God's Eye Chapter 3!!! :)

CHAPTER 3

Remy did indeed. Without preamble he asked, “What is a Being of Power and why do you think I’m one?”

She nodded again, expecting the question, “Let me say first, you are no longer human. Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that you are no longer only human. You have been altered to occupy a higher State of Being. At the moment of your death on your home planet, your spirit was captured. After that, I do not know all that occurred, but I do know you have been implanted with a Seed of Power. This can trigger any number of possible evolutions, but it has turned you into a god.”

Going to put a pin in that, he thought. Let’s stay on topic. “What happened to my body?” Remy asked.

“Left to rot, I would assume,” Sariel said offhandedly. This matter was obviously of no consequence insofar as she was concerned.

She might have been able to brush it off, but that simple statement made Remy’s head spin. Part of him had still been thinking that maybe this was some sort of strange firing of synapses at the moment of his death. That this was just a time-dilated dream.

No.

He’d actually died, and his body had been eaten by the cats. He took a deep breath, then shrugged. He’d never understood the point of worrying. I died, but now I’m alive again, sort of. Might as well embrace my new reality. So he asked another question, “Who brought me here then? Who ‘altered’ me to a ‘higher state of being’?”

“Do you not remember?” she asked carefully.

Remy furrowed his brows. Had there been a giant face? A giant- Even that wisp of memory faded away. “No,” he replied, shaking his head. He knew that something had happened after he’d died and before he’d come here, but he couldn’t recall it now for the life of him.

“Then you are not meant to have that knowledge,” she told him definitively, a firm look on her aquamarine face. “Suffice it to say that you have been given another chance at life. Most importantly, you have been provided this opportunity with your consciousness intact.

“The souls of humans are only quasi-eternal. If you had not ascended, your spirit would have continued on in some fashion after your death on Earth. The specifics of ‘who’ you are, however, would have been lost. It is rare, especially on a mana-void world such as yours, to maintain your consciousness after death. The power that sent you here must have taken special care to preserve your personality.”

Sariel looked at him pointedly, until Remy responded, “So I should be grateful to whoever brought me here?” Before she could answer he continued, “I have learned not to put my faith in hidden organizations.” She started to frown, but then he added, “I have also learned to trust my instincts, however. No matter what group is behind my resurrection or whatever it is, I am grateful for your help, Sariel.”

The Ethereal’s face softened. She considered her words before speaking, “The unique powers and sensitivities of my race make us ideal for facilitating encounters such as this. I will not discuss such matters in detail, but I will share that I have met countless beings from millions of worlds. Few would be able to suffer the extreme trauma that death can inflict and still have the inner strength to remain true to who they are. Most beg, threaten or simply become unresponsive, unable to process their new reality.” She paused, gazing at him intently, “Seeing your strength, I can understand why you were chosen.”

Your ability to   bravely face the truth of your life after death has distinguished you from   the masses. This has once again   increased your relationship with Sariel. You have gained +450 Relationship Points.

Total Relationship Points with   Sariel: +750

Congratulations! Your relationship with Sariel  has improved from Pleased (+250) to Kind (+500). “It is my pleasure to help you!”

Remy was somewhat taken aback. He hadn’t been trying to sway her one way or another. It was especially strange because he knew that his emotions were being artificially suppressed. Was this a coincidence, or could the beings that sent him here possibly have foreseen this?

He was about to say something, but she suddenly waved her hand. A series of glyphs appeared in the air. They looked like a mix between Chinese characters and the digital numbers that appeared on calculators. After a moment, she waved her hand again and they disappeared.

“We do not have much more time,” she told him. “From what I understand, the majority of the people of your planet believe in one omnipotent and omniscient being that created the Universe. You call this being God. Though you have ascended to a higher State of Being and have evolved, you are nowhere near that state of existence. You are the lowest evolution of a godlike being, A Spirit Made Flesh.”

He nodded for her to go on.

“All gods have a nonphysical organ called a Divine Core. It will give you great power, but will not keep you safe, especially on this new world. Unlike Earth, Telos is not mana void.”

“Mana?” he asked. “You mean magic?”

The Ethereal heard the confusion in his voice. She stopped speaking for a moment, searching for the right words to explain it in a way that he could understand. “On your world you understand the concepts of magnetism and electricity, correct?”

After he nodded, she continued, “As a loose analogy, there exists a similar relationship between mana and magic. Magnetic fields, properly manipulated, can be used to generate electricity. Mana is similarly a natural phenomenon. Through various processes, it can be converted into magic. The reason no one on your world had been able to cast spells before the Labyrinth connected to it was not because they lacked ability, but because the mana levels of your world were so low that their bodies couldn’t use magic. Do you understand?”

Remy nodded slowly.

“The more mana a being can safely absorb, the stronger they become. They can increase in levels, gaining attribute and other points. They can increase in rank, something akin to what you call evolution. They can even increase in tiers, completely strengthening their State of Being.”

Seeing his confused expression, she spoke in an assuring voice, “This will all become clear. For now, what you need to know is that Telos has recently connected to the Labyrinth. Which means-”

“Which mean,” Remy interrupted grimly, remembering Earth, “there will be monsters.”

“And they will become stronger as time goes on and more mana flows from the Labyrinth into Telos. If you do not grow your strength as well, you will be consumed.”

The gravity of that moment dragged out for long seconds before Remy asked, “Why did you call Earth a ‘mana void’?”

Sariel coughed delicately, “There actually isn’t a true classification for planets such as yours. Mana void is a commonly used term. They are also called ‘Nulls’ or,” she couged again, “sad deserts. They all refer to areas that are so starved of mana that creatures within them have their growth and development stunted.”

“I was ‘stunted.’” Remy repeated slowly.

“Not just you,” Sariel chimed in quickly. From her tone, you could tell she was trying to help, albeit failing miserably, “Your whole race and every living thing on your planet. In fact, even the rocks and minerals of your planet were mana retarded.”

“Hmmm. Mhm. Mhmm.” Remy made a few neutral noises while nodding too fast and processing her words. Sariel had basically just said that the entire Earth was so lacking in mana that they had all grown up bowlegged and nearsighted.

Seeing his distraught expression, Sariel tried to cheer him up again, “You should actually be quite proud. Mana-retarded environments typically do not allow beings to advance to your level of civilization. The low energy nearly always leads to a lack of connection to the environments such beings dwell in. That in turn leads to what is typically viewed as a deviant and self-destructive behavior. That trait can make the denizens of such environments turn on their own families, let alone society at large. The few civilizations that do manage to survive and thrive in such atmospheres are classically so wantonly cruel and vicious that they are viewed as an infectious threat to other civilizations. As such, they are typically quarantined and sterilized.”

Remy blinked, trying to process what she’d just said.

“You, however, seem very nice and respectful,” she concluded with a bright smile. “If you are in any way representative of humans on your planet, then it seems your people beat the odds and survived without turning horribly cruel!”

Remy stared at her incredulously. The accurate and woefully predictive description she had for human history notwithstanding, he wasn’t about to admit that he was indeed from a society that fit her description. No matter how he felt about Earth, he certainly wasn’t about to tell a cosmic being that his former home should be “quarantined.” Sariel continued.

“Just as on Earth, your new world will change quickly now that it has been connected to the Labyrinth. Connecting always causes an influx of mana. Monsters and beasts native to the world will rapidly absorb it. Their levels and ranks will increase. The connection will also always cause cracks in the skin of reality, allowing monsters foreign to the world to force their way in. Given enough time, even higher tiered beings will appear. Your path will indeed be fraught with danger, but,” she said pointedly, raising one finger into the air, “all is not lost.”

“Unlike Earth, Telos is not a Null Planet. Though its mana levels have been low for millennia, it never fell to the depths of Earth. You, and the tribe you shall lead, will begin as Tier 0, Rank 0, Level 0 beings. The same shall be true of any enemies you encounter, and there shall be an even playing ground, at least at first. I have not told you all of this to discourage you, but to encourage you. You must solidify your position quickly and never stop pursuing your power.”

“And how do I get more power?”

“I cannot tell you specifically, but you must never forget: a god is always tied to his followers. You must advance not only your own power, but that of your people. It will be a balancing act, to increase both their power and your own. For even if you master whatever lands you settle in, if you remain a Tier 0 god, any Tier 2 or 3 being could render everything you hold dear to ash with just a snap of their fingers.”

Fighting on Earth had left a deep impression on Remy. He knew full well the hopelessness of struggling against a strong monster.

“Would I really be that helpless against a higher tiered monster?”

“There are no absolutes,” Sariel told him with a smile. “It’s the application of power that matters.”

“That’s something I can understand,” Remy said with a nod. “Of course, applying power requires a certain amount of intelligence and common sense, two things that I’ve never been able to take for granted in others. I’ve often wondered how humanity didn’t die out early. It seems like people have at best a fifty-fifty chance to make a smart decision.”

“Forty-two,” Sariel corrected definitively.

“What?”

“Forty-two,” she repeated. “Sapient beings only have a forty-two percent chance of making the right choice at any given moment. That particular question has been definitively answered.”

“Bu-. Bu-,” Remy tried to speak several times, but his mind was imploding with connections. “Are you saying…”

“We don’t have much more time. Heed my warning and increase your power quickly. You have leveled on Earth, so you understand the concept. You must not ignore your cultivation, however. This is how you progress your tier. Your first steps on that journey are called the Rainbow Path. It will require a great deal of time, but it must be done.”

“How long?” he asked.

“It could take a year or more to progress to the first tier.”

“I thought I was supposed to get strong as fast as possible. A year doesn’t sound fast. Isn’t there a better way?”

Sariel developed a coy smile, “It is good that you asked. I have always thought that those who do not seek the light of knowledge are doomed to die in the darkness of ignorance.” Her voice carried the hint of ritual, “As the worthy seek knowledge, so shall it be shared. There is indeed a faster way. On the very first day of claiming your first altar, a one-time price can be paid to take the first step on the Rainbow Path.”

After she finished speaking a prompt appeared.

You have been provided extra   knowledge due to having reached Relationship Rank 2, Kind, with Sariel.

You have unlocked Secret Knowledge: A god who can inspire dedicated belief within a tenday of   his arrival on Telos need only speak the words, “The worthy shall know,” to   take the first step down the Rainbow Path.

Relationship status for the win again. He was happy it was continuing to pay off, but he didn’t really understand it. Asking for clarification just earned him a mysterious smile. Changing tacks, he asked, “Are there any other shortcuts I should know about?”

She actually laughed this time, “I am positive that there are many ‘shortcuts,’ as you put it.” Her mocking gaze made it clear she wouldn’t be offering up information that easily, however, especially not after already giving him a leg up.

Remy shrugged unashamedly. Like his daddy said when he turned twelve, ‘Later in life you never remembered the times you looked foolish, but you always remembered the pussy you let get away.’ Put another way, shoot your shot and don’t get worked up if you got a ‘No.’

She waved her hand and the ubiquitous soft light in the room darkened. Between them the image of a solar system appeared. It was a yellow sun, and only one planet circled it. Except for the strange configuration of the continents, and the off-color blue of the water, it looked a great deal like Earth. White clouds floated lazily across the blue and green marble.

At first Remy thought there were countless moons circling it, but then he realized that what he was seeing looked more like motes of light. Also, while the planet was circling the sun and clouds were flowing across its surface, the motes remained in fixed points relative to the planet, like they were satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

“What are these?” Remy asked.

“These are connection points to the Lattice.” Sariel waved her hand again, and Remy’s breath caught, looking at the beauty of what she had just revealed.

A glistening, crystal-like web appeared around the solar system. It wasn’t flat, but instead radiated out in all directions. At each of the connections points of the web hung another solar system. In each, there might have been one planet or many, but one or more of the spheres in each system had the same glistening motes of light that he’d seen on Telos. Motes that he now knew were the ends of the strands that connected each world to the next.

Remy started trying to trace the connections, but Sariel waved her hand once more. The cosmic projection disappeared and the light in the room raised to previous levels, “You are not allowed to know the specifics of the Lattice. You may be told however, that the worlds of the Lattice are as varied as your dreams and nightmares. You may be told that each will pose different challenges, that they all possess untold power.” She looked at him meaningfully in a way he had come to know meant there was more to say about that topic. Sariel even cocked her head and looked at him from the corner of her eye. The message was simple: Get on with it, guy!

“Oh, right. Um, is there anything else I should know about these challenges, or, um, the Lattice?”

Sariel rolled her large beautiful blue eyes at that weak-ass attempt to learn more, but still responded with the formulaic response, “As the worthy seek knowledge, so shall it be shared. The solutions to problems on a specific world of the Lattice may not be found on that world. Do not be afraid to explore. Whoever controls the Lattice would be able to wield great and horrible power. They might just have the ability to decide the fate of us all.” Her words were almost apocalyptic in gravity. The two of them shared eye contact for several intense moments. The serious vibe quickly fled when she added, “You’re lucky I like you.”

You have been provided extra   knowledge due to having reached Relationship Rank 2, Kind, with Sariel.

The Lattice is the home of powerful beings, magics and items. If you wish to survive and prosper as a god, you will need to enter this realm and garner power as quickly as you can. I assure you other gods, demons and even more exotic beings of power will be doing the same. If you do not move quickly, you will not be able to match their power.”

Why was this sounding more and more like he was about to be in a battle royale… with gods and demons? Remy asked the logical question, “How do I get into the Lattice?”

“That will be made clear in time,” she responded cryptically. The Ethereal had been fairly forthcoming on other topics, so Remy was fairly sure her answer had been purposeful. Trying to gain more information on this particular point would be a waste of time.

Sariel was going to speak again, but the light in their nondescript room increased momentarily before shifting back to normal. It only happened once, but it was enough to trigger the next phase of Remy’s life. The Ethereal looked around, “The time of Choosing is almost here. Our time is coming to an end.”

The Ethereal held up one graceful blue hand like she was holding a platter. She spoke a word of power and a ring of mystic symbols encircled her fingers. In the blink of an eye, a black lacquered chest appeared on her upturned hand. It looked heavy, about the size of a large suitcase, but she bore the burden with ease. Dark grey swirls appeared and disappeared on its surface while Remy watched.

“Each new god and being of power will be sent to Telos with nothing more than a set of clothes appropriate to their new form. That has been decreed and decided by the cosmic forces. Some fortunate gods, however, have been...,” she stopped, looking for the right word, “sponsored.  Sponsors provide extra information and benefits. You have a sponsor and they have made two arrangements to help you. The first of which is the time we have spent together.” A wry smile grew on her face, “I hope you have found it useful.”

“The second,” she continued, “are the contents of this chest.”

Remy accepted it from her. The swirling box was slightly warm to the touch. It also felt like it weighed over a hundred pounds. He looked at Sariel’s deceptively frail form and realized just how much power it must contain if she had held the chest so casually with one hand. He was obviously curious about what was inside, but there was another answer he wanted more, “Who is my sponsor?”

Sariel paused as if she was listening to something he couldn’t hear, “I am not allowed to share that information if you do not already have such knowledge.”

“Why not?”

“Like every being in existence, no matter how powerful, I have laws I must abide by, and I would suffer consequences if I were to break those rules.” She smiled wryly, “I like you, but not that much, young immortal.”

You have been denied extra knowledge due to your   relationship with Sariel being of insufficient level.

Remy realized he had stumbled onto a semi-taboo subject. For a moment, he considered trying to increase his relationship with Sariel. The only problem was there wasn’t much time left. The Ethereal did give him some information without any further prompting.

“What you can know is that a great price was paid to furnish you with the contents of this chest. Even paying for my time was a small price in comparison.”

“How great a price?” he asked.

“You cannot measure such things in terms of currency. The best way for you to understand is that the energy sacrificed to provide these items would, at a minimum, be enough to destroy a sun. Whatever the contents are, I suggest you pay close attention to them, but nothing please remember that nothing material can be taken with you into Telos. If you are found attempting to do so, the consequences will be severe.”

Remy looked at her nonplussed. What exactly did “severe” mean? He probably didn’t want to find out. It couldn’t be great if he was dealing with beings that could destroy a damn sun. Before he could formulate a response, she stood up.

“Part of the arrangements made by your patron were that you be provided privacy while opening the chest. I will return prior to the Choosing.”

He stood as well, struggling a bit with the heavy weight of the chest. Setting it on the chair, he extended a hand. He spoke simply but with sincerity, “I don’t know a lot about what’s happening here, but I’ve been given another chance at life. Thank you for helping to make the transition easier, Sariel. I appreciate it.”

She smiled at him fondly. Hesitating for just a bit, she finally asked a question. “This new world will let you be whomever you choose to be. You can be a savior, a killer, a thief, or an emperor. What are you going to do in your new world?”

Remy looked at her, not sure how to respond. His entire past life had been a struggle between wanting to save the world and needing to indulge the anger inside him. It was why he’d done such terrible things in the name of the “greater good” and why he tried to save lives afterward. He’d always sought a balance he’d never obtained.

Sariel saw his struggle to answer and let it go. With a final smile, her body became insubstantial until she faded from view completely. Forgetting her question, he found himself smiling as well.

Lady knows how to make an exit.

Remy turned his attention back to the chest. Placing his hand on the lid, the random swirls of grey energy solidified into three distinct letters: “SGS.” Remy paused, his heart beating a bit faster. That message was one that had literally been beaten into him from an early age. Nodding, he pushed forward regardless of the warning he’d just received.

Opening the chest, there were five items inside sitting on a bed of velvet fabric. The first was a simple drawing. It was scrawled on run-of-the-mill printing paper and drawn in simple black ink. It looked like a starscape with three moons in the sky. Clouds occluded part of the view. In the center of the three moons an orange comet had been drawn.

The viewpoint was of someone might staring up at the night sky. Underneath was a simple word: “Jump.” There were two more lines of text under that. The second said, “Yes, really!” Then a third line that said in all capital letters, “JUMP OR DIE, BITCH!”

Remy turned it over, but there was nothing else. He even summoned a light and held it against the glare, looking for a secret message. Nothing.

Hmmm.

Didn’t really seem ‘destroy a sun’ worthy. Just seemed weird. Remy looked at the paper closely, turning it over in his hands, but there was nothing on the other side. He couldn’t detect anything else about it. Even smelling it revealed nothing. He put the inane object to the side.

The second item was a sphere about the size of a tennis ball. It was made of a bright red metal, the color of a cardinal. The whole surface was covered in runes or some type of script. The engravings glowed a soft orange. Picking it up, a prompt appeared in his vision.

You   have found a Quest Orb

Another prompt came right after.  This time, the lettering looking as if it was handwritten.

PS – Sorry about the pain. Unavoidable side effect of smuggling this   quest to you.

Pain?

Before he could do anything else, the light from the script flared and another window appeared.  Right after, an ice pick stabbed his mind taint and almost made him black out. It took several seconds for the pain to pass, and until then he couldn’t even think about focusing on the prompt. When he did though, he read it twice, especially the threat at the end.

WTF!

*******************

What up wonderful Mist Villagers! 

I hope you're enjoying these early chapters lol

I plan on getting them to you every couple of days.  

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