It's been a long saturday coming huh? Maybe... My school year has me feeling like time started speeding up when I wasn't paying attention. I suppose Clockwork messes with more than just Danny...=^-^=
Ch. 22 - Ghost Odyssey
Danny circled the crown curiously as the flames danced with every move. "This is gonna sound weird... really weird actually, but it feels like it's staring at me." Danny muttered out as he looked it over.
"Yeah... It sounds weird. Crown's don't have eyes Danny." Zak leaned down on the alters' surface to see under the crown which floated by its own power. "Though this one is kinda weird." He lifted his hand to hover just above the flames. "The fire isn't even hot." He then looked to the halfa. "You said this artifact is part of what made Pariah Dark so powerful?"
Danny nodded as he held his hand over it too. "Yeah, or that's what I was told." He turned to Zak with a slightly annoyed expression. "You know, now that I think about it, what's with all of these crazy powerful artifacts I keep finding? I mean the Ring of Rage, the Skeleton Key, Infi-map, Reality Gauntlet, and this stupid crown. Who makes this stuff?"
Zak, though confused at first, chuckled at that. "You're right! I mean was there really ever a good use? Most of the stuff I've seen ends up abused or causing way too many problems. The Smoke Mirror, the Kur Arifact the Naga's had, that stupid necklace Ulraj used..." He then shrugged. "Seems to me we're better off without them."
"Finally someone who agrees with me. I mentioned it to Frostbite once, and he gave me the 'Everything serves its purpose' speech." He rolled his eyes. "Seems to me its purpose is to mess up the world, or at the very least, my life." He turned to the Crown. "I mean if Vlad wasn't so selfish and power hungry this thing would still be locked up with Pariah where it couldn't be abused like I'm sure he's going to." He then looked back at the crown. "Though it still bothers me he left it here of all places."
"Danny?" Zak called as he noticed the halfa zone out a bit. Danny's hand slowly came closer to the crown as if it were pulling him. "Danny!" Zak shouted and snapped the halfa out of his daze.
"What!? Huh..." He shook the fuzzy feeling from his head. "What was I doing?"
"I don't know but... Danny your hand is on fire!" Zak pointed out as he saw Danny's hand grasping the crown.
"Oh shit!" He pulled his hand away but the fire followed and spread with each move. "Water!" He yelled as he flailed his hand.
"We don't have any!" Zak frantically looked around with his hands on his head.
"Calm my friend! You're making it worse!" Wulf shouted over Danny's panic. He pat the halfa's arm with his newly removed sweatshirt. It took a little over a minute, but the fire did go out and all three were now trying to calm themselves from the exhaustive panic.
"Are you... Okay Danny?" Zak asked between breaths.
"I think... so.. but..." He looked over his arm which had just been on fire. "I don't feel... like I was burned." He looked confused.
"What do you mean? You were on fire, so how are you not burned?" Zak squinted his eyes to see in the darkened room. "I can't tell. It's too dark..." He trailed off at the statement that seemed so strange. "Huh?"
"What's wrong Zak?" Danny turned to him from his previously afflicted arm. "It's dark in here... Where'd the crown go?"
All eyes turned to the empty alter in bewilderment. "Huh!? But it was just here!" Danny looked around. "Did it fall off when I was swinging my arm around to put out the fire?"
Zak looked around too. "It could have I guess, but we should still be able to find a flaming crown in here even if it did fall on the floor." He then turned to Danny. "Unless you accidentally put the Crown's fire out too."
Danny thought on it for a moment. "No, I doubt that. I mean it's an ultra powerful Ghost Zone artifact. If it was that easy we wouldn't have so many problems. Plus, I've seen the Crown survive more than me flailing my arm around." He moved his fingers a bit to check for damage. "And it's weird it didn't hurt me."
Gaia paced in front of the viewing lens with an annoyed growl every few paces. "If you keep making that face it might get stuck that way." Clockwork joked as he calmly watched her go. He gestured to the steaming cup of tea on his table. "Come over and relax why don't you?"
"My apologies Clockwork." She started in obvious annoyance. "But unlike you I am not so all knowing. I do not understand why you do not end this now. The boy will choose correctly."
The old time ghost chuckled as he wagged his finger. "Ah, but will it be for the correct reasons?"
Gaia turned to him with a frown. "The boy understands responsibility. I have seen that myself with his recent actions." She countered trying to comprehend the time ghost, but still falling short. "Do not treat me as you would those foolish Observants!"
Clockwork chuckled. "Of course not, but if I gave away all the answers it wouldn't be a test." He then gestured to the cup again. "Also, if I wanted to treat you like the Observants, I wouldn't serve you tea Gaia. Just trust me." He gave a wink before reaching up to his staff to wined it again.
She raised an annoyed brow at him before looking back at the viewing lens. "Trusting you is exactly how I got myself into this mess..." She then let out a sigh. "So I suppose it would be foolish to change my mind this late in the game." She then turned and padded over to the small table to take a whiff of the tea. "Oh Jasmine? Mmmm, but did you add...?"
"Naturally." Clockwork responded with a smirk before Gaia took a gentle sip.
Danny lit up the chamber with his ghost ray. Even though both he and Wulf could see in the dark, Zak was having a bit of a problem. "Whoa!" He wobbled at the edge of the stairs. "Thanks for the light."
Danny nodded before looking around. "No problem. You see any other doors around here though? It looks like a dead end."
"Uh... I don't even see the door we came out of." Zak pointed out looking back where he thought the stairs were.
Danny turned on his heel and went wide eyed when he couldn't find them either. "What the..."
"Yeah, this room is really starting to freak me out..." A minor silence went between them as they took a few glances around the room again. "So... no doors, no windows, and no physics. Glad my dad isn't here. This would drive him crazy." Zak tried to joke though he still looked obviously worried.
"Yeah physics isn't really something you can trust here." Danny then turned to Wulf and let out a sigh. "I guess if we don't have a door, we'll just have to make one. What do you say Wulf?" The ghost raised his head curiously. "Right sorry. Can you make another portal? It looks like we're stuck otherwise."
Wulf raised a brow and took a look as well. "It would not be a problem my friend, but something about this place is strange." He raised his claw and swiftly tore through the space.
"Whoa! Hey watch it!" Zak shouted when a set of glowing green claws appeared inches from his face.
Danny took a look to find Wulf's portal opened up only a few feet from where it started. "Huh?"
Wulf looked even more bewildered than Danny did. He pulled his claws free and the portal disappeared. "What is happening?" He scratched the air again and the space three feet to Danny's left opened up.
"Uh... Something tells me this isn't going to work." The young Saturday deduced after watching the ghost fail again.
"Well, he said something was weird about this room."
"Yeah, it's somehow alive and really doesn't want us to leave." Zak agreed walking around the pedestal that used to hold the crown. "You think it's cause the crown is gone?"
Danny looked annoyed as he crossed his arms while still holding the light. "I hope not. It's not like I actually touched it or anything."
"Since when is that a requirement?" Zak joked with a grin.
Danny couldn't keep his annoyed expression. "True I guess, but we're still stuck in here." He lamented. "Why couldn't my summer vacation be normal? I just wanted to sleep in, and hang with my friends."
"An aspiration to be average."
"Huh? What's wrong with being normal?" The halfa wondered turning to Zak.
"What do you mean? I was about to agree with you."
"But you..."
Zak held his hands up in defense. "I didn't say anything man."
The halfa now looked confused, but for a different reason. "But I could have sworn..."
"We've only been stuck in here like 15 minutes. Don't tell me you're hearing voices already?" The younger boy asked only mildly teasing.
Danny shook his head. "Uh... no, I was probably just thinking too much... I hope.." If he was being honest though, he was more than a little worried. Not only were they stuck in an impossible room but, he could have sworn someone spoke to him.
Zak looked at the halfa who seemed uneasy. He knew something was definitely off, and it wasn't just this room. From the moment they appeared in the castle something's been bothering Danny whether he realized it or not. "Okay, I know this is weird coming from me, but you think maybe this stuff happening now, and what happened in those ruins is connected?"
Danny was broken from his thoughts. "Uh... connected? Why, what do you mean?"
"I mean, we're all over these mysterious ruins on the island, then the next day we're suddenly in these ones."
Danny scratched his head in thought. "But those ones were about Kur right? The ancient cryptid you're supposed to be reincarnated from? These ones are about the ghost king... I think." He trailed off as it hit him. None of what he saw past the crumbling castle showed Pariah. The ones from the other room showed a giant snake creature.
"I know, but I've been all over the world. I can't remember all the ancient ruins me and my family have explored."
"But then that just means ruins are more common than I thought." Danny countered.
"No, I'm trying to say that I've just got a feeling. My mom is always telling me my intuition is important especially when it came to my Kur powers."
The halfa was obviously skeptical, but it wasn't the logic that bothered him. It was the idea that Kur and the Ghost King were connected. "So I get your gut feeling on this, but how are Kur and the Ghost king connected?"
Zak looked like he wanted to say something but deflated a moment later. "Uh... yeah, didn't get that far."
Danny chuckled at Zak's mental misstep. "Well, right or wrong, we'll never figure it out stuck in here. I really wish we could get out of here and back to the FarFrozen."
"By your will."
While Danny closed his eyes trying to ignore that strange voice, Zak took notice of a glow that erupted behind the halfa. "Hey Danny, I think you just got your wish." He elbowed him in the side to get his attention.
Danny turned to see the portal in surprise. "You've gotta be kidding me..."
"Kidding or not, it's better than being stuck in here." Zak dashed over to it ready to jump through.
"Fine, it's not like I need this to make sense." Danny snapped dryly as he flew through after Zak. Wulf took up the rear not wanting to be left behind.
"Quite curious. It would seem the door didn't open on that side." Argost mused after seeing the boys disappear from the rift above. He looked around the ruins a bit more as he thought it over. "Perhaps I did miss something after all... Or I suppose it could be because of that thing. The boy doesn't seem aware of it yet." Munya put up a few torches to light up the area now that the sun was almost set.
The Saturdays were all sitting lined up while still tied up. "Well we know Mini-man's alright, but where'd he go?"
Drew looked up at the dark void that now loomed over head. "I don't know. It looked like they were talking, but we couldn't hear them."
"It was probably about a way out." Doc deduced thinking about what happened. "They appeared to be searching the room before that new portal showed up."
"But the question is where does that portal lead Doc?" His wife reiterated. Doc of course couldn't say. Ghost world physics were not his comfort zone. Drew let out a sigh before turning to Maddie. Her friend seemed deep in thought while staring up at the void. "What do you think Maddie?"
"Hmm? About what?"
"About where the boys went."
Drew restated. "Well... If I'm being perfectly honest we have no real way of knowing. That portal could have taken them anywhere." She explained back while still looking up at the void.
"You're a real optimist." Doyle grumbled while still pulling at the restraints on his wrists.
"Drew asked me what I thought not what I wanted." She snapped at him. "But if my son had any say in where the portal led it was probably back to the FarFrozen. That's where they probably think we still are."
"I h-hope you're h-happy." Zak stuttered out as the chill of the frozen realm came over him in seconds.
Danny held a hand over his eyes to cut down on the glare. Even with no sun, the sterile white snow all around felt intense in places. "At least we know where we are now right?"
Zak looked around while holding his arms. "Yeah, we're between that hill and that snowy mountain." He then looked up at the green void like sky. "And let's not forget we have no way to navigate."
Danny sent him an annoyed glance. "Just give me a sec and I'll get us back to the village." He floated up to get a better look around. "Now let's see... uh..." There was nothing but white snow, and blue ice where ever he looked. One thing that broke the monotony though was a dark cloud stretching from the snowy plain. "I thought Frostbite said there weren't going to be any more storms?"
"I smell someone coming my friend!" Danny looked back down to see Wulf on high alert. He stood protectively beside Zak with a claw raised, ready to counter. The halfa didn't see anyone, but Wulf's instincts were something he trusted.
"We need to move on anyway." Danny gestured at the far off clouds while floating down. "I think a storm is coming."
"P-perfect." Danny grabbed Zak an flew off while Wulf followed running on all fours. "At t-this rate, I'll f-freeze before we figure out where we are." The younger boy grumbled before trying to warm his hands with his breath.
"I know... It's always below freezing in the FarFrozen." He scanned the mountain they were approaching. "But maybe we can find a cave. At least you'll be out of the wind." After a few minutes of silence Danny realized Zak had his eyes closed. "Zak! Wake up!" He shook him in midair and the boy snapped awake.
"I'm up!" He then hissed as he remembered the cold. "I'm awake, just hurry." His eyes were wide now hoping to keep them open long enough to take cover.
Danny was starting to panic a bit and flew lower to maybe get a better look. He heard a howl to his right and took note of a familiar green and black form. "Wulf?... And a cave!" He cheered once he noticed his friend's surroundings. "Yes!" Flying as fast as his ghostly tail would take him, he made a B-line for shelter. Wulf had already started to kick up snow to block the exit as Danny arrived in the cavern. "Good eye Wulf. Thank you." Wulf grinned and started back to his work launching snow in a canine digging position.
"C-cool... But it's still freezing." Zak rubbed his hands together, but Danny could already see the tinge of blue appearing on them.
"It's not much but..." A green energy flared to life in Danny's palm and he held it out to Zak.
"I'm n-not complaining." Zak held his hands by the energy feeling warmer just looking at it. It wasn't the best solution, however, since unlike a fire, Danny's plasma ray didn't radiate much heat. It was more concentrated.
"The human, he is not doing well." Wulf noted after covering all but a small section of the cave. He pulled at his hoodie and gestured to the boy with his nose. "I have my fur." Danny watched as he peeled the hoodie off and handed it to him.
"Actually... this should work pretty well." The halfa noted realizing the clothing was about 5 sizes bigger than Zak. "Here, Wulf wants you to wear this."
Zak didn't waste any time pulling the neon green hoodie over himself. The short sleeves hung around his elbows and it came down to his knees. "Much better..." He let out in relief with his hands in the pockets. Wulf pulled the hood onto his head and gave him a fanged grin that would scare most people.
"Okay, so no freezing for now, but we still don't know where in the FarFrozen we are."
Zak still kept close to the plasma ball Danny had. "Well maybe if you wish for it, it'll come true again. Just make sure it's some place warmer."
"You mean like that island covered in government agents?" Danny asked with a laugh.
"Well yeah... minus the government goons. Plus there was all those drawings. You know? Like in the castle?"
Danny raised a brow. "Right, only those are for Kur."
"Exactly. I mean the whole reason we went there was to find out more about Kur." With all that had happened since, it was easy to forget the original reason they'd even looked for the island.
"Now wouldn't that be convenient? Poof! Someone appears that can tell us what it all means?" Danny was half joking, but a part of him really would like someone to tell him. The rash, the portals, the voice... None of it was making any sense to him.
"By your will."
"Gah! Just go away!" Danny shouted at the voice while forgetting he wasn't alone.
"Uh Danny?"
The halfa looked at the confused glances he was getting, and blushed green upon realizing his mistake. "Uh... never mind..."
"Never mind what?" Danny started searching for a topic changer, hoping to avoid admitting he was hearing voices.
"My friend, a door." Wulf suddenly pointed out in the back of the cavern.
Both boys turned to it though Danny's expression quickly went to exasperation. "I don't remember seeing that when we got here."
Zak agreed with a curious expression. That had been the second time Danny had wanted to leave and a way just magically appeared. To be fair, he supposed he did too, but he really felt Danny might have something to do with it. "Let's see what's behind it." Zak then dashed off with the cold around him forgotten.
"I guess it's better than sitting in a cave." Danny agreed following after.
Zak's excited expression fell to disappointment the moment he opened the door. "Barely..."
"What? It's not a frozen waste land right?" Danny asked as he stepped up behind the boy. "Oh..." Bookshelves in every direction lay just beyond the door. "I see what you mean."
Zak leaned into the doorway to get a better look. "It doesn't look like anyone's here?"
"Then let's go in. At the very least you won't freeze right? And anyway, if we're lucky, we can just look up stuff about Kur. Better yet, we find some librarian to tell us." The halfa suggested thinking back on what prompted the door to appear. He had been thinking about finding answers after all.
"But there's gotta be like, a bazillion books in here."
"The sheer number in my realm is far beyond human comprehension child." The voice caught them both off guard as they slowly looked up above the door. There, on walkway, a strange being stood with a book and pen in hand. Now strange could be a stretch considering what they've seen in the last week, but a man with a bird head was still pretty odd.
"Uh... who are you?" Both boys asked in unison while still surprised.
The ghost shook his head and looked annoyed. "Children of course. Bringing the manners of barbarians, and the intelligence one would expect from them."
"Hey, at least we didn't insult you, you know." Danny countered at the response.
"You insult me with your trespass... hmm? Ha, the halfa I've heard so much about I see." The ghost floated up and joined them a level down. "I expected you to be taller." The bird-man's eye seemed to home in on every detail as he looked the halfa over.
"Uh, okay... sorry to disappoint." He responded dryly.
"Never mind that, just who are you?" Zak asked again in growing impatience.
The ghost sighed and closed his book around his quill. "Fine, I suppose I can humor you since you obviously have no manners. I am Thoth, and this marvelous collection you see before you is my library." He gestured around at his collection. "Now since I have been gracious enough to introduce myself, I expect you both to return the gesture. After all, you did barge in without asking."
"Uh, Danny." "Zak." They both returned looking a bit less annoyed.
"Ah, Phantom and Saturday, good. Just so you know for next time boys, introducing yourself is paramount." He chided before turning about. "This way please."
Both boys looked bewildered and traded glances. "Okay, I get how he'd know I was Phantom, but how'd he know your last name?" Danny asked in a whisper as they began to follow.
"The ancient Egyptians didn't worship me for my keen hearing you know." Thoth interrupted.
"God of knowledge." Zak answered Danny in his normal tone since whispering was obviously stupid.
"Oh, hold on." Danny suddenly remembered and turned back to the door. "Wulf...?" The door was gone, and Wulf was nowhere to be seen. "... These portals are getting on my nerves."
"What took so long?" Zak muttered after. He was tired after the first one dropped them in the old castle.
"Hurry up now." Thoth called around 20 feet ahead before turning around a bookshelf. Zak dashed after, not wanting to get lost in a void of books, while Danny just walked. He was too distracted to pay much worry to getting lost anymore.
It felt like hours before they finally stopped wandering aimlessly through the stacks. "Uh, come on! How big is this place?" Zak groaned after they went up their 15th flight of stairs.
"Big enough for you to die in should you lose your way. That is all you could really comprehend about it." Thoth responded while standing in front of a statue that separated two shelves.
"That statue..." Danny began before the words died.
"What? Ouroboros?"
"That's what it's called?" Zak asked looking at it. His first thought was that Kur statue outside the ruins.
"Yes, though there are other names. That is his oldest. Tell me boys, do you know what 'All is the One' means?" Thoth wore a grin at seeing his guests clueless expressions. "It's really very simple." He lifted his hand, and the eyes of the statue flashed. A secret room was revealed as the two shelves swung open. "It means All, as in everything in existence, is really just part of One thing."
"Okay... and why is this important?" Zak inquired as he started to look around the hidden library room.
"Does this have something to do with the ghost king?" Danny wondered while keeping a close eye on their guide. "I saw a picture of that snake thing in Pariah's Keep."
"Not Pariah's anymore Phantom, but there was. Of course that chamber is directly connected to the Obsidian Alter, so no surprise there. That is where the Crown of Fire is kept when not in use." Thoth stood at the head of the room where the Ouroboros was displayed in it's typical posture with its tail in its mouth.
"Uh... so would it be bad if it wasn't there anymore?" Zak asked while looking back at Danny. The halfa had a similar nervous expression though there was some panic too.
"Not at all. If it is no longer there then that only means it is use. It's very simple." Thoth looked so smug as he explained it, but neither Zak or Danny could figure out why.
"So it can't just... you know, go missing?" Zak began again. "Like maybe someone took it, or maybe lost it because they weren't paying attention?"
Thoth seemed a bit curious by the questions. "Of course not. The Crown of Fire wouldn't simply disappear, and it certainly can't be stolen so easily. In most cases should another ghost take hold of it without its permission they would be destroyed. In more lucky circumstances, they wouldn't come out unscathed." Zak's grimace didn't go unnoticed, but the ghost instead turned to Danny. "Why so curious?"
"Hey, I asked the question." Zak corrected though Thoth only grinned.
"Ah, but he's the one who really wants to know." The bird headed ghost then gestured towards the Ouroboros depiction. "Want an answer?" Danny looked between him and the picture. Just who was this guy? A knowledge god, or a mind reader? "Both, but my mind reading is completely dependent on my subject. You both are very transparent. I imagine others find it very easy to manipulate you."
"Hey!" Danny countered with his arms crossed.
"But it's true, no? But it's not really a bad thing considering you are so young. It's the murky minds that sow discord, I have learned." Thoth then turned his gaze back to Zak who was glaring at him for being ignored. "Very well then, let me explain a bit, and then you can see for yourselves?" The ghost began as he gestured around. "This library is where all lost knowledge comes to be found. If it has ever been passed down either by word of mouth or written, then you will find it here. You see, nothing is ever truly lost." He next pointed to the shelves on the left side of the depiction. "Here, young Kur, you can find anything about those who came before you. To be more accurate, however, you will really only learn of those who have hosted Kur previously."
"How did-" Zak started as he gaped between Thoth and the numerous books on the wall.
"Do you think just anyone can come to my library? My realm is very hard to find let alone enter. It would take an incredibly powerful being to force their way in." Thoth revealed while looking back at Danny with a sly grin. "Besides, your aura says it all. I've known since the moment you walked in."
"Then what does any of this have to do with the Ghost King?" Danny cut in. That's what they were talking about right? "You said Ouroboros was related to the crown right? So what's all this about Kur?"
Thoth waved his finger to correct him. "You speak as though the two beings have nothing to do with each other. Of course, there are very few who are aware, so I can't really blame you for not knowing. That is why I asked you that question about All and the One." He then gestured to the Ouroboros. "You see the very first ghost king was the creature most notably call Ouroboros. The very crown worn by those who succeeded him was carved from his horns." He then turned to Zak. "And he was also the very first Kur." It was hard to tell who was more flabbergasted, Zak or Danny. "Yes, I know, how could this be? Well once again I ask you to remember the All and the One. Much like our worlds, Ouroboros was divided. There came a time when chaos threatened to swallow the world, and order had to be returned. In order to do this, Ouroboros divided his powers between the mortal world, and this one. The crown was created to embody his will for this world, and keep balance. It is a nexus of energy. In a way it is like stirring a pot. If left alone the liquid with simply sit, and any ingredients will separate by floating up or sinking down. Think of this world as the pot, and all the energy around us as the liquid. The spoon is the crown, and the king is the one capable of using the spoon."
"When did this become a weird cooking metaphor?" Danny muttered not really knowing how to handle what he was being told.
"I thought it was rather clever since both of you looked so very lost when I went for the standard explanation."
"Okay, but what about Kur?" Zak cut in while pointing back at the statue. As far as he was concerned, the ghost king explanation could wait for the ghost king.
"Yes, Kur was the power kept for the mortal world. Ouroboros, however, was a being of this world and so his body could not be divided to one of yours. Instead, his spirit was sent to find a mortal host. A creature able to assist in carrying out his will."
"So... what you're saying is, everything I've ever done with my powers is what Kur wanted?"
For the first time since meeting him, Thoth looked a bit hard pressed for words. "Now that... well it's a bit... how do I explain this?" He tapped his beak in thought.
"It's more like a guiding voice or feeling..." Danny stated in a tone of deep thought.
"Ah yes, more like that, or instinct! Yes, there we go. Perfect word."
Zak turned to Danny with a raised brow. "Okay, what's up with you? Ever since we suddenly appeared in those castle ruins... no, it was before that. You've been weird since the end of that Ice Bowl game. I mean I thought I had you figured out when I learned about your powers."
Danny subconsciously reached for the back of his neck. "What do you mean by weird? I mean with everything that's going on I think I have the right to be kinda stressed out about it. You haven't exactly been acting like none of this bothers you."
"Of course it would! I've got the spirit of some ancient ghost snake thing inside me! What's your excuse?" Zak snapped back at the near accusation.
"Do I really need an excuse after running through a burning castle, fighting my creepy arch enemy, getting locked in a room with some sentient crown, and then portal hopping to an endless library all while I should have been on vacation!?" The halfa grabbed his head. "And of course through the whole thing I question my sanity over some stupid disembodied voice I think I hear whenever I want something to happen!" He fell to his knees panting at the sudden emotional outburst.
"Danny... I wasn't trying to make it worse." Zak tried to apologize at seeing just how out of sorts his friend was. "Guess I was a jerk again huh? But hearing voices? Really?"
Danny shook his head. "I don't know. It's like I hear them but they don't actually make a sound." He sighed. "And you're not a jerk. I just didn't want to sound crazy, so I was trying to hide it."
Zak chuckled. "Too bad. I thought you were crazy just shouting at nothing before."
"I realize this is rather rude." Thoth began as he looked to a small stone disk just below the Ouroboros. "But we are a bit short on time. The sun will rise at the altar in just a few minutes. Once that happens I'm afraid it'll be too late ask any more questions."
"What happens when the sun rises?" Danny inquired now feeling a bit less anxious.
"And how does the sun relate to that alter you mentioned? It was pitch black in that room." Zak added in.
"No, the one in the mortal world. Has Gaia not shown you the alter?" The ghost asked back in minor surprise. "She should have already made contact as your guardian."
"Wait, the blue ghost cat?"
Thoth nodded. "Yes, that is her favorite form I believe. She is Kur's guardian, and caretaker. She's usually more hands on, unlike Kronos. That old clock is the hardest being I've ever tried to read."
Zak thought back to the last few times he'd seen her. She'd guided him to the ruins, and she had tried to stop the Secret Scientists from trying to catch him. "So she's like, protecting me then?"
Thoth gave a nod. "Yes, though this time seems rather odd. For previous hosts she normally raises them from the time they are born. Since Kur is born to their powers it is her responsibility to make sure they do not grow to abuse it. I find it rather amusing how each one differs. Gaia always favored the nurture approach."
"So what about the other one? Kronos?" The halfa asked feeling a little too close to the answer.
"Ah well, he favored the nature one. You see the Crown of Fire is what actually selects the ghost king. He can see all of time displayed before him. What will be, could be, should be. When he sees the next king he sets into motion all events, and sometimes tests, in order for them to take hold of the crown. I couldn't really give much information than that since there have only been a handful of ghost kings."
Danny looked close to laughing despite looking equally close punching someone out. "Damn that old man!" Danny cursed as he looked up. "You're watching aren't you!? Get out here and give me a straight answer!"
"TIME OUT"
That might be most evil cliffhanger yet huh? Either-way, I put in lots of info to make it worth it. Please tell me what you think. I've done a lot of rethinking on concept so I wouldn't leave any holes and stuff but I'm not perfect.=^-^=
