“Pact? In what context should I view that word?” Murai asked, curious about what he meant. “Just so you know, you are the first intelligent being I am even meeting, let alone speak to. I don't know a lot about what I am even speaking about. When it comes to the methods that should be common in this world, I am not sorry if I can't respond to your liking.” He added in an honest and calm voice.
“T-that is fine... Fine. Newcomers in the Battleworld aren't anything uncommon, but this situation is still strange to me regardless of knowing your... case. So, I apologize for being so intrusive.” Rain spoke hesitantly and returned from his bow. “Let me introduce myself first. I am also Blessed like you, and am of native standing, meaning that I haven't seen the different Sky, but worked throughout this world all my lives. Some call me Rain; others Pouncer, or... bird. A Level 54 Pouncing Devil. Am a member of Demonic Armies too. In the broader terms of the world, we are more known as Demon Legions but that isn't important.” Rain proudly enunciated his statement by folding one of his huge wings to his chest, bowing like a gentleman.
“54... I heard that before, so what in the actual sense of balance?! How the hell I was allowed to fight you? What sort of crap is that?” Murai shouted, appearing so flustered that only quacks made it out. He knew Rain's level since the start, so shouting his agitation over this large disparity was long in his mind. It was insane. This whole Punishment Act was.
The complaints that Rain heard were enough validation, though those quacks seemed to put Rain in a difficult position. Making him frown and sigh at the same time, he couldn't help but agree about the strangeness of this situation. But he chose to accept his time on his behalf and benefit, acting like many would. After all, if he hadn't reached out to Murai first, someone else would.
This unbalanced level difference was not his idea, but a mission set by Will of the Battleworld. Rain's general view on it was significantly different from Murai's, implying that choices mattered when one could take them, solve them, or move with care around them. It ended up punishing Murai's inactive life of a Blessed, yet no one told him about inactivity being a crime.
Rain knew how this world acted, even though he was 34 years old as this demonic eagle species. Considering his past life as a native, he was much older. A Pouncing Devil was the name of the sub-species of his choice. It might be his first, or second one. It was hard to tell, but it was also part of the Path he followed himself. And because he liked it, he named himself closer to that choice, forming a deep connection to a Path of Endless Rain.
“C-calm down for a minute,” Rain insisted. “This was a mental battle and souls can fight regardless of the huge disparity. It was fair, or not at all if I see it from my perspective. You went against me like a devil. You defeated me in this battle as easily as lifting that head of yours. Your soul, or something... is more than shameless and strange. I was surprised at first to see a Punishing Act against such a weak opponent. Call me impressed, but you went through this without problems. Trust me.”
“Impressed about what? My mighty self? Tiny legs?” Murai told, chuckling at his own words, and glancing at his body. He calmed down as if he joked, but he wasn't. He was frustrated, yet like clouds or many hearts, his mind changed in a flash.
“It's your soul. It's menacing. Made me think of some Generals of the Demonic Legions and also some Angels. Those monsters are far out of my standing... yet you remind me of them!? Call me! I dare you.”
Murai scoffed at him, unwilling to make any comment on this topic.
“Who were you before coming here? Please, tell me!” Rain pled, “I can sense your unfamiliarity. You said it before. Young and without a soul to follow your acts. You aren't familiar with the Battleworld.”
It was no speculation. Rain held many experiences that had many ties with numerous beings of this world. Be it from life or death, or battles and friendships, this world was far from being wastelands.
Knowledge was power. Without power, one couldn't lift one's knowledge, and bear the weight of it all.
“I already told you... An old soul, I guess.” Murai uttered, not willing to talk much about himself. “Anyway, what is a Pact? Is it some form of companionship?”
Rain folded his wing back, straightened his head, thinking of something else, and willing to explain himself and this world for Murai's lack of knowledge. It had nothing disguised. Rain through he might as set this new Blessed with some prize for this upsetting Battle.
“Pact is a form of companionship. Yes. Not heavy on Oaths though. In its most basic form, it is like a small pact of friendship, or it can become like a brotherhood, forming a bond where you can experience some effects throughout one's life, power, or various benefits. It is similar to what companions do. Only the Blessed can bear very potent Pacts, let me tell you that. We can be quite...popular. Sometimes far too much.”
“Why should I care about that? Or is it... Do you think of a different kind of Pact? There must be other ways to make one follow some fools and unlike some form of brotherhood.” Murai uttered with a questionable glance at Rain, thinking of slaving seals, various mixtures of chains, or spiritual control spells.
“It... That isn't right. Well, think of it as a small token before thinking of something wild. It may come in handy one day, and I have some power in this Redglory Forest. The reason I was even allowed to move was that I am not someone shady.”
“Says someone who nearly wiped the floor with me...” Murai wasn't kidding. That was what he felt.
Rain would digress. “Says someone who took it all in without little trouble. You grew as we fought. You are welcome.”
“Eh, so you are saying you are familiar with this place?” Murai's interest was certainly piqued. This kind of help wasn't worth refusing.
“Yes. I traveled a rather decent part of the Battleworld in my years of living as a flying beast. Wasting time on the ground isn't my work. Who else can say that they traveled even across the continents without the power of an Extreme? Hm? Isn't it impressive?” Rain said, proudly shoving his beak upwards, then to the lake. “Not even this Redglory Forest is much when one regards the world. It is much vaster than one could imagine. The only reason I have for being here is my secondary nest and because of the lake down below.”
“I see. In that case,” Murai glanced at Rain with a smirk that seemed strange on this duck's face, “What about some trade of information instead? I don't care about some useless Pact or whatever you are trying to tell. You have something I need. Information.”
Against that idea and unwillingness to form a Pact, Rain found it reasonable and not surprising. Refusing was a good idea, perhaps. He wasn't sure what he had expected from a fresh soul that hadn't seen much of this world, so Rain went ahead with what he knew. Pact was a very fair system, using the bond of souls and words of both sides, depicting connection and team. Rain tried it out of nothing but a choice. Small one. Far from being a certain for a plan.
But one that would remain at zero if he wouldn't ask. He asked, and for a moment, Murai might've considered, but he changed it in a heartbeat.
Rain expected that one day, the need for help would come. It was inevitable in this hungry world. Murai was powerful enough as a duckling and well outside of his standards, so who knew what he would be like in the far future? Rain tried to play a long-term game and failed.
Rain would be the one to gain a lot from this Pact, but he didn't even know the full measurement of it. What was a native, Blessed, or a bird flying across the sky? Murai saw worlds burning, cracking apart under his eyes, and feeling the depths of so much Dread and people dying. So often. Menacing. Deadly. It felt burning when he dreamt of the End.
A Pact with an Anatidae would be questionable in all senses of purpose, but it was far from being stupid when Rain knew the rules. What was before him was an insane abnormality. An Anatidea was half of the picture. A simple member from this powerful family of demonic ducks should be at least this powerful, yet it was bigger than that idea.
Rain understood it right away. Growth was one of the things. He felt how Murai changed and turned the tide. Although Anatidaes weren't normal and were hard to find, they had all sorts of variables, history, places, and rumors about them. Some were up to Rain's knowledge, but few personal experiences.
Despite that... he saw some of them before. And if left Dread in his mind, far detached from this one. If it wasn't for his position in some Legion, he wouldn't know what to think. One thing stood among the others. That was their oddity, detachment from the world, and rarity of their members. No Hell ever tamed them, which was surprising, considering Hells were powers equal to the opposite spectrum of Divides.
Next came their power, or was it the most prominent thing? Rain wasn't certain.
Hatched Anatidae was a rarity that hadn't happened in many years. Every new one was a public matter amongst those who researched their numbers or species. The Will of the Battleworld cared about them as well, so that might be why. Due to some issues, or information, every newly hatched member ended up known. That was common knowledge to those who could afford this knowledge, yet Rain never heard of Murai.
He could tell from his appearance that he lived for enough time. His mere point about the starting evolution proved that fact. Here in the Redglory Forest, he grew for at least a month or two.
Battleworld was a tough place to live from time to time, or continent to continent. Poor, clumsy, and weak little ducklings all alone posed no issue for it to die. But when one grew up properly, it was a disaster that brewed for centuries.
“Alright. I agree with the trade.” Rain nodded with his beak, sitting down to form better eye contact with Murai. He was still quite tall; he couldn't help it. “Let me start first by answering your questions. What are you curious about? Some words of wisdom about the Will of the Battleworld or something about the Battlewold itself? Politics? Hells? Gods?”
“The Will of this Shittyworld can go screw itself if I am being honest. Talk about it first. It was more of an annoyance when we fought.” Murai scowled, shunning the honesty that seemed to come out of him on its own. “Still, I am aware of how this interesting and intriguing new world might act. It seems interesting enough to make me serious, so give me a small overview of this world, Gods, factions, or regions. That shouldn't be that bad for the start, won't it?” Murai specifically omitted the part about his past or knowledge of many words. Talking about that was never a good thing.
Rain paused, surprised by his demands and change of pace.
“Talk about Gods isn't something that can be uttered so casually, so I won't talk about them far too much. They are watchful folks, like you, or many others.” Rain politely refused, but before he gave Murai a choice to voice some sentences, he continued. “As for this world, it is in the form of a large planet. It forms many islands filled with detachment from others, filling them with all kinds of beings. Continents form a planet known as a Battleworld.”
“No shit,” Murai added, “this isn't some flat land or some ring planet.”
“Ring planet?” Rain's feathers winced on their own, forming a shudder or an involuntary pull akin to a brow raising. Murai hadn't added anything new, so he continued. “Known as the God of Battle's Domain, this planet houses many Gods who are in regular activities connected with their Kingdoms, or various Hells. It still acts as a world like any other, but Gods are more active here Not sure how it is far in the Skies though. Here, they solve or pay some grudges to each other in many ways. That makes this world rather chaotic.”
“Oh? That sounds like Gods indeed. World, too.” Murai commented.
“As for the factions, this is a rather troublesome topic. There are simply far too many of them, so let's talk about the bigger fish in the pond. There are angels, demons, devils, humans, elves, and all kinds of beasts, monstrous races, fools with Ancient blood that don't want to leave the past behind, and folk with even harder awareness of all kinds of humanoids. Humans are masterminds of the Surface. That is what you see all around the planet. Though, if I have one thing to tell you about humans, then it is their variety, growth, and potential. Then, we have the rest that is easily this,” Rain widely stretched his wings. “tall and complicated.
“Rest in a sense of variety or numbers?” Murai asked.
“Both. There is a tremendous variety of species because the Will of the Battleworld constructs this world in a manner that is simple to change, or follow in new or various ways. Some called it chaotic evil, or necessary chaos. You probably already know why, don't you?”
Murai nodded with his beak. “ Evolution is an answer, followed by the voice and unknown rules too oblivious to me yet. Countless choices add complexity. Your words are indeed satisfactory. What are you interested in this duckling me? I may answer as best as I can, but can't offer much if I am honest.”
“That isn't a big deal. A beginner's life is tough. I get that. Trust me. The small and smart start is fitting, so how long have you been here in this world?” Rain asked.
“270 or something days since my birth is what I think is right to tell.”
“That little? Anatidae has a long stretch of hatchling time, so you must have been out of your egg for less than a month. Is that right?” Rain guessed as he wondered where this one went. But Murai wasn't that keen on time or his days.
“Ask something else then. You did tell me more before, and my casual answer is less than important.”
A fair one, huh? Rain thought and asked something else.
He was curious about his version of powers and his overall status, though Murai was rather brief with his words because he didn't like being too detailed about things he wasn't that sure about. Since he didn't know much, he had little to offer. Rain knew it, so he wasn't complaining. And since he was just before the starting evolution, there were bound to be many changes.
Rain said all of them were critical points in life, and hardly conceivable to think of them as treasures. They were a rarity, major steps for many beasts, as well as choice.
While they were at this talk, Rain explained the broader version of the abilities and attributes, as well as the evolution itself. As Rain understood this personally, the first step in this world was reaching Level 1, thus creating a sub-species category of one's species that would become like a first step on a ladder. Afterward, one would gain evolutions regarding this sub-species in particular, which might be fixed with lesser differences or broadened into something else.
He said it worked with some unlocking agencies that were hard to specify, and that he wasn't sure what Murai could be like because he had no idea about Anatidae evolutions.
Thus, he explained it simply as if speaking to a child.
Apart from some speculations, general prowess, and their rarity, he had little to offer. Hence, Rain spoke about things that he could without being too deflated about his lack of knowledge. It wasn't surprising; Anatidae knowledge wasn't that easy to get. It wasn't his first time seeing it. That was true. But it was definitely the first Anatidae that was a Blessed That was a terrific prospect that shook his mind, but not his voice.
Evolution, in the direct sense of the word, was a transformation of the body that followed certain criteria and Bloodlines. Those were the choices that Will of the Battleworld determined, though the final deciding factor was still the person seeing these choices. Murai was a beast prone to them. Not some human who had fewer evolution choices and these prospects.
They weren't a rarity. All beasts and monsters had a choice to evolve at least once. What happened in success or failure was something Rain omitted. He said that everything had some special connection to the Will of the Battleworld; be it Paths and various ways of powers. Evolutions were one of those, depicting a fundamental structure and system that was nurturing all sorts of beasts and demons in their desired progression. That might be part of a Path too, or strictly an evolution alone.
Murai appreciated this talk.
It gave him some answers, but also wonders. For example, the Blessed part was wonderful and intriguing. He and Rain were people with memories of the past life intact, which meant that the Afterlife hadn't taken them, while this world took that for... something? Murai wasn't sure what implications it had for him, though it sure sounded fun when he heard Rain talk about reputation and the world.
It was sad for those who hadn't gotten this Blessed chance. Having life's worth of memories from the start was a huge disparity. It was rare for such cases to reach further into this world, yet the number of non-blessed beings was much larger than the number of Blessed. How much? Rain didn't know the right answer.
This discussion went on for an hour until Murai stopped it, feeling that the always-talking Rain turned out to be quite a pain in the ass. He was still trying to talk about all sorts of stuff about him. Pact, knowledge of the soul or his past, and so on. It was getting on his nerves, so Murai stopped this trade for good.
Answering his bothering last questions about his origin was easy. Murai put it as bluntly as possible.
“I used to be quite powerful before, so what does it matter? Don't tell me you, as a Level 54, are like a kid, interested in such meaningless exchanges about some distant past? Reality is often what is important. Past, not so much.” Murai compelled his Will, sending a serious message to Rain.
“I AM!” Rain answered resolutely. “What's wrong with being curious? That's how a person can grow and put things into many perspectives. I found you interesting, so that was the reason for our conversation to begin with. I could've flown away and never seen you again. Why, though? No need to take it seriously if you aren't willing. A term of saving face, as you proclaimed half an hour ago, isn't something this world has. Benefits, usability, and ploys are there, but morale, fighting spirit, and personal power are the apex that makes the true difference. Do you get it? I bet so.”
He answered the best he could, clutching his talons onto the cliff, and making long screeching sounds and stretches of cracks. Rain was agitated by this, but he also saw that Murai was having none of that.
Seeing and hearing him, Murai turned around, walking towards the forest.
He watched his small body struggle against rocks on the way, and an irritating mood was within him.
“Last question! Really,” Rain insisted for the last moment. “Are you interested in the Road of Power?”
“Power? It is always like that. Everyone wants that. Everything follows that. Who doesn't, know nothing. Those are the lucky ones.” Murai sent him without turning back.
Rain paused. He liked how it sounded. “Well, we of this world call it many names. Power is a greater truth, and the higher it goes, the tougher it gets. Power. You were powerful in the past, so maybe this has something do to with your current life. Do you even know that in the progression of higher beings... there is already a point of coming close to Gods? This world takes that to a new different dimension. Many Gods made up their Spark here! Legendary stuff, really.”
“Is that so? You already told me that before. Twice, even, apart from that God part. I know of them. More than I am willing to admit,” Murai didn't turn, giving him a stoic answer with his back. “I can't be bothered with hearing any more of this. Gods aren't almighty, you see. That is common sense that I understood by understanding what it means to go against one and.... never mind.” He sighed at the end.
Turning his face towards the cliff, he watched the brightness of many colors. It was a vast sight of an enormous cliff for his little perspective. It was as if he watched the world from a lofty position, although the enormous lake took most of it.
Murai's last words surprised Rain, giving him a much firmer idea.
“But yes... I am indeed a taker of Power if you put it like that,” Murai nodded. “It has always been the case and I plan to walk a Path if I want to. This Anatidae stuff is new to me. I may not understand it now, but I will. One day.”
Revealing the portion of his motion and hope, Rain didn't find it that strange to hear that. It also confirmed something else.
He hoped to hear something different, however. Something more exotic like Murai's whole perception and soul, but this would do for now. How many things could make sense and possibilities on how a soul could become so strong? By living, more living, and getting powerful. How else than that?
However, the question of many was ridiculous. Rain would never consider Murai to be something insane like a person living hundreds of lives. He held his memories tight. He could recognize the others like him, but Murai was an enigma. Rain's perspective on this was poor, but it didn't mean a bad thing. It just meant a secret and mystery that Rain took for granted, or the exact opposite of that.
Rain understood how Murai's melancholy remembered the past.
Past...
Rain wondered how he reached that chance.
What did it even mean for one to remember their past life? Did it mean that a soul itself went against the will of the universe? Its Laws that predate the lives?
Rain couldn't force his mind to consider such a lofty mindset that could act against the universe itself. That, or perhaps it was more complicated than that, or much simpler? It could be possible. Simple as that. Either way, he couldn't get clean answers from Murai. He could be forceful, but that would be impolite, and he already got plenty from him.
“If that's so,” Rain said, grabbing a piece of a long feather from his wing by his beak. Flinching, he let it loose, flicking it to the ground like a dart. The sharp end of the feather pierced the rocky cliff, shaking it as if it were hit with a powerful strike.
Murai shuddered on the spot, feeling the powerful tremors run to his tiny legs, shaking them.
This...guy. This is what he is capable of? He could wipe me with a pinch of his beak. No joke. Murai grimaced, stabilizing himself while flapping his wings.
“This feather will stay here for a long time,” Rain proclaimed, glancing at Murai and the feather that remained between them. “If you want to know more about this world, or are interested in the acts of the Demonic Legions, or battle of Godly powers, feel free to reach out to this feather. It may contact me if I am close or far away. Even with the failure of the Pact, I don't mind being a helper or part of some transaction again. Consider it a courtesy of a well-adjusted veteran on this Battleworld, little friend. ”
Rain said his last wish, folding his wings far and wide, and flicking them down, creating a powerful gust of wind that propelled him into the air.
And causing dust and mess around the cliff to flare up. Murai watched that feather, knowing that this was fair. It was only a statement without hidden meanings or a price.
“Last question!” This time, Murai called.
“What is it?” Rain stopped midair, gazing down below, flapping his wings.
“Why did you not kill me?” His question encompassed all kinds of explanations and intent. Rain said this world was ruthless. The possibility of killing someone in a confrontation was endless. Murai learned that Rain was experienced in the physical battles much better than some mental gymnastics, but that didn't mean he couldn't force the situation to perform some nasty surprises.
One possibility, in particular, was clear to him. Rain's power was far from being depleted, and he was as calm as an unmoving lake according to his Soul Read. The calmness was vast, and even through some fearful undulations, Rain remained rather calm. It was probably because his Path didn't involve the soul powers at all. It was just a little bit of his secondary mastery.
Murai was sure he would've ended his life with another use of that pressuring ability of the 10th Lord, or some derivate technique.
That was at least his hunch. If he felt that, it wasn't wrong in many cases.
“Why, indeed?” Rain pondered. “It is simple. Killing those underneath me is not fitting. It is a violation of the Battleworld when nothing is nigh. I lost. I shouldn't be something petty. I don't want to break the rules. You are small, tiny, and nothing worth slaying for some troubles. Even though it would be possible. Oh, I forgot you don't know what I mean... Sorry.” Rain awkwardly brushed his head with his talons.
“There is a punishment for killing low-level players or citizens under such events. It is a rule regardless of this Punishment Act that was forced upon you. No one wants to go against rules set up by the God of Battle. Well, it is possible, if one is brave enough to piss off this world and Gods. It is here for understandable reasons, but I won't tell it. Figure it out yourself, since it is part of our living and now, yours.” Rain explained and left, leaving Murai behind on the cliff.
He was standing alone, glancing at the lake. The gust of wind from before pushed his feeble body quite some distance away, not far from the forest.
Well, that was a much nicer conversation than I expected from someone who wanted to kill me. Rain is indeed a careful fella. He didn't reveal too much or too little. A clever one who gets the world and schemes. He wanted me, though. Why? For what? I kind of like him, so I may consider what to make of him later. He thought as he observed a taller feather than himself.
It was shining in the sunlight, glistering like some kind of sword. Rain pierced it to the rocky surface, and Murai couldn't even move it with his pinching beak, or kicks of his legs.
Can I eat this feather? A question appeared in his mind, but he didn't dare to try it.
He won this Punishment Act fair and square, grew, and got some interesting things out of it. That was the most important thing. Alas, he still appreciated more things from this trade than that battle.
He had a new goal. A small step towards his endless road of many lives was intense and filled with dreadful consequences. Information. They were important. Knowledge about this world too. If many Gods were lurking around this planet, then maybe it could be time for him to get his revenge. Not against them, but against the whole universe.
“So this world has its rules that Gods made because of some politics and their hopes? It seems this planet is under the jurisdiction of the God of Battle. Sounds different if he is regarded as a sole Ruler. There must be a lot of disputes because of Gods, thus even mortals can take a glimpse at them and fight for their sake. If I can get involved in that, grow, and live, perhaps there is a chance to turn the tides in my favor. Count me in!” Murai decided on a long-term goal, quacking joyfully, jumping up and down, and looking towards the sky.
“Watch a fucking duckling shake the heavens, you old farts!” He quacked forth, wishing he would do it with his middle finger instead.
Walking out of this section of the forest, he had a thing to do.
Evolution wouldn't happen on its own.