Chapter 220 – Floor 37: Part 1

Floor 37: A Meeting with Unyielding Declaration

You have been called to meet with your Deity.

Reward: Unknown.

Mathew blinked as the brightness from the white faded to reveal a sprawling landscape of rolling hills and dense forests under an indigo sky. The familiar weight of his dark armour, a constant presence for a decade, was replaced by the comfortable fit of his jeans and jacket.

It felt surreal, like shedding an old skin.

Mathew looked around now that his eyes had adjusted. The world around him was like a dream, bathed in an ethereal glow beneath a sky unblemished by a single cloud that would shift colours subtly as he stared at it—first purple, then blue.

The air was crisp and invigorating, filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and grass. Rolling hills carpeted the landscape in vibrant shades of green, separated by clusters of wildflowers that swayed gently in the soft, cool breeze.

In the distance, majestic mountains rose, their peaks capped with glistening white sow that contrasted beautifully against the purplish-blue sky above. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long, golden rays that danced across the grass and trees, illuminating the scenery with a warm, magical light.

A tranquil river meandered through the valley, its waters sparkling in the light like liquid crystal. Small waterfalls tumbled over smooth stones, the melodic sound combining with the soft rustling of trees and grass to create a soothing atmosphere.

Amidst this pristine beauty stood ancient trees, their trunks were thick and gnarled. Their lush canopies stretched wide and their leaves were so green they were nearly black.

Mathew had been to many worlds, he had seen things that could hardly be believed. He had traveled to places people considered to be the most beautiful landscapes in existence, but this surpassed all of them.

“This is paradise. The garden of Eden.” Mathew whispered. His soul felt buoyed just by being here and unseen wounds in his spirit were healed.

“It was.” A voice said, and Mathew turned to see Unyielding Declaration standing just behind him. The Celestial had appeared out of nowhere.

Unyielding Declaration stood tall and graceful, an otherworldly figure radiation an aura of calm and power. His long, white hair glowed like liquid down his back, shimmering softly in the light as if infused with the essence of the heavens.

Each strand of hair framed a strikingly pale and alien face. His skin was almost ghostly, devoid of any colour, yet it was smooth and flawless. The most unsettling aspect of the god was his eyes; they were deep, black voids without irises or whites.

They absorbed the light of the sun rather than reflecting it, but Mathew could detect a faint flicker deep within, hinting at knowledge beyond human understanding.

Unyielding Declarations limbs were long and slender, appearing almost too delicate to support his weight. There was an elegance to the Celestial, each movement he made was deliberate and slow. He had four fingers on each hand, another sign of his alien nature.

When he moved across the ground toward Mathew, it was with an unnatural fluidity, as if he were gliding rather than walking. The air around his body was charged with energy, and Mathew could feel it brush against his skin like static, raising the hair on his arms slightly.

“This is, was, your home?” Mathew asked in curiosity. He didn’t know much about the Celestials, only that they had lost their planet long ago and had existed in spiritual form ever since.

Unyielding Declaration looked at Mathew with those black eyes that seemed to drink the light before nodding.

“Yours as well.” The god said cryptically, his eyes sweeping the horizon once again.

“Wait, what?” Mathew stammered, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“This is Earth, long before your people’s time. We were the first of her children, birthed in the union between her and the Song of Creation. The Celestial Language given physical form.” Unyielding Declaration explained, although Mathew couldn’t understand the term the god was using.

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“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Mathew admitted, shaking his head as he did so.

“I know.” Unyielding Declaration responded.

“It matters not. We are here to discuss you and your accomplishments, not the history of my people.” Unyielding Declaration turned away from the view of the rolling hills and beautiful landscape. With a wave of his hand, reality shifted, and a device appeared.

It loomed majestically in front of Mathew, a giant crystal encased in intricate, golden metalwork. The crystal itself was a mesmerizing hue of deep blue, shimmering with an inner light that pulsed gently like a heartbeat.

Swirls of lighter blue danced within, resembling swirling galaxies. Mathew could smell the Aether in the air, a strong spice that burned his nostrils. Wisps of blue mist escaped from the crystal, curling into the air like tendrils before being gradually drawn back into the device.

“The bond between a god and their Apostle is fascinating and distinctive, and none is more so than ours. Typically, this bond both gives and takes. The Apostle ‘gives’ the god their loyalty, service and access to the myriad worlds they travel through as they climb the Tower.” Unyielding Declaration clarified, his voice had an odd tone, as if reality vibrated slightly in response to what he was saying.

“In return, their deity shelters and protects them. They guide their Apostles as a parent would a child, or, in some cases, as a master would a servant.”

“Is that why you brought me here, to guide me?” Mathew asked. He had nothing against Unyielding Declaration, but he couldn’t imagine this deity guiding or protecting him. They didn’t have that kind of relationship.

“No. As I explained, our relationship is unique. And one you agreed to without hesitation.” Unyielding Declaration reminded Mathew, who rolled his eyes and grew irritated at the statement.

“It was either that or death. I didn’t have much of a choice.” Mathew retorted. The god showed zero response to the comment, continuing his explanation as if Mathew hadn’t said a word.

“Regardless, our bond is one of only ‘take.’ There is no requirement to ‘give’ you anything on my part. This is the physical manifestation of all the Aether you would have accumulated in the Tower since entering into my service.”

“Would have?! Are you the reason I haven’t been able to gain levels or why the Tower has been so stingy with the Aether rewards? I’ve been poor as dirt forever!” Mathew exclaimed, turning to glare at Unyielding Declaration.

Frustratingly, the god simply stared at him without emotion or expression, as if he were a parent watching a small child throw a tantrum. Mathew let out another huff of annoyance before crossing his arms and waiting for the deity to explain.

“This Aether is the fulfillment of our bond. With it, our initial contract is complete.”

“What was our contract?” Mathew asked in confusion. He didn’t recall anything being said about a contract when he agreed to become an Apostle.

“You would purchase your life for a set amount of Aether. This amount.” Unyielding Declaration gestured toward the crystal filled to the brim with Aether.

“This is what my life was worth?” Mathew asked, shocked at the requirement. There would have to have been more Aether inside that crystal than Mathew had ever seen before. Even the mountain of crystallized Aether would not compare to it.

“Considerably less so. But you were not in a position to complain.” Unyielding Declaration replied. Mathew let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. If it were anyone else, Mathew would have thought the deity was making a joke.

“With this Aether, our contract is complete, and you may have your freedom from my service once more. Or, you may stay my Apostle, and we can forge a new pact, one consisting of proper ‘give’ and ‘take.’” Unyielding Declaration suggested.

Mathew paused at the words. He would have jumped at the chance in the past; his hatred of the gods and their Apostles had made him distrustful and eager for his freedom. But Unyielding Declaration hadn’t mistreated him, aside from taking all of his Aether.

But the god had saved his life, so losing Aether in return wasn’t that bad when he thought about it.

Mathew’s thoughts churned as he considered Unyielding Declaration’s offer. The cool blue light of the crystal pulsed softly behind the god, casting flickering shadows across the ground. Memories of the years spent as an Apostle flickered in his mind.

“Why me? Why do you want me to stay as your Apostle? You’ve already taken what you need of me.” Mathew asked.

Unyielding Declaration’s void-like eyes pierced deeply into Mathew’s. They were so alien, so foreign to him. He kept having to remind himself that, despite the Celestials having helped him in the past, he knew very little about them.

“The gods of the Tower require an Apostle. If I am to join their ranks, so do I. An Apostle is a god’s eyes and ears, their hands and voice in the mortal realm. They carry the will of their deity, acting as both a champion and a conduit for their power.”

“As for why I have chosen you, there are several reasons. I have already gained access to several worlds through your efforts, granting me a source of Aether. You are a trusted commodity, a known variable.”

“How sentimental.” Mathew muttered in response.

“Finally, there is your resilience. I believe that with you as my Apostle, I will be able to successfully Ascend. I also believe that if you were to remain my Apostle, you will have the means to reach the top of the Tower.”

Mathew let out a breath of air as he took a moment to think.

“I…need some time to think about it.” Mathew replied. Unyielding Declaration nodded and turned back to the Crystal.

“Very well. As you do so, perhaps you would like to see the ‘fruits of your labours.’” Unyielding Declaration said, raising his hands toward the crystal.

“You will bear witness to the long-awaited return of the Celestials.”