We did not have time for negotiating tactics Hungry Eye said I believe I made that quite clear
Still the responsibilities of a city ruler mean that I need to consult the Council
When have you ever cared about your subordinates Hungry Eye snorted Even your own daughter you treat like a resource to be spent for your own gain
How dare you WestrisserÆs eyes widened
Enmya gazed between them trying to decide how to respond to this news But next to him Lowanna just chuckled Well I suppose that is acceptable I am willing to stay justice for now so we can try Westrisser in an appropriate forum Now I suppose we need to make our deal donÆt we In the spirit of time let me be blunt There are only three conditions for me to assist in this crazed plan of yours
First you must promise you will do your utmost to ensure my people will live free of tyranny and oppression Second the offer to join your other world it must be an offer If my people do not wish to leave this place doomed reflection it may be they must have the right to linger here for as long as it lasts
And finally the old balance of the Nether people must be restored Phaea Toosah and Maala Lowanna said each bond label with love Her yearning for the stability of the old Nether people was clear in her tone We have discussed the general shape before you will have Maala with your followers Another individual will give Phaea to all people And the two of you will have Toosah between you signaling equality The universal ruler and servant made even I wish to add one more small detail Your equal must be him
Eh Enmya blinked as LowannaÆs finger pointed toward his chest
Chapter 2329
Devick felt her pulse thundering in her wrists her neck her chest She sat on the broken stone and listened as carefully as she could to Hungry EyeÆs words He spoke with a hypnotizing focus his gaze toward the horizon as he reflected on his life In his own particular way he tried to encourage her
The trick is finding the right sort of opportunity When you have fewer resources itÆs mostly a matter of luck You need an opportunity involving a series of very specific requirements that you fit ThatÆs the key Each individually doesnÆt need to lead only to you but in aggregate Suddenly there is a hole in existence that only you can fill You open up the possibilities of the future by finding such passages You slip through the cracks of circumstance over and over again scratching through the tight walls and dangerous threats Because the truth is power in small amounts might even cause you to get too caught up in the moment to notice in the opportunity You misjudge the opening relative to your power You clip your edges forcing your way through So rather than finding the spaces you are too big for you begin to gravitate to those that you need to stretch a bit in order to complete
Not just once but twice three times you know what the System sometimes says the Path goes ever onward That is how I grew to reach this point By learning to contort By sharpening my senses and understanding the environment By leaping through cracks that would at least give me the possibility of survival After surviving for so long well you get a sense for these things For the conflux of possibilities for how small details can accumulate and cause big changes Those tumbling details you see what they could mean even before the dust has settled
You mean you got a sense for this Devick said slowly
Hungry Eye rolled his eyes and nodded We all have our particular areas of specialty Mine well I have a few
She appreciated that he took the time to break the tension Although chaotic energies massed in the sky although the armies of both Aether and Nether were growing restless around them although some strange being appeared to be massing a dangerous image beyond the edge of the sky he sat close to her and looked at her He didnÆt rush past her worries He didnÆt look at the other group gathered around waiting impatiently for their stages of the mad plan
Devick knew part of the consideration was because of how much had come to pivot on her due to circumstance But she appreciated his time all the same
A bit embarassing but isnÆt it sorta hot to have all his attention while everyone else watches
And you are saying this is my chance to grow strong Devick whispered trying to keep her mind focused Malice flicked her ears still almost disbelieving of the request Hungry Eye had made of her Rather than respond Hungry Eye offered her a small dagger shaped object on his palm DevickÆs senses turned fuzzy when she looked at it for too long so she simply looked at his emerald eyes
I want that You know how badly I want to catch up to you But this Devick couldnÆt believe herself the situation had become so ridiculous that she had become the voice of reason In her imagination she had always been a corrupting influence on him not the other way around IsnÆt this a bit large of an opportunity Based on your method shouldnÆt I have started with a more reasonable chance
What have you been doing for the past several hours other than barely surviving and growing Hungry Eye clicked his tongue in mock disappointment This is the chance in front of you Devick All you need to do is say yes I canÆt quite predict what benefits you will earn but it will be a lot And it has to be you
She considered but only for a few moments
Laughing Devick took the time dagger from Nether King Hungry Eye She no longer suppressed the true source of her wild pulse Joy surged through her body At the prospect of wielding power enough to end the world her main thought was glee Her eyes blazed Malice shivered in anticipation
The alabaster feathered Faelmac Westrisser moved to her side staring fixedly on the dagger in her hand Distant storm clouds rumbled but directly above the position of the group there was no cloud cover They could see straight up to the edges of this dream Now that she had agreed they were all working together for the common goal
Or perhaps even warnings about the reaction to come
Hungry EyeÆs companion Neveah stepped next to Devick She smiled at Devick warm and reassuring The preparations will soon be complete The truth is we are trying to do two things at once There is your task but we also want to imbue your action with some extra meaning you will be mirroring the path to reaching the Pinnacle
What Devick frowned That seems a bit
ItÆs just the shape Neveah waved her hands Lowanna and Hungry Eye moved a bit further away He smiled at Devick once over his shoulder then sat down on the ground Lowanna began tracing a Nether Ritual onto the ground around him For your part just strike the blow We will be handling the rest I just wanted to give you a bit of context so our actions make sense
To reach the Pinnacle you need three elements A foundation an image and a moment The foundation well thatÆs why you were chosen Hopefully your existence will be enough As you were born and lived in the memory there should be a response from above Plus your compatibility with RandidlyÆs Nether will make the rest easier
The image can just be your own so donÆt think too deeply about this Although be aware that whatever image you use will likely be marked In a manner even we arenÆt familiar with And finally Randidly will be serving you up a moment to round out the last of the requirements So like I said all you need to act as we discussed Use that dagger to carve open your own future NeveahÆs eyes were bright but the color was slightly darker than Hungry EyeÆs She maintained the same intensity in her gaze Do you have any questions
Dozens Devick admitted
Neveah chuckled She laughed like Hungry Eye too the corner of the mouth quirking up in amusement before the rest of the smile arrived on her face Their joy made DevickÆs heart squeeze Any important ones
Devick shrugged unsure where to begin Adrenaline still pumped through her The growing discomfort of gripping the dagger helped ground her somewhat but so many currents were moving at once around her Neveah had already taken the answer as acceptance and turned to a nearby individual Hank