Chapter 642 The Bitter Truth Compromise
Without warning, I was thrown back into the memory, locked in battle with the Queen of Darkness. My current memories were still intact, but I was no longer in control. I knew what was coming, but I also knew that outside of this dark memory, Xieus would still be alive, and I would not let anything ever happen to her again.
Rather than let this vision hurt me, I watched and observed the creature I was fighting. While I wasn't in control of my body, I could still try to learn something. Truth had finally shown his true colors, and I had to find a way to deal with him. The bitter truth of things was that no matter how strong I was, my power was gifted from him.
I was a puppet – a mere plaything in the cosmic quest for entertainment of a being outside of my reality. Was that not the same as Xieus? She had lived knowing this darkness only was using her until she could get free and take her body. While not the same, this Queen of Darkness was clearly nothing like Nemoria was, even at her worst. This creature was akin to Truth, and if that was the case, then there might be a chance.
Focusing back on the memory, my body was having a hard time keeping up with the damage, and it was clear I was coming to the climax. I knew that no matter how much I hated Truth, I didn't want to let this creature free, but I had to try something.
With every mental ounce that I could muster, I pushed against the memory and quested my mind out to the Queen. Time slowed as my body started to burn with astral power. This was the moment that Truth released my powers to finish her, but I wasn't ready for the memory to be over. As time slowed, space around us began to distort, and then I was sucked into a blackness that felt all-consuming.
"The cowardly child has come to my realm?! How very interesting!"
Suddenly, the universe burst into sight as I was pulled into it, but a massive being with a female frame dominated my view. Her body was made up of countless galaxies, with stars adorning her form like jewelry. The cosmic being glared at me with eyes brighter than supernovae.
"Who are you?" I called out to the being before me. But she merely sneered at me, her voice echoing across space.
"I am the unknown you've been seeking," she retorted. "I am chaos beyond your comprehension."
"I'm here to save Xieus, not to reckon with the unknown," I stated, staring into the void eyes of the cosmic entity. She laughed, a sound that echoed ominously and resonated.
"You know she is going to die by your hands now, and there is nothing you can do about it!" She laughed, sending ice through every vein in my body, but I resisted.
"You also know that this is not now, but only a memory of a time passed long ago! I know that you see all points in time just like Truth. You must know about what is happening right now!" I argued, but the massive being only crossed her arms and turned her nose up at me.
"What if I do? I care nothing for the unknown, unlike that coward you serve!" She spat without looking at me.
"I understand that, but are you really fine with being locked in here? What do you think will happen when I go back?" I asked and then held up three fingers. "Kadeon is either going to devour her, and you, or I am going to kill you," I said, dropping two fingers.
"Oh? And what is the last option? Be quick boy, or I will force you out!" She snapped, and I smiled deviously.
If I was going to be used by Truth, a being outside of reality, I might as well add another master to serve. My hope was that having whatever power this Queen of Darkness possessed paired with Truth's True Magic would make it hard for either to get the upper hand. Truth wouldn't let her run free, and she hated Truth, meaning she might be tempted to block his control. All of it was a gamble, but this was a desperate measure for desperate times.
"You and I can form a pact. A contract. Just like the one Truth forced on me. You want a chance to get loose and destroy things from time to time, I can let you, but there are rules," I explained, making the Queen of Darkness turn back to me with narrowed eyes.
"You would be so simple to think I would follow any rules?!" She demanded, and I shrugged.
"I mean, it's not like Truth would not love for a chance to revoke your hold on me, but I figure you wouldn't want to be so easily defeated by him. All I ask is that you don't kill my people. Destroy and blow up what you want, but the only person you are allowed to kill is Kadeon. Anything you do, I can just fix it. I really think this is the best deal you are going to get. It's not like you have people knocking at your door to make you offers, right?"
She stared at me, her nebulous eyes flickering like solar flares. Considering my words, her galaxies churned in contemplation.
"You are risky, Godling. You assume too many outcomes. Yet, you are right. Truth would never let me be, but I grow tired of being locked away ."
She shifted towards me, galaxies spinning in the vast darkness of her form as she loomed over me. "Very well, I accept your term, Godling. Let our pact become the chains that bind us. May we use each other equally."
And with that, an unholy energy surged between us, creating a tether of power I could feel in the very core of my being. The pact was formed. As I looked at the celestial figure before me, I couldn't help feeling a mixture of triumph and dread.
With a rush of force that seemed to rip reality apart, I was pulled back into the memory, into my past self's body. This time I was ready as astral powers linked the Queen to me. Time ground back to its normal speed, and I felt the connection to the Queen of Darkness seep into the back of my mind.
"My name is Akasha. Remember our deal, Godling."
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆webnovel