Batara thought about the members of his former party who are dead because of his fault. He focused on remembering how each one of them died right in front of him. However, as Batara ventured deeper into his mind, a strange aura started sipping out of his body. Batara then opened his eyes to find that he was no longer in the chapel. He found himself standing on glass tiles in a realm with many glowing moons. Underneath him was the view of the same realm but it was upside down. As much as Batara was startled, he has experienced this one time too many that he was no longer alarmed.
Until, one of the glowing moons turned into a ghastly and large being and approached Batara while saying “Salve, meus eveta.” Batara cant help but tremble before the large being. Its words sent shivers to his spine as he remembered hearing the exact same words once when he was deep in meditation. The large being then turned into a very tall human male with eyes as sharp as the blade looking down on Batara. The being changed its language and said to Batara “Welcome, my avatar.” as if translating what he said earlier. Though it took a human form, it was not any less intimidating than its previous form. Batara felt as if–
“Whoops, we dont need an outsider peeking into our business.” said the being while snapping its fingers.
Batara said “Who are you?”
The being said “As fragile as you are, I commend your courage to finally speak.”
The being continued “I am the God of Deceit. The one who lurks within the shadows but stands above all. But you mortals refer to me as Ulysses.”
Batara fell silent and didnt respond.
Ulysses said “Hmm, your cowardice is starting to bore me.”
Ulysses then snapped his finger and said “There, I made you speak your mind heh-heh.”
Batara forcefully said “What does this twisted being want with me?” as he covered his mouth.
Ulysses replied “Hahah, you flatter me. I’m really just curious about my avatar. In fact, you are the one who is practically begging to meet me. Taking out your frustration and desperation in the Chapel of Gods.”
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Ulysses continued “I truly savored the negative aura you exude.”
Batara said “Ugh what is he going on about? where am I anyway?” as he looked around.
Ulysses replied “Wherever I like.”
Batara said “I cant stand him. Why did he bring me here? Why does he keeps calling me “avatar”?
Ulysses replied “You really talked a lot in your head, its starting to get on my nerves. Since I am bored I’ll entertain you a bit.”
Ulysses continued “As I was saying I brought you here simply because I’m bored. I want to see for myself what my avatar has become. Turns out you are as cowardly as you were before. Props to you for still being alive though heh-heh.”
Batara said “Before?”
Ulysses replied “Indeed, before I reincarnated you into this world and became my avatar. Whoops, that just slipped out hahah.”
Batara said “Reincarnated!? But why? Why do I have to be here and live in agony?”
Ulysses laughed out loud and said “hmmHAHAHA, to entertain me of course! What else would it be? Everything I did was for my own amusement and I believe its the same with all the other gods.”
Batara’s face turned pale and his eyes opened wide as he suddenly went silent.
Ulysses continued to laugh and said “Hahah, what an amusing reaction! This meeting turned out to be quite entertaining after all.”
As Batara was still silent, Ulysses said “Do not worry mortal, I am rooting for weaklings like you though. Perhaps you’ll do unexpected things and keep me entertained, that is if you dont die first heh-heh.”
Batara came back to his senses and said “So he gave me these artifacts and strange magic just to entertain him?”
The moons suddenly turned red as dark auras started to surround Ulysses. Ulysses' face turned furious as he shouted “NO!! THAT DAMNED IMP HAS SULLIED MY NAME. I SWEAR I WILL FUCKING KILL IT!”
Batara was stunned by Ulysses’ reaction.
In just a brief moment, Ulysses turned back into his composed but mischievous demeanor as the moons returned to normal. Ulysses then said “There is absolutely no way a God would meddle or even give a damn about you insignificant mortals heh-heh.”
Ulysses continued “The artifacts youre wearing belonged to my past avatar. I believe you’ve met the spirit.”
Batara said “Jaram.”
Ulysses replied “It was one hell of a spectacle watching it bring chaos with its schemes heh-heh.”
Batara replied “So the God of Deceit’s goal is to bring chaos to Eidel.”
Ulysses laughed and replied “HmmHahah… Eidel could thrive or ruin for all I care about. I only feel entertained when my avatar does the unexpected.”
Ulysses' tone grew more mischievous as he continued “And you… as twisted as it is, your magic is what you are born with. All you need is a drive, so that you could entertain me as well heh-heh.”
Ulysses continued “Perhaps you might find it, you know, if you are not consumed by yourself first heh-heh.”
Batara said in uncertainty “Twisted, Consumed, what does he mean?”
Ulysses replied “Where’s the fun if I tell you everything? As much as its interesting how you talked about chaos without feeling anything, this is starting to bore me.”
Ulysses snapped his finger and said “Lets see if you can make me entertained” as everything in the realm melted into a void.
“Batara… Hey.” Batara woke up to Isha’s voice as he was still sitting in the chapel. Isha looked concerned and said “Hey, are you okay? You’ve been unresponsive for several minutes.”