《Pathless Origin: Bane of the Gods》Breakfast Battle of Wits: Eden's Goal
Advertisement
Early on in the morning, Artillian woke up, bathed, and was taken to Eden's tent, where the young general was already having a lavish breakfast. Artillian resisted the urge to curse at the lavishness of it all, from the expensive looking robe Eden was wearing to the shiny armor the guards were wearing, nevertheless, while he could control his mouth, his face escaped his grasp.
"Artillian, good morning, why the sad face?"
"There is a difference between sad and unhappy you retard." scoffed Artillian as he sat down at the table to eat.
'Life is too short, better enjoy myself while I still can, something tells me that this bastard will make life difficult.' thought Artillian as he took a seat.
"Relax, I was only joking, you don't seem to take well humor do you." said Eden as he stuffed his face with a meat Artillian could not identify.
"Humor is shown when one hears something funny. I have to admit general, I was tempted to laugh at you for saying such a bad joke. Besides, I thought nobility were supposed to eat with manners, the way you are eating makes pigs seem regal."
Artillian put no effort into hiding his disgust at Eden's manner of eating; Eden only chuckled a little and continued eating up a storm without a care in the world. The duo had a battle of wits at the breakfast table, trading insults here and there, all in an attempt to understand the other person.
Eden was a noble, so this sort of tomfoolery was his niche. Naturally he came out on top plenty of times, much to Artillian's dissatisfaction. Artillian was not a person who feared death; he was suicidal a few days ago from his perspective, so he was less worried about consequences. Hence he was able to completely disregard Eden.
Advertisement
'It's not he can kill me anyway, I will just reincarnate anyway.'
Artillian did not fear death, but his innate arrogance surpassed his fear of pain and death.
"Tell me Artillian, why do you hate yourself?"
Artillian was surprised by the nature of the question and almost choked on his food. He looked at Eden with a confused look on his face; trying to mask the fact that Eden's question had been spot on.
"Despite what you might think, there are many nobles who despise their lives and wish to kill themselves, each for his or hers own reasons. I can tell that you hate yourself and you hate the fact that you are alive, so tell me...why are you still breathing?"
Artillian was gob smacked, he never took Eden as being such a sharp person, Artillian wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he still had some pride left in his ability to lie, yet this young man had seen right through him.
Their previous conversation was long but it was mostly small talk and what not.
'This Eden didn't become a General through luck. '
Artillian was too lazy to continue the game of wits, so he decided to simply tell the truth, Artillian knew all he needed to know about Eden. He was dangerous.
"There is something I must do before I die, and to do that, I need power."
Eden couldn't help but raise a brow; he had never heard such words from one who looked so young. Not to mention Artillian's eyes.
'His eyes, they look empty, as if he has no purpose, so I assumed he wanted to kill himself, but he clearly has a desire. If one has a desire, then shouldn't one be motivated? He has no will left to live, yet he forces himself to live on, why?'
Advertisement
Eden wanted to know the purpose, but he knew when to stop prying, he knew all he needed to know about Artillian...for now.
"Power, to gain such a thing one needs many things. Talent, potential, fortune, the list goes on, but there is nothing more important than a good teacher. I know you have something strong inside you, and I know you can't control it either."
Eden's words impressed Artillian.
'This guy is sharper than he looks. He knows which buttons to press and when to press them. I really don't like fuckers like him who don't act their age.'
If Eden knew Artillian's thoughts then he would have most likely burst into laughter, for both men shared that in common, one thought that the other did not act his age.
After noticing that he had Artillian's attention, Eden continued, "I can help you gain power, for whatever reason you may want it, but in return, I need you to do something for me."
Eden wiped his mouth and stood up, ready to leave the room.
"Right now you are not qualified to know what I want you to do, but very soon, if you pay attention, and if you work hard enough, you will become strong. How strong-"
"You become is entirely dependent on your efforts young man blah blah blah, get to the point general."
Eden laughed at Artillian's timely interruption, he had said this speech to quite a few younger people, but they all had stars in their eyes and listened diligently without a shred of worry. But Artillian was different; he roughly understood that Eden wanted to use him.
'This one is sharp, according to the information I have on him he should be a village boy, yet why does he look so wise? No wise is not the right word, a wise man would not want to kill themselves like this, yes that's it. He looks devious. Pretends to be an idiot only to catch me off guard, I have to be even more wary with him, it seems I have to take the frank approach and prod him a little bit.'
Eden normally judged people correctly, but this time he was off, by a long shot. Normally people who exhibited Artillian's behavior would be cunning people, but Artillian's display was merely a combination of laziness and knowledge from earth.
Anyone with a decent head on their shoulders would have realized what Eden was about to say if they were from earth, after all, how many TV shows, songs, novels and movies had Artillian seen? No normal person, who grew up under Artillian's circumstances would not have been able to react that way.
'Dude, I am giving you one more chance, if you say one more cheesy line I'm out of here.'
"Alright, you seem pretty sharp, but you see-"
"General, sorry to interrupt but I have an urgent report from the sentries!"
A messenger came running into the room and knelt in front of the table, Eden frowned slightly but waved his hand; the messenger stood up and went to Eden, whispering to his ears. Apprehension flashed on the young general's eyes and he sighed, seemingly powerless.
"I'm sorry Artillian; it seems we have to cut our discussion short, our enemies it seems haven't given up"
...
Advertisement
- In Serial17 Chapters
Embers in the Ash
Four ordinary young people from four corners of the Earth wake up on a hill in another world. Here, their very presence is a crime against the Gods. On the fringes of civilization, life is often brief and always violent, but in the Empire's Heartland, implacable hunters seek to rectify their blasphemous existence with Blade and Fire. To return home, they will need to adapt to a place where their life will be earned in steel. But what will they be ready to sacrifice for their goal? Will their flame flicker out like so many others before them? Or will they thrive as Embers in the Ash? Hello, and welcome to my first fiction on this site! Embers in the Ash is an epic fantasy adventure story that aims to span quite a few chapters (I hope!). To set expectations, this isn't going to be a LitRPG or power fantasy-style story. I'm aiming for a fairly grounded story set in a fairly high-fantasy world. I hope you enjoy it! For this first month of publication, my aim is to give you, the reader, something to really bite into. I will be releasing a chapter every day at 9:15 AM EST (13:15 GMT), as well as the occasional double chapter (which will always be announced by a post-chapter author blurb). Check in fifteen minutes after the first chapter's release! After this first month of publication, the aim is to go for either a weekly or bi-weekly release schedule, depending on the sort of time I can reliably dedicate to writing. Either way, settle in for the long haul, and welcome to the story!
8 304 - In Serial70 Chapters
ASTREA - A Game of Different Realities
Just another Virtual Reality Game New World, a game and technology created by the ETHER, boasted to be the second life of humanity. Supposedly they have amazing AI system that is on par with the human mind. Let me try it with my friends while we aim to be the best in this game and maybe, we will discover things we should never have discovered. Is this really a game?
8 136 - In Serial19 Chapters
A Brief Look
Spaceships, programming-based magic, eldritch abominations called humans, conspiracies, really what more could you want? Oh, and, escalation. Fair bit of that too. Also posting this on r/HFY.
8 120 - In Serial13 Chapters
Kasih Nadiah (Nadiah's Love)
Three years ago, Maa'rof leaves for Malacca to study, leaving his childhood sweetheart behind. Keeping her reluctance silent, Nadiah lets him go whilst carrying the promise he made. Now a qualified Ustaz; Maa'rof returns only to be a distant stranger who hardly acknowledges her. Hurt and confused, coupled with her conviction of his unexplainable hatred towards her, Nadiah gives him the cold shoulder treatment in return. But when trouble plagues, entwining their fates together; Nadiah is confronted by decisions she has to make and is forced to examine her heart.Set amidst the backdrop of the British Colonial rule in Singapore, Kasih Nadiah is a tale of culture, tradition, religion and love.Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Spiritual
8 184 - In Serial22 Chapters
Dsmp agere oneshots (requests welcome!)
I'm obsessed with the dream smp like omfg I love it so much it makes me so happy. soooooo I decided to do what I do best!!! IF YOU THINK THIS IS DDLB/G OR ADBL PLEASE DO NOT INTERACT THAT MAKES ME UNCOMFY AND IM SURE IT WOULD MAKE THE LITERALLY M I N O R S UNCOMFY TOO. Speaking of minors!! when it comes to Tommy or tubbo or ranboo or younger people of the smp. It will always be 100% platonic, especially if the caretaker of that story is older. I will not condone any requests that have a younger person and an older person being romantically involved. hell fucking no. Its gross and uncomfortable and I will block you.
8 84 - In Serial16 Chapters
End of the Tunnel
It's almost been a year since Fred Weasley was lost to the Battle of Hogwarts, and for George Weasley it might as well be an eternity. He is lost in the dark, no color to be found. Until suddenly there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.Warnings: possibly triggering themes, smut
8 114

