Kukulkan warily scrutinized Kashi’s expression. It felt like Kashi intended to take advantage of its weakness. Unfortunately, with the wind gem in Kashi’s hands, Kukulkan’s metaphorical hands were tied. It needed to, at the very least, listen to Kashi’s proposal, even if it was a poisoned apple.
Having made up its mind, Kukulkan no longer hesitated. “What is your proposal?”
Kashi gently removed Zuri’s hand from his mouth, revealing a bright smile. “I knew we could negotiate.” Of course, this negotiation was based solely on the wind gem in Kashi’s hand. Without it, Kukulkan wouldn’t have bothered listening to him.
Kashi glanced at the far distance. One of the summoning crystals’ light had begun to dim. It appeared that even the crystals could not withstand the corrosive acid for too long. He needed to complete the negotiations before the acid destroyed the crystals.
“Alright, so you have two problems.” Kashi collected his thoughts and raised two fingers. “First, you need to hide from Quetzy, and second, you need the authority to stand on equal footing with it. Only then can you stand a chance of defending yourself.”
The ‘authority’ Kashi mentioned pertained to Quetzalcoatl’s deity status. As a god, Quetzalcoatl had a natural suppressive effect on Kukulkan. This was the reason that Kukulkan could only flee from every encounter. If they battled in earnest, Kukulkan would not be able to utilize even a tenth of its abilities.
Kukulkan did not deny Kashi’s claims. Part of the reason it raised the avians all those millennia ago was to harvest their faith in the hopes of one day ascending to deity status. Presently, Kukulkan was a demi-god, halfway on its path to becoming a god.
To ascend to godhood, it either needed a few thousand more years of worship from the avians or a few centuries if the faith spread to other races.
“Oni Hill will most likely be exposed after today. You can no longer hide here.” Kashi’s words dashed Kukulkan’s hopes of hiding in Oni Hill until it became a deity.
Kukulkan sighed and then shook its head. “What do you propose?”
“I am currently forging a new world.” Without holding anything back, Kashi laid the truth bare. “I need your wind gem to stabilize its wind element, but I won’t have you do it for free. I still have a few deity positions available in that world. It’s a fledgling world, so there aren’t too many believers, but we both know the deity status on its own is more important than the strength for the current you.”
“Indeed.” Whether because it found lying beneath it, or because it sensed Kashi’s sincerity, Kukulkan did not put on any airs. “I am capable of masking my presence once I become a deity. Quetzalcoatl will not find me so easily among the cosmos.”
“Exactly.” Kashi nodded, and then further expatiated on the benefits, “Furthermore, it is a world where your avians can live freely without fearing Quetzalcoatl’s influence or vengeance. It’s still early, so they can even serve as missionaries, spreading your faith to the new denizens. With the increased worshippers, it should not take too long for you to increase your power to a respectable degree.”
Kukulkan’s eyes betrayed its inner relief and excitement. However, the ancient demi-god was experienced enough to know there had to be a catch. “What do I have to pay?”
“Payment is an ugly word.” Kashi chuckled, but then truthfully answered, “You have to agree to submit to my world’s influence when you go in. It won’t affect any of your thoughts, except making you completely loyal to me.”
Kashi glanced at the wind gem. “I’ll hold onto this, and only send it to my world after the submission is over. You have to understand. I cannot afford to leave someone as powerful as you in my world without checks and balances. I promise to never violate your autonomy or self-respect.” Kashi paused and then let out a derisive chuckle. “Well, I suppose promises are meaningless. You just have to believe me.”
“I believe you.”
“What? Really? That easily?”
“It is not easy at all.” Kukulkan scoffed. “Your terms are extremely favorable. Besides, it is the fate of every lesser god to be loyal to the true gods. I am simply trading Quetzalcoatl’s loyalty to Ferulic for my loyalty to you.”
The ancient snake then released a wistful sigh. “Furthermore, you did not need to say so much. You could have stolen the wind gem and hidden it until the summoning stones shattered. I cannot leave this void on my own, so I would not have been able to chase after you. This much has shown me you are a being worthy of my trust.”
“Heh.” Kashi smiled and then looked up at Zuri. “Did you hear that, Zuri? It pays to be honest with those you want to work with.”
Zuri tilted her head. “Then what about those Zuri wants to beat?”
“Ah, those? Feel free to con them naked.” Kashi nonchalantly gave off extremely dangerous advice and then lifted Zuri off his shoulders. He placed Zuri on the ground and then turned to Kukulkan. “No time to waste. Those Summoning Stones will shatter any second now. Send me outside.”
Kukulkan hesitated. The void was literally as it stated: a void devoid of any stimuli, be it sunlight, wind, or gravity. Such places were extremely fatal to humes.
Whoosh! Kukulkan chuckled when a small wind barrier appeared around Kashi. Ah, yes. Kashi wielded the wind gem. He could create a small favorable area for himself.
After confirming that Kashi would survive, the ancient snake wrapped around Kashi’s hand. Moments later, both figures turned illusionary and then disappeared shortly after.
Left behind, Zuri, Somo, and Chief Huna stared at each other, each holding a variety of thoughts.
One of the avian mercenaries that had been fighting on the ninth floor came up to Chief Huna. “Shouldn’t we inform the others? It seems like something big is going to happen.”
Chief Huna seemed to visibly age in seconds. His expression alternated between hesitation, disbelief, and hope. Eventually, he sighed and shook his head. “We can’t leave the dome’s protection. None of us can make it through that acid rain.” He hesitated and then added, “Great Kukulkan would never abandon us. Whatever they are planning, it will certainly favor our people.”
Somo had a simpler thought process. Zuri trusted that dragon-looking man. He trusted Zuri, so he would trust that dragon-man.
Each avian sighed and then sat down. They knew that the next few minutes would either bring salvation or extinction. They could only pray to their god that it would be the former.
***
“You know, no matter how many times I see it, isn’t your size too ridiculous?”
Within a deep, endless, dark void, Kashi observed the monstrosity before him. Kukulkan’s true body took the form of a snake that was over eight hundred kilometers long. Its luminescent scales glowed white and purple, creating the only source of light which Kashi could use. Hundreds of ‘small’ wings fluttered on either side of the demi-god’s body, spanning its entire body. Kashi called the wings small, but that was only relative to Kukulkan’s size. Each wing was at least 1-kilometers long.
Kukulkan’s head was as large as a mountain, spanning almost fifty kilometers tall. Kashi needed to stand several miles away from the demi-god to be able to view it in its entirety!
Kashi looked into the sapphire-blue eyes that could be mistaken for frozen lakes and said, “Alright, here we go. Fortunately, I have the wind gem or this would impossible.”
After psyching himself up, Kashi grasped the wind gem and channeled the nigh-infinite mana within the artifact. Torrents of mana gushed into the draconian in droves. The wild, untamable energy nearly blew him to pieces as cracks appeared in his face and arms.
“Ngh!” Kashi grunted as he raised his left hand, creating a small portal to Orez.
Vwoosh! Having found a channel to vent all its energy, the wild mana sped through Kashi’s body and flushed into the portal. The portal suddenly expanded to over ten kilometers in one jump, revealing the incredible mana output from the wind gem.
To put this feat in context, Kashi needed barrels of mana to sustain a portal that was a few dozen meters in length to give the Rosen coalition passage. Compared to them, a portal for a demi-god required a million times more mana!
Once the portal appeared, Kashi became a mere channel for the wind gem’s mana. The portal rapidly increased and grew more stable under the wind gem’s endless mana. Soon, it reached hundreds of kilometers long.
By this point, Kashi couldn’t even see the ends of Kukulkan’s coiled body.
“Alright. It is large enough.” Fortunately, Kukulkan’s spirit coiled around Kashi’s arm kept him abreast of the situation. “I will move now. Keep the channel stable. It should only take a moment.”
The sweating Kashi stiffly nodded to show his accent and then watched as Kukulkan’s spirit disappeared.
Due to the void, Kashi neither heard nor saw the magnificent scenery as Kukulkan’s massive body moved for the first time in over a millennium. The snake stiffly raised its head and looked at the distant portal.
Intriguingly Kukulkan sensed boundless life energy from beyond the portal. ‘Yggdrasil!’ Kukulkan’s sapphire blue eyes twinkled with excitement as it raised its head and let out a triumphant roar!
Or, well, it tried to. Due to the void, Kukulkan’s voice did not travel far. However, the ancient demi-god did not care. First, it channeled what little wind energy it had to wrap the planes in its stomach in protective winds to act as a kind of gyroscope.
This way, the beings inside would not be subject to its movement speed, or else the G-force might just turn them all inside out!
After completing its preparations, Kukulkan did not waste any more time. It could sense that the Summoning Stones only had a few seconds left!
The sky demi-god suddenly shot forwards at speeds that would make fighter jets blush. Despite its size, all those hundreds of kilometers disappeared into the portal in less than a second!
Kashi instantly stopped channeling the wind gem a few seconds later, causing the portal to collapse. The void lacked any natural mana that might have extended the portal’s existence a second longer.
Kashi confidently closed the portal, not because he saw Kukulkan’s body, but because he got a message from Suzuki who was in Orez.
‘The snake’s settled down. I gave it the position of god of rain, wind, and storms. Oh, it just spat out those avians. I have a lot of work to do now. Drixali seems excited for some reason.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Kashi laughed when he heard Suzuki’s monotonous report. The advantage of having a split personality reared its head at that moment. He could divert the handling and running of Orez to Kashi, who adamantly refused to enter Destia. Fortunately, the game recognized Kashi and Suzuki as two parts of a whole, so they shared the same authority status when it came to Orez.
“I sympathize with Drixali.” Kashi could imagine the poor god’s relief that something finally took the battle maniac’s attention. Furthermore, Drixali could use the excuse of smoothing security issues with the avians to avoid Suzuki for the time being.
Having confirmed Kukulkan’s submission, Kashi glanced wistfully at the wind gem. “Damn, I wish I could take this with me. It would trivialize the next fights.”
Unfortunately, Kashi did not dare leave the void with the gem. Quetzalcoatl would sense it the moment it appeared in Destia. Kashi did not know if Quetzalcoatl was one of the gods Razznik defeated. He could not gamble on that possibility.
“Oh, well, at least, this should free Kira for a bit.” Kashi tossed the gem into Orez, and then ‘entered’ Orez himself.
Kashi appeared in the sky above Yggdrassil. He smiled when he saw Kukulkan’s body stretched far across the horizon. As if sensing Kashi’s presence, the serpent’s wings fluttered gently, and its body moved until its mountainous head appeared before the draconian.
Kashi revealed a wry smile. “You look excited. How does the fresh air feel?”
“Mm. I did not realize I had missed it this much.” Kukulkan did not hide its pleasure as it flew around Kashi a few times. It then glanced at the gem in Kashi’s hand. “Your companions have already been transported to Oni Hill’s next stage. Will you be joining them?”
“Soon,” Kashi admitted with a nod. “There are a few things I must take care of first.” With those words, Kashi pulled up a notification that showed up the moment he threw the wind gem into Orez.
Suitable Wind Artifact Found!
Replace Current Wind Artifact?
Warning: Strongly Recommended!
Kashi smiled as he flew down to Yggdrassil’s branches. There, he paused as he observed a cocoon floating gently amongst the leaves. A powerful heartbeat emanated from the cocoon, revealing its occupant’s slightly anxious nature.
“Wake up, Kira.” Kashi sacrificed the Wind Gem to Orez and spared a glance at the notifications that popped up.
New Wind Artifact Acquired!
Quetzalcoatl’s Wind Gem of Creation
Quetzalcoatl’s wind gem exists for the sole purpose of stabilizing infant worlds. This is the best artifact one can hope for!
Wind Elemental Control Greatly Increased!
Creation Elements Status: Lightning (Sub-Optimal), Wind (Optimal), Earth (Optimal), Water (Temporary Fix), Fire (Optimal), Metal (Needed).
Kashi raised his right hand and observed a small tornado spinning in his palms. “Mm. This is even better than being an Elementalist.” He then turned his attention to the next notification.
A Companion’s Slumber Nears its End
Congratulations! After freeing Kira from the burden of being a wind artifact, she can focus on finishing her evolution. The danger has already passed. Kira should awaken in the next few hours.
What will your awakened companion look like? Will she still remember you?
All questions will be answered when your companion awakens from her slumber.
P.S. Why don’t you try kissing the cocoon? It might speed up her recovery.
‘Yeah, to beat me up.’ Kashi scoffed at the last line. Sometimes, the game’s notification system liked to play pranks or insert personal opinions.
Kashi was used to it at this point.
The draconian turned his attention to the pulsating cocoon. He gently tapped it, and then murmured, “See you soon, partner.”
With those words, Kashi took to the skies and then landed on Kukulkan’s head. Without needing a prompt, Kukulkan flew through the skies, across the ocean until it reached one of the recently emerged continents.
There, Kashi saw thousands of avians flying across the lands, eyes wide in shock, joy, horror, and excitement. Nearby, Drixali and Suzuki were discussing with Chief Huna, introducing him to Orez.
“You…” Chief Huna’s eyes widened when Kashi flew down from Kukulkan’s head. His aged face suddenly relaxed and he revealed a brilliant reverent gaze before solemnly bowing his head. “I have no words to thank you. I can only swear my people’s fealty for this generation and any beyond.”
“Haha, there’s no need for all that. We should not bind the next generation with our arrangements.” Kashi casually chuckled and then said, “You can live as you want. This world is as much yours as it is every other race’s. I only ask that you do not discriminate or sow discord against the other races. You might feel yourself superior, but…”
Kashi looked up at the colossal creature overhead. “Before beings like that, we’re all maggots—if only slightly more unique maggots. So, why bother hating and judging each other?”
“We are all maggots under the gazes of the gods.” Chief Huna’s heart palpitated. Contrary to Kashi’s expectations, the chief took it to mean that the avians were as much maggots as any other race in the draconian’s eyes. Kashi could easily wipe out their race just as easily as he saved them from eternal prison.
“I understand. I will pass on your teachings and warnings.”
Kashi sensed something off from Chief Huna’s intense gaze, but he passed it off as nervousness from entering a new world. “Alright then, that’s good.” Kashi paused and then glanced around. “Um, for now, this part of the world does not have many abundant living resources. You should head for Yggdrasil. There are many monsters and plants aplenty for your people. In time, I will seek to populate these regions with monsters. It will also help integrate your race with the others living in Orez.”
A few minutes ago, Chief Huna might have scoffed at the prospect of mingling with land-dwellers. But, after Kashi’s ‘warning,’ the Chief saw this as a test.
‘Will he wipe us out if we fail this test!?’ The chief’s heart leaped up to his throat, and he visibly aged once again as the stress piled on. Chief Huna bid farewell and went to quickly round up his people and whip them into shape!
‘Wow, responsibilities can cause someone to look this haggard?’ Kashi sympathized with the chief who had to look after thousands of avians. ‘I should find a way to give Leila a raise so she doesn’t quit. I never want that kind of stress!’
“Don’t you mean, she has to give herself a raise? Do you even know how much she makes? Are you even paying her?”
“Ugh. Sharing a mind with you sucks sometimes.” Kashi glanced at Suzuki, who floated in the sky with his usual dead expression.
“Just sometimes? It’s all the time for me.”
“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Anti-social.” Kashi lazily waved off Suzuki’s jibe. He already fulfilled one of his goals by making Suzuki actively play Live No Evil. He would find more opportunities to make Suzuki appreciate being alive. Only then could he scrub off Suzuki’s suicidal tendencies.
After confirming that Orez would not spontaneously combust from Kukulkan’s entrance, Kashi smiled and said to Suzuki, “I’ll leave things here to you.”
“Suit yourself.” Suzuki clucked his tongue and flew away, leaving Kashi standing awkwardly with Drixali, who did not know who to follow.
“Please, take care of him,” Kashi said to Drixali, who revealed a bitter smile.
The centaur god nodded and then galloped after Suzuki’s retreating figure.
“I like your world. With your leave, I shall return to my slumber.”
Kashi looked up at Kukulkan, who nodded and then descended to the ground. The serpent’s body then dissipated into a mist that spread far across the skies. “Where there is breath, you shall see the sky god.”
Kashi muttered an ancient proverb and then let out a sigh of relief. In this airy state, not even Quetzalcoatl could find the serpent god. Thus, the draconian had nothing else to fear. As for Kukulkan’s sleeping slumber, that was par for the course for titan-like gods. They often slept ninety-nine percent of their lifespans.
Having finished his business, Kashi promptly returned to his body which was still suspended in the void.
The wind barrier still rotated around him, providing him the oxygen required to survive in this zone.
However, because Kukulkan was gone, Kashi could not see a single thing.
The draconian did not panic. Razznik made a safe incantation to dispel this void. The only downside was that dispelling the void would permanently shatter it. As a result, all the worlds and items Razznik stored there would forcefully return to the real world.
Oni Hill’s first, second, and third floors were all zones created within this void. Destroying the void would shatter these tests forever.
“To be fair, he was a dick to me first.”
Kashi justified his subsequent actions, before raising his hand to cover his right eye.
“Fuck me, this is all that immature Demon Lord’s fault.” Kashi shivered in anticipation of the incoming cringe and then loudly stuttered, “D-Dark Dimension Trapped in the Vortex of Endless Torment, I, Kashi of the Daeben, Release Thee From Eternal Damnation… Break!”
Nothing Happened.
“What!? Did he change the incantation!?” Kashi nearly panicked, but a calm voice suddenly reminded him.
‘Idiot. You are no longer a daeben.’
“Ah, Right…”
‘Also, don’t forget the pose at the end. That chunnyibou insisted it’s part of the chant.’
“Does that even make sense?”
‘Do you want to die? That wind barrier won’t last much longer.’
“Right. Fuck…” Kashi gritted his teeth and steeled himself. He rapidly repeated the incantation, “D-Dark Dimension Trapped in the Vortex of Endless Torment, I, Kashi of the Draconians, Release Thee From Eternal Damnation… Break!” Then, against his will, Kashi spread his legs wide, raised his right hand into the sky, and then clutched his left eye with a vicious expression.
Crack!
Once Kashi’s incantation finished, an enormous crack appeared within the endless void, bringing with it a flood of foreign light.
Kashi released a sigh of relief as he watched the void crumble around him. “At least no one saw that. Syèl would never let me live it down.”
‘Ah, about that…’
Kashi paled in fright. “No, Suzuki; you wouldn’t!”
‘Hm. This Artist skill, Moving Pictures is pretty useful for times like this. Should I get Jade to record a vocal rune to make it even more vivid? Heh. Kashi, you might get your wish after all. Living does not sound so bad all of a sudden.’
“…You fucking monster!”