Daily Short: Matt 07

Matt examined one of his masterpieces, ensuring no flaws or problems. The Dark System was running smoothly, drawing mana from the set of dimensions allocated to it for energy purposes. The result was a smooth duplicate of the System Creator’s original template. The structure was stolen, of course, from a particularly thrilling past adventure. His personal creation was pared to the bare minimum, providing only one thing in excess.

Power.

While other Systems might have invaders from the Deeps, Matt did not. Any errant species stupid enough to invade his territory merely provided another reality marble to add to his collection. Finishing the check, he shifted his attention to the Prime World.

The usual battle lines were still drawn and inked in the blood of generations. This world’s Pantheon of Light had banded together in desperation to hold him at bay. Current estimates placed their resistance lasting for a few tens of millennia longer at the most.

The problem with such estimates, though, is they depend on everyone being united. Matt thought as he moved his attention through the aether to focus on a singular Divine. Let us see if another entreaty might lure her away.

Matt stepped through the shadows to appear behind the Divine known as Galad. As he emerged, spears of pure light mana were already striking at his form. Shadows were banished as a powerful flux of light mana drove them into recession. He ignored the light mana, letting it harmlessly strike his body.

There was a flicker of surprise on the female Divine as his body drank every attack like sand in an arid desert. Even when Galad used divine power mixed with the light mana, Matt’s expression didn’t flicker. He waited patiently, sealing the building against intrusion as the younger entity exhausted herself.

It is a pity that I will be forced to eat her if she disagrees. Matt thought idly as the Divine finally stopped attacking. I can’t have anyone else in the Pantheon learning how weak they are. It would make them attempt to call for outside assistance, which always gets messy.

“Are you done?” Mat said his clothing shifted into an urban suit of pure darkness highlighted by a bright yellow runic tie. To complete the look, he also had a pocket square of the same pattern and cufflinks of burnished gold.

“Filthy invader!” Galad said as her cold expression looked down on him even though she was a head shorter. “No matter what tricks you attempt, you’ll never defeat us all!”

Matt sighed, pulling a throne of shadow into existence even as the divine light still shone upon his form. Sitting down calmly before crossing his legs, he said, “Galad the game is coming to an end. I’ve allowed the existence of the Pantheon to provide targets for my stronger servants. It was an amusing pastime that provided a slight amount of entertainment.”

Galad shuddered where she stood at the uncaring vitriol in his voice. Matt continued with a short pause and a softer tone, “The paradigm has changed now, though. I have moved those from my homeland to here. As such, I can no longer countenance a threat like a separate Pantheon not under my complete control."

Galad looked in horror as Darkness crept out from behind Matt’s sitting form. There should be no such possibility here in the divine light of her abilities. He understood completely why she was so terrified. It was like someone telling you the boogeyman didn’t need you to believe in him.

Because he could kill you anyways on a whim.

“W-What do you w-want?” Galad asked, her voice growing fainter as the Darkness spread from Matt like ink dying pure water.

“Everything, of course,” Matt said as his Darkness picked up speed until the previous situation was reversed. Now, the Divine stood alone in the dark, her form no longer blazing but merely glowing.

“Even if I fall, the others will avenge me.” Galadsaid as her glow continued to dim.

“No, they won’t. I won’t let them.” Matt said casually, waving a hand to stop the encroaching Darkness.

“W-Why is it so c-cold?” Galad said, shivering, showing how utterly foreign the sensation was to her.

“It is cold because you are not one of mine,” Matt said as his eyes started to glow crimson red. “Listen, little Glowbug. I’ll only say this once.”

Galad turned her full attention onto Matt sensing these words might be the last she’d ever hear.

“Join me. Abandon the pathetic Pantheon that can’t even rescue you. Take the name Igawgalad that I bestow, and you will live.” Matt said as he increased the cold to the point where frost started forming on the weakened Divinity.

“S-Safety for my k-kin!” Galad said, her voice barely coherent.

Matt paused for a long moment staring at the Divine.

I could break her here, now, completely. Matt thought, looking at the younger creature desperately trying to stay awake. After a lengthy pause, Matt said, “Agreed. I will banish your kin elsewhere but will not kill them.”

Galad collapsed towards the floor, but it was the work of a moment to twist space and place her on his lap. Matt grinned in the Darkness as the shouts and screams of an entire Pantheon started to break his shielding.

He raised his fingers and snapped them, expanding the Darkness outward, engulfing the entire Prime World. A flip of his hand banished the Pantheon of Light that had made their home here to parts unknown. They weren’t his concern now and likely never would be again.

Matt placed an index finger on Galad, forcing a Shard into her form. He wouldn’t have time to monitor Jennifer constantly. It was better that she had a sister to assist her in growing. The newly created Igawgalad would do nicely for that end.