Chapter 16: The truth that creeps ever closer.
"My lord can I ask you a question?" she spoke. I had a feeling I knew where this was going...
"You may." I responded.
"Why did you approach me that day?" she asked. I sighed internally.
"You were like me, someone who was wronged by the world, by the Goddesses. You were someone with potential, I was just there to bring it out." I responded. The past few years i spent with her had made me go soft, though I'd never tell her that.
In truth, my original goal was to merely use her, she had quite the useful ability, after all. But I suppose as much as I liked to insult my brother about how quickly and easily attached he got to people, I was not much different.
"Are you sure you weren't just enamoured by my beauty, my lord?"
that cheeky brat.
An: fair warning, this chapter gets dramatic.
Neptune POV
"So, uh, wanna bet who wins?" I asked. Me, Compa, IF and Financee-or-something person were watching Zeddy's fight with White Fart (Heh.) in the middle of it, I decided to bring up the idea of a betting pool. I knew who my credits were on.
Wait, what do you mean 'what credits?'?
"Um Nep-Nep, i don't think that's a good idea."
But why Compa? Think of the moneh!
"Yeah, i mean that's kind of insensitive. Financier is standing right there."
Oh, so that's her na-wait! Et tu Iffy?
"Oh, i get it, you just don't wanna embarrass Financii over there." i spoke, nodding my head. How considerate Iffy was! I turned my attention back to the fight, which was being shown to us via some magic doohickie. "W-what is Zeddy doing?" "Huh, that's pretty bold of him, maybe he doesn't know you're watching, Nep?" At the call of my name, I placed my eyes on the magic screen-thingy to witness Zeddy straddle his opponent.
"No, bad Zeddy, that should be me!" Why would he do that to her when he hasn't even properly kissed me yet? (Oh he is soooo getting a whuppin when he gets back!)
...
I felt the piercing stares of three people. "Oh...I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Um, yes. Yes you did Nep-Nep."
"Huh, I'll be sure to tell Zed that when he gets back, no need to thank me...Though what happened to 'no lewding the Nep'?"
"H-how scandalous!"
Huh, didn't know someone could get that red?
Wait.
"What was that Iffy!?" I shouted. She better not tell him!
*THWACH*
At the sound of flesh hitting flesh, my eyes were brought back to the screen. (Oh right, they're fighting.) unlike a second ago, which made it look like an 18+ related thing that might be found in Iffy's or my hidden stash, what I saw was much more fight-y. Zeddy and White Hert were punching the absolute snot out of each other! "I hope they don't seriously hurt each other." Compa said, being the compassionate person she always was. "No, I don't think Zed would seriously hurt a girl." Iffy spoke, clearly ignoring what was actually happening.
Seriously, Zeddy just punched the Goddess of Lowee hard, twice. And I'm pretty sure he was going to do it again before White shart flipped things around, literally.
"I stand corrected."
Ya darn straight ya do!
Iffy recovered from being corrected pretty quickly. Too quickly if you asked me, I lost my shot to poke fun at her! "So Nep, how do you feel now that we know Zed has no problems hitting a girl?" Iffy said with a smirk. I knew she'd ask that. Well jokes on her!
"I'm into that shiz!"
Her mortified expression was well worth it. What wasn't, however, was the serious look Compa was giving me. Seriously, what did I sa-oh, right, the whole I'm-a-masochist-thing. Well jokes on them... again! I wasn't!
"Remember to always put a safe word in place, Nep-Nep, safety first, no matter how much you want it." Oh my, well, me! She thought I was being serious! "I'll have to remind Zeddy as well, maybe he'll allow me to join in..." Once again...WHAT WAS THAT!?
"Geez Compa, i was joshin' around, ya'know?" I spoke, and to my surprise, Compa looked pleased.
"Ready to get your ass kicked?"
"Bring it!"
All 3 of us were brought back to Zeddy's fight with White narc. (Huh, is he a masochist then?) looking around I saw that Finances woman look horrified, Iffy facepalming, and Compa looking disappointed.
(Boy, I hope this joke hasn't gotten old.)
Noah POV
(Play Kurohyou 2 OST: Born To Be Wild.)
"Haaaahhh...haaaaahhhh." I was tired. Very tired in fact. Our fight had lasted for so long that I had lost track of time. "Ready to...give up?" White Heart spoke. The both of us were absolutely covered in sweat, and to a lesser extent: blood. Neither of us held back. Every punch, every kick, and everything in-between, all of it was the both of us giving it all we had. "Not...a...chance." I responded. I could still stand, and therefore, I could still fight. Though that didn't stop either of us from taking a moment to breathe.
As our fight went on I thought up a new technique. Considering that both me and my opponent were tiring, I supposed now would be a good time to try it out. Before that, however. "You can enhance yourself with magic right?" I asked. My technique was similar. Therefore, if she could pull off something akin to it, that would mean a better, more fair, fight. To my amusement, White Heart smirked. "Of course I can, I ain't no damned amateur! Just didn't know if you could. I needed to keep things fair."
I couldn't help the grin that appeared on my face. "Good. Lady's first then." an ice-blue aura immediately surrounded my opponent, and I felt her strength increase dramatically. The difference in her previous strength and her current was like night and day. "Very good...now it's my turn!" I felt the flow of Septimal energy within me writhe in excitement.
"Cries of a God ring out from the south."
The energy within myself began to build up.
"Wings of the phoenix envelope the world."
The radiant energy akin to golden flames spread itself equally across my body.
"Heed my call, and bear witness to my ascension!"
Vermilion power began infusing itself into every fabric of my being.
"Septimal surge!"
Golden-orange flames combusted around me in an explosion of pure power.
I looked directly at my opponent. "You bastard, you've been holding off on me!" She shouted with a smirk. Something I couldn't help but mirror. "Oh boo-hoo, why don't you cry about it!" I responded. "You're talking big shit for someone in ass-kickin' distance!" My smirk only widened. "Then come at me then!"
She did just that. The sound of thunder rang out as we traded blows. Some punches and kicks were blocked, others were deflected, while some landed.
"Hmph!" I grunted, throwing a strong punch forward, a fleshy smacking noise registering my hit as successful. "Grr" My opponent growled, throwing her own punch, which I grabbed using my free hand.
!
I tilted my head to the side, just in time to dodge a knee to the chin. The second she put that same leg down, she tried to attack again, this time with her other leg. Quickly letting go of her fist. I used both hands to block, and subsequently grab, her elevated leg. My opponent's body was quick to hit the floor as I put pressure on the grabbed limb.
*THUD*
The ground cracked on impact, creating a midget-sized crater. "Pfft, fuck you, that hurt." My opponent spat out as she pushed herself up. "Don't be a wimp. Or is that all you got?" a lightning-fast punch was her response. Catching said punch with both hands, the force being so great as to push me back quite a bit. I pushed the offending fist to the side. "Better." I spoke, before quickly bringing down my left hand to block a kick.
I felt a hand grip the back of my neck before my body was pushed into the ground.
"Ergh, shit, so that's how that felt." I could sense the smug smile of my opponent's face. "Don't be a wimp. Or is that all you got?" Despite the pain I was in, I couldn't help but smile at my own words being used against me. (Clever girl.) Quickly standing up, as well as spitting out a little blood, I threw out a barrage of punches.
"Hmph!"
*THWACH*
"Hragh!"
*THWACH*
"Hah!"
A thud was heard as my third strike was blocked by my opponent, the smaller figure quickly retaliating. A myriad of blows landed on both my body, as well as on my face. "Stay down this time!" My opponent shouted, before throwing a roundhouse kick. (Khh!) the blow causing both a fleshy thud to ring out as it connected, and my body, to hit the floor.
"Pretty strong legs you got there, almost enough to convert me." I joked, wiping blood off my lower lip.
Neptune POV
"Note to self, Zeddy's a leg man." This was some prime info! Thanks Bright Tart!
"That's what you got from that!?" Oh Iffy, ya always gotta' look for the hidden things instead of the obvious.
"No Iffy, Nep-Nep has a point. There is some really important information being shown here." See Iffy, even Compa agrees!
Wait...
"Hey, don't go trying to use this as a way to steal my man!" What a darn hypocrite, didn't she tell Iffy not to be a man stealer?
Noah POV
One punch blocked, the second and third also, the fourth landed, causing a grunt of pain to escape my mouth. "Grh!" gritting my teeth, I attempted to knee my opponent. Like I had done to her, my opponent grasped my raised leg, pushing down and grasping the back of my neck. Next, a repeat of what happened earlier occurred, and I was forced into the ground. Quickly placing one of my palms face-down, I managed to catch myself. Using my free hand, I grabbed my opponent's ankle, and dragged her into the ground with me, an earthy slap ringing out as she hit the floor.
"Kh, just had to bring me down to your level, didn't you?" She spoke, spitting out some dirt. "Aww and here I thought you liked getting down and dirty?" I teased. The next thing I knew, my opponent was on top of me again. "Oh piss off!" She shouted, throwing a punch my way, though unlike the others, this one was far slower. I caught it easily. "You gettin' sloppy now?" I said with a smirk.
A hit to the face courtesy of her other fist was her reply. Though it hurt far less than expected. It was obvious she was near exhaustion. Though the same could be said of myself. "I guess we gotta' wrap this up, eh?" I asked, pushing the short girl off and standing up, helping my opponent do the same.
"Yeah, I guess so." She replied, taking my outstretched hand and standing up. The both of us walked backwards. "Ready to lose?" I asked confidently. In response my opponent gave me and equally confident smirk. "Speakin' tough for a fuckboy, let's go!"
I felt the golden-orange energy of Golden Trillion surround me, as an ice-blue aura surrounded my foe. The radiant flames on my fists grew ever brighter as my Septima continued to fuel them.
Time appeared to slow down as we moved, both of us running towards each other, fists raised.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Raaaaaaaaaa!"
Our fists met each other's faces. Blinding light, both vermillion and blue, encased the area, before quickly disappearing. I felt an explosion of pain before falling to my knees. Looking towards White Heart, I saw she was the same. "Ah, damn...Guess it's still a tie." I spoke, utterly exhausted, but not as unsatisfied as I thought I would be. "Haah, guess so...wait were your eyes...always blue?" My former opponent spoke. (Wait...what?) "Er, no? Ha! you must be seein' things."
"Oh... piss off!" The both of us laughed loudly. The fight may have been a tie, but damn if I didn't enjoy it. "Ya know, you're not bad...for a fuckboy anyway." "Yeah well, you ain't too bad either...for a bloodthirsty midget anyway." the both of us playfully glared at each other, taking some time to catch our breath. "By the way, the name's Blanc." The now-named 'Blanc' introduced herself. "Hah, pretty neat name, suits you." I complimented, "Well, 'Zed' ain't so bad a name either." Blanc replied.
"Woah there you two, that's enough flirting!" A familiar voice suddenly made itself known. Looking at the source, I recognised that Neptune and the others were here. "Ah, and so they appear... How long were you all standing there?" I asked. Neptune responded first. "Oh we just got here. Unfortunately for you, however, Financern over there managed to show us the entire fight. You and I are gonna be havin' some words later!" (Now that won't do.)
Using all the strength I could muster, I stood up, and gave Neptune a hug. "You don't really mean that, do you? You know I have eyes only for yo-" I suddenly took notice of the blood on my hand.
And the memories I had momentarily forgotten, came back.
"Er, you okay there, Zeddy?" Neptune asked, confused at my sudden pause. "Y-yes, I'm fine, I just noticed I got some blood on my hand. W-wouldn't want to dirty your clothes now, would I?" I replied unnerved. "Oh, do you want me to take a look at it Zeddy?" Compa offered, unknowingly making me more unnerved. "Ah, n-no thank you, I can heal myself easily, remember? Besides, I'm sure it's just from a wound that's already healed up." Fortunately, Compa believed me.
"Aww well, if you're sure. Ah, make sure you do come to me if there is something, okay?" I nodded in response, causing her to smile. Though I did notice Suzaku looking at me with a tilted head. IF did the same, which I ignored. Neptune however...
"Er, as much as I enjoy your hugs, do ya' think you can let me go? I don't wanna have to wash my hoodie, darn thing is dry clean only." The purple-haired Goddess spoke. Being the thoughtful man I was, I did as she asked, though I was curious on the matter of her washing her hoodie. (Come to think of it, I've never seen her wash it...) I left that particular thought as it was, I didn't think I'd like the answer.
"Seriously Neptune? You complain about me and fuckboy flirting, but here you are doing the same damn thing." Looking over to where the voice originated, I noticed that Blanc had gotten up, and by her side was Financier. "It's different with me, I'm Zeddy's future wifey!" I felt a chill go up my spine. "Never say it like that ever again, Neptune." said girl appeared to ignore me. "So Blanny, can I call you Blanny? Well anyway, what's with that attitude change of yours? Where's all the prim an' proper stuff?" The Goddess of Planeptune spoke, invading the other Goddesses' personal space.
"Easy there Neptune, the woman just went through a few rounds with your future husband over there, give her some space." IF spoke, patting Neptune on the shoulder. The purple-haired girl relented and backed away from the Goddess of Lowee. However, that didn't stop Compa from taking her place. "Blanny, do you want me to give you a check-up?" The peach-haired girl asked, getting as close to the small Goddess as Neptune had previously.
"Tch! I'm fine, and don't call me 'Blanny'!" Blanc replied, looking aggravated. "My apologies, Blanc, but I am also curious on why you spoke differently not too long ago." I spoke, genuinely curious. "Why do you speak differently then? Ya speaking posh shit now, but you certainly weren't while we were fighting." The Goddess replied, getting the full attention of the others.
(Huh, now isn't that a question.)
"Truth be told, I don't know. I suppose it's just instinct. Ah, my apologies if it was unsightly." I replied, gesturing the latter half of my words to my companions, who all just shook their heads.
"Eh, it was different, but not bad."
"Zeddy is Zeddy, no matter how differently you speak!"
"Hmm, to be fair, I found it kinda hot."
(Wait what was that last one?) For the sake of moving things along, and to preserve my sanity, I chose to ignore Neptune's statement. "...With that dealt with, what about you, Blanc?" I spoke, causing the brown-haired Goddess clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Tch fine, I'll tell you. Do you honestly think I'd get nearly as much respect if I acted like this in front of my citizens? Don't you think that as a Goddess, I need to set an example? That instead of being crude and violent, I should act refined and graceful?"
To her question, all of us tilted our heads. "I guess so?" Neptune replied. "Well, there's your answer then. Now If you don't mind, I've got some writing to do. Don't interrupt unless it's important." Blanc spoke, before beginning to walk off. Though before she could get too far, she turned around and spoke again, a small smile gracing her features. "Oh, and Zed? Our fight was awesome, let's fight again sometime." The brown-haired woman then left completely, taking Financier with her, leaving me with my companions.
Almost immediately afterwards, Neptune started asking more questions. "So Zeddy, are you a leg man?" (Why is she asking tha-, oh right, she saw the entire fight.) "Ah, well, that was just some mid-battle banter." I responded, smiling reassuringly. Neptune merely raised an eyebrow. "So you're not a leg man?" She questioned, tilting her head and placing her index finger on her chin. Looking around, I noticed that Compa, and even IF, were also looking at me questioningly.
(I have to answer, don't I?)
(Indeed.)
Ignoring the fact that Rex chose now of all times to talk, I answered Neptune's question. "If I am allowed to be honest, I don't actually have a preference." I said, shrugging my shoulders. The three of them looked disappointed.
"Am I at least your type?"
I ignored the shocked faces of Compa and IF. Neptune was starting to scare me with her questions, they were too forward for my liking. Unfortunately however, I didn't have it in me to lie. Suffice to say, I loved that woman more than anything, so of fucking course she was my type.
(Wait, she could just be acting playful!)
With that thought in mind, respond playfully I did. "Well, you might be~" I accentuated my words by poking her nose with my index finger. Her face immediately went red, as expected. I just hoped that she wouldn't pry further. I wouldn't be able to handle it if she did.
(I know it is none of my business, but I do believe it would be wise to tell her how you feel.)
I ignored him.
"We'll talk more later." Neptune replied, the red in her cheeks completely gone. Her tone was completely serious, lacking any of the usual mischief. (fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck) This was bad! "Y-yes, I suppose we will." I respond shakily, barely able to speak. My nerves were going haywire.
Neptune suddenly turned her attention to Compa. "Hey, wanna go see what this place has? I bet they have pudding here somewhere!" she spoke, her usual tone suddenly present. "Sure Nep-Nep!" The nurse replied, smiling brightly as she followed the purple-haired girl out of the area, leaving just IF and I. Plus an awkward silence.
"Why don't you just tell her how you feel? It's obvious you love her." IF suggested, unhelpfully. "It is...complicated. There is still so much to do, and until it is all dealt with, I can't afford to enter a relationship." I responded, doing as I had been for a while, and saying half-truths. While the business with Jin and Alpha were definitively important, especially in the long run. There was not much I could do right now, the best I could do is just prepare for my rematch against Blade. Besides, I hadn't thought about It much, it was easier that way.
"She still deserves to know. Holding your feelings back like this will just end up hurting yourself, and her!" IF shouted. I knew she didn't know any better. That she only wanted her friends to be happy. But her insistence still irked me. "She won't wait forever either! Eventually, she'll just move on. It might take a while, and would definitively break her heart, but she would! And what would you do then!?"
"...Part of me wants that. For her to move on, I mean." I started; voice eerily calm. "That way she would at least be happy in the end. But I'm selfish. I know I can't have her, that I'd be best if she moved on. But still! I love her more than anything!" I finished, unable to contain my frustration at the situation.
"Then just confess, dumbass! If you love her nearly as much as you say you do. Then you can sort out whatever problems you have, it's that simple!" IF replied.
Even ignoring the issues with Jin and Alpha, it really wasn't. The problem of me murdering Compa's last living relative wasn't exactly an issue that could be dealt with. It was something I'd carry with me until the day I died.
She was already an orphan. Now? Now she was the last of her name.
"No, it's not."
Neptune POV
"You love Zeddy, don't you?" I asked. While I hadn't lied to Compa In regards to why I asked her to come with me, it wasn't the full reason. Sure, we did look around for anywhere that served pudding, and was disappointed when we found none. But it wasn't the full reason why I asked her to come with me. Her feelings for Zeddy were obvious, and at this point it would be cruel to keep things going as they were.
I enjoyed messing around, mischief might as well be both my middle and last names! But even I wasn't so cruel as to let things continue.
I loved Zed, and she did too. The problem was that sharing wasn't an option. I know how those fanfiction authors love to write their harem fantasies, but the reality was that something like that just wasn't possible. Compa was my best friend, I cared about her, I really did! But I knew that sharing Zed with her just wouldn't work. Call me selfish, but I wanted Zed to myself. I wouldn't be able to handle having to share him. That didn't even put into consideration that Zed would have to deal with having two girlfriends at once!
No man can handle that amount of stress. Not even Zed. Not to mention the fact that Zed may not love Compa, and it would have been cruel to force him to try to.
I hated having to do this, I really did. But it was better to get it over with now, than later.
"Wha? But!...Yes, yes I do, Nep-Nep. I love Zeddy." Compa replied, finally confessing her true feelings. (Now comes the hard part...) "And you know I also love him, right?" Her eyes shifted nervously, though she eventually responded. "...Yes..." She spoke with her eyes casted downwards, as if ashamed. "I-I know you love him Nep-Nep, but I love him too. I-I just want to have a chance!" she shouted. (This is just getting worse.)
"Y-you know he can only pick one of us, right?"
There was a short, suspenseful silence.
"I-I know."
"Then how can we solve this?" My original plan of gently telling her to back off failed before it began. How could I tell her to do that?
"I know he loves you."
Wait, what?
"Whah?"
"I know Zeddy doesn't love me. He loves you. I've known that for ages, he hasn't exactly been hiding it." she spoke with a sad smile. "I just wanted to try and see if I could get him to love me back, but he's been acting strange. He's uncomfortable around me, I know it." (So, she picked up on it too...)
"I want him to love me, Neptune. But I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want someone to get in the way of our friendship, I value it too much. But what else can I do?" her view matched my own.
"So, uh, what are we gonna do? I mean, I love Zeddy with all my heart, but that doesn't mean I want to fight you for him." I spoke. Compa was my best friend, because of that simply fighting over Zeddy as if he was the only important thing in the world, would be an insult to our friendship. "I think the answer is simple, Nep-Nep. We just have to ask him to choose." My bestie replied.
"Wouldn't that be putting all the pressure on him?" I couldn't help but ask. He might have tried to hide it, but I could tell Zeddy was really stressed.
"Maybe, but I don't wanna fight you either, so it's the only way. At least by telling him to make a decision, it will be over quickly. I-I won't lie to you Nep-Nep, I've never been good at that, so I'll tell you directly. No matter what happens, one of us will be hurt. This way just means we can get it over with." Darn it, when did she become the voice of reason. That's Iffy's job! "I-I darn it, you're right. Okay, we'll do it your way. No hard feelings?"
"None. We'll always be besties, Nep-Nep." Compa replied, a small smile on her face. "Heh, well look on the upside, at least ya got bigger boobies! That's gotta count for something!"
"Nep-Nep!...you really think so?"
"I know so, what kinda man doesn't like boobs?"
Legend has it White Heart cries herself to sleep every night due to this truth.
Zed/Noah POV
I didn't know how long I ran for. Only that I ran for as long as I could. I was being rude, and insensitive, I knew that. But I just couldn't handle her questions.
Taking a moment to sit down, I was quick to notice a figure approaching. I panicked at first, thinking it might have been one of the girls. But my panic disappeared the second I realised who it was. "Woden? What are you doing here?" last time I checked, he was still in Leanbox. "Is that really how you treat an old friend? Relax kid, I'm here to help. A little birdie told me you were havin' issues, and I just so happen to have a solution."
I was immediately suspicious. How did he know? How could he know?
"Again kid, relax. I know what I know, don't get yer underwear in a twist." He said shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders. It was clear I wouldn't be getting answers. I could try demanding them, but I knew so little about him. For all I knew, he could easily win against me in a fight. And despite knowing nothing, something told me he absolutely could. Therefore, I could do nothing but ask. "What do you want?" I hated the smirk on his face. "Simple. I know you need power, and it just so happens I know a way for you to get it."
My suspicions went through the roof, that is, they would be if they weren't already. Unfortunately, I knew asking would get nowhere.
"Very well then, tell me, wise one. Where can I find the power I seek?" I spoke sarcastically. To my surprise, he actually answered. "Easy, the Chamber of Ordeals. And it just so happens I have quick access to them." Chamber of Ordeals? One of them? "I'll speak more about it later; shouldn't you be more focused on saying your goodbyes?" My...goodbyes? (Hmm...actually...) As cowardly as it seemed, I was heavily considering it.
I didn't wish to have that talk with Neptune, and I doubted that IF would let our previous conversation go. Add to that my continuous nervousness when I was anywhere near Compa, and Woden's offer seemed heavenly. I knew what I was doing. I was being a coward; I was running away from my problems instead of facing them. But what could I really do when faced with such a situation?
I did not want to be hated, not by my loved ones, not them. My heart would not be able to take it.
It may not have been wise. Many a cautionary tale were made from those that made deals with the devil. But it was for the best.
"Very well then, I'll say my goodbyes, and then we'll be off. Can you take me to the others?" The end of my sentence was partially a joke, it was likely he didn't know. But it was worth a shot.
"Of course."
Wait, wha-
Before I knew it, we were right in front of all four members of my family. Ignoring my surprise, and before they could say anything, I walked over to Compa, or more accurately, Suzaku. "Take care of them for me, okay?" He was smarter and stronger than he let on, and he loved Compa like a mother. He was a kind soul. He was worthy. Besides that, they all had each other. They'd be fine without me.
Or so I told myself.
"How did you!? Wait! Where are you go-"
Before IF could finish her sentence, I was somewhere else.
"Where are we?" I asked my benefactor, who smiled at my confusion. "We are currently in the first Chamber of Ordeals, specifically, the trial of body." Woden explained. (What is that though?)
The area I was now in looked akin to ancient ruins. The walls, floor and ceiling, were made from a beige stone-like material. The floor was seemingly made from square stone, judging by the lines, anyway. The walls were covered in murals depicting who-knows-what and strange writing. The ceiling was plain stone lined with cracks. There was also a door in front of us. Before I could investigate any further, Woden interrupted me.
"Time for a history lesson kid! Ya see, when Akos was weakened by his own wish, his lost power had to go somewhere. Unlike the fallen, who's power was still linked to their previous forms as Gods, Akos's power came from slaying them, by making their power his own. Because of this, his power couldn't go to the same place. Since he was once a mortal human, his lost power resided in random areas in the mortal realm. The Chambers of Ordeals were built to guard said places."
"Wait, if the places where Akos's power resided were known, how come no one has taken it for themselves?" I couldn't help but ask. I had no doubt there were many who would seek out such a great power.
*SLAP*
To my surprise, Woden slapped me, as if i were a child. (What a prick.) I inwardly cursed, though not daring to speak my thoughts aloud.
"Lesson's not over sonny! Anyway, to answer your question, Akos did know, he was the one who built the Chambers. He didn't reclaim his power because he didn't wish to be corrupted by it. With the added power not being absolutely necessary for his goals, he decided to just ward off the areas by building the Chambers and creating the trials." he continued, before raising his hand.
"Before you ask! Yes, the power of God's corrupts humans. They weren't never meant to use it. And with how many God's Akos had slain, it was a miracle he hadn't come to be completely corrupted."
(Well, that answered my question...Even if he's still a prick. Wait, if it corrupts humans then...)
"You want me to recover even more of that power? Why would I want to, knowing what It'd do to me?"
My entire body was suddenly frozen solid, I couldn't move a muscle.
"Bold of you to assume I'd let you do otherwise. More is riding on you collecting Akos's lost power than you could ever imagine. So you'll fucking do it."
Then I suddenly able to move. The unbearable pressure, suddenly gone.
"You sought power, well, here's your chance. Enter the Chamber of Ordeals, endure the trial of body, and claim what is rightfully yours!" He spoke. Normally I'd be more adamant in not undergoing the trials, but there was no way I could get past Woden. Whatever he was, he was just not someone I could get past. That didn't stop me from trying, however. "Don't you already know I can't use Terminus? What use is more power if I can't use it?"
*SLAP*
I was hit again.
"Don't lie, I know you've wielded Terminus once before. Even if it harms you now, it will eventually acclimate to your body. Soon enough the damn blade will realise it has no choice. Besides, the trials will strengthen you normally as well. It wouldn't do to give you more power when your body can't handle it."
(I have so many questions.)
"Save your questions, kid. Will you do the trials, or not?" He asked, though I had a sneaking suspicion he already knew my answer.
(Compared to dealing with them, this should be a cakewalk.)
I couldn't help but think, chuckling bitterly at the thought of both my familial and romantic troubles. "Keep telling yourself that." I chose to ignore him, deciding instead to ask a question. "What do I do?" (wait, what about that do-) "Yup, just go through that door. The trial is open to anyone that knows of this place, just as the others are."
"So I just walk right through?" I asked sceptically.
"Yup, and make sure to have fun!"
...
(What an arsehole.)
Not wanting to deal with Woden's shit, as well as already resolving myself to undergo the trial. I opened the door and stepped through.
END OF CHAPTER
An: Was the fight with the angry muffin as good as I thought it was? Feel free to let me know.
The drama of this chapter was unbelievably hard to write, especially so with it being my first fic. I can only hope I haven't turned anybody away from the story. As much as I enjoy reading harem fics, I don't think I am anywhere near capable of creating an actually good one.
Seriously, it took me ages to write that section. Despite me writing the characters, well, out of character, I'm trying my best to keep what makes them, well, them. At least as much a I'm able to, considering the setting.
Question for the audience: What do you think lies ahead in the trial of body?
Does anyone even read these? Genuinely curious here.