoughts froze at the casual mention of my name. After I noticed the noise, I proceeded to hide behind a few containers while watching the creature only for this to happen.

His golden eyes turned directly towards my hiding spot never straying piercing through all objects in his way and directly into my eyes.

“Apollo was much like you except a bit more… let’s say roguish.”

I stood up slowly at the mention of my ancestor’s name.

“You say that as if you met the man himself.”

The lizardkin looked at me with a playful light in his eyes and smiled.

“Well… I do know him. I gave him his bloodline after all in exchange for him to complete a task for me.”

“Who are you?”

“Arrgonton.”

***

“Fuck.”

Arva watched as Aegis completed the Trial of Character designed by Gorrg. The Trial was meant to test your character and resolve and prepare your body for the forging. By making the trial takers expend all their resources and put their body in a weakened state it would allow the bloodlines to graft into their bodies with the tester not having the ability to fight against it. In doing so it could prevent their death and allow the success of a new bloodline.

Arva watched as Aegis climb while the rest of the pantheon chatted amongst themselves. They were mostly bored and wondering what would have their leader in such a state over a mortal from one of the bound lands. Bound by Gaia herself.

“50/50. Why don’t we just deploy our churches together?”

“10/90 and I’ll agree.”

“Now Arva you’re a goddess of fertility not greed. 45/65 since you discovered whatever the boy has hiding.”

“Why are you interested now in the first place? 20/80.”

The other gods watched in interest at the conversation between Arva and Rirrypha. Rionin paying more interest than the others. A crafty glint was in his eyes as he watched the deal being struct out between the pantheon members. Thoughts and ideas racing through his head. Mischief and Pleasure always went well together and Rionin saw the perfect opportunity to express both of his domains while gaining benefits. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. His long black hair hiding his expression while his crooked nose wrinkled in delight.

“40/60. I have several priestess close to the Kan family and one even delivered the boy himself as well as his brother and sister. I am the one who can most likely get close to the boy with ease. She has a promising disciple I will be elevating to Saintess.”

The conversation paused and every head in the room turned towards Rirrypha.

“A human?”

“Rirrypha you can’t be serious. She’s behind the boundary not outside of it. That can set your cultivation back an entire stage by pouring that amount of divine power into such a desolate place,” Jarrgax fluttered over to Rirrypha and put her hand on her forehead.

Rirrypha brushed her off and gave out a smile.

“She has a Gift. Gaia must feel bad or something that this one has taken so long to pop.”

Looks of greed flashed in the faces of the various gods before.

“85/15. And I’ll take the Gifted from your hand.”

Rirrypha looked at Arva as if she was an idiot and opened her mouth to speak before any more offers could be given.

“She is a Gifted… if I can consume her… we all know what that would do. There is no way I’m giving that up. One way or another this barrier will be popped in the next 300 years. 40/60 is my last and final offer. We don’t even know if this Aegis Kan is that valuable if not for the gifted do you think I’d be wasting so much power,” Rirrypha sneered.

Arva sat back in her seat and was quiet for a few moments thinking it over. On her own her church had considerable power but not enough to go against a dukedom. Especially if it was the western one. Any assaults on her part would have the entire empire mobilizing against her church. She bit her nail in frustration before opening her mouth to speak.

“Agreed.”

The moment the words were spoken the symbol of Arva and Rirrypha appeared before combining in agreement. This wasn’t anything to major binding but would allow each other to properly work alongside another. Even if they were part of the same pantheon the Path to Power was dangerous and greed could get the best of anyone.

***

“You have my blood flowing through your veins and it’s just as strong as it was in Apollo.”

The lizardkin slowly walked around me, sharp teeth exposed in an excited grin.

I didn’t know what to make of Arrgonton. For a while he told me the story of Apollo the man who fought against a dragon and lived to tell the tale. The only man to truly impress him enough to graft his bloodline into the young hero and injure him with a mortal weapon. Arrgonton was impressed so much that he made it the symbol of his church and Apollo made the symbol of Arrgonton grabbing his shield our family’s crest.

I… I didn’t know what to think. I was mostly tired and wanted to sleep. My body was exhausted, and I still wasn’t sure if everything happening was real.

“What is this place?”

“A relic from the past… one that you should not have been able to get in. How did you get in by the way?” Arrgonton looked at me eyes blazing with curiosity. He was not what I expected of a beast, a god, I did not know what he was.

I thought over the events that took place and brought me into this place.

“I was taking the Trial of Character. After I left the temple, I was deposited at the bottom of the mountain with nothing around me so I did the only thing I could think of. I climbed the mountain. It seemed to be forcing me to consume all my resources every step of the way. When I finally arrived at the top I had long since finished my food and water and would probably have died as I did not know what to do.

So, with little hope I used the last of my energy, my Will, my Pride, and activated my bloodline. I felt Redcoomshi resonate with me. So, I just jumped… and while I felt my bloodline upgrade to a point I wanted, no I needed more, so much more. So, I forced my body to go deeper sink farther until I ended here.”

By the time I finished Arrgonton was clapping.

“Bravo! Bravo! As expected of someone with my bloodline. Here come pay your respects and I will give you a blessing.”

I looked over at Arrgonton in confusion. Before hesitantly walking forward. I turned my hand into a rigid claw like shape and clutched at my heart the way I was taught before giving a deep bow.

As I brought my self-up a claw tapped my forehead and my body burst into flames. My bloodline activated and I watched in fascination as the fire went from a reddish orange to a cold and calm blue. I could feel the power radiating through my body and with a thought I broke through to the next tier.

“This body will no longer be lasting. One word of advice. You must complete the Path of Soul and turn the 3 into 1 and the boundary will be no more. Leave this place as soon as possible it is very dangerous for someone as weak as you.”

With the final sentence Arrgonton’s body burst into golden flames before turning his body into ashes. Burning until even the ashes was gone. The golden flame moved over to another of the eggs before settling in and I was left alone in the dock by myself.

I took the next hour to settle my power and get accustomed to the new level of strength and enhancement of my senses. The ship was quiet, and I decided to heed Arrgonton’s advice and leave. Now it was only a matter of finding the exit. I walked past various crates and containers. None opening no matter the amount of power and force I put within. With no other choice I went to the large black doors under the sign that said SEE GOD, SLAY GOD.

I slowly carefully approached removing my weapon from my back and into my hand. Sweat dripped down my face as I approached. I took a deep breath as I arrived in front of the black door and looked around for a handle or some type of pad. Seeing nothing I reached out and placed my hand on the door.

Shielding my eyes and jumping back as a bright light appeared my ax moved up ready to bring it down in a swift chop. Blue flames licked over my armor as my bloodline roared to life.

“SCANNNING… DETECTING UNKNOWN VARIANT… PREPARING TO ELIMIATE…”

The room roared to life and various machines and cannons pointed their muzzles in my direction.

“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.” I panicked and dropped my ax.

“SCANNING COMPLETE. DETECTED VARIANT SOUL PATTERN DESIGNATION 011313. ORIGNAL SOURCE CODE DESIGNATED AREION PRIMEA. ENTER.”

Breathing hard I picked my weapon up but didn’t sheathe it keeping it up and ready. I wanted to find a way out, but this was the only entrance/exit I could see. I walked into a brightly lit black hall with small screens placed next to doors. Words appeared over each door as I neared and turning my head back at the door behind me slammed closed, I read Docking Bay. This world was getting most interesting as the day’s passed by. What was a futuristic ship doing in a world of magic and swords? What did it mean by SEE GOD, SLAY GOD and why did I resonate with the words on such a deep level. My thoughts drifted to Nar’nazak and finally [Beyond].

You must leave this place immediately Aegis Kan. Your life and mission are in danger.

The moment the System spoke up my mind became made up. I would be searching through this place thoroughly.

This is not a game. This is a corvette model ship from the era before the universe was split into three. This is knowledge you are not ready for yet and the gods will do all within their power to obtain the information here. LEAVE.

My mind paused along with my steps.

“What?”

Leave immediately or face the consequences. You will go to one of the pads and ask to be teleported out.

My steps continued passing door by door. Mess Hall, Engine Room, Stella Lock, Library. I paused at the library I would not be leaving without something. I waved my hand to the monitor and the door opened smoothly. A silver glowing ball hovered in the middle of a small room with a few desk and chairs. There were no books in site. Only the silver ball and the place to sit and rest. I quickly walked up to the ball.

“Welcome to the SGSG Insular. How can I assist you today?”

A feminine voice echoed out and I started to feel my body heat up unnaturally.

“Give me the strongest technique you have.”

I quickly blurted out. I would not be leaving here without obtaining something.

“Searching through database. Scanning Variant… Technique chosen… preparing Cerebrum Transfer…”

My body grew hotter and hotter and light began to surround me. A spell construct appeared at my feet and my body locked in the space. I wondered what else the System could do. I was nervous but excited at the same time. Just as my body began to fade a beam shot out of the floating silver orb and into my skull. Information filled my head and I disappeared from the SGSG Insular.