A Lesser Deity of Knowledge [Arlyss Ocrey Darktone] is offering to enter a pact bond with you!
A brief explanation will be given.
When you are the subject of a pact bond with a deific being. You lose 1% of your experience.
You gain no experience from the deity's achievements or battles.
The deity gets your highest stat as a bonus to their own matching stat. (Or nearest equivalent)
If a deity's derived stat is higher than your matching derived stat, you get a bonus equal to the difference. (Up to a 50% bonus. This bonus is always shown as a %)
You no longer suffer any penalties for aging that your species and subspecies would normally afflict. (This includes but is not limited to dying of old age. If you already have penalties of aging due to your natural age before entering a pact; Those penalties stay, but you will not accrue any new penalties.)
Every deity grants a divine skill based on their domains. This skill may change and evolve over time based on how a deity's domains change and evolve.
A deity will always know your exact location in the Universe.
Unless Universal rules and restrictions are in place, a deity can always summon a pact-bonded creature to their side instantaneously, at any time. (This ability has a cooldown equal to ⍜⋏⟒⊬⟒⏃⍀)
A pact-bound creature can never intentionally betray a deity's intent. Attempting to do so causes Soul Burn. A debuff that will slowly consume your soul and send all of your experience and levels to the betrayed deity. (Due to the obscure nature of some deities, the intent is always the deciding factor for whether or not a pact is considered broken or betrayed.)
A deity can only end a pact by sacrificing an amount of permanent divinity equal to the creature's highest level. When the pact ends, a deity cannot form another pact with a creature from that realm for one year in local realm time.
A verbal agreement and contract are created in the form of a Universal Geas. Knowingly and intentionally breaking such a Geas results in severe punishments for either party, up to and including Soul Burn or Divine Obliteration.
If the pact is accepted, both parties will bare a mark that shows they are bound by a divine pact. The nature of this mark is based on the deity's domains and the species of the creature being bound to the deity.
This mark allows you to instantly see and recognize other creatures who are pact-bound to a deity as well as see their pact-bound marks.
If you understand all of this. You may now form your verbal contract with the deity [Arlyss Ocrey Darktone].
Trillia stared at the notification for a long time. She read through the long list of warnings and stipulations several times.
The weight of this decision wasn't lost on her, and she was glad to see that the system itself made it very clear how important such a decision was. For both of them.
Trillia looked past the notification at Arlyss. "This is far more in-depth than the pact I formed with Ialu."
Arlyss nodded solemnly. "Deals with divinity are not taken lightly. Nor should they be. I won't take offense if you refuse. I understand it is a one-way street for you. It makes me vulnerable to obliteration if I break a pact. But for you to break the pact is certain death."
Trillia nodded slightly before looking over all of the warnings once more. "For the verbal contract portion of this. How shall we word it?"
Arlyss didn't hesitate before speaking. "I, Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Lesser Deity of Knowledge of the Western Continent in the Realm of Alirast. Do hereby agree to never ask you to operate in malice against your tribe or your family. I hereby agree to let you have your own life and loves and will only demand service where it concerns the safety of Alirast, the safety of my own being, or the safety of other pact-bound creatures. I will otherwise ask for help, knowing that you may freely decline to do so without a violation of the pact. Unless it is brought to your attention for one of the aforementioned emergency situations. As your pact-bound deity. I will do my best to ensure the safety of your being and the well-being of the realm you inhabit."
Trillia was a bit stunned. It seemed like he had given this an incredible amount of thought. That made sense. There was no explanation for what [Divine Obliteration] was. But it certainly didn't sound like a good time.
Thinking for just a few seconds more, Trillia nodded and extended a hand. Arlyss pulled a small dagger and cut the center of his palm, the liquid that came out wasn't blood. It looked more like raw mana.
He extended the blade to her, and she sliced her right hand on it.
Trillia tentatively reached out her hand and grasped his. As she did, the world spun around them. Her vision shifted, and she no longer saw the world as she once had. Instead, she saw Arlyss standing before her, the form of a colossal dragon over his left shoulder and what looked like a giant winged human over his right shoulder. Both had thin threads of golden energy connecting them to the young boy.
All around her, stars speckled in the distance. From each of the great beings, hundreds of thousands of thin threads originated from their backs and spread to all of the stars around them.
As she stared at Arlyss, a single thin thread formed at the base of his neck and flowed to the base of her neck. As soon as the strand of divinity touched her, her mind was filled with a million ideals. Different languages and the history of a million realms. It was all so overwhelming it felt like her head would split open.
Just as fast as the knowledge came, it vanished. Once more, the two of them were standing in the library. The sun had nearly set at this point, casting long shadows in the room. Ialu lay at Trillia's feet, asleep.
Trillia blinked a few times and looked down at their hands. Carved into the dark red of her skin were faintly golden glowing lines. Runes that spoke of her tribe's history and of the warriors of old. The runes started at her hand and ran up to her elbow.
Trillia looked at the notification that was flashing violently, trying to be seen.
You are now a pact-bound creature to Arlyss Ocrey Darktone!
You are the first pact this deity has formed!
You are considered this deity's avatar! When interacting with other pact-bound entities, the weight of this title causes them to regard you with considerably more respect.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
You have been granted the Divine Skill: [Fountain of Lethe]
Fountain of Lethe:
This skill allows a creature to drink from oblivion. Once a day, you may partake of the fountain, and you will be able to find the answer to any question you have, but the answer given will be based on your ability to act on the information. After drinking from the fountain, you are unable to gain experience for the next 24 hours. Any experience you would have gained is instead gained by your patron deity.
Trait Acquired: Pact-Bound (Lesser Deity of Knowledge)
Trait Acquired: Tongues
Tongues:
Due to your patron deity's vast ocean of knowledge. You have a passing understanding of any spoken language. You must still learn a language to communicate with a creature. But you will know the general meaning of their words.
Trillia stared at the notifications for a moment, still squeezing Arlyss' hand. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. There was no going back now. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Arlyss differently as well.
No longer was there a small orc child standing before her. Instead, it was a young boy with long crystalline hair held from his face by tipped ears. The same fierce green eyes stared back at her. He seemed...less comforting now. Far more dangerous. She could feel the presence of other deities watching him from afar. Could feel a small portion of the weight of their stares.
Looking down at their interlocked hands, his skin held dark obsidian-colored runes etched into his arm. A mirror of the same marks she carried.
Arlyss motioned for her to follow, not saying a word. She was happy to let the silence fill the air, deep in thought at some of the things she had seen.
Trillia wondered if that was what his mind was at all times.
Filled with the knowledge of a million realms and their people. Filled with ideas and theories that seemed impossible to her comprehension. She couldn't remember or grasp any of the exacts, as that knowledge had been taken from her for her own safety. But she remembered the overwhelming feeling of discovery.
Arlyss led her to a mirror. She looked into it and was surprised to see the change had been more than just the runes on her arms.
Trillia had to admit a tiny, immature part of her wanted to have gained some height from it as her mother had, but such wasn't the case. At least not yet. Instead, her white hair had taken a semi-iridescent coloring, somewhat matching Arlyss' own crystalline hair, and fell to the middle of her back. One of her eyes was no longer filled with the swirling of blue mana but instead had mixed with the greens of her deity to form a teal color. Her skin was still the dark red - nearly obsidian - coloring of before, save for the golden glow of the runes on her arm. She was glad that only other pact-bound creatures could see it.
Trillia nodded once at her reflection. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "I'll have to get something then this makeshift leather armor that's half patched with wolf fur."
Trying to lighten the mood at the gravity they both faced. Arlyss offered a smile. "Indeed. I can't very well have my avatar walking about looking like a common warrior."
Both shared a strained chuckle. Despite the shared power between them, both jumped a little, startled by the banging on the door. Arlyss called out. "Come in. I trust Lord Stas found his way to a comfortable room?"
Trillia no longer heard all of the languages at once. Instead, to her, he spoke in crystal clear orc. The woman from before entered the room, and upon seeing Arlyss, she bowed at the waist.
Arlyss waved a hand dismissively. "I understand. I truly do. Truth be told if he wished our city harm. Even I would be hard-pressed to stop him. He is a goblin of astounding power and talent. My father truly creates terrifying generals for times of war. Speaking of."
Arlyss motioned to Trillia. "Lady Kismet, please say hello to my first pact-bound and my acting avatar. This is Lady Trillia Demonsbane."
The woman, who Trillia now knew to be named Kismet, froze in place at hearing that. Trillia was worried at first that she'd respond in anger or jealousy. Instead, the woman strode up to her and wrapped her in a hug. Letting go almost immediately and kneeling before her. She spoke in orc, though it was rather rough.
"This one thanks you. My god worries for our safety. But will not take the help. If I can assist, tell me."
Trillia felt incredibly embarrassed. She practically chased the woman to her knees and gently pulled her up. "Bow to him. I am barely your equal, for you are surely more experienced in life than I am. I look forward to learning from you in the coming days."
Trillia tried to remain as diplomatic as possible, still unsure exactly what her place was. The nagging feeling of going to Kincairne had been completely eliminated. Instead, a feeling of purpose stuck in her stomach. The woman stood with a smile and gave her another hug.
Kismet turned to Arlyss and once more spoke in the human tongue.
Arlyss chuckled faintly but nodded. "Of course. Thank you for all of your help, Lady Kismet. With Trillia here and Stas, I will be able to more readily solve the food crisis facing our people. Make sure whatever clothes you find for her are to her liking and are practical for a warrior who must move rapidly."
Kismet bowed low to him before turning to Trillia and extending her arm. "Come. We dress well. Practice your words? Our words?"
Trillia smiled and put her hand on Kismet's arm. "I would love to teach you the orc language. I hope you will teach me how to speak your language as well. If I am needed, Lord Darktone, please do not hesitate to ask."
Arlyss gave them both another nod. "I will soon. Your near-limitless mana is going to be put to very good use very soon. But first, I have a promise to fulfill. I must go and give word to your tribe not to attack the [Primordial] yet. Is there anything I can say or do to avoid your mother trying to attack me?"
Trillia offered a weak smile at that. She knew that her mother would be extremely angry and worried. Trillia thought for a moment before removing her rapier. "Let me write her a note. Hand her the note and the rapier before you explain the situation, ok?"
Arlyss waited for her to finish before giving each of them a small bow of the head. Right before her eyes, with no flash or movement, he simply disappeared. Trillia blinked a few times. Kismet gently patted her hand. "Realm walking. He is fast. But no brain movement. Braining? Thoughts?"
Trillia smirked a little. "He doesn't think things through?" Kismet nodded with a smile as the two left the library. The gnawing nervousness that Trillia had felt the entire trip over was gone. The longing for purpose was gone. Trillia wore a bright smile as Ialu followed after the two of them. The people they passed in the halls bowed to Kismet and stared in awe at Ialu.
The attention was going to take a lot for Trillia to get used to. She hoped that her tribe would understand. She hoped that Amelia would understand. She felt a bit ashamed at having circumvented her discussion with Ralrouk. She knew they'd understand one day. She'd make sure of it.
As they traveled further down the tower, Trillia looked over her stats to see what sort of bonuses she had from both Arlyss and Ialu.
Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}
[Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]
Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 51
Available Stat Points: 0
Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 45
+5 Wisdom Per Level
Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 0
Class: [Mage] Level: 0
Stats:
[Brawn: 173] + 37%
\Strength: 50 + Vitality: 123/
[Dexterity: 447] + 3%
\Agility: 94(+180) + Wisdom: 267/
[Charisma: 121] + 50%
\Intuition: 50 Presence: 71/