It took the pair no time at all to find a restaurant that met their needs. A small run down hole in the wall shop surrounded by other similar shops. The street bustled with activity as the smells of so many restaurants filled the air. What the road lacked in maintenance it made up for in enthusiasm, its numerous guests loud and boisterous.
The sheer amount of energy exhausted Cypher, his mind focused on following Eurus as he forged a way through the throngs. Their target, a store with a bowl of noodles as a sign being their lighthouse amongst the crazy waves of people. The street seemed to have restaurants go far beyond sight, as similar signs hung all along the numerous buildings going far down the road.
Following a particularly quick rush of people, the pair slipped inside the store. The inside was blessedly cool and quiet, compared to the heat and chaos that had followed Cypher since they had left Eurus’s home. Having already become exhausted by strange occurrences, Cypher did not question this, as the entrance way had no door to keep these things out beyond a few strips of multicolored fabric that hung from the doorway.
The inside was more akin to a shoebox in size, the only seating being a pair of small tables and a counter with a handful of stools. A small kitchen sat behind the counter, where a dragon man slaved away at the oven, occasionally talking to a customer at the counter. The room, while clearly worn and made of scrap, was perfectly clean. Numerous banners hung on the walls. Imagery of other dragons, similar to the chef, were imprinted on them. Cypher thought they looked more like snakes, yet was already warned by Eurus not to say anything.
After ordering for the both of them, Eurus sat down across from Cypher at one of the tables. Having had to make his wings disappear to fit inside the restaurant, Cypher noted how much smaller he looked without their backdrop.
“So, now that you have me as a captive audience. What was it you wanted to know?”
Cypher blinked for a moment, surprised at the offer. “Well… Where are we?”
“What do you mean? Like the restaurant?”
“No, I mean like… at all, where are we?”
“Ah, Well. We are currently in the outer eastern ring of the city of Elysium, on the planet of Heaven, in the First Light Sector of the Shattered Galaxy.”
“I see.. Where did I come from?”
“Eh, I don’t know.”
“Like any idea at all?”
“Well.. What do you remember, if anything from your previous life.”
“My previous life?”
“Yes, you're a voidborn. Meaning you were human, but when you died. You somehow evolved beyond, probably through some ritual. At least that's how it usually happens.”
“I mean, I guess. But I don’t remember anything. At least I don’t think I do.”
“Ah, here. Do you know what a car is?”
“Yes?”
“What about a computer?”
“Yeah? Like the thing that goes on desks that connects to others?”
“Woah, you came from an information age planet?”
“I mean, I guess? Is that good?”
“It's nice, means I don’t have to explain everything. It’s just kinda shocking because most voidborn come from earlier ages.”
“Why?”
“Because people normally stop believing in ‘magic’ during the information age. So the idea that not only did you find a working ritual but actually did it. Well that's just crazy.”
“What's magic?”
“Ha, not opening that can of worms. We would be here for the next month if I told you. Long story short, macabre combination of the soul and current technology. Makes the world bend to our command.”
The chef suddenly said “Oi!” , gaining the pair's attention as their bowls were passed to them by the man at the counter with a pair of chopsticks. Eurus bowed his head in thanks as he took the bowl.
Breaking their chopsticks, the pair began eating. Their lack of ability with the utensils being plain for all to see.
“So, where do we go when we die?”
“Depends, you can ask for specific worlds or types when you are planning your death. Then, once your body is ready, and your soul is out of the ‘vacation’ body. You come right back to whatever facility grew your body.”
“What are we?”
“You are a voidborn and I am a human god.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I already told you what a voidborn is. A human god, is a descendant from a group of lab grown gods, that were created to try to make a being similar to how our people used to be.”
“What?”
“The other gods are evolved, and you, like them. Are no longer carbon based lifeforms.”
“Ok? But what’s the difference? If you guys were made, does that make you better?”
“Ha, no. Our lives are significantly shorter, less than an eighth in most cases. We are significantly weaker magically as well. We are also shorter and more prone to mutation, it's why most of us resemble animals in some way.”
“Wait, so you guys are just worse in every way?”
“Yeah, although we do have a significantly easier time reproducing than you guys. Nearly twenty times easier in fact.”
“So I'm better in every way compared to you. Why do I have to follow you then?”
A dangerous smile crossed Eurus’s face. “Why do you think so?”
“Oh, uh. Sorry. How strong are you anyway Eurus?”
“Physically or magically?”
“Both?”
“Eh, depends on the scale. Amongst human gods? Above average. Amongst everyone? More like a spider compared to a man.”
“What?”
“I have an idea. How about I tell you how strong people are in general? After that you can figure it out for yourself.”
“Ok?”
“Alright, there are five ranks. Now keep in mind these scale exponentially. So, tier one. People who can blow up a planet or lower. That's where you currently are.”
“Is tier one the highest?”
“No, the lowest. Anyw-”
“What?!? They can blow up a planet! Like, right here all of us!”
“Yeah, shut up and let me finish please.”
“This is crazy..”
“Ok, so tier two. People who can destroy solar systems and lower. Tier three, people who can destroy galactic sectors and lower. That's where I sit.”
“And you are supposed to be weak?!”
“Yeah. Anyway, Tier four, people who destroy entire galaxies. And finally, tier five. People who could destroy the entire universe.”
“How?”
“What do you mean how?”
“How can someone be that strong?”
Eurus shrugs “Be an ancient or a council member. I don’t know of any other ways.
Cypher, having become increasingly frustrated by the conversation, and his own difficulty in eating, grips his chopsticks in frustration.
“Where the hell did these things come from?”
“Ask the chef.”
Overhearing their conversation, the dragon chimed in of his own volition “My daughter visited a feudal world, one where you can be in your true form. You know the ones. And when she was there, she saw people eating with these. Brought them back with her, thought it would be a unique idea.”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
Eurus nodded in his head and gestured at Cypher. “Thank you, and it is.”
Cypher, frustrated and confused slumped down in his chair. “I don’t get it..”
“What's there not to get?”
“Why are there feudal worlds? Why are their information age worlds? Why isn’t everything just advanced?”
“Ah, well. Remember what I said about lower birth rates?”
“Yeah. What's that got to do with anything?”
Well. Even us human gods have an abysmally low birth rate compared to real humans. And the universe is a big place. So, as a way to colonize and also run some studies we seed planets with everything our people had. And let them evolve into us on their own, sometimes running different variables on them.”
“That's really weird.”
“Kills two birds with one stone though.”
“I don’t get it. This place is confusing…”
“Don’t worry about it, you have plenty of time to adapt.”
Cypher mumbled something to himself as the pair finished their food before paying and leaving.
Flowing along with the crowd, the pair quickly disappear into a side alley. The hectic chaos replaced with the labyrinthian layout of the city. Cypher followed closely, his eyes following Eurus’s footsteps as he stewed with more questions.
“What are you gonna make me do to pay you back?”
“Huh?”
“What do I have to do to buy my freedom?”
“You’ll see.”
“Oh come on.”
“Once I finish with my errands, I’ll give you your task.”
“Fine.”
Even though the pair weaved through tight and dirty alleyways, Cypher began to notice something that confused him deeply. “Hey, Eurus.”
“Hmm?”
“Why are there so many bakeries?” Almost on queue the pair passed a hole in the wall bakery stand. “I mean, even back on that other street. A good third of all the places were just different bakeries!”
“Oh, yeah. Heaven dwellers have a crazy strong sweet tooth.”
“Why? It seems really excessive.”
Shrugging as he went, Eurus rapidly turned a few corners nearly losing Cypher in the process. “It’s just kinda how things are. People in Heaven like sweets, people in Hell like sour.”
“That's weird.”
“Although I guess it's more fair to say they like spicy food. They probably have as many places that serve that as we have bakeries.”
“But I like spicy food.. Does that make me a demon or something?”
“Nah, I love it too. They are just obsessed in a similar way is all.”
“Huh.”
The alley suddenly transformed into a major thoroughfare again, a seemingly never ending throng of people flowed in every direction. The business no longer all restaurants confused Cypher, the hundreds of flashing signs and ads giving him sensory overload. Focusing on Eurus’s steps again he nearly ran into him when he suddenly stopped.
“Alright, I need you to stay here. I’m going in there.” He said pointing at a poorly fabricated building that was indistinguishable to the rest in Cypher’s eyes. “That work for you?”
“Yeah, I'll be fine.”
Nodding his head, Eurus walked off into the crowd eventually disappearing into the building's entrance. Leaning against a wall, Cypher busied himself by sorting his thoughts and wondering what all had happened. This eventually ended as much of his understanding remained unfilled and soon boredom set in.
The crowd slowed down to a trickle of people as the sun crawled ever closer to the edge of the horizon. The city cooled down significantly much to Cypher’s relief, as what felt like an hour passed with no sight from his begrudged master. The thought of running crossed his mind numerous times, yet the memory of the angels quickly squashed any idea of actually doing so.
Just as he began to consider going inside himself, Eurus emerged from the interior followed closely by two pale young girls. The two appeared to be twins with matching green and blue striped robes that spiraled around them. Their hair appeared as opposites with one having a deep burgundy red while the other was sapphire. What struck Cypher most however was the unnerving perfection of their placid faces, their amber eyes unfocused as they mirrored Eurus’s steps.
“Hey Cypher, sorry that took so long. But I have good news, I know what to do with you now!”
“ Huh?! You didn’t know what you were gonna do with me before? Also Eurus, who are those two?” He said warily as the twins blankly stared at the wall in front of them, his discomfort rising as he noted their lack of blinking.
“Eh? Oh yeah! Cypher, meet the twins.” Stepping behind them, Eurus knelt down and gently patted them both on the head.
Without a word, the two in sync turned towards Cypher, their eyes visibly adjusting as they focused on him.
“Eh. Hi. Girls. Eurus, do they have names?”
“Nope! They haven’t decided yet.”
Cypher, bewildered by the whole event stood there waiting for something as they blankly stared at him. Eurus, seemingly ignorant of these facts, wore a contented look on his face before speaking. “Alright girls!”
The two immediately turned around towards him. After handing them both small bits of paper, and what looked like a card with a button on it, Eurus spoke again. “Do you think you can make it to the address written on there?”
In unison the twins nodded their heads.
“Good! Now, if anything happens along the way, press that card. Do you both think you can do that?”
Again they nodded.
“Awesome!” Patting them softly on the head he stood up again. “Well be on your way then! I’ll see you two later, ok?”
The two bowed in unison, their faces bereft of any emotion as they turned and walked off down the street.
Cypher waited for the twins to disappear around a corner before speaking. “Eurus, what the fuck?”
“Hmm? Oh, sorry I took so long. I was talking to an old friend.”
“No, I mean what the fuck was that? Like those girls where… Off. It made my skin crawl the way they stared at me.”
“Oh, that. Those two are AI, you’ll have to give them a pass for now. They haven’t learned how to socialize yet.”
“AI?”
“Yeah, I guess robot would be a better word to explain it to you.”
“Those two were robots?”
“Androids. I’d highly recommend you refer to people like them as that from now on. Calling someone a robot is pretty insulting around here.”
“Noted, also what was that whole thing about?”
“You mean our interaction?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I just bought them so they view me as their master.”
“That's creepy though, why’d you buy them? They look like children.”
Eurus shrugged off his question and began walking off. “Because.” Was the only thing Cypher heard as he mumbled the rest.
Deciding the topic wasn’t worth pressing, Cypher dropped it and followed along. The skin and streets grew dark as they wove through the streets, random lights turning on as the sun disappeared over the horizon.
“So what are you gonna make me do anyway? You said you only just figured out what.”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
“Oh come on!”
“We just gotta get to the city’s edge and I’ll tell ya. We are almost there.”
“You could just tell me, then I'd stop asking.”
“Yeah, but then you’d come up with something new to pester me with.”
Cypher grumbled to himself but decided to wait a bit longer. The city changed suddenly as the alleyways turned from decrepit to new construction. Old worn brick turned to bright new ones with shacks transforming into proper buildings. The path itself becoming smooth and clean, a welcome change from the jagged and uneven surface they’ve been walking on for most of the journey.
The new area brought Cypher a large amount of relief. The rundown appearance of the previous city ring made him feel that any turn would end with another ambush. This feeling of safety was short-lived as Eurus suddenly spoke.
“After whatever happens next, I need you to grab my body and run.”
Cypher barely had time to process what was said before he was knocked to the side. His sight was obfuscated as a cloud of dust blew off the ground into the air. As it settled, it landed on a dozen previously unseen individuals who ringed them from the roof. The dust being the only thing he could see as it outlined them.
Before him stood Eurus, the golden part of his robe wrapped around his hand as he gripped the tip of sword. Where Cypher had just stood was now a mostly invisible figure save the dust covering them.
Before he could even blink, Eurus snapped off the tip of the blade and jammed it into the assailant's throat. The would be assassin falling to the ground with a fountain of blood following them, their appearance becoming clearer as they were coated with red.
Cypher looked up at Eurus, his entire body tensed and focused. With the blood vessels across his arm and face standing in stark relief. His right eye closed as he readied himself. The broken blade from his assailant in his left hand.
Eurus knelt down on his right knee, his right hand softly touching the ground. As one, the rest of the shapes lept from the roof, the outlines of their blades in various positions to attack.
Cypher closed his eyes, the certainty of his impending death weighed on him. Clattering and then silence was all that came however. Slowly opening his eyes, he looked around. All twelve attackers were now collapsed on the ground. Their blood flowing freely from the large gashes made in their necks. Cypher felt himself becoming nauseous at the sight and the ever growing smell of copper that filled the air.
Eurus remained crouched on the ground, his hands wrapped around the sword he had taken. The bloodied sword being the only thing propping the man up. His form shuddering with each uneven breath.
Cypher, remembering his previous orders, knelt down next to his master. “Are you ok Eur-” His words catching in his throat as he saw Eurus’s face. The man’s face was deathly pale, his eyes unfocused and hazy. As Cypher tried to help him stand up, he was unnerved by how cold he was to touch.
Cypher practically had to drag Eurus along, the other man's numbed fingers unable to even grip the sword he had taken. Thankfully, the pair were only a few turns away from a clearing. The alleyway opening up into a quiet park on the edge of the city.
The park was little more than a path with a handful of trees and grass. While being devoid of any people, it had a few benches which suited Cypher fine. Dragging his master along, he set him down on a bench near the edge.
“Eurus, are you still in there?” He said, snapping his fingers in front of his face.
“Yeah…. I am.” His unfocused eyes searching Cypher's face.
“Are you gonna be-”
He was interrupted as Eurus brought his fingers to his lips, signalling to be quiet.
“What.. I’m going to.. To ask you next.. Is very important.”
Cypher nodded his head solemnly.
“Are.. You listening?”
“Yes, Eurus.”
“Good.” The disk Eurus had materialized early suddenly appeared again. “Take this.”
Gingerly, Cypher took the disk from his hand.
“And go in that direction.” Eurus slowly lifted his arm and pointed somewhere behind Cypher.
Wanting to ensure he missed nothing, Cypher gave his rapt attention to Eurus and waited.
“I need you to go…”
“Yes?”
“To go and get me some cupcakes from that bakery.”
“......”