The gentle breeze continued to blow towards us as we moved through the field. I spotted farmers working away on large farmlands, tilling them before planting vegetation in them. In some farms they planted potatoes, while others they scattered seeds around – which I could only guess were of other vegetables. The gentle scent of lavender continued to permeate around us, filling my nostrils — mixing with the air in such a way that it made it almost 'taste' sweet.
Odale kept his arms behind his back, all the while moving forward in front of me, before clearing his throat. "Now then, allow me to begin at the start—"
"W-Wait, you said my real name before… but how do you know it? I never told you any name.."
Odale laughed lightly. "Your soul is rather easy to read. You can fake a name physically, but the name carved into your soul will remain the same." He stated, before lifting his right hand up, a small flame forming in it.
"Now then…" Then the small flame spun around a bit, before it flew away from him and into the air.
The area around us seemingly shifted – changing from the field into a completely different scene. We were now inside a house, one made of wood and a bit of stone. A sweet, yet sourish scent filled the air. Looking around, I noticed a woman dressed in a simple dress, with a white kerchief on her head, her hair caught into a ponytail, leaning over a pot of what seemed to be soup. Confused, I was about to ask where we were and who the woman was, however Odale cut me off before I could even get a word out.
"Long, long ago — there was a boy who lived with his mother, away from the big city." The lich started. The house's door flew open, before a small, young boy rushed in, a wide smile across his face.
He ran over to the woman, hugging her, before the two seemingly exchanged a few words, with the boy sitting down at the table, while the mother poured him a bit of the soup. "The boy lived a simple life. While they did not have much, the boy did not mind it. He rather enjoyed this simple life, being content with it."
Then as the boy happily began to eat his food, Odale shifted the scene again.
This time, we appeared in a bedroom — the boys bedroom. He was sitting on the bed, reading a thin book, which had a cover made from wood. The book looked like it had been roughly stitched together, with the pages dusty and rough, the text on them written in what looked a bit like vax.
"Come the boy's ninth birthday, his mother got him a special gift."
Then, the mother entered the room, her arms behind her back. The boy closed his book, hopping off of his bed, before rushing to hug his mother, who crouched down, hugging her son back with one arm, before pulling out a much, much more proper looking book – one with a high quality leather cover, with the pages from the side also looking a lot cleaner and less scratchy.
The boy took the book, an excited expression stretched across his face. He thanked his mother, hugging her again – I honestly couldn't help but smile at the scene. "The book that his mother gave to him was a special one." Odale continued, before shifting the scene again. "You see, the boy was a dreamer. Though he was happy with his life here, together with his mother, he also wished for a way to provide for his mother. A way he could someday, give her back for everything she had done. That wish eventually led the boy to be fascinated by magic – after witnessing it be performed by a travelling mage, who had come to the small village they lived in, to look for apprentices."
The scenes that shifted around us matched Odale's retelling – first showing a few more scenes of the boy's life, before showing him wishing under the starry night sky every night, supposedly, for the same wish every time.
To be able to give back to his mother.
"The boy's mother had, of course, noticed his fascination, and eventually she managed to save up enough money to buy the boy a proper beginners spell book, to allow the boy to start learning magic himself." Then, Odale moved his right arm up, looking at it, as a small lavender petal fell into his hand. Gripping it, he exhaled, before blowing on it lightly.
"And so, the boy did."
The petal flew off, shifting the scene to a forest, where the boy was carefully studying the book, all the while trying to replicate what he saw in it. "Though reading was difficult, as his mother had only been able to teach him the most basic of things, the boy's resolve did not change. Day after day, night after night – from sunrise, to sunfall, the boy would practice and practice, and practice. He wished to be able to do the very things he had seen that travelling mage do."
The scene once more matched Odale's tale.
It felt like I was watching a completely immersive storybook – the scene flipping between what must have been days, upon days of the boy doing the same thing – coming to this forest and practicing what he could see and read in the book.
"Then, one day.."
The scene shifted, to where the boy was practicing again.
Only this time, he succeeded. The spell he was trying to replicate emerged, a magic circle – absolutely tiny in size compared to what I had come to be used to seeing, appearing in his hand. Then, a small fire bolt fired from it, striking a boulder.
The boy's face lit up with excitement, celebrating lightly.
"When the boy told his mother his accomplishment, she said she was proud and encouraged him to keep at it. And the boy did as she said. He kept practicing and practicing, and within a mere six months, he had come to master the spells in his book." The scene shifted — again.
This time it showed the boy in the village, using the magic he had learned from the book to entertain and help the villagers, his mastery and control over the spells he was casting very clearly on display.
"The villagers were fascinated by the boy's talent and skill, while his mother could not be prouder of her son. And of course, the boy's talents did not go unnoticed. A passing guard also noticed the boy's mastery and after he returned to the big city, he reported it to the higher ups. Then, in no time at all, the village was visited by the Prince of the kingdom at the time. And the Prince was accompanied by the one man, who'd change the boy's life forever — the court mage at the time." Odale shifted the scene to one where the village was filled with guards, before what I assumed was the prince and the court mage approached the boy and his mother.
The Prince was dressed in ruby clothing, gold and white accents all over it, with a very clear 'fire' theme to it. He had silver hair and amber eyes, his face signifying that he could not be older than the average vicenarian. The Court Mage was dressed in dark robes, with red and gold accents, a hood over his head while he carried a staff with him.
"The boy was asked by the two, to show his magic – and though at first, the boy hesitated, he eventually agreed and showed it."
The scene faded, before once again, like a storybook, it flipped through the boy showcasing all of his spells and his mastery over them. "The two were amazed by the boy's talent. And the Court Mage had requested that the boy become his pupil, within the kingdom. However, the boy was hesitant, as he did not wish to leave his mother all on her own, still focused on his wish to repay her."
Odale's eyes narrowed.
"Though the entire village and even the boy's mother encouraged him to do so, to go and learn and not let his talents go to waste — the boy stood firm in his resolve. So, the Prince and Court Mage decided on a compromise."
The scene shifted to what must have been a much later one, where the Prince was with the boy's mother, while the Court Mage taught the boy not too far away. "The two decided to stay with them – until the boy would feel comfortable to leave for the Kingdom's capital."
"And while at first, it was respectful and purely professional, over time as they all lived together – they grew closer. And eventually, the Prince and the boy's mother fell in love." Odale shifted the scene again.
Now we were in the streets of a grandiose city, the buildings were tall and beautiful, with banners and decorations everywhere. I looked to the right side, where a grandiose carriage rode. Inside, the Prince and the mother in wedding clothes, both happy. "The Prince took the boy's mother as his wife and the two moved to the capital to live."
The scene changed to a church, where knights were lined up, while a priest who wore what looked to be an attire made of scales stood between the Prince and the mother. Then, the ceremony was sped through with the scene flipping through it like pages of a book.
"Now the son of the Prince, or rather, the King of the Kingdom, the boy lived in a much more grandiose place. And his talents evolved further. Under the tutelage of his master, the boy learned to read and write perfectly in several different languages, he mastered the use of magic – as well as discovered that the boy was not only capable of using magic, but sorcery as well, which was unheard of before that time. Within just a few years, the boy became one of the most powerful and respected magicians of all time — being the youngest to ever receive the title of 'Grand Mage'."
The scene shifted, to now show a much older boy, who looked to be at least seventeen now. The boy knelt before an assembly of individuals in black robes, who bestowed on the boy a necklace – one which was a symbol which seemed to resemble a serpent-like dragon with six wings.
"The boy continued to hone his craft, eventually creating his own spells and magic techniques, these creations serving to push his name further out across the world as one of the greatest magicians the world had ever seen."
Then, the scene shifted again, time passing by.
"With time, the boy's parents passed, leaving the boy to inherit the leadership of the Kingdom. And under his rule, the Kingdom shone brighter than ever. Like flames, which would never be extinguished."
A scene of the boy, much much older now — clearly an adult — standing above his people, arms outstretched. Ceremonial torches were lit up around him, while the people cheered. "The boy managed to earn many titles in his time, however the one title that is to this day, passed down as the name of the greatest magician to walk the earth, outranks all of them."
The scene faded, before the boy's image faded, with Odale replacing him. "That title was…" A pair of fiery pupils lit up in his eye sockets, looking at me.
"...The Fire Prince."
Blank….
Swoosh…
After everything turned to black, we were suddenly back in the same field – with farms surrounding us, a gentle breeze blowing towards us and a light lavender scent filling the air. I looked around, processing a bit everything I had been told just now, before looking at Odale. "That was…" Odale nodded.
"Though these days it is more than likely a forgotten tale, it is my story. A story, which details how I came to be what I am today."
I remained silent while Odale looked away.
For a moment, I thought about it all. Then, I shook my head – confused, looking at the lich. "I don't… I don't understand one thing though…" Odale looked back at me slightly, his pupils gently crackling like flames. "How did you… How did you become this? Why did you call that dungeon your 'prison'? What…. What happened to you?... What…" I looked at the fields around, before at the Kingdom in the distance.
"...What happened to your Kingdom?"
Odale remained silent for a bit. Then, he exhaled. "It is… a simple story really." Odale turned his back on me, before looking up into the sky. "We tried to take on the divine… and suffered a great punishment for that."
'Take on the divine'? Something told me that this was linked to something…
What could Odale be referring to when talking about the 'divine'? The Primal Dragons? No, that wouldn't make sense. The Primal Dragons are revered as creators and shapers of this world. Nothing short of respect would be expected to be shown towards them. But then, what other 'divine' could they…
My eyes widened for a second, before I shed a rather cold sweat, looking at Odale. "....Did you… Try to take on the Deities?"
Odale nodded silently, chuckling, before turning to face me.
"You already seem to know about them. I should expect no less from you I suppose."
"I only know very little… Mainly that they were behind an ancient being being freed back into the world and behind the corruption of a…. Friend of mine." Odale nodded affirmingly. "That, they were responsible for. However, there were many more crimes that tainted their names." Odale turned away once more.
"The Deities have committed such atrocities during their time in this world, that we couldn't help but feel confused as to why the Dragons continued to allow them to roam free. So much destruction, pain and death was caused by them, and yet… the Dragons remained blinded to their actions." The lich pulled his hands into fists. I remembered what Arabor had told me — the pact that the Dragons had formed with the Deities.
"When we confronted them, we were offered an alliance — a pact in which we would allow them to add their own form of life into this world, to co-exist with the life we had created."
And how this pact…
"However, the pact ended up being our greatest mistake."
Was their greatest mistake.
"These beings, who called themselves 'Deities', unleashed an ancient concept that we had imprisoned from its seal and released it into the world — more specifically, the Abyss — from which I was born."
Part of me couldn't help but feel a bit… bad for Odale. From the way he spoke, the people of the world did not know of the pact between the Dragons and the Deities, and so from their point of view, it looked like the Dragons were simply turning a blind eye to the crimes of the Deities. It must have been so… frustrating from their view.
I mean, I would probably be frustrated.
Seeing these beings with immense power do whatever the hell they wanted in the world that they did not belong in, and the ones who shaped that very world, simply not doing anything about it…
"Eventually, me and my comrades decided to take matters into our own hands." Odale continued, bringing me out from my own thoughts. The lich shifted the scene, to a massive room – with a giant round table in its center. Around it were twenty individuals gathered, one of which was Odale.
"Me and nineteen other Grand Mages gathered together and under my leadership, began to cultivate a plan to bring down the Deities." The scene shifted between many different ones, each one a 'stage' of the planning process they underwent.
"We brainstormed ideas. Experimented, looked for ways that would allow us to challenge the Divine and prevail against them. We dug ourselves into deep research, all to try and find even a tiny chance that would allow us to pull this off."
Odale went silent, while the scenes continued shifting.
"Failure." He broke his silence. "Over and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again — one after the other, it was an utter… Failure."
The scene went black. "Nothing we did – brought us the results we desired. Nothing we did, brought us the… 'hope' we wished for." Upon hearing the hope, my eyes widened a bit, before I looked at the lich with a lot more focus. 'Hope'? During our battle, he would occasionally call me 'hope'...
What exactly…
Then, before I could brainstorm further, a blue fire ignited around us. "...Then, eventually we found it. A power that would allow us to challenge the Divine and bring them down." Odale turned around, before swirling the blue flames around us, then controlling them into a giant pedestal, which ignited with the blue flames. "A flame, which was capable of burning away the 'Divinity' that the Deities held. A flame so powerful, many of us agreed that the world would call it 'taboo'. This flame, these days it is probably called something else, however we named it…" His eyes turned a blue colour as well, matching the fire on the pedestal behind him.
"The Beacon of Hope."
The flames raged on, before enveloping us. After a bit, the scene shifted to another large room, where the flames were on the same pedestal, with Odale standing at them. "However, even if the flames were exactly what we had searched for, there was… an issue. The flames – they were too powerful for any mortal to wield."
The door to the room flew open.
"And the Deities, they did not take lightly to our plans upon finding them out."
A woman in robes rushed in, shouting something towards Odale – blood and sweat running down her while her clothing was slightly ripped and tattered. The past Odale moved to help her, while she breathed heavily.
The scene shifted behind me, with an explosion roaring.
Turning around, my eyes widened in shock. Behind me, the beautiful Kingdom and the land beyond it — the vast fields, the villages and towns, the farmlands – all of it, was in ruin, golden flames covering it all. In the sky, humans with white feather wings flew above, with some dashing down, weapons in hand. The creatures attacked the villagers, townspeople and the inhabitants of the capital. The guards tried to fight back, however they were no match to the creatures.
"Are these… the Deities..?"
"No. The Deities themselves would never show themselves for something this trivial. These creatures are the agents - or rather the slaves of the Deities. We call them…" Odale narrowed his eyes, while the creatures approached the capital, the golden flames and wave of destruction they brought with them rained over the land.
"Angels."
An… Angels..?
Sure, perhaps the ones I was familiar with in my previous life could be ruthless and terrifying, but most of the time, Angels were divine beings – protectors of humans and servants of God… How could beings like that, bring such destruction onto the world?
"Why would beings called 'Angels' do this…?"
"Like I said, they are slaves of the Deities." Odale reaffirmed before looking away. "Though, I suppose the term 'Angels' is a bit inaccurate… Their true names are the Enforcers of the Deities, however that is a bit long to say, so the world decided to refer to them as Angels."
Watching the destruction that the beings brought over the capital and Kingdom, my eyes shifted to the Grand Mages who also attempted to fight back. However, just like the guards and knights, the beings swiftly cut them down, overpowering them in mere seconds. "It was not even a battle. It was a one sided massacre."
Odale stated closing his eyes. "Everyone was punished that day. But as the leader and the founder of the original plan to bring upon the fall of the Deities, my punishment was the harshest."
The scenes flipped before me swiftly, showcasing how Odale was struck down by the Angels, however unlike the others, was not killed. Instead, they lifted his body up, before an unknown spell was executed. "They tore away my soul from my body, separating it from it. My body was placed inside the tomb in which you found my journal, while my soul and the entire castle that once I ruled over was placed under a powerful curse."
The entire place trembled and shook, before changing to a familiar scene – a massive cavern, where the castle that looked like the dungeon stood now. "My castle was buried into the ground, locked in place. The inside of it, was filled with the reanimated bodies and corpses of the ones that once called the Fire Kingdom their home. I was imprisoned in the deepest parts of the castle, a seal placed upon the place, which prevented me from leaving. My soul was corrupted and turned into a monster and the castle was turned into a dungeon, with me serving as its ruler."
The scenes quickly changed before my eyes, with my body constantly switching between the feeling of weightlessness, and sudden heaviness. Then, it switched to the one of the throne room – which was sunk in deep darkness. Odale sat on the throne, his head low and body leaned forward. "...This was my punishment. I was forced to stay in this place as the 'true boss monster' while a powerful monster was placed at the top, to ensure that no one would be able to reach me."
The scene shifted to darkness once more.
"Time passed… Hours became days, days turned into weeks – weeks became months…. And eventually, months became years… until… I completely lost all sense of time." Odale went silent.
Everything… Went silent.
I stood there, flabbergasted. Perplexed, confused, angered, sad — honestly, there were no words yet invented to describe my emotions and feelings at this moment. After hearing it all, his upbringing, his frustration with the Dragons doing nothing and then his idea to bring upon justice to a wicked race of beings… all before being punished for it all, being forced to remain in one place for who knows how long, to act out a role, which was forced upon him.
I was… Lost for words completely.
"...I…" I wished to say something, but nothing came out.
Odale remained silent as well, before taking in a deep breath and exhaling. "It is alright. I understand how it may feel to an outsider, like yourself." Then he turned to face me. "I myself wish that there could have been a better ending."
I silently nodded in agreement.
"Then… When you said you've been waiting for me…"
"I meant that I have been waiting for someone, to fulfill that 'hope' that had been extinguished by the Angels all that time ago." Odale elaborated a bit more, with me going silent more. Someone to fulfill the 'hope', he and his comrades wished to fulfill years ago… Could…
Could I even do something like that?
The Angels that Odale showed me in his memory – they were beyond anything I have faced so far. Well, almost anything – but that's besides the point. With my current strength, I was nowhere near strong enough to even think I could take on an entire army of beings that served the Deities. An entire army, that god knows how many years ago, single handedly wiped out an entire Kingdom off of the map.
For a bit, I was conflicted in my mind. It sounded like Odale wanted me to be that 'hope' for him — but… Was I even able to take on such a responsibility? Then, I remembered about the blue flame.
"What about the beacon? What happened to it?"
"Before I was punished, I used a powerful spell to hide the beacon. Where it is hidden, I would not be able to tell, as the spell had only one purpose — prevent anyone from finding the beacon, should anything go wrong." Ah, so it was hidden… I suppose that was good.
If those Angels had gotten their hands on a flame, capable of burning away at 'Divinity' as Odale claimed it could — who knows what may have happened with the world?
But still… The question of whether I would even be able to help here, whether I would be the 'hope' that Odale wanted for himself. "I… I don't know whether I could be the one… You want me to be."
"...I know." I fell a bit confused and at the same time, surprised by his answer.
"I know that as you stand before me now, you cannot be the one to reignite the extinguished hope."
"Then…"
"However, I choose to believe that one day, you could do it." My eyes widened a bit. Odale turned away, looking away into the deep darkness that surrounded us. "You brought down the tomb and the ones that the Angels had left to guard it. You managed to retrieve my remains and journal." He looked back at me slightly, his eyes shining. "You managed to defy the punishment of the divine. Plus, at the end of our battle, I saw it so clearly. That final trump card of yours… You, who is beloved by the World, have so much to face down your road. The World chooses to protect you, to observe you, it chooses to side with you." Odale fully turned back towards me, before his pupils disappeared.
"If there was someone, who I'd be willing to trust — someone I was willing to believe in to reignite that hope… It would be you, who is beloved by the World." Odale then extended his right hand towards me. "So, tell me, will you at the very least try? Will you at the very least allow me to place my trust in you, becoming the one who reignites that hope?"
I remained silent, taken back by everything Odale had just said. He wished… to place his trust in me? Despite knowing that I was not able to bring about what he wished at the level that I was now, he still chooses… to believe in me? It was an… odd feeling.
I-I don't remember the last time, when someone had said that they'd rather trust that I would be able to do it at some point rather than simply turn their back on me because I can't do it now.
I felt… Conflicted.
For a bit.
My mind was a bit mumbled and jumbled together – not quite sure how to respond to Odale's question. After debating for what felt like ages, I eventually took a deep breath. Then, I exhaled heavily. "...You would really place your trust in someone like me?"
Odale nodded.
"I believe I made myself clear enough."
I chuckled lightly.
Hearing that… It made me feel… good. I don't know why it did, but for some reason, hearing that someone wished to believe in me, made me feel good. "Man… Guess I haven't changed much huh… I may be a snake now, but on the inside?... Still the same self-doubting man I was before." I thought, before reaching for Odale's hand, hesitating slightly, before taking it – squeezing it a bit tightly.
Then, I looked Odale in the eyes, a smile across my face.
"Very well. Then… I swear on the name Faofa that one day, I shall reignite that hope for you Odale." Odale nodded, seemingly smiling – though it was impossible to tell due to his skeletal appearance. His pupils reappeared for a second, as he narrowed his eyes. "I thank you, Faofa."
Then, the darkness cracked before breaking apart.
Flames quickly enveloped us before I felt my body become light. Then, a rapid falling sensation filled me. The flames tightened around us until eventually, I could no longer make out the image of Odale in front of me. All I saw was a vague, smokey figure through the flames, which also dissipated into the air within a few moments. Then, the falling sensation was accelerated, as it felt like I was dropping from an enormous height.
Then, I suddenly awoke in my physical body, standing back up – looking around. I was back in the ruined, smashed apart boss room where I had fought Odale. Debris, flames, craters and burns all covered the place. Light smoke was layered across the floor. Looking down at my body, I examined it a bit, before exhaling.
"Looks like the regeneration was fast… The body is for the most part fine now." I said, before looking at the clothing, which I wore. It was a bit damaged, however not enough to be an eyesore. Across the room, I saw Odale stand up as well, exhaling heavily. For a bit, I was silent, before exhaling and moving towards the lich.
"I suppose he did say we were in his memories mentally, while still being physically here…" I laughed in my mind, before picking my pace. The lich brushed off his body, before coughing lightly.
"That power… very… very… strong.."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah… It really is, isn't it?" Then, I examined the lich. Despite tanking my most powerful skill, he seemed mostly fine. Odale then bowed towards me. "I thank… you once… more….. for accepting… my request. Now, I…. wish you…. luck…. on your….. journey, Faofa." Then, the lich moved past, walking back towards the throne on the other side of the room.
"Hold on–" I stopped him.
"Don't you want to come with me?"
"I… wish… I could…. But the curse…. Prevents me… from leaving…" Ah right… The curse placed upon him by the Deities. It kept him locked here, preventing him from leaving. I looked down for a second, saddened by the fact that I had accepted his request to reignite the hope for him one day, while he was still forced to remain in this prison…
…Or… Was he?
A sudden idea came to mind. "Tell me Odale, if the curse was to be removed now, what would happen to you? Would you disappear?"
Odale remained silent. "No…. I have become…. A permanent…. Monster. Should the…. Curse…. Vanish…. I would…. Remain…"
I smiled. "Then… How about I free you?"
Odale seemingly appeared shocked by my offer, the pupils in his eye sockets widening. "You…. think… you can..?"
"Well…"
I looked away for a second before exhaling. "I can try." Odale remained silent for a moment, looking slightly unconvinced. I myself wasn't sure whether my idea would work or not. Specifically, whether my skill 'Devourer' would allow me to… well… 'devour' the curse that Odale had placed upon him. So far, the skill was only able to devour magical energy, magic and souls, absorbing them and turning them into strength for me to use.
And in my mind, a 'curse' was simply another form of 'magic'...
So maybe, just maybe…
Odale sighed. "I suppose… it is worth…. Trying."
I remained silent, before smiling and nodding. Then I extended my hand towards him and placed it onto his shoulder. "Then… hold still." Odale nodded, remaining perfectly still – his body not moving an inch. I narrowed my eyes on the lich.
After a moment…
Use of Individual Skill [Devourer] to absorb the Divine Curse has been permitted.
Would you like to do so?
…If only there were words to describe the grin on my face upon hearing that. Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled, before confirming. In an instant, the skill activated. Black aura left my body, before quickly forming around Odale, causing the lich to tremble lightly. "Hold still… It won't take long." I stated with the lich nodding.
Absorbing the Divine Curse…
And then, I waited.
Carefully.
I could feel the curse over Odale resist my skill, trying to cling to his body — doing everything to remain attached to him. However, it seemed as though it was not strong enough to resist for too long, as eventually – I felt it. The curse absorbed into the aura created by 'Devourer' before it returned to my body, pulling the curse with it.
At first, it felt painful to have it enter my body.
A strong, burning sensation falling over my body. However, as 'Devourer' fully returned with the entire curse, I heard a series of announcements ring out in my head.
Divine Curse successfully absorbed.
Converting the Divine Curse…
Successfully converted the Divine Curse. The ability to mimic the Divine Curse and cast it, has been gifted to the Vessel.
I exhaled in relief, before letting go of Odale and stepping back. "It's done." Odale remained silent. For a few moments, the lich was unmoving, before he looked down at his hands. "My body… feels… so… light…." He quietly said. Then, he looked up, before moving past me and towards the gates. Previously, when 'Serpents Wrath' had pushed the lich against the gates, a barrier prevented him from leaving the room.
However this time…
Odale pushed his arm through the gates — no barrier activating.
Silence. Then he looked at me, his pupils telling me all I needed to know. "You… You are truly…. Incredible…" I laughed gently, rubbing the back of my neck.
"I wouldn't call myself that…" I looked away.
Truth be told, I removed the curse partly for selfish reasons. Plus, were it not for 'Devourer', I would not have been able to do that.
Odale then suddenly knelt before me, catching me off guard. "Allow me… to follow you…. Take me.. As your subordinate…. And I shall…. Give you… my strength."
Attention:
Fire Prince 'Odale Ordial' wishes to make a Soul Pact with you.
Subordinate…?
That was…. Unexpected. Other than arguably Arvalor, I have never had anyone serve under me, or even wish to serve under me. I wasn't sure how to reply at first. Part of me even thought about rejecting it, however after weighing how much of a benefit it would be, to have Odale accompany me and his strength be on my side… I simply exhaled.
"...Well, if you wish so… then I suppose there is no harm in that."
I extended my right arm towards him. Then – I accepted the soul pact request.
Then, just like when I formed a soul pact with Iyka, I felt a strong, warm feeling appear in my body, before white chains appeared and wrapped around me and Odale. The chains tightened around us both as much as possible, before shattering into white dust.
The white dust then absorbed into my body, before absorbing into Odale's body. The final announcement rang out.
Soul Pact with the Fire Prince 'Odale Ordial' has been established.
"I thank you…" Odale stated, looking up at me. "I promise… not to let you… down." I nodded, lowering my arm. "Then, I suppose I'll be counting on you from now on, Odale." The lich nodded, bowing his head before me.
"Of course, my Lord."
….That'll take some time getting used to.
Still, gaining a powerful ally like him… It will for sure come in handy for the future – whatever it may hold for me.
"Beloved by the World…" I repeated Odale's words in my mind, looking up at the ceiling above us. The mural that once covered it was now barely recognisable. I narrowed my eyes, exhaling.
"I wonder… what that means.."