A proposal that could be taken in different ways!
As Noah began to speak about this, a billowing obsidian shadow came to cover this region and envelop the area they were in- making it seem like a dark sun had appeared in the skies as Roan and any other prying eyes would not be able to hear what happened next.
Silas seemed to take this situation seriously as he didn't wish for Roan or any others to glimpse at the possibilities that may bloom here, his stare maintaining his calmness as he nodded.
Two paths were laid out by the True Emperor of Quintessence as before he stated his proposal, he asked a question!
"Let me get this clear first. You came to assimilate the Lernaean Lineage into your folds due to Extremity Sanctification- mainly seeking the strength of its Apex Aeonic Lifeforms after the Initiation Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution ends, and to raise more powerful Shadowlings into your folds?"
His eyes held shocking sharpness as beside him, Hyperion and the other Reified Enders of Extremity gazed on coldly!
Opposite to Noah, Silas nodded slightly while waving his hands.
"The Lernaean Lineage and any other unaffiliated Lineages are the goals as the Cult of Endless Shadows planned a process of expansion and strengthening as we become an Aeonic Inheritance of Extremity. And the Lernaean Apex Aeonic Lifeforms would have been elevated by us to become extremely powerful after taking the Oath of Shadows, eventually participating in the Culmination Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution where Apex Aeonic Lifeforms stand a chance to achieve Extremity through Dissolution. This would be the rise of the Cult of Endless Shadows to fully establish itself as a Hegemony not just in the Haven of Penumbra, but across the Seven Havens!"
WAA!
The Initiation Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution, and then came the Culmination Step where Apex Aeonic Lifeforms reigned!
The ambition and power was pulsing gloriously within Silas' eyes as he spoke, Noah nodding before he replied while waving his hands to show ecstatic scenes of none other than the Abyssal Sanctimonious Lands.
"Whatever you've thought of me so far, you've exceedingly underestimated me by multiple factors."
…!
In the illusory scenes beginning to bloom, the figures of dazzling Reified Sources of Extremity could be seen facing against Phos and the Scions of Aeonic Inheritances of Extremity, as well as the stellar and radiant visage of the Quintessential Emperor of Extremity going towards the First Extremity Panacea!
"My other bodies are at this very moment facing off against Scions of Aeonic Inheritances of Extremity, and I am among those at the forefront in this Initiation Step of the Extremity Vein Dissolution. Dozens of Consummate Boundaries are at my disposal as becoming an Apex Aeonic Lifeform is only a matter that will be taken care of in weeks if not less. And Extremity…will only be a matter of time for me."
WAA!
"For you all to be putting so much effort into achieving great success in the Culmination Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution in seeking Extremity, it tells me that the Armament of Extremity you all hold isn't an ultimate tool in transforming one into an unstoppable existence. My proposal to you if you truly want to succeed and attain Extremity in the coming Culmination Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution…is to leave the Lernaean Lineage and its domains to me."
…!
The shadow below Silas' feet rose as the dark sun they were in buzzed with arcs of grandeur!
"Oh, I can already see the gaze of doubt coming, but I'll continue regardless. You offered me a glimpse of Extremity? I, the True Emperor of Quintessence, Noah Osmont…do not only offer you a glimpse of it, but I can promise you Extremity within the Culmination Step of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution!"
BOOM!
The surrounding reality seethed as Silas didn't let his true thoughts of doubt rise, a smile rising on his lips as he replied.
"You can promise Extremity within the Culmination of the Extremity Vein of Dissolution? You can promise something that even Aeonic Inheritances of Extremity cannot guarantee? Even with the Armaments of Extremity, one gets a glimpse of it as it smoothes out their path and greatly increases the likelihood of those nearly there, but even it does not guarantee. Yet you can?"
From his golden throne, Noah shook his head with lamentation as he held his devilish smile while continuing.
"Yes, yes- I see the doubt I told you about beginning to rise. Me. Someone who hasn't even undergone Apexification promising an Apex Aeonic Lifeform the transcension to Extremity. Again, you can choose any of the two paths I presented before. You can shake your head and lament my words while thinking I'm crazy, or you can go against all odds onto another path. I'll even sweeten the proposal on my end and tell you that I can guarantee you Extremity in less than 100 years."
WAA!
The last sentence caused a smile to appear on Silas' calm face as he was forced to laugh.
A hundred years? Even with the glimpse of Extremity through the Armament of Extremity they held, the Cult of Endless Shadows had only managed to elevate a few of their most powerful Apex Aeonic Lifeforms that had lived for a great number of years and were at the cusp of Extremity- and even this took tens of thousands of years!
Yet Osmont could promise this in less than a hundred years?
When Silas thought up to here, his eyes released a blinding radiance as he seemed to have thought of something.
"Actually, it's very simple for us to settle this issue if you say things like this. How about this- since you hold such a grand promise, simply take not just an Oath of Shadows that the Lernaean Apex Aeonic Lifeforms would have taken soon- but take the Oath of Extremity under the stare of the Extremity Adjudicator of Dissolution. Should your end of the deal be kept in the next 100 years, you get what you want. If not, I get what I want."
…!
Silas' finger rose upwards as crackling shadows instantly seethed and tumbled nearby space!
100 years.
To Silas, this was an incredibly short period of time!
He had lived for billions of years as the passage of a century was akin to a blink of his eyes.
For him to settle things amicably with a Mutated Entity and further strengthen the Cult of Endless Shadows by bringing such a being into their folds? How could he not take such an easy deal!
The only way he would lose is if somehow, against all odds and working understanding of Reality, this being somehow achieved his words and ridiculously made Silas achieve Extremity in 100 years- and even then he wouldn't lose as he would only greatly gain. After all, this was Extremity!
But he knew it wouldn't be possible.
After all, he had to be the one to take the step to achieve Extremity. This being couldn't force it.
Silas…truly didn't see himself losing in any of the paths laid out.
Yet…he also knew this being before him wouldn't stupidly claim these things as he must have something he believed and relied on!
He looked towards him with examination as even after he mentioned the Oath of Extremity laid to be witnessed by another party, Osmont's very eyes and smile curved devilishly as if he had hooked a fish on a bait.
Silas scoffed inwardly as who could say just who was the fish that was about to fall into an inescapable hook?!
"I'll make it even sweeter for you while laying out my conditions. Not even 100 years- 10 Years. The period for this bet can be 10 years as you leave everything to do with the Lernaean Lineage to me. I get to see the Armament of Extremity within the next few days. In the Initiation Step, I will help your Shadowlings of the Cult of Endless Shadows attain their Extremity Panaceas as in the Culmination Step…I will aid you in achieving Extremity within the next 10 years. Should I not achieve any of these, you get everything back and I shall take the Oath of Shadows to be part of the Cult of Endless Shadows. Should I achieve what I say I will…you shall pledge Fealty and bind yourself to follow me for as long as your soul still thrives!"
BOOM!
The conditions were laid outright.
Silas' eyes became even sharper as his smile became even wider when he heard this being go from 100 years to 10 years!
Within 10 years, the Initiation Step may not even be completed!
For this being to achieve what he said…it seemed impossible on all accounts as Silas couldn't not take such a sweet deal.
As the Grand Primeval Elder holding authority in the Aeonic Haven of Dissolution for this matter, he could make this choice and bear the consequences easily for 1,000 years- much less 100 or 10 years.
The two beings stared at each other as both smiled devilishly with their own thoughts.
Both of their eyes showed a grand light of victory as…who was to say which one would be successful in the end?!
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