《Of Life and Light》Chapter 18 [Ageless]
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"Who did you see, Papa?" mewed Nox with widened eyes as he stared up at his father as though to beg for the answer. The twins also performed this action, tripling the effectiveness of the gaze in order to ferret out the answer that they sought. Whereas Anasi simply cupped his face with both hands, rubbing it gently as he shook his head slowly.
The Ageless, however, strained a small smirk, as he sought to endure or resist such a gaze from the trio of adorableness by closing his own eyes and sighing, "You will have to wait until later, okay? If I reveal it now, then the whole point to this part of the story will be at a loss."
"Aw," they pouted up at his person. However, this led to the twins snuggling into Nox, who merely hugged their persons closer whilst the other continued onwards with the story.
*****
Our recent exploits did not go unnoticed, by the by. For just as I sent my energies out, did the entirety of the armies around the wooden outpost was also set aflame, much to the confusion and dismay of those within. For within their own mind, it was believed that they were to be burned by the Undead who struck at them. Instead, they were left alone.
For the Undead who assaulted their persons stood tall with varying expressions. Many of which would come to believe they were of great relief. Even more so, others would believe they spoke aloud, "Thank you," as they faded away to ash and dust.
Of course, those with a clearer head upon their shoulders will note that such a thing is not possible. For the ravenous Undead do not have a voice beyond that of hunger, nor are they able to attain a reaction or facial expression. For Undeath is a curse amongst the unwilling, and as such, are stricken with atrophy in their muscles until fueled with the magicks which were used to raise them in the first place.
"What exactly are you?" cried out the Cleric, who, after witnessing such a spectacle, could not bear not knowing any longer.
'Tell them, Brutus,' whispered my mind into his. To which he turned in my direction with confusion, 'Preach to them of my prowess. Tell them what I am as only you can.'
This caused the Lich's jaw to drop and his eyes flared greatly, filling the entirety of his sockets as he dropped to the ground. I, on the other hand, moved out of his way, for he sought to kiss my feet as he worshiped my person. Instead of performing thusly, his body slowly stood erect whilst his clawed hands brushed the dust from his robe.
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To which he then turned to face the Humans with, "He is our Lord God, Master of Chaotic Mana, Sovereign of Necropolis, and the Devil King of Terra."
The males muttered something to themselves, whereas the Cleric's complexion became as white as freshly fallen snow. However, he was not yet through. For he prattled on about my recent exploits. Such as my conquering over the Humans of Terra, forcing them into servitude for a time before eradicating them after a failed assault against my armies.
He then continued with all sorts of tactics and torture implements designed by him and I, as well as some adopted from the Humans I had lorded over. There were also some lesser highlights. Such as my desires to create an education system that was free to all, the ideas I had for our economic systems, judicial, and so on. However, the moment he came to the part about the family I once had, I stopped him completely and utterly. For such a thing was a touchy subject to my past self, and one that would have resulted in the Madness returning to my mind.
"You had a family?" asked the Templar with some confusion, whereas Melephas had a peculiar look about his features. One that begat confusion and disbelief after hearing such a thing.
"A wife, children. Everything and anything," nodded the metallic Skeleton with anger and regret upon his tone.
'Enough, Brutus. I do not wish to remember such a thing at this time,' my mind growled with irritation. For the family I once had was long ago lost, and would never return no matter how hard I try.
Yes. The others would continue to pester my person with their desire to know, but I remained firm in my stubbornness desire to not remember. For the past of my past self was too painful to bear, and would remain buried for a long time yet.
"By the way, Aclara," Melephas turned towards the Cleric with a shrewd look about himself, "why did you pale when the Skeleton called him a Devil King?"
"What?" her eyes widened, then shut rather quickly as she shook her head. Upon opening them, she was met with the Templar staring at her person, also wanting to know why she did so. To which she did sigh with heaviness, "You know Demon Kings are ranked as A through C, right?"
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"Well, yeah," muttered Melephas with great certainty, "They're given one because they're supposed to be tutorial bosses, right?"
"Yes," she nodded towards the other, whereas looked up at my person with confusion in his eyes. Whereas I simply shrugged, not knowing or understanding what they were talking about. "Well, Devil Kings are considered to be an End Boss in Azzarath. In terms of ranking, they're an X, and could be considered as Gods. So him claiming to be one is rather scary."
"An-an X?!" the Templar and Mage shouted as one, turning towards my person. Whereas I found the stares to be uncomfortable, as they contained two different emotions. From the former, I found the reaction I desired most when others heard my title or name, Fear. The latter, however, was one that, when found by others, were slain due to them desiring to use my person for whatever they had on their mind. Of which, by the by, was Avarice; Greed.
However, something unexpected happen, for Melephas threw up his hands with a shout of, "Power level!"
'What?' my eyes blinked several times, not understanding what I had just heard. Even Brutus was confused, as such a term was foreign to him.
"Power level," his eyes sparkled, which only served to further confuse my person enough for my right clawed foot to scrape backwards, "That's what you're going to do for us, or just me." He paused for a time, as a devilish grin stretched across his face whilst contemplating some great mystery. "In this game, you're going to help me level up."
'Game?' I turned towards my Lich, only to find him extremely confused.
"What game?" he asked, unsure as to what was happening before us.
"This one," Melephas waved around his person, "It's all a game, don't you remember? It's called Origin Point Online."
'He thinks this is all a game?' I could not perceive what was occurring, for the world everyone lived within was as real as the day star above, the ground beneath our feet, and the air most of the world breathes. 'This is no game, but real life,' I growled, which was echoed by Brutus as our eyes glowed a fierce crimson.
High above us, clouds full of endarkened shadows formed, swallowing the light as they gathered quickly. Lightning, the colours of malice, raced across the underbelly, alighting the world below in a myriad of such colours. For I had become angered by those before my person, and watched as my Lich summoned up his forces of ghostly Undead, and called to them to entrap the illusory Elves. Of whom shivered and drew out their weapons from an unknown place, readying them for battle.
All the while, the heavens above echoed my thoughts, sending them throughout the world. "YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME? WHEN I HAVE LIVED UPON MY WORLD OF TERRA, BREATHED ITS AIR, AND LOVED UPON ITS SURFACE?!"
The earth beneath us shook, as my form stretched and grew until I towered over them one hundred fold. Brutus, on the other hand, took flight and perched himself closest to my right temple. For such was his place during such events, and was quite invaluable when facing off against those who proved they would be a tad more difficult than the average being.
My form, on the other hand, did not change. Instead, it was merely stretched so that all would know the terrible truth that I was a God amongst mortals, and they would soon face their end. "THIS IS NO GAME," my voice continued to thunder throughout the heavens and earth, but was more focused upon those below. Of whom were slowly being crushed into the ground by the weight of my words, "THIS. IS. REALITY!"
More lightning ran throughout the world, allowing more and more colours to be revealed upon the earth below, but it soon vanished. For my body shrank down, changing itself into my Human guise as it did so. Only when everything was right again, did I lean over the newly formed crater I had caused, and glared down upon the twitching trio whose expressions were so full of fright, they appeared to be a part of the living dead. There, I growled out a single word, "Understand?"
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