Prometheus looked around, noticing how everything was stopped in time. The 'Defenders', the General, and even the wind were suspended in time. Weirdly enough, light was still moving normally, as he wouldn't be able to see anything otherwise. The well-dressed creature, if it was even alive, looked at the shapeshifter with patience.
"Can you kill the Defenders?" Asked Theo, hoping it would work.
"Mhmm..." The man scratched his chin, thinking deeply.
"I would be able to, of course. But could you afford to do that?" Asked the anomalous man with a deeper voice than earlier.
"What do you mean?"
"The matter is simple, my good gentleman. You demand something of me, and I demand something back. The opportunity to engage in the transaction is what you received with that card."
That's fucking terrible. He scammed me. What can I even offer him?
"I don't have any money."
"What I require is not monetary. It's something...deeper." Replied the man with a low chuckle.
"So just say what you want. I don't understand why you're so vague," said Theo with annoyance.
"Very well. To remove those people, who are quite strong, I would need this: your family's Souls. All four of them."
"No." That is all that Theo said. My life wouldn't have meaning without them.
"Then I cannot help you, good sir. May you have a pleasant-"
"Wait. Can you just help me escape, then?"
The man scratched his chin once again, which he couldn't see as it was covered by the white mask.
"I am able to do that, yes. I require one Stat point if you wish for me to teleport you over to your base, and five if you wish to bring the General along with you. So, what will it be?"
Prometheus sharpened the knives which composed his current, alien form. He didn't like the man's words, not one bit. Will the General survive if I leave him alone? He told me to not use a tribulation, so that means that those people are insanely strong. What difference can I make? Probably none.
"Can you speed up time again so I can discuss it with him directly?"
"Naturally."
Time returned to normal, and Theo created the fastest mental connection technique he had ever made and threw it at the General who was still engaging with multiple enemies. In a fraction of a millisecond, the shapeshifter explained the situation to the tree monster in an instant. The General naturally told Theo to use all five points to transport them both, before the man interrupted, speaking just as fast, before any of the enemies got close, "Now that I reconsider it, five points for both of you is too low. I would now need thirteen. Oh, the first ten given to everyone don't count."
Theo could feel the smirk behind that white mask, which he observed with a coldness that would have frozen anyone.
What did he just say?
He knew exactly what he had heard, he just couldn't accept it. Theo had exactly one point less than what the man wanted.
"You never would have transported us both." Said the shapeshifter in realization, so quickly that normal people wouldn't have heard anything.
"Maybe, maybe not, my good sir. Now, what will it be?" Asked the anomalous man, while bowing slightly to look at Theo closer.
"I decide to be transported alone." Decided Prometheus while explaining the new situation to the General. Contrary to Theo's expectations, the tree monster nodded subtly and sent a last mental communication before Theo got teleported in a flash of white.
"That's not unexpected. Anomalies are the pure definition of chaos, disregarding anything for the sake of destruction and agony. Good luck, Private."
The Gods roll their eyes at the anticlimactic retreat.
[Unknown] removed a stat point from you!
Soul -1
---
The shapeshifter looked around, noticing that he had indeed returned to the fortress. He also checked his internal clock as something felt off. Two hours?!
He ran to the closest mushroom worker and asked where the closest Major was, running up to the flytrap monster as quickly as possible. Despite the fact that his owners, or his family, might be killed in a ritual, he couldn't help but feel nervous for the General's wellbeing. Did he know Arthur was going to be part of a ritual? Fuck, I can't afford to think about it now.
Running up to Major Vine, Prometheus quickly explained the situation. The plant monster immediately moved to the central tree room, the one where portals could lead to the Emperor's location. That told him that the General hadn't returned. The Major rested a leaf limb on the trunk of the tree and a lance of Influence flew into the distance, probably as a communication device.
Not even five minutes later, a large portal opened. The millisecond that the rip in space appeared, Theo had felt it. The unending torrent of Influence, with malice as its main drive. The shapeshifter could somehow understand the intent behind the Influence, and it wasn't anything good. Two figures stepped right through, the one in front being the Emperor, with Nightmare Dalo just behind him. They both possessed a cold fury in their steps, their gazes stopping on the kneeling Major Vine. Prometheus felt the pressure from being around the Emperor, as no one had used the protection technique on him. Before he could speak up, the crystalline monster slightly raised his hand and an incredibly complex protection barrier appeared around Theo's Soul.
"Major. Explain to me the situation once more." Commanded the Emperor.
"Yes, sir. General Espanto went to support one of my Units in a small-scale battle against the Alliance, and Private Prometheus claims to have joined the battle as well. Additionally, he explained how five strong individuals ambushed them, his description matching with the Kingdom's Defenders."
The Emperor briefly glanced at Prometheus and asked, "Boy. Is there anything else that I need to know about?"
"Not really, sir. What the Major said is a good summary. But may I ask for a favor?"
A small crack appeared on Nightmare's Dalo skin.
"Make it brief." Said the monster with an eyeball for a head.
"May I take care of the humans in your pocket dimension? I assume that not keeping the pocket space open all the time might help your Influence reserves?"
The emperor hummed for a bit and nodded, "You're right, but not for the reasons that you might think. We'll be on our way, now."
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
A small portal opened up on the side of the Emperor, where Theo could see the apartment with the four humans inside. A brief mental communication instructed Arthur to exit along with the four kids.
"What's happening?" Asked the tall man in surprise.
"I need to take care of some annoying creatures. Prometheus will take care of you in the meantime." Said the Emperor before walking out of the chamber with the crystalline golem. Is Dalo a golem? Looks like it. I can't see anything organic about him. Theo could see a slight limp every time the Emperor took a step, resembling a weak, old man.
After the two monsters exited the room, Major Vine said, "I assume I don't need to tell you, but any damage to the humans will result in severe consequences for you and your loved ones. Is that clear?" Prometheus heard a weird tone from the plant monster. Is he threatening me?
With that, the flytrap monster also exited the room, tending to its mission. Prometheus turned to the kids, who were glancing around the room curiously. The bald man had gained a little muscle mass, but nowhere near his previous levels.
"Prometheus, do you know what's happening here?"
The shapeshifter shifted in place nervously, thinking about how to phrase his next words. I need to tell him that the Emperor wants to absorb his Soul. I can't think of a way that won't freak him out. Wait a moment.
Theo's rational part whirred into action, suggesting an idea, Why did I immediately come to the assumption that the Emperor wants to kill them? What proof do I have? First, I can't think of a reason why the most powerful monster in the army would take care of a 'weak' human, even though Mr. Fluffernutter is amazing. From what I've seen, most monsters seem to dislike humans, if not outright despise them. Instructor Maleva explained Soul Integrations, and that triggered my suspicion. The ritual is apparently expensive, something that I'm sure an Emperor would be able to afford. Is he going after Arthur's medical knowledge, like Arthur had suspected himself? Why? I know everything that he knows, if not more. What's so special about him?
Theo shook his head, forgetting to reply to the man's question, "I don't know. I have my suspicions, I think that the Emperor wants to k-" Arthur's hand flew to clasp around Theo's mouth, which he had created to speak in English with Arthur. He moved any blades in the body to avoid injuring the man. The kids were distant from the shapeshifter, throwing worried glances at his intimidating form.
"We can talk about that somewhere else, don't you think?" Said Arthur with a tightened jaw, looking at Theo with wide-open eyes. Why is he acting like this? It's not like we can't talk about that.
Wait. Can we?
Mr. Fluffernutter moved his head closer to Theo's central body, whispering incredibly low, "We can't be sure that no one is listening right now. We need to find another place to discuss this." Theo stepped back, understanding the man's words. Did I almost fuck this up? He sighed, composing himself. Theo nodded, finding his favorite mushroom worker, Funguy, carrying a broom to another room. Theo stopped him, asking, "Hey, Funguy, it's been so long since I last saw you. Feels like it, anyway. I need to try out some 'very' loud techniques, and I don't want to bother anyone. Is there a soundproof room I can use?"
The mushroom worker looked at him straight on, even with his complete lack of eyes, and said, "Um, I think the training room down below is soundproof. Yeah." Prometheus wanted to ask something else but Funguy had already escaped with a sprint somewhere else. He must have been so happy to see me that he couldn't contain his excitement.
Prometheus moved to the large tree, where a narrow shaft led down to the training room. "We need to go down there." Pointed the shapeshifted with a knife-limb down the long tunnel. Arthur hummed quietly and replied, "That looks dangerous for the kids, and I don't feel safe leaving them alone here."
"I can carry them one by one, if that helps." Suggested the shapeshifter.
"Can you take all of us at the same time?" Asked Arthur.
Theo thought about it for a moment, deciding that it was too risky seeing how the shaft was too narrow for four people and him. The risk of scraping on the sides of the tunnel was too great.
"I don't think so, it would be too risky for them." He pointed at the kids. Actually, before anything, I'll move down there and see if there's anyone. Prometheus wordlessly flew down the shaft, shifting a couple of wings strong enough to make him glide. Only the instructor and his two friends were present, still following the lesson quietly. Zilch was focusing on the lesson and the blackboard, while Sayuri was fidgeting with her katana.
"Instructor Maleva! General Espanto asked for you! it's an emergency!" Shouted Theo from the mental connection, pushing as much urgency as he could. The general does actually need support, and it is an emergency, so it's not a total lie. Prometheus generally disliked lying, but this time it was necessary.
"He asked for me? What for? And where have you been?"
"I don't have time to explain! He didn't tell me why, just that it was an emergency! If you ask the Majors they'll tell you where he is!"
"Shit."
The old goblin ran to the center of the chamber and jumped high enough to exit it in seconds. Heavy thumps could be heard in the distance. Prometheus nodded, hoping that would buy him enough time.
"Guys, I'll bring my owners here. I don't think you've met them before. We need to discuss something important."
Zilch and Sayuri looked at each other in confusion, and they asked if Theo was okay. Prometheus flew, in a falcon form, up the chamber as quickly as possible and proposed the idea of flying the kids down one by one with limbs to keep them in place during the descent. The bald man crossed his arms and walked around the room for a minute, before unrelenting as there wasn't any alternative.
After having brought all four humans down there, they observed the two other monsters curiously.
"Dad, what is that?!" Asked Atlas, pointing at Zilch.
"That sword is so cool," Exclaimed Freya with awe, pointing at Sayuri.
"They are my friends. The white worm with scary teeth is Zilch. Don't worry, he won't bite you. Probably. The green samurai is Sayuri, she's the strong and silent type. She's also made of bamboo. How cool is that?"
All three of the kids were awed at that, observing Sayuri more attentively. Arthur moved to Prometheus, interrupting the cute moment with the kids, "Theo, we don't have any time to waste. What were you about to tell me earlier?"
"Right. I think the Emperor wants to kill you all."
Arthur blinked slowly at Theo's words, processing them. The kids were too far away to hear him.
"What?"
"I think the Emperor wants to kill you all." Repeated Theo.
"No, I heard what you said the first time. I meant, what are you talking about?"
"Earlier, the instructor told us of this ritual called 'Soul Integrations' and it allows a stronger Soul to absorb a weaker Soul, along with all its memories and knowledge."
Arthur furrowed his brows, looking at his side, thinking.
"That doesn't make sense. If he had just asked for the knowledge, I would have given it to him. He helped me and my children. Why would he betray our trust like that?"
"I don't know. I just think the situation is too suspicious."
"Let's assume for a moment that you're right. What then?" Asked Arthur expectantly. Theo didn't have a response to that. Once again, I am clueless.
"I-I don't know. I'm sorry." Replied the shapeshifter, head drooped low.
"I understand, don't apologize, I was just asking if you had any idea, not to blame you. You made me present of the situation, that's enough. I don't think there's much we can do other than hope that you're wrong."
"We-We're just going to wait until it's too late?!" Shouted Theo uncharacteristically nervous.
"There is nothing else we can do. Escaping is impossible. Fighting is futile. What other options are there?" Asked the man with a deep frown on his face. He then sat down on the ground, looking at the kids, who had warmed up to Theo's friends and playing catch with Zilch.
"When we were imprisoned, I thought we were going to die, starved out. Every hope I had of returning home was destroyed in that prison cell. Every shred of optimism I've ever held in my life disappeared once I saw how futile everything I did was. These monsters can read minds. They can lift mountains with their hands. They can obliterate armies with a single wave of their hands. What can we do against absolute strength other than hope and pray?"
Prometheus looked at the ground, ashamed. If I wasn't so weak he wouldn't be so hopeless. If I was stronger, I could actually do something about this.
"Do you understand what I mean? Even if we made it out of this fortress alive, even assuming that they won't find us, how would we be able to survive, with monsters roaming every corner of the wilderness out there? I know that you're able to provide us with food and water, but what can you do against giant bears, or snakes that can shoot flames? Nothing. I just think that taking such a massive risk is the worst option."
Theo continued to look at the ground, mulling over Mr. Fluffernutter's words. What could he do?
The only thing I can do is get stronger.
"You're willing to give up, when you have your family to protect?" Said Theo, glancing at the bearded man.
"Theo, the only reason I'm-"
"No, please listen to me. You're giving up. That's what you're doing. You're giving up on your family and letting their lives rest in someone else's hands. That's not 'taking the best approach', that's just being a coward who won't put up a fight. Doesn't it enrage you, the fact that the Emperor might use you and your kids' lives for his personal gain?"
Arthur didn't reply. Prometheus didn't press the issue further and joined the kids and Zilch in their game. A couple of hours later, the Emperor returned, and a mushroom worker informed them to bring Arthur and the kids to the pocket dimension.
"Remember my words," said the shapeshifter while watching the four humans walk through the portal and disappear. Then, Prometheus had to make an important decision. I'll escape with them. Probably not today, and not tomorrow, but the day will come. The problem is, how much time should I wait? I don't even know when the opportunity will arise, and even then, I need to become stronger to even dream of escaping. So the question is, how long should I train? The more I wait, the higher the risk of the Emperor performing the ritual. But the less time I train, the weaker I'll be to enact the plan. Fuck. I hate this.
For the moment, Prometheus decided to train as much as possible. Wait, since the emperor returned it means that the battle ended.
Prometheus flew above to ask Major Vine for the general's whereabouts.
"He's...alive, but heavily injured. I think he will join you in a moment, as he wished to talk to you."
Prometheus nodded and returned to the training room, noticing how the Instructor still hadn't returned. That changed when fifteen minutes later, Maleva descended the tunnel into the training room with the General right behind her. He's.. limping? What happened to him?
The tree monster had an arm around Maleva, which looked silly as she was much shorter than him. For that reason, Espanto was lowered almost in a bow as he was limping toward Prometheus. Most of the roots that composed his body were charred or just missing, with the crystal in his chest fragmented entirely.
"Private, we need to speak."
His voice is so much weaker than usual.
The Instructor left Espando down on a throne made of roots, but this time it was partly withered and charred. He then spoke once again, "We need to speed up your growth. I underestimated how much that cursed trait of yours would affect the rest of us."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember when I said how that 'Leading actor' put a spotlight on you in the eyes of the Gods? Apparently, it's also a magnet for chaos. Those idiots want to be entertained on every occasion, and they did so by sending the fucking Defenders against you!" The tree general stopped to cough into his fist before continuing, "We'll start by tiering you up to tier three right now, we need to work on making a soul ability as soon as possible."
Wait a moment. He just said that I'm a magnet for chaos, so why would he support me? Wouldn't it be better in his shoes to kill me or send me away? The shapeshifter asked that question without a speck of fear.
Espanto chuckled and replied, "That would be the prudent move, true. But I didn't get to my level of power by avoiding risks and being cautious. Now, follow me. We need to turn you into a true monster."
Finally!