In an attempt to forget the voice that made me involuntarily shake, I decided to check my surroundings - if you ignore it, it doesn't exist, yeah.

The light from the torch illuminated my surroundings, confirming that I was in a cave. A pretty small one, as it was hardly a couple of meters to the side or back of it from where I stood. The ceiling was a bit higher, but even with my torch, I could distinguish it.

While the walls looked rough and natural, as I lowered my gaze, I found myself standing on a polished stone slab covered in etchings, like the runes I saw in the books Sepyre had provided me.

With that out of the way, I decided to move towards the only side I supposed some opening, or at least it led somewhere, as I saw nothing but darkness from where I was.

But just some steps later, my mouth opened in a voiceless shout, "..!" After that, I fell on my butt, shaking, shivering, thinking I either went crazy or was affected by something that [Status Screen] missed.

I can not even say why I directly didn't go out cold, as what I saw after the light illuminated that supposed opening was impossible to describe. I saw my reflection, not on a mirror or a similar surface, but in an enormous eye with two golden irises, each of which was the size of me.

An eye of a bluish tint, at least three meters tall, so wide I didn't see its edges because of the cave's walls!

"Human, I displaced you here to save what you consider your only possession, your life." The same rumbling voice, which appeared to shake the world, boomed in my ears.

"I... thank you..?" My mind went blank, but somehow I ended up thanking whatever this thing was.

"A thing, huh? Your manners leave much to be desired, human." The voice's owner didn't even try to hide anything. It was reading my mind! And the scariest thing was that I had no way to do anything, but that even my granted, nearly-superhuman body and else weren't even aware of the fact!

"Using the long-forgotten magic is tiring, very tiring. We will speak later, human, no, Apostle of yet another Goddess." Just like that, this probably majestic creature decided.

"..." Without saying anything, I slowly inched back, my mind trying to grip at a semblance of sanity as I asked myself what was going on, where I was, and what was that about talking later?!

"Not even Gods would have the honor of resting near me." The creature suddenly added before it said just a single word in a language I had no idea of, "Kagbi..."

***

As I opened my eyes, I had no other desire for everything to be a bad dream, for me to wake in Chubu, ready to tackle Gudea's task, or even before all the shit, in Megvuroz, the girls waiting for me to breakfast. Yet, the cold stone of the floor, the walls, the musty, rot-smelling air, all was there, and so was I, having fallen asleep without any reason.

Still now wanting to accept reality, my mind concentrated on my [Status Screen], and it made me jerk to my feet. So unexpected was to see that I was not only entirely rested and healed, my mana fully restored, the latter even more surprising than everything else, as the no-mana effect was still there. But even so, there was no more [Slowed Mana Regeneration]!

I didn't dare to ask anything or to take out another of the few torches in my [Inventory]. Neither did I dare to start eating to sate the sudden pangs of hunger assaulting me. Even if I thought that no magnificent, divine, or whatever it was, creature would care if I ate or not before what it planned for me, I couldn't just force myself to do so.

So, with nothing else to do, I chose to [Record] everything until now. From how the spell works, I doubt anyone will read (or know of it) it if I die or disappear, but it was at least some pastime. But hell, I can't even say for how long I did sleep, my body feeling too well rested for a few hours nap on cold stone..?

The only thing I am sure of is that on Rasu's last day, the eight of the fourth week, I started from Chubu, was attacked by a magic-using bastard, and then saved, for some reason, by a creature that was probably the size of a small town.

***

"I think that such a form of mine will be easier for you to communicate with." In place of the frightening, booming voice of before, a young, feminine voice entered my ears as I sat with my eyes closed, finishing my [Record].

Looking at the greyed hair, a young, attractive face with fair skin, and a pensive half-smile, there was no doubt. "Huh? I have seen you, no, that form of yours before!" I corrected myself halfway, considering that familiarity wasn't so good.

Note: the common language has several manners of address, and the one that was you, [Awer], was considered casual, while the second I used, for yours, was [Awara], something far more formal and respectful.

"It is so indeed. You met me in this form. Or I would say that I went to search for you." The woman (an imitation of one?) spoke up, revealing a crux point - that it actually planned for us to meet.

"You went to search for me..? Why? What are you, actually?" Words left my mouth before I could even stop them, and I hastily added half a breath later, "I am truly sorry, but if you can read my mind, you will be aware I do not harbor any feelings but doubt about what is going on, and gratitude for being saved."

"And doubts about what will happen next, don't you, Apostle of an unknown, forgotten Goddess?" The woman spoke expressionlessly (confirming my idea of form=artificial) but she (let's go with such) didn't deny reading my mind, even now.

"Haaa, that I do, yes. I am really sorry for whatever offense I may give by asking, yet, let me ask, who or what are you, and why did you save me, bring me here?" Something I learned during my life was to ask if I didn't know. Game walkthroughs, series recommendations, everything else - if you don't know, ask the ones that do. And even if risky, what was the worse to happen? I was already in 'her' power.

"Offensive, indeed." The woman spoke back, but before I paled, expecting the worst, she continued, "I would have said that a thousand years ago. In the past era, I would eradicate you before you even approached. But now..?"

I waited with bated breath, asking myself the same, what now?

"But now, there isn't any reason for me to do so, especially not when you are a new, untainted participant in this game of a world's divines. Someone that may bring further ruin or hope of salvation even to us, the original keepers of this world, now called with the ugly word [Lieade], in place of its real name,[Rizha-Mako'e]." The woman's voice remained without sentiment, but I could feel that there was some sadness, hidden by the mechanical manner of speaking, behind the words about the world.

"[Rizha-Mako'e]." I repeated the words as if I tasted them before I found myself asking, mixing both doubt and directness, "Only those words already made my head spin, and yet, I can not help but ask, what player? In what game? And original keepers, wouldn't that make you..?"

"You have asked for my identity thrice, and explaining the rest wouldn't be right without revealing mine name and standing." The doll (to call it someway) appeared to pause as if in thought, probably the actual self thinking, before saying only one word, one name, "Ygiriorth."

"Primordial Being, The Dark One, Ygiriorth." I absentmindedly completed before dropping on the floor, kneeling. I can't say I was devoted to the idea of gods and similars, but such a being, in front of me?!

"Now, human, Lindar, Apostle of a Goddess whose name I don't even comprehend, open your mind, allow me to understand all of you." HER form said, and I wouldn't even think about resisting as I felt a kind of touch inside my head.

***

SHE didn't hide what she did to me after she finished. And while I ended up sent into yet another unexpected sleep with just a word of HER, it was just a manner for the divine-tier being in front to gain time while it analyzed everything it gained from me. In this case, all of my memories, knowledge, reflections, and everything SHE couldn't simply glean by looking, as she did with my ongoing thoughts.

When I awoke for the second time, I was ravenously hungry and thirsty, but before I could even think about food, SHE pronounced yet another word, "Laye." And I found myself feeling none.

"Thank you." I bowed to the grey-haired doll of HER.

"It is me who forgot about the needs of lesser beings." My gratitude slightly died, but then I supposed it was pretty logical. After all, SUCH being was obviously far above some fucker like me.

From that moment on, and who knows for how long, I can only say we talked. It isn't like the contents are secret, but I don't remember anything from the moment that word sounded, "Charel."

The next memory of mine comes after that first talk, one that I am unsure how much time lasted, though. From the word "Dharel." I remember sitting on the ground, facing HER faked human form, as if nothing had transpired or any time had passed.

"What you revealed to me, you already know. But what I did, are things that should remain sealed until you need them. Knowing some truths about this world will paint a target on your back. And you..? You are not someone able to face any of the real threats." Such were HER words. While I felt somewhat strange for not remembering a single word, I found it a good agreement. {What I need less are dangers, at least until I can face them, right?}

"Now, I will reveal what I know about the current situation, your attacker, and other things useful for the current helpless you. Your station has to rise for you to have enough say for that Goddess of yours, and I, likely even my brethren if you meet them, will make sure it does." SHE continued her monologue, one that I feel has been taking place for a few hours.

_______

From the few hints I collected, I can assume that Ygiriorth was in a weakened, nearly powerless state. HER true self was still impossible to measure in stats, but SHE was far from being a god-like being as SHE originally was.

The information came from HER doll-like construct experiences and explorations, yet, it was a lot. And I have to agree it was what I needed to finish my pending matters in Chubu. Both of them!

First, related to Gudea's task, I now knew that all the attacks were like the ones my group suffered. A Master of the Earth Element controlling a golem, and while I would like to say I was special, it wasn't so. The mage had taken action before, once. And the released magic near her resting place (I wonder what SHE means) was why Ygiriorth's attention fell on him.

The questions of why and who would be both petty and powerful enough for such weren't something even a Primordial knew. But, I am sure that Gudea can connect the dots himself. And tell me, while I was far from being bloodthirsty, as Ygiriorth would state a few moments later, why I wasn't acting with the dignity of an Apostle? Why was I content with being a pawn? What did I risk, my life? And what of that? It wasn't like I was in this world for anything but a task, and that latter's completion was what would guarantee me the rest of my desires.

Thus, with some poking, I decided to act as I said. {I promised the bastard I would pay him back, didn't I? How? That will be up to see, but I am not leaving him to live peacefully. Of that, I have to be sure.}

For the second matter, my [Hounds] related task Ygiriorth wasn't very helpful, but some rumors and a good tip set my mind on the right track. The only form SHE could use to leave her resting place, a magically summoned or constructed puppet, was a traveling herbalist, and this 'Harna' heard some people talking about missing girls. Initially, the affair didn't attract any of HER attention, but a week ago, 'Harna' was attacked.

*

"Such puppet is also a weakness, as whatever happens to it will impact the controller. Dispelling it was possible, but I do not count with reserves enough to create another one. Not until some of my remaining believers confer some." Ygiriorth explained the barest minimum about her state and the [True Magic] SHE used, then hinted I would learn the rest when I was ready. After this interruption, we returned to Harna's story.

*

Using one of the most effortless spellwords SHE relied on, Ygiriorth made a passing warrior feel the urge to turn away from the tract and arrive to see how Harna was about to be abducted. The warrior, a Knight from the [Lake Tower], dispatched the three unknown crooks and, for some reason (oh well, I completely understand what the reason was), announced he would investigate the situation.

He was the same one that went missing just a few days later, although Ygiriorth knew only the same things as I did, what the soldiers from the [Lake Ante] told Eithne and me. In any case, it was a lead, as tracking a known knight would be easier than searching for something more obscure as human trafficking. {And it's not like I will do the searching. There's Aison and his friends for that.}

"Your memories showed a man of high standing you are working for right now. Force or persuade him to help. That is the way an Apostle's actions go. The only difference is that the action chosen depends on your Goddess." SHE also indicated how to solve it more efficiently, and while I will omit the - "Hold his life in your hands, use him until death." - the idea sounded nice.

_______

Hours later, I found myself standing near the entrance of a natural cavern, more a crack in a small rock outcropping, about two kilometers north of the lake, an hour's walk from the [Lakeroad Inn]. Ygiriorth had provided me not only with tips and information, but SHE also had thought of how to help my standing to increase.

I was grateful, even without knowing what she expected from me in the future. When I asked, I received the same answer, "You will learn it when the time comes."

The only thing I knew, for now, was that SHE expected me to become a true Apostle and complete all the tasks to qualify my Goddess for a spot in the pantheon of this world. And during that journey, to help the Primordials regain standing, no matter if lower than their original. That latter mostly was my guess, as SHE never openly confirmed it, yet somehow, I knew it was so.

The cavern she sent me to was an undiscovered mine of non-elemental magic crystal. Not worth much without a unique magical treatment, any mage could use them after they were processed. In short, a catalyst for any magic, no matter the element or user.

In short, SHE gave me a gold cove that I could trade to reach the ears of Nobles and high-tier Maesters. To get to a position from where I could rise again, thanks to some information she obtained from unknown sources. Information that was nearly impossible for anyone to obtain. After all, just a bit of it could change the balance of power in the [Kingdom of Neverc] if used correctly, the latter being my task.

I fear disclosing it even to myself until I know what side I should take. After all, that the Baron of [Old Anear] was the one behind every incident with the Dwarves, hoping to start a war against the [Sharagzian Kingdom] (probably on the Council's orders, otherwise I have no idea why), was something game-changing. Another scoop I could sell was that the Baroness of [Lake Anear] was about to start a military campaign without reason or announcement. Surprising as it may sound. Indeed, who would a lone Barony attack around here?

"Thank you, Primordial Being, Ygiriorth." In an attack of sudden piety, I kneeled, praying to HER. Hopefully, she would receive even a tiny scrap of sustenance, at least from the '10' mana points that I felt suddenly departing my body.

Without standing up, I changed the being I prayed to, "Sepyre, I am sorry I failed to be the Apostle you wanted. I had no right to consider a house and some money enough. But now, my eyes have been opened, even if it was a Primordial who helped me. The most unlikely of the beings of this world you sent me to."

{Well, time to get going. I need to return, complete the tasks, and begin my ascent. If I fail, what do I have to lose but a life?} I smiled at this thought, feeling reinvigorated by the idea of risk. Why? Who could say?

Ygiriorth also gave me several blessings, visible on my [Status Screen] but only to me and divine-tier beings. I can only thank HER for going so far for me, especially in HER condition.

NAME (HOW I SEE IT) CURRENT/MAX LEVEL (IF APPLICABLE) Original Words, Apprentice, Three Words 3/??? Word of Power, Drikawr 0/??? Word of Rest, Kagbi 0/??? Word of Filling, Laye 0/??? Mark of the Dark One -

[Original Words, Apprentice, Three Words], Ygiriorth never explained much about them, but in short, it was the magic she used. A simple word would force the entire world to obey. It was an ability of Primordials, and while I could hardly use a couple of them, they were a true ace in the sleeve, impossible to block or counter. The fact they are impossible to see with [Analyze] if the caster isn't a user of higher mastery than you, deserves a special mention.

Regretfully, it consumed mana to a degree comparable to a God-like being, with a more formidable word being able to drain me entirely. Ygiriorth wouldn't teach me anymore, that was HER decision, but I could find them by myself, advancing my affinity with the fundamental, initial magic of the world. This latter until I got to a point where no mana would be required for most words, the same as any Primordial!

[Word of Power, Drikawr], a word that allowed me to spend mana to reinforce any of my skills, abilities, stats, or spells. The more mana used, the stronger the effect. If I managed to become habituated to its cost and the truth inside the word, there would be neither limit nor price to pay.

[Word of Rest, Kagbi], for now, I could send a weakwilled being to sleep, but the more I used it and grew accustomed to its truth, I would be able to send anything to sleep with the same ease as Ygiriorth did with me. At some point, it would even help to heal or recuperate, the same effect I felt as I awoke for the first time.

[Word of Filling, Laye], for now, it would have an effect similar to the one SHE used on me before, disappearing hunger and thirst, consuming mana to nourish the body. Getting accustomed to it would also replenish my or any target's stamina.

The last of the additions was a title, only visible to the ones I chose to display its existence. No matter if it was a God, Goddess, Primordial, or anyone else. After all, while my [Status Screen] showed it up as a title, it was actually something engraved on my physical body, and only by infusing mana into it the nature of the small, black, tear-shaped scar on my right hand would be perceptible.

I don't know if I should [Record] this part of what I saw. I owe too much to HER, and no matter what SHE asks of me later, the less I want is to associate a being that at some point was one of the twelve sole rulers of this world with the husk I saw.

As I was sent out from the cave I had spent this time in, I felt that my eyes penetrated the whole world. I am unsure if it was a side-effect from the [Original Word] SHE used or something else, but I found myself gazing towards the cave's end, where I had seen HER eye.

An enormous, colossal body, reaching the mark of 400 meters with ease;

Two pairs of wings, each bigger than the manors and residences I had seen;

Legs akin to towers, talons bigger than several of me together;

All of the body covered in black scales, from the horned head to the spike-covered tail;

One could say that the sight was both magnificent and frightening, and it would be so if not for it being just the remnants of what it was.

Slime, pus, or the like oozed from beneath each of the remaining scales, the body covered in wounds that looked so bad that it was a miracle that such a being was alive;

Half of the head was missing, the eye I had seen was the only remaining, the other side just a bare socket on a flesh-less skull;

Whole chunks of flesh were missing, but the worst was how the wings looked. Torn, broken, with no hint of being able to fly anymore;

And as I disappeared from the cave, there was no more question about why the place reeked of decay and rot...