Chance to Speak

"Now, may I ask about this Deepa...?”

Ace finished his story once again, and Mr. Legot wanted to extract as much info as possible about this “god” that Ace referred to. He removed his hand from Helen’s torso to focus his attention on this mysterious figure that he never even knew existed. This “person” has the power to give away buffs, transport people, contact people from wherever he is, and it seems like he must be able to do more. How Firut Legot never knew about such a person shocked him, and he wanted to know more.

“Oh, sure... what do you want to know?”

Ace just finished convincing Mr. Legot that he truly was not lying, so he was still a little on edge about if Mr. Legot really believed him. He trusted his proof and continued, letting the old man satisfy his curiosity.

“Hmm... let’s start with just basic information and go over stuff you already said. I would like to remember everything about this person.”

Ace wanted questions that were a little more specific, so he thought to himself for about two seconds, before being interrupted by Mr. Legot, who recognized Ace’s issue.

“Sorry, I’ll try again. We’ll start off really basic. His name is Deepa, correct?”

“Correct.”

A quick answer to an easy question. Mr. Legot went for round two.

“Do you know anything about his race, gender, physical appearance? Anything like that?”

One... no, the only defining trait that Ace knew filled his mind. He did not hesitate in sharing that trait, which he already shared during his story earlier.

“Only his voice, like I said earlier. He sounds like a little boy, that’s it. He hasn’t physically come into contact with me.”

“I see... okay, thank you. Next, what about his personality? Goals, morals, values, anything like that?”

This question was a little more in-depth, so Ace’s fingers brought themselves to his chin to think of the boy that he despised. He had answers for the questions, but at the same time, his goals were hard to answer, so Ace chose the ones that he knew for sure.

“Hmm... goals? I told you about how he was a god, but I don’t exactly know what he’s the god of... the one thing I know for sure is that he wants me to get rid of the ‘enemy of the kingdom’. Aliza told me that the enemy is the head of the knights of Zineen.”

Ace knew that to be Deepa’s goal for sure, but a lot of his actions were contradictory. He made sure to express that with his new partner.

“I know that to be his goal for sure, but... he acts a little weird. For example, he summons me here, gives me powers like my future-telling dreams, but does little explaining. I ask him stuff like what specifically my dreams can do or when they activate and he tells me to act off whatever I see and take them as random. I also asked him if he could keep sending me items like the dagger he gave me, but he says it wouldn’t be ‘fair’...”

Ace’s frustrations built just looking back on Deepa and his actions that made no sense to him at all. He took a second to sigh and continue with his response, although it was more him venting his anger.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me. He sends me here then refuses to help me. That’s what I mean as weird, but I guess that can also tie into his own values. I don’t know the viewpoint of a god.”

Mr. Legot listened and received everything, not wanting to miss anything about this figure that sparked his interest so highly. His hand also brought itself to the lower part of his face to brush along his pointy beard and respond to Ace.

“I see, that is unnatural... He would like you to fight this ‘enemy’ but refuses to support you, although he helped you once already. I guess the equipment you received was just given as a one-time thing because you had no knowledge or experience.”

The old man was trying to come to conclusions about this “god’s” actions, but it still felt weird for both people discussing.

“Yeah, but for the dreams, what’s the point of giving me the power but not explaining it? It’s just super dumb to me.”

Sitting silent until now, Aliza started to speak up, wanting to join the conversation and share her ideas. She raised a hand before speaking, thinking it was rude to just interrupt the conversation she had not joined in until this point.

“Uhm, what if he has some restrictions? I don’t know about the dreams, but what if he has a limit on how much he can make or how much he knows?”

Mr. Legot and Ace turned to face her, then considered that possibility, wondering if that was really the reason behind “his” actions. As he thought, Ace wondered if Deepa was listening right now, and what his face looked like, which pissed Ace off.

“Sorry, was my prediction that off?”

“No, no, my bad. I was just thinking of his annoying kiddish voice.”

Aliza caught the change in Ace’s facial expressions, immediately regretting sharing her thoughts, knowing this was a sensitive topic for Ace. Ace shot down the conclusions she came to though because his discomfort was directed at something else.

“That can be the reason, but it’s still weird. He can give me boosts and powers but has trouble providing me info on the enemy or more items. If he did have limitations, items don’t seem like the thing that he would have them on. Oh, he did tell me about limitations though!”

Hearing himself say boosts reminded Ace of one of his previous conversations with Deepa. He voiced his thoughts with the group, laying things that he did not want to say into the open.

“He told me about limitations with the boosts. He said he had a limit on how many boosts he could give to me and people I work with. He gave me a boost, I asked him to give Aliza a boost, and he said he had enough power to give someone else a boost.”

Ace glanced over at Mr. Legot and lowered his head before continuing, wanting to explain himself about the leftover boost.

“Sorry, Mr. Legot. I know I can give one more boost, but considering your age and fighting ability, I decided to hold onto it.”

Ace wanted a response before he continued and was given one directly after his head was lowered in apology.

“Hoho, don’t worry about that. I’m an old man, don’t waste something like that on me.”

“Thank you... and sorry. Moving on, that means there’s a limit on these boosts he can give out. That’s all I know of so far though.”

The two others thought to themselves about what this could mean, knowing Deepa’s actions were unnatural. Aliza was the first to speak, wanting to give different reasons behind Deepa’s actions.

“There could be a limit, but also, what if he’s just limiting himself? Like he has morals like not giving too much away so you don’t become too strong. Just like telling you about your dreams, he’s holding himself back, that sort of thing?”

“Hmm, that may be it, but his wording seems a bit different. Wouldn’t he just say that he doesn’t want to give anymore, or it’s against his way of life or something like that?”

Ace thought back once again, remembering that Deepa specifically said words that hinted towards his power being limited. It struck him as peculiar, but he didn’t think Deepa was lying. Even if he was, Ace had no way to confirm it.

“I don’t know... I don’t think he would lie about it. He’s confident, so if he gave himself a limit, he would brag about it and say stuff like, “nope~ not giving you anymore~”.”

Ace mimicked the god as best he could, but regretted it immediately after, thinking he sounded cringey. His regret diminished seeing Aliza let out a small giggle next to him, but he made a note not to do that again.

“Oh, so that’s what he’s like... It’s hard to come to conclusions I’m confident in without talking to him...”

Aliza dropped her head and brought her hand to her face, trying to think of different reasons behind Deepa’s actions. Her head quickly raised after, hearing a reassuring voice speak up.

“Don’t worry too much about it. I’m the one who brought up the question, don’t beat yourself up too much about figuring it out.”

Seeing the look of slight agitation painted across her face, Mr. Legot did not hesitate in making sure to reassure her that it was okay. The old man always thought that her blue hair had a beautiful strength to it, so he did not want to see it lowered for something he caused.

Aliza glanced up and smiled, giving an “I’m okay” to Mr. Legot’s words. As they spoke, Ace had his eyes closed, wanting to check something for himself.

357 Days

12:07 AM

Level

Map

Support

Skills

Hearing Aliza talking about wanting to speak to Deepa, Ace opened his menu to bring forth the opportunity. He knew it was only two minutes, but a lot could be said in those two minutes.

“We can talk to him.”

Seeing the white “12:07 AM” painted in his black mind, Ace recognized it was a new day, meaning he could speak once again to the god in his head. Aliza and Mr. Legot turned to face Ace, also recognizing what he meant.

“It will only be two minutes though...”

The two in front of him already knew, but Ace needed to replant it into their heads to make sure they knew just how short the conversation really was.

“You two can take turns asking questions in those two minutes. I already know he can hear you, he’s heard Aliza before, so no worries there also.”

“No, I’ll let Mr. Legot ask what he wants today. He asked about Deepa, so he should be given the two minutes today.”

His curiosity still at 100%, Mr. Legot gave a nod, accepting the generous proposal that the teenage girl was offering him. Ace also nodded, feeling that was a good idea. He could always save another day to give to Aliza to ask away if she really wanted.

“Okay, Mr. Legot, think a little before I call on him.”

“No, that will not be necessary. Two minutes is not much time, and I already have questions lined up. We can start right away.”

“Okay, when I say start, ask away. I’ll say his answers out loud to you.”

Ace closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then focused on the word “Support”, calling Deepa out from wherever he was located.

--Yoohoo~ Deepa is back with an early phone call from Ace~

--It will be my partner asking questions today, answer him.

Deepa knew their time was short, so he stayed silent and followed Ace’s orders. Ace took that as the queue to continue, giving Mr. Legot the signal.

“Start.”

The mouse’s whiskers twitched, and he slightly separated himself from Helen, focusing his all on his questions.

“How are you connected to the Altar of Newcomings?”

A term that Ace was unfamiliar with. He would ask later, but right now, Deepa’s answers took higher priority.

--Too long to answer here~ Nexxttt~

“Too long to answer here. Next?”

Mr. Legot toned his answers down to be more basic and fired his next question in less than a second.

“Are you the only god?”

--Yepp~

“Yes.”

A small nod from Mr. Legot to confirm he understood then the next question came.

“Have you ever touched foot on these grounds? If so, when and what race were you?”

--Hmm...~ Maybe 2000 thousand years ago? I can’t remember how old I am~ I don’t want to answer the other question, sorry~

“Maybe 2000 thousand years ago, he can’t remember how old he is. He does not want to answer the other question.”

Mr. Legot’s brow tilted in confusion, then a hint of hesitation brought itself forward, unlike the other questions. It seemed like he came up with a new question on the spot.

“Were you born a god, or did you convert somehow?”

--My personality has always been that of a god’s, hehe~ but my body, not so much~ I believe that answers the question~

“His personality has always been that of a god, but his body, not so much. He thinks that answers the question.”

The answer came to the old man naturally and he continued, talking quick and without messing up his words, knowing that time was slipping away.

“Can anyone become a god?”

Mr. Legot leaned forward unusually, his face drawing closer and seeming more interested than ever as he spoke. He leaned forward to the point of his hands touching the floor in front of him, but his head stayed high as he listened for the answer.

--Nope, not anyone~ Butttt, the Altar does provide some opportunities~ I won’t tell you too much though~

“Not anyone, but the altar provides some opportunities. He won’t tell you too much.”

The old man’s face went through small phases, from slight disappointment to lighting up, back to a smaller disappointment. He seemed satisfied though as if he heard an answer he wanted. Mr. Legot opened his mouth to speak once again but was cut off by Ace, informing him of his time being up.

“Sorry, times up.”

His face dropped, but his composure came back as he sat up and thanked Ace for the chance to speak to him.

“Thank you for giving me that opportunity.”

“Haha, it’s no problem.”

Seeing all the different faces Mr. Legot made during that discussion; Ace was the grateful one. He was focused on relaying Deepa’s words, but he still caught the bizarre faces that the old man made.

“Now, would we like to speak about this discussion?”

Mr. Legot suggested but was interrupted by a sound in the background that anybody could recognize. Ace glanced over, seeing blue sprawled across the ground and slight drool slipping from the gentle mouth of Ace’s partner, who has been with him since the day he has come to this world.

“Zzz...”

He wondered how she could sleep in a situation like this, but he thought it was such an Aliza thing to do, although he has not known her long.

“Haha, we’ll continue tomorrow. Let’s rest up for today.”

Mr. Legot wanted all three of them to be a part of this discussion, so a postpone was brought forward, which Ace accepted with a nod. Ace stood up to carry Aliza princess-style to the carriage and Mr. Legot laid on Helen, gradually falling asleep. Ace laid himself on the floor, thinking about the conversation with Deepa and closing his eyes, falling asleep to the sound of Helen’s snores.