“I refuse.” Murai simply said what he felt. He won't let someone else decide this sort of thing for him. Not Lisa. Not some demon that he couldn't even see, nor anything else that he wasn't sure was worth hearing. He had his priorities set straight, even while invaded by strangers with far too much authority.
He was in his backyard, so he spoke like he wanted.
But if this conversation was happening without any stops anyway, accepting the reality was still possible and almost reasonable. He won't change the course of already established paths. About Razmund, whom he hated with a passion, he had no words or promises to give. He didn't want to care for him, so whatever Villan thought behind the scenes wasn't his problem. Razmund came here by his choice. Not his.
Villan was far too shameless when uttering such nonsense. Murai would usually laugh at such stupidity, but he was calm, all things considered.
That was what he tried to do: calm down and take the role of this conversation with these two weirdos in a much steadier light. Information with the most context possible was the next thing on his mind. Their demands weren't important. He figured this approach worked much better thanks to Mindarch, Lisa, and his findings about this world and what was happening around him.
At many points in his lives, he was often a stupid, self-centered, and far too focused asshole who wanted to get rid of his curse and nothing else. He believed that everyone and everything was a redundant piece of flow that was around him. It was an arrogant view, even if it was in the past and often followed his lives.
In this one, his ego wasn't definitely where it used to be, and even if it was honest and not wrong, it wasn't right either.
However, what was and wasn't wrong? Murai wasn't sure. He was accepting this mess that was inevitable by refocusing on what mattered. And some negotiation can fuck off, or... what was this about? It sounded as if Razmund was his problem, or the overall situation around the temple was his fault.
Villan sounded important, much to what Lisa mentioned to him already, but a lot of things about this pair of Wills made no sense.
What was that first invasion even about? They appeared, talked, and left. That was it.
But Murai wasn't stupid to be utterly unhinged. He figured these Wills must have reasons for invading him like that, or is it to spread their influence that might be the same as before or separate? After all, Murai changed some flow with his tactics in Gate 2, but to what degree? What Manager Kil provided already spoke well enough, didn't it? He considered the matter finished.
Well, these invasions weren't about him, perhaps. What about Amelius? That guy was questionable. He even said it himself, mentioning Levandis, how he forced the situation to reach Murai, and so on. And for what? To craft and give him a piece of cloth? Murai figured that was it, second to their discussion that gave him many surprises.
That left the primary problem closer, yet far. Lisa was one of the primary causes that led to this mess, although Murai didn't think of her as a problem or the main cause. The world forced him. She helped him overcome it with some help.
Those were no suspicions, but rather normal things. The main problem was Razmund, who was on its own page, but he didn't seem to be revolving around him like a moon. It was more of a straight line where Murai was running from him.
Murai found few things extremely problematic, so what about the situation as a whole? He didn't think of himself in the broader context, nor did he know about the situation that developed away from him, but was still close.
In a sense, he was accepting the bliss of ignorance and focus, and there wasn't anything wrong with that when his living was on the line. He no longer wanted some restart that might or might not happen. He was far too attached to some... things. Perhaps it wasn't his life or body by itself, but his soul was stubborn.
This left the pair of lofty spheres ahead. Their nefarious plots might not be important because important words were often spoken when all parties knew what was going on. Those could mean some written laws in some worlds from Murai's memory and ideas, but lofty people often changed and rewrote rules how they wanted, or on the go.
Murai would do the same if he could.
Hearing his refusal, Villan hardly changed her tone. Her voice boomed, and the sphere changed to a crispier color of crimson. “That isn't nice of you to speak to me like that. I can burn you to a jerky in the real world. It is too bad for you and everyone that it isn't possible. Doing this sort of thing and discussing it is all you deserve right now. Living like this, in a place this wide, where the world is breathing on your shoulder. Death is nearing, yet you keep going. It sounds awfully manacing.”
“I am following the rules of the game and living. It is called living sense. It is relatively common. You should try it. Sounds like you can't even see the top of your forehead. Perhaps you've forgotten how to live, God, mud, or whoever you are.” Murai argued without a shred of hesitation.
“Excuse me?” Villan got even angrier, which made her voice sound calmer.
“Not sure what purpose is your living, pissy brat, but I don't care about the details of this forceful decision that you've made instead of me. As far as I get it, my little ghost told me this isn't usually the case. Could I do something about it? Hardly, so piss off with your anger. Discussions are there where words make enough merits on their own, or between two individuals with meaningful trades. Not threats. But tell it to a God, huh? I hoped for better. So much for this world, I suppose.” Murai aimed the last question at Battlewill, but that sphere remained calm and silent as if pondering or listening.
So he changed the subject. “Whoever made this Gate 2 and its premise must be crying tears of joy right now because I've finished it. It's not my problem if someone finds it bothersome or insane. Rules follow and allow that. Breaches are there because someone allows them to exist. Like anything in the universe, really. Rules and whatnot, it is often meaningful to butcher them all for the sake of changes and new rules!” Murai's words seemed to hit a nail in the coffin.
The crimson lights swayed, swelling in anger. “Y-you.. YOU!”
“Calm down, freak. I mean, Villan.” Battlewill suddenly said, trying to calm the situation down, but it was like speaking to an erupting volcano to stop its splattering rocks from bursting into the sky.
For now, Battlewill took the reign over this discussion that strictly clung to the entire world. It was a topic that this temple had to take into account, no matter if there was Mindarch, Levandis's unwillingness, or those like Villan who had questionable intentions that warranted some personal politics, or ideas.
This was beyond the Laws. Something that was integrated into the living to ensure everything flowed well. Murai wasn't seeing that, but he didn't need to. He knew worlds had their complications, similar to his living.
He had to adapt. Overcome it too... hopefully.
Levandis knew how to handle this world even if she came here late. Different rules and things governed it before many of the current Gods even arrived here, establishing a new legacy, and carrying differences from other worlds. They took the new mantle and let life flourish in this large and unfathomably deep magical world. Thus, establishing new rules was given, if not mandatory.
In a world carried by a lot of mysteries and legacies, it was a special time in even richer history.
That happened a long time ago, so many had forgotten or didn't know it at all. The past was impossible to change, but what about the Fate of the future? Most Gods knew about history while ascending and dying was a matter of time or talent. Gods were above, below, or on the Battleworld for a good reason, staking their chances for future or prizes. It was all about powers. They were far too enticing to pass it up for something weak.
Dangers were at every stage after all and Gods were no immortals, albeit their vitality and living powers were incredibly thanks to their Divine Power and other mighty strengths.
“The case is following, Citizen.” Battlewill restarted its proper speech what it was here for. Villan wasn't important. Mindarch would be, but Battlewill didn't care all that much if some lofty demon from Levandis's Hell stirred some trouble by words alone. “Mindarch, known to be the guiding factor of the past Sun God, the deity that devoured this land, is the major taker of your interest and handler of the Gates. It isn't fitting to take it far, but interest is not subject to rules, as long as the clash has its fairness. The Encounter is still ongoing, clashing interests behind the scenes, this temple, and powers above the Depths. This makes this difficult for us or someone like Villan, who caters to the overall pictures. Rules and the world are set by rules. Without them, there is nothing clear. Got that for the start?”
Murai turned silent. For some reason, this one Battlewill sounded much calmer and more sincere than the last one, as if something entirely different was behind it. Is it someone more sane, calmer, or older behind it? Murai figured that something must be seriously wrong or right in this idea.
For example, its voice was basically the same as the last time, but the undertone, articulation of words, and emotions made some impressions. Murai found it somewhat strange, but how or at what capacity could he think about it?
He still listened to Battlewill without complaints, which was a rarity for him. Perhaps it was no God. Villan could be the same. She could be someone like Manager Kil, who worked for this temple, but she was more crazy and untamed because of her personality.
So, who was he talking to then? He never coveted much interest over the Will of the Battleworld itself. Its voice was mostly dull and uninteresting, while the beings overseeing this temple were different. Mindarch was much more... strange, or nicer. It had more soul, to say the least.
Answers were in fewer places. Lisa, who accounted for most of them as the past Blessed, should know more about it. Not only did she know some secrets of the world, but also this temple and many other things.
He should've asked her about those so-called rules long ago or about the runners of this world. Murai thought they were gods for sure, but it seemed the station was much more complicated. But what if she didn't know much about it either? Was she even trustworthy when she was often silent in questionable words and excuses?
“What are you trying to say with these bunch of words meddled together?” Murai asked Battlewill. “I almost fell asleep.”
“A reminder, Citizen. Allowing you to gain the majority of the influential blessings of the world isn't possible like this. Many things go within unexpected layers, as you are the Breacher, we are the fixers, and this temple is a tool you use to broaden things you sought by influencing things that weren't appropriate.”
“So what? Do you think I asked for this hunt for my life? Ridiculous.” Murai laughed as if possessed.
“It is just. Temple possesses authority and arrangement under Lordis and Levandis, but its Chaos is untameable. They have no small words in this, but a much bigger variable in this is you. It is something we can work with limited success, so the ending results might not be nice.”
“Work with my tits, asshole!” Villan suddenly shouted, sounding quite vulgar and beyond angry. “Uttering a bunch of nonsense excuses. How befitting of a loser.”
“WE are us, and you are just... taking everything for granted, demon. Don't take this to the length you can't bear. We are the bearers of justice.” Battlewill was firm in its words, and Murai didn't expect they would argue against one another inside of his soul.
“Listen... demon, this isn't working right now. Throwing tantrums is not good. Not here of all places.” Battlewill returned to calmness before Villan threw another tantrum. Sounding emotionless and like a ruler who spoke with unnatural authority, it was also a bit helpless in some undertones, but Murai wasn't sure if he heard it right.
Villan seemed reluctant to take this to another level, but after some wild crimson waves in the sphere, she calmed down and voiced her desires.
They were yet to fit in with Mindarch's stakes, which Murai took without surprise, but they had some calmness. He was still questioning why they were here, or why he felt they were stalling and speaking nonsense.
“Fine. I have my own authority over this act of invasion.” Villan said to Murai. “My stake in this situation is the following: You've accomplished great merits under my Lady's guidance and wishes of Gate 2. This poses no issue to me whatsoever because you went by our rules and did so with good care. But I am still furiously angry and wish to make a stuffed figurine out of you, duck! You are ridiculous!”
She spoke with a clear murderous flare in her last words.
Murai didn't fall for it. He began to laugh. “Excellent! So I have your blessing to continue doing that because I adhere to your rules? Nice. How expensive a stuffed duck might be? Fuck off with this taunt, crook. Learn from someone with a backbone, before crawling to me later.” Murai spoke coldly, floating with his powerful soul forward.
Both foreign Wills remained unmoving and constant.
Murai decided to play his cards. “You both are someone's representatives. One mad, one vast. I can see it now. What do you TRULY have to say to me if you invade this place, bearing words and catering to your ideas? Each of you has ways to communicate and touch upon me anyway. One by souls, others by... voice. Sounds redundant to come at me in this way. I heard Mindarch many times, while Will of the Battleworld might be what it is, it does speak sense most of the time. Now, it bears a question of what is useless and what is useful. It can vary like your damned heads.”
“Becau..” Villan began to speak, but Murai cut her off.
“My Life Companion is ignorant about how deep meanings can run or ruin the context. It is making me second-guess a lot of things, her included. So, tell it to me like stone cold brew turning the head soft. And tell it clear and fast, or I will crack my soul apart and make sure you will lose some shreds of your constructs that both of you use. Looks to me like a very potent outer soul technique, or construct that sends something powerful to the distant souls as an intermediary. Must be expensive. I might take some look at it, or bite some bits off if I am lucky.”
Hearing his words, Villan remained crips in crimson and silence. Battlewill stayed in the pristine calmness of a ruler. Nether was afraid.
First to speak was Villan, who changed from being an utter bitch to a calmer businesswoman. “It isn't complicated. We are stalling for the reading processes. Each of these forms readings for us, ways in our weights and our powers, second to yours. That means Mindarch and the one beyond this shitty Battlewill, got it? I am here because of something else.” She revealed the truth and simple facts.
Battlewill allowed that and didn't utter a word as she continued.
“I am no watchdog by the way. I learn and worry about the systematic part of the scenes. Hell Havens needs it for obvious benefits that lack the Order. It's making things difficult because of Battleworld's intervention, creations, and many complications behind the scenes. It is what Sky and Depths does. Those are the clashes that need authority to work with. I am following it as an Engineer because it is required. I wouldn't be here without Battlewill, and you are here because of us. Without one, you would be doing who knows what... somewhere else? I don't even dare to think what would happen if you were free.” Villan said, dismissing whatever reason she had for being here because of a job.
Murai accepted it, figuring that the name Engineer seemed kind of high, but perhaps it was the correct terminology. If someone was overlooking this temple in numerous ways, perhaps it was close to how Manager Kil did his things. He looked after the primary rules, while someone like Villan worked with the hidden problems that needed different kinds of attention. Murai remembered what Manager Kil told him, though he wasn't sure if this person and Battlewill were better or worse. They seemed forceful in different ways.
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Villan revealed some interesting bits. Those like her were responsible for crashing against Battlewill's authority, which seemed indifferent to everything and important to everyone. Who was Manager Kil in this regard wasn't important if he was just one single Tontati.
But what about Mindarch himself? That soul construct spoke to Murai the most out of everything in this temple.
“What she said is true,” Battlewill said. “Power controls power. Authority works through it, dictating the process, readings, proceedings of Fate, possibilities, calculations, and all sorts of situations that are complicated to pursue. It needs tampering like mending because this world has Gods as few places do. You may not like it, but this invasion forms a closer outlook on the clash of the current interests that you've forced. We accepted it as Engineers of two different sides of a similar coin. It is also the base for the incoming Boost. With these spheres, we are taking care of the broader picture you share with Mindarch in a limited capacity. He is a troublemaker, you see. A direct measure like this is mandatory because of the Encounter, your existence, Mindarch interventions, and... other things.”
Murai was curious about the other things, but Battlewill didn't mention more.
“So... you are doing your job? Here I thought to uncover some nefarious plot, but you are here to help me instead? HA! What a hilarious situation! It sounds much greater than it is, but I have nothing against this sort of cause and effect. But.... you are here for something else, aren't you? You, a crimson blob of murders and nonsense. You especially. The last time was whatever. Now you come back crawling and speaking as if you are the Creator. What a joke.” Murai said coldly, even though he sounded way too excessive at the beginning.
“Don't think you are a big deal, small Child that barely thinks on top of your two legs.” Villan laughed as if she said something hilarious.
“Nothing is here for us than do this dive a justice,” Battlewill said next. “No mistakes too... Just benefits and a slight edge over your readings are there, forming a better-known base of your species, situation, and various aspects. It is a unique case because of your circumstance, which Codex processes next. That is why it's rare as your... ghost said. It is complicated. Because of it, further context is taken across further layers, ensuring the validity and truths across the whole world. Mindarch helps with that, but it goes through us at the end of the day.”
Villan grunted something, annoyed because of its words.
Battlewill continued. “Codex ensures information flow. Anyone might ask, purchase, or get answers, content, or gifts of knowledge from the Codex. It is what powers gifts. It is what births it. It is what Will of the Battleworld is! It is a grand power that rules this world! A chance that this world possesses.”
Murai was hearing about the Codex for the first time, so he wondered where this topic started or ended. Could he also ask and get some answers? It sounded like he could if he heard Battlewill right, but he never figured or got anything out of it besides some wonders in his first evolution. Since then, he got nothing.
It sounded like he could've gotten more, which was nothing but weak excuses since he didn't. Either Battlewill lied, or something was missing.
Murai wondered about the truths of this logic and topic, nodding twice as Battlewill continued. If it won't give him any clarity next, he will either ask it or Lisa. He may be a Breacher, but there should be some standards in Chaos or Order.
“There are wonders you have, Citizen,” Battlewill stated and decided to talk more than usual. “Questions or answers might include a variety of topics. Anything is under the Codex. Temples like this have depth in the history of Gods, while continents as vast as smaller planets create new places. Origin Dungeons are even deeper than that, or Remnant Dungeons have more unique stakes or involvements. Sub Dungeons are easier to seek and do, and knowledge hiding in the Depths, Sky, and Surface are countless. Then there are seas, islands, and other places around the world that depict places with people and opportunities to grow more power. The flow beyond the Sky is a rarer stake, not fit to mention for those who are far from that. Surface and Depth are best. The Sky is for Gods! Rightful ones, not like those hiding below.”
Villan chuckled as if her anger couldn't be put into words.
Murai turned suspicious. Battlewill was mentioning things in broader terms with less context. He heard pretty much the same thing from Lisa in the past days. Battlewill gave him nothing new apart from the Codex and the seeming idea that he could get or purchase some knowledge about anything. That sounded far too cheap, or far too expensive. Nothing in between, Murai felt.
For what exactly did it speak? To broaden his mind, or stall it further?
“What about the power?” Murai asked, thinking that broader excuses weren't right to seek. Meeting and seeing them with his own eyes was another thing.
“There is much more to power than meets the eye,” Battlewill said importantly, turning its voice crisper and louder. “Clear information based on context adds value to evolutions and possibilities. Paths state the connection to the Pathways, the state of spells can change in magnitude and order, and Affinities add a touch to the Mana Cores and change them to another level. Then some physiques meddle with bodies and evolutions even further. Equipment depends on us, but crafters around the world depend on it more, like we are to their creation. It adds a cycle of interest where value delivers it down thanks to our readings, while their crafts go through clearer processes. It is a gracious gift.”
“Or a shackle.” Murai guessed.
“Not that, Citizen. Our readings provide worth. Many cherish it like nothing else. Anything is under the Codex and taken into account. The world is creating it under our watch.”
“That's all cheery and red like the sky, but let's not get ahead. What about it is so mighty?”
“Mighty? What about the evolutions that you adhere to? You grew to be like this partially because of us! Because the Boosts you took are powerful ways to give you power. They are the same in your case. It is all under our watch and possibilities. In the end, the choice is up to the individual on, or below the Surface. They can touch our gifts and take them as power. Some don't because they are freaks or weaklings, but you took it as you wished. Don't pretend it is dubious, Citizen!”
“How generous...”
“We even accepted the meddling of the Influence Items that mortals created. All sorts of other things ensure the transparency and validity of such an invasion of privacy, as it gifts proceedings of such opportunities. Mostly dull of course, hidden under the veils that mortals feel. Invasion like this is a rare and unique case because of your situation. Normally, the dormant world soul is enough in most fools, or not necessary. It is what drives this world, so living souls don't even notice it. Everyone is prone to it because everyone is subject to these worldly powers. It might sound cheap, but this is how this world operates. Nothing will change it.”
Murai was utterly silent after hearing such a long monologue from a mechanical voice. He didn't expect to hear Battlewill speaking like this at all. It was giving him a true lesson about the rules of this world. If not surprised, he wasn't an Anatidae.
“Oh, there we go again,” Villain said, and Murai bet if she could, she would roll her eyes.
“We, the system of this world, work for the betterment of this world's individuality and worthy powers.” Battlewill ended its exposition, telling things with no clear lies and ploys hidden behind its words.
Contrary to Villan, who seemed like a ferocious woman who loved to self-insert herself into any situation, Battlewill seemed much more respectable. But is some respect worthy of such intensity? It sounded like a passionate follower of a God.
Where were some boundaries between Chaos and Order, good or evil, or something terrific or chaotic? What was privacy for slavery and power? It was all connected, intricately twindled like threads of Fate or laughter in the drunken tavern.
Murai wondered why he was even allowing them to speak about it in this way. He wasn't that curious about it, yet was that a lie? He already made up his mind before they even came here, yet it somewhat changed.
“That is all good and cheery, but I don't want to know anything more than give my life the cherry on top of it. Finding the answers the right way is the best, right? No. You said it regardless of truths or facts, as this power rules without choice. Isn't true freedom much greater? What about the endless possibilities like in the Endless Sky? Power doesn't care for Will. It is more brutal than both of you combined. You, I don't need some nasty fellows hiding behind some constructs to talk to me about this. Now, get over the assessment, or whatever you do, and leave me be. Gate 3 is waiting for me.” Murai declared his Will and backed away from them with his soul, hovering further away.
He thought about what Battlewill would say next or what it said. Some of the confirmation of his guesses and context provided by Lisa were all working, but where was he around this? Why did he feel so uneasy about this whole invasive situation? It felt like a dull knock at the depth of the sea.
He still loomed over them like a large planet, but he didn't mind that. Nor did they, Murai felt.
Villan grunted some internal curses about something else, figuring that this wasn't least bit surprising. Battlewill stalled and spoke some lessons that many needed to know, despite the weird timing. Murai was weirder. Mindarch warned her this would happen, so this came as no surprise even if it hurt her pride.
She underestimated the situation, which ended up harming her reputation twice over her coveted position to take Mindarch interest in what she desired. It backfired. Now, she wondered what her Lady would do to her.
Mindarch would've dealt with this invasion much better and on his own merits, sneering, knocking, and pissing Battlewill off so much more! It would've been fun for Murai and her alike.
Alas, Villan's intentions were relatively clean and honest when she realized her true position. She didn't want to trouble this ridiculous Anatidae, soul in general, and Battlewill, who seemed to be unusually talkative and weirder than usual. She wondered who was behind it.
Villan was here to play devil's advocate and play with worth, value, rewards, and greed. All of which Mindarch did so much better.
She was representing the World of Darkness that Levandis was supporting. She can entice anyone, she believed. All for the sake of business, family, and power.
She had more to tell, and as someone close to Manager Kil, she decided to take this scheme slower if Levandis showed her interest, and Battlewill had clear intentions concealed. Encounter loomed over many decisions and eyes, and nothing but the mortals would be the pawns in this game. Gods or those close to them could become players as well, or some sort of supporting pillars close to decision-makers.
Villan knew it, so she decided not to speak any further. There was no point in who was willing to bear responsibilities or discussions.
All of the Wills in this space were kind of pricks. They all thought about compromises being unnecessary, but when it came to decisions between them, things got simple or ugly.
Murai was a simple guy who pretended to be the sky. He didn't want anything to do with them, but what if it was impossible and other pricks wanted to talk to him all the time instead? Pissing him off was the aftermath.
The world was too intertwined like Battlewill said. Murai accepted this discovery in his way, feeling that his choices got smaller or more complicated at this very moment. Hopefully, Lisa will bear with these results, because Murai won't change his mind.
It all started quickly. Pachi, Vermillion, Lordis or Pakutan, now this? He felt there was a storm brewing over this life like never before. Or was this about this world? He had never seen this intertwined world filled with so many intense Gods.
He ought to change his outlook better if he wanted some changes. Quicker. Adaptation was all about it. That was what he learned through his sufferings.
What was the point in Villan, if Battlewill held the higher ground? That was a wonderful question. At least this variant of the Battlewill was much better at ensuring the business nature of this conversation and spoke quicker.
Murai was kind of a problem, so there was no point in antagonizing the problem further. Acceptance was part of the grief. Dealing with it was much better, which Murai accepted, but still hated.
The realization that this world was filled with rules hit him like lightning.
Of course, this case was a vast term that can range from tiny pokes to wild clashes, since he hadn't seen much yet. There were layers of importance, tiers, grades, or levels to everything. A dog eating a bone wasn't important. A peasant's death was the same. Important touches to certain acts mattered like cause and effect.
There was no way that every little detail, as insignificant as possible, poised as something that could shatter the world.
Murai can become that possibility, some beings thought or feared.
The situation escalated to nothing much but a staring battle between Villan, Murai, and Battlewill. Until it crumbled into a rather lackluster ending, where crimson sphere shuddered and laughed. Or was it a cry?
Villan retrieved her interest first and left without any further words. She wanted more out of Murai but failed even more than the last time. Battlewill soon followed, which was also weird. It went without mentioning anything further, which was a little strange since he waited for his Boosts readings that happened in their last invasions. Not this time, Murai felt, thinking that more things should be said.
Perhaps he should've asked... He tended to be a rather stubborn one when it came to that idea.
Readings were finished a while ago anyway, so talking about stuff and stalling was unnecessary. Murai could've forced them away. Battlewill knew it, although Villan wouldn't believe it.
Whoever they were, or what they were scheming, Murai wasn't liking what touched his spirit, memories, persona, or his current body. He had some boundaries, regardless of how weird or bad they might be. Crazy, small, or insignificant, they made his soul a living thing rather than a curse. It was his wishing thinking.
No one will take that from him. At least for now... Murai wanted to believe that; he didn't want anyone to get some bad ideas about his current life.
Murai bet this weird act of those Wills were plays of significant scheme makers, which left him displeased.
Anyway, I am spent. So Villain is that sort of thing? Sounds like she is close to the owner of the Hell Haven, who is... Rank 1 God, I bet. So, who was she then? Rank 2? 3? Is she even a God? Isn't she like that little guy? That is hard to tell or guess. She sounded like a working force for her like... what? Servant? Nah. I don't usually watch politics, but these Hell Havens sound different from the way the Divine Kingdom acts in my mind. At least Lisa gave me some ideas about them. There is a different power dynamic between utter Chaos and Order that meddles with power and the rest.
But she resembles that. Those who think this is just a game for them? Invading the Soul Spaces of others for what? To make an assessment. What kind of assessment requires this sort of bullshit? Bunch of suckers. They came up with a nice excuse this time around, but Battlewil did make some sense. That is at least the hunch I am getting.
Codex... That sounds interesting. In what context does the flow of information go and how to get some of that for myself? It might hold power that can change even my curse. Murai thought about his situation, alone in his Soul Space.
Lisa heard everything from the outer perspective like a bystander. She will never be able to sever her soul from his Soul Space unless something insane will do that for her. All she was doing was coming out or in, so that meant flying out of her tank of water, while still being connected to it by strands of Fate or something else.
Getting out of the Soul Space was quick for Murai, yet he wasn't sure how many seconds it took for his Will to return, or how much that invasion lasted.
Duck, sitting neatly on the table, wearing a hoodie that enunciated the softness and its features, shuddered and its head flinched. Murai was a bit spooked by a sudden switch, as if lighting shuddered the darkness. It wasn't like that before.
Jumping up, as if some fire burst open and feathers flickered, Murai watched Lisa's startled face. She was fairly close to him. Too close to his face.
“Were you checking my hoodie again?” He asked straight away, noticing Lorry's curious Soul Flames fairly close as well.
“Maybe...” Lisa said with a forced smile.
“Heard the things in my soul space too?”
“A little bit and bits. Wills of higher beings usually mean problems, so I've heard enough out of you by biting nothing that I couldn't chew. I wasn't sneaky, but careful. That much is better for me. They wouldn't like being watched or heard by me. I am not suicidal, unlike you.”
“Unlike me? Heh!” Murai heard a nice joke again. “Not like they would do much to you or me. They were a bunch of weasels, teasing me, talking to me like idiots, and for what?”
“It wasn't anything bad but some brief lessons. Adjustments after Gate 2 should be quite a blunder or a Breach if you are in the way of the picture. I get you don't get it, but Battlewill gave you enough to change your perspective. They are wide, I mean. Few know why they do that like this sometimes, but perhaps it was because of you and this temple? Or is it more of you, being a problem?”
“Probably.” Murai reckoned and stretched his wings and neck, figuring that the hurtful feelings from before the invasion were mostly gone. That was a nice surprise. “I still didn't like them.”
“I don't think you like anyone”
Murai paused his stretch. “Is that right?”
“Who knows? I died by touching the untouchable—a circumstance where overstepping boundaries led to consequences. I don't want to repeat that, but you do that all the time. Be careful, please. One tends to burn easily when one is full of feathers.” Lisa begged, folding her arms around her chest, but her arrogance showed its colors more than her words. Or was that the light flickering in her eyes?
“Well, again, I am completely unaware of how you died, so be calm over some measly death. It isn't that bad. It will pass and you will move on. Trust me.”
“Whatever... I just want this to be alright this time around. You are you. Battlewill is kind of... Oh, it's coming! Brace yourself!” Lisa suddenly tensed up, feeling how the surroundings in the Gold Room tensed up and the strange waves materialized out of the walls. Nothing was taken out of the treasures. They just dimmed and lost their value like veils shoved around them.
Everything came from the walls.
And all of the waves aimed at Murai like a touch of the hands.
He braced himself by adjusting his position again by sitting down in his hoodie. “Well, here we go again. I hope it's going to be good.” Taking a deep breath, he went along with the incoming burst of powerful Will and power that meant to mend his whole being.
Boost! A snack that he decided to like.
Like in Gate 1, a big change was here for his life and a change of status, but this time, he didn't hear any information before the Boost started. Will of the Battleworld worked with Mindarch as an access point, giving this Gate a nice touch after Murai went all over the Islands. Some changes were expected, so Murai had big expectations.
That was what rules demanded, if what Battlewill said was right and not some joke.
Success in his temple largely depended on crashing rules and potential problems against all parties, but what if far too many things collided with that idea? Amelius and Murai were troublemakers, but it wasn't about it alone. Everything should follow the rules. It was a pointless struggle for some, but regarding this Room itself, Murai had priorities.
He forgot about the essences, or how many points he even had. He still didn't know it. Battlewill didn't tell him anything about power, but it seemed this surge of force accompanied yet another Will from somewhere else.
Next, the familiar and powerful voice of Will of the Battleworld spoke to his soul, accompanied by waves that engulfed him in a cocoon of seen-through storms. From Lisa's perspective, it looked like a wind that pushed against feathers and hoodie before going deeper into Murai like a bunch of hands.
[Citizen. Targets and special cases have been uncovered by completing Gate 2 in full view that Breached Protocol 5 of the Islands of Greatness. Mindarch disregarded it and so did we] Will of the Battleworld spoke, sounding like a mechanical voice, although in different tones from Battlewill. Murai discovered its enunciation of words was alien and feelings alone made it seem like a lifeless tool. That meant that Battlewill was something... else.
[Readings and adjustments have been cleared]
[By full marks of 100 Islands, our massages will include the stakes of the Mindarch because of unique circumstances and his overall readings that go between us and him. Think of it as a double-edged sword. Don't cut yourself and take the outburst of this Boost with steady breaths like usual]
“Yeah. Go on. I am itching!” Murai squeezed a quack that carried a lot of reasons.