And the second thing was the exact nature of the Truth
RandidlyÆs eyes opened flashing with emerald light you canÆt have it both ways
Nyx nodded slowly A base Truth but one I think someone like you will find useful
Once Randidly had seen it his awareness of its influence spread out to prickle across all of his accumulation Specifically in regards to Pinnacle and Eternity events He understood why Elhume had failed so spectacularly in his later attempts you could not both birth a universe and empower your vessel A Truth could be used for only one of the two tasks Similarly it was impossible to both create a Momento and a Samsara
This insight made the corner of RandidlyÆs mouth turn downward Sure in terms of power the numerous examples that Nyx had encountered meant this truth was incomparably sharp Yet This is a harsh Truth you offer me My options will be restricted by it
Nyx offered him a sweet smile True But I think you will find that just as much as restricting your options it frames them For one such as you the Heretic Alchemist and his Hungry Eyes being able to subvert that framing and overturn expectations is exactly where your power comes from
For a split second Randidly only grew more annoyed and impatient But then he saw it The possibility in her words He stilled and gave Nyx a long look Thank you
I look forward to witnessing your other Truths Randidly Ghosthound Nyx offered him a bow
Randidly broke off the invitation releasing a hissing breath His mind raced He saw it Or at the very least he suspected he now understood the right method to become a Shallah Yet he could only roll his shoulders As for the specifics IÆll need to work out my other Truths My own will be alright but what sort of Truth can I find in DevickÆs Deviation
Chapter 2415
Devick looked down at the glowing crimson furred rabbit with its floppy ears and its creepily deep voice She petted it absently as its power continued to grow as it announced its sudden offer The whole area around them began to swirl and churn images turning space milky The longer she maintained eye contact with the inky eyes of the bunny rabbit the more Devick could feel her own image responding to its Aether
The bunny opened its mouth again Its momentum continued to build So long as you wish for a higher Truth Upstodatee from
Devick flicked the bunny between the eyes IÆm not interested in your Pinnacle little bunny Even if I stood upon the bunny Pinnacle what would happen when I encountered a greater foe Like groundhogs or beavers And the second a fox showed up wouldnÆt I be doomed No I will not accept any panaceas from woodland creatures
With her flick the image resonance quivered and collapsed around them Once more the two stood on a bit of normal ground between the two statues The bunny blinked several times as Devick continued to stroke its soft fur But then a humming note of Truth gathered in its small body once more turning all the images around them into liquid You do not understand what I offer I do not speak of a bunny Pinnacle but a true Pinnacle So long as you agree I will lead you
She flicked the bunny again between the eyes sighing Truly bunnies have no sense of humor Perhaps I am a revolutionary talent in that regard Hehe obviously I didnÆt think you were talking about the bunny Pinnacle Although if you had some tips to make my hair be as soft and delicate as your fur I would appreciate them
For the third time a wave of power burst out from the shape shifting creatureÆs small body This time the hazy waves sharpened the surrounding air remained clear as the bunny gathered itself The release bounced off of DevickÆs skin and rebounded to concentrate in front of her The creatureÆs voice grew loud echoing in the surrounding space You wish to develop power You wish to escape the shadow of this being to whom you are deeply connected The Truth I offer will provide that For a moment listen
Her eyes narrowed but she did And images in front of her formed an attractive image
In front of Devick the rebounding waves conjured an image of a possible future Devick looked for a second unable to resist the temptation of just peeking She released a long breath as tension flowed out of her She felt power more than anything else Crackling around her
A Devick standing tall and proud with waves of crimson blood swirling around her body A whirlpool of wicked slaughter large enough to swallow an entire world And she felt a deep confidence that if she took this strange statue spirit up on its offer she would be able to achieve this image intensity she had craved for so long She could reach the Pinnacle She would be a blazing comet rising rapidly in power burning through clouds and sky until she reached a height she could stand next to Randidly Ghosthound with pride
She saw herself wearing a wedding gown horrible and soft wicked and filled with gaiety pledging her life to stand next to him Her cloak would be woven of blood and laughter She would be the Consort of Perdition and while they would fear his power more all would shiver and sweat at the prospect of drawing her attention
She felt tempted She felt a small corner of her heart hesitate and want to agree And suddenly the illusion broke Because more than she wanted to be strong she hated being told what to do
Little bunny DevickÆs gaze sharpened and she offered the creature in her arms a lazy smile Her hand slipped down and wrapped around its soft neck Her thumb and pointer finger touched and she could feel the rapid bulge of its vein as its tiny heart raced With a twitch of her wrist sheÆd be able to snap its neck Yet she just caressed it feeling the delicate joint You think I would be happy escaping RandidlyÆs shadow by relying on your power You are missing the point IÆm not upset by my situation but by the fact IÆm not able to escape by myself Your help is not help at all
But The bunnyÆs resonance shattered for the final time Those glittering promised images dissolved in the air Devick had some rather vicious intentions but she couldnÆt help but feel shocked at the trembling in the voice The bunny hesitated before speaking again If you do not want my Truth am I useless
Am I useless
Devick shivered Although it was a coincidence how many times had she had that very same thought about herself Before she had met Nether King Hungry Eye in her adopted fatherÆs city before she had developed confidence playing Hobfootie before she had found her pure image and grown rapidly in strength And even then at every turn Randidly was giving her a hand up providing assistance providing pure Aether and Nether to accelerate her growth
She wished she had done it all on her own Because she hadnÆt she couldnÆt escape the small thought that she never would have
Part of her sudden empathy was the form the creature had taken but Devick couldnÆt help but look at this red furred rabbit without feeling her own insecurities Her hand loosened from its neck and she went back to stroking its fur
Damn so fucking soft Devick muttered to herself but when the bunnyÆs confusion and sadness seemed to deepen at her random thoughts she coughed and refocused Ahem little bunny I donÆt want the Path you offer to the Pinnacle But you at least know the general direction of the Pinnacle yea Let me show you my image and maybe you can offer some advice
I could look I just might not be much help
RandidlyÆs eyes flashed remembering the much abridged version of events that Yystrix had passed to him in her tomb Of her life before the Nexus her people her relationship with Elhume and then the birth of Pine But the more he learned about how singular his existence had been nudged to become the more he admired her