Chapter 28: The God's Counsel

Once more, Liam found himself in the celestial presence of Thalos, the god's grand figure draped in a nebulous radiance that emanated a sense of raw, unadulterated power. The deity's gaze, brimming with an ageless wisdom that transcended the boundaries of mortal comprehension, fell upon Liam with a tangible intensity.

"Ah, Liam, we meet again," Thalos greeted, his voice resonating within the ethereal space, a low rumble that felt as old as time itself. "How are you faring in our little game of survival?"

His words carried a playful undertone, a stark contrast to the solemnity of their previous encounters. Yet his eyes remained serious, their luminous depths scanning Liam with an interest that suggested he was more than a mere pawn in this divine spectacle.

Liam stood tall, his gaze meeting Thalos's. His voice was steady as he responded, "I'm surviving. That's what matters, right? But I've got to say, this game of yours...it's a lot more complicated than I initially thought."

His words held a hint of bitterness, but he didn't shy away from Thalos' gaze. He was a player in this divine game, yes, but he was also a survivor, a fighter. He wouldn't let himself be intimidated.

"Why did you go to such lengths to save them, Liam?" Thalos asked, his voice echoing through the void.

Liam stood tall, meeting Thalos' gaze head-on. "Because it was the right thing to do," he replied. "I couldn't stand by and do nothing while innocent lives were at stake."

"Yet, you killed those creatures without hesitation. Do you not realize that they, too, were sentient beings?" Thalos pointed out, his voice steady.

The god's words stirred something within Liam. His memories of the fight came flooding back, the creatures' howls of pain, their primal fear...it was eerily human. For the first time, Liam truly considered the implications of his actions.

"Killing... It was never easy," Liam confessed, his voice slightly shaky. "But they were threatening lives. I didn't see another way."

"But you're right," he admitted, swallowing hard. "They were sentient beings, much like us. I... I took their lives."

Thalos remained silent, his gaze fixed on Liam. There was no judgment in his eyes, just a profound sadness. It was a harsh reminder of the weight of their existence in this new world, where survival often meant causing harm to others.

"But they were harming others. I had to stop them," Liam tried to rationalize, but his voice wavered, hinting at the seed of doubt that Thalos' words had planted.

"Indeed, you did. Yet, in many ways, you seem to act primarily for your own interests," Thalos observed, his voice holding a note of solemnity. "Your actions speak of a certain selfishness."

Liam's brows furrowed at Thalos' words. The accusation of selfishness stung, and he found himself grappling with the god's statement. He had indeed acted to save others, but there was no denying that his survival, his progression in this brutal world, played a large role in his decisions.

His mind spun as he thought back on his actions, trying to dissect his motivations. He had fought to protect his friends, yes, but he had also sought to advance his own capabilities, to survive and thrive in this new world. The lines between selflessness and selfishness seemed blurred, the distinction not as clear-cut as he had once thought.

The weight of this realization bore down on him, causing him to feel small and insignificant in the face of Thalos' ancient wisdom. His actions, once so clear and justified in his mind, now seemed mired in complexity and moral ambiguity. Was he truly selfish? Or was he just doing what he had to in order to survive in this new world? It was a question he found himself struggling to answer.

"Remember, Liam," Thalos intoned, his voice reverberating through the strange void that surrounded them. The god's expression was uncharacteristically grave, the ancient wisdom in his eyes seeming to darken with the weight of his next words.

Stolen story; please report.

"Living for others may seem noble, an altruistic gesture that rises above the innate self-interest of beings," Thalos began, his voice echoing with a somber depth that sent a chill down Liam's spine. "However, it seldom ends well."

His words hung in the air, each one heavy with a thousand unspoken implications. "You must remember to not lose sight of your own needs and desires," Thalos continued. "In this world, where survival is a daily struggle, it is easy to forget oneself in the pursuit of the greater good. But you are important, Liam. Your survival, your happiness, your ambitions... they are just as crucial."

Thalos' gaze bored into Liam, the intensity of his stare almost palpable. "Do not forsake yourself in the quest to save others. Balance is key. Selflessness is commendable, but remember, even the most resolute warriors have needs that must be met."

The god's words struck a chord within Liam. He had always prided himself on his willingness to put others before himself, but Thalos' words painted his actions in a new light. It wasn't a chastisement, but a piece of advice - a reminder that his life, his needs, and his desires carried weight too.

As swiftly as he had appeared, Thalos dissolved into the ether, his towering figure dissipating into nothingness. The god's departure left a profound silence in his wake, a void that seemed to mirror the emptiness Liam felt as he grappled with the weight of their conversation.

Then, in the blink of an eye, he was back in the physical world, standing amidst the towering trees of the forest. His feet crunched on the undergrowth, the tangible proof of his return. Above him, the canopy swayed gently in the wind, filtering the moonlight into a pattern of shadows that danced across the forest floor.

In the distance, the colossal pillar stood, its top hidden by the inky blackness of the night. It was a constant reminder of the new reality he was living, a beacon in the chaotic world that he had been thrust into.

Thalos' words reverberated in his mind, filling the silence of the forest with their echo. The god's insight into his actions, his motivations, had stirred a storm of introspection within him. He was left to reckon with the implications, to question the morality of his actions, and to confront the potential selfishness of his motivations.

His heart felt heavy, burdened by the moral complexity he was now forced to confront. He had killed sentient beings, he had acted out of self-interest, he had perhaps even been selfish in his pursuit of survival. These realizations hung over him, casting a shadow that seemed to dull the moonlight around him.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, Liam found himself standing firm, ready to face whatever came next. Thalos' words, while unsettling, had also offered him a chance for growth, an opportunity to understand himself better in this new world. And for that, he was grateful. The forest, once a place of danger and uncertainty, now felt like a crucible for self-discovery, each rustling leaf and whispering wind carrying the echoes of his introspection.

In a flash, Liam was once again standing amidst the towering trees of the forest, the vibrant green canopy casting dappled shadows upon the earthy forest floor.

Liam, his mind still swirling with the remnants of his conversation with Thalos, turned his attention back to the looming pillar in the distance. Its silent watch over the forest, like an ever-present sentinel, was a beacon directing his path. He took a step forward, the crunch of the underbrush beneath his boots breaking the hush that had fallen over the forest in the wake of Thalos' departure.

However, just as he began to move towards the pillar again, a rustling sound sliced through the tranquility of the night. It came from the dense undergrowth flanking his path, a subtle whisper that spoke volumes in the silence of the forest. His muscles tensed instantly, every nerve in his body springing to high alert.

Years of survival instincts kicked in, honed sharp by countless battles and close encounters. He pivoted, his gaze zeroing in on the source of the noise. His hand instinctively reached for the weapon at his side, the familiar grip a comforting assurance in the face of the unknown.

The rustling continued, a sporadic symphony of nocturnal sounds that hinted at an unseen presence. Shadows danced and flickered between the dense foliage, shaped by the moonlight filtering through the canopy above. Each rustle, each shift in the darkness, amplified the suspense, the anticipation of the impending encounter.

His heart pounded a steady rhythm in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins heightening his senses. His eyes scanned the foliage, probing the shadows for signs of movement. His ears tuned into the ambient sounds, filtering out the benign whispers of the wind to focus on the ominous rustling.

He stood there, poised and ready, his entire being focused on the hidden entity in the forest. The quiet of the forest had transformed into a hunting ground, and he was both the hunter and the hunted, ready to face whatever emerged from the darkness.

Level: 12

Race: Human

Class: Survivalist

Profession: Explorer

Skills: Endurance, Weapon of Opportunity, Rapid Regeneration, Stealth, Crisis Instinct, Last Stand

Traits: Fearless, Detest the Heavens, Dance of the Wild

Faith: N/A

Blessing: Nature