Devil's Deal

     Siti, Andre, and I began our walk to the tower to resume our conversation with Curson. I told her of what had happened since I came here and she told me of the all-out chaos that had begun in the upper strata.

     Libero became rebellious due to our decisions to seek allies, rather than let him feed, so he’s gone off on his own and began absorbing territories relentlessly.

     Without Libero or I in the way, Siti has begun using biological weapons against anyone that confronts her and conquering the empty wastelands.

    But there was something that didn’t add up for me.

“Okay, but that doesn’t explain why Andre is acting that way?”

“Well he’s an ant! Ants rely on smell, so I am just letting off the smell of a queen! Well, I always am, but now I’m letting off the smell of an ant queen.”

“And Andre, you’re just...fine with that? Even though she’s clearly not an ant?”

“The queen is the queen! Even if it’s you, buddy, I’ll rip your head off if you speak ill of the queen!”

“Now, now Andre, he’s an important friend! No head-ripping! At least not him.”

“As you command, my queen!”

“Well, it works out. Siti is the food friend I mentioned before.”

“Food friend!? Steak and fruit friend!?!”

“I guess that would be me! Here you go, to my most loyal subject~”

     Siti grew a branch from her hands and various fruits and meats at the end of it. Andre, too excited to muster words, practically glued his mouth to that branch and ate everything that grew from it.

     We entered the tower with Siti in tow and ascended once again to the top floor where Curson awaited our return.

“So you have returned and brought the Green Plague with you.”

     Siti shifted closer to me, seemingly intimidated by the voice that shook our very cores. Though Andre stuck protective to her, leading to all of us being uncomfortably clustered together.

“Fear not, Disaster of Lust, one known as Siti, for I desire to make a deal with you.”

“W-what kind of deal?”

“You will help me infiltrate your home world, Catinas. I am searching for a relic that I believe to be in your world. You will lend me your body as a host, and you will aid in my search for this relic.”

“Mmmm, I don’t really like the idea of bringing you to my home, and I ESPECIALLY don’t like the idea of being a host. What’re you offering in return?”

“You seek entry to the Hidden Realm. I will aid in this effort.”

At this point I interjected, “Aid how?”

“You will give yourself to the Demon God of Faith and they will use you to open the path, as predicted. However, I will accompany you, along with a tool that should prove fatal to their bodies. From there, I will keep the passage open for you both to enter.”

“I thought you said they would notice if you were helping us?”

“They would, but I will conceal myself with a spell embedded within the container of the tool. They will not be able to see through it, and in their arrogance, they will not fear the tool that will be their undoing. But, a warning. If the Demon God of Betrayal is present, do not dare to lie. They will see through it and be on guard.”

“What makes you so certain that this tool of yours will work?”

     Upon that question, a chill ran up my spine and my body felt cold. Down from the ceiling, a pitch-black orb descended wrapped in glowing symbols that revolved around it. I could feel Siti trembling against my body, and though I didn’t know what it was, I instinctively knew that touching it would be immediate death.

“A fragment of the Law of Destruction, severed by the hero of Catinas. There is nothing in all the Realms that may guard against it. It is only the mercy of the Creator that protects all Realms from its influence.”

“I see, so you’ll hide this thing with me, and conceal yourself with it. I wouldn’t ask how, I’m sure you can. But there’s something I want to ask: What happens afterward? Will it kill them permanently, or will they just reform in their territories and continue pulling from the Realms until they get lucky again?”

“They will reform, they will begin again.”

“So there’s still no permanent solution, just a delay.”

     I clenched my fists and looked down. Was there any point to returning to Earth if it meant I was just delaying the problem? Sure, Siti and I could go together, but how long would it be before someone else had to go through this?

“There is a solution.”

My gaze shot back up to Curson.

“Libero, Demon of Freedom, Grand Sin of Liberation. If he regains or surpasses his ancient power, he will be too great of a threat to the current Demon Gods for them to ignore.”

“The Goddess told me of his old power. Wouldn’t we just be trading one crisis for another? Wouldn’t that upset the balance that you wanted?”

“Conditions are different from the ancient times. Since Libero’s incursion, the Divine Realm has created a weapon that would not allow his invasion so easily. The Demon Gods are far stronger than those who stood against him in the past. The Great Realms have had time to grow and mature, giving rise to many champions who may defend them. I cannot predict what turmoil would be wrought or how well Libero can be stopped once he ascends once more, but if I can come into possession of the relic, I will find the solution.”

“That all sounds like a gamble. Are there no certain solutions?”

“None.”

     I looked down again, then over to Siti. It seemed like we were just trading one threat for another. Two or more Demon Gods eating the Hidden Realm and threatening everything, or Libero threatening everything. At least one seem like less-certain doom.

“What do you think Siti?”

“Well, a part of me will go with you to Earth, and for the deal, a part of me will go back home to Catinas. I guess, if it would help, some part of me will just have to stay here to help subdue Libero if he acts up too much. Plus, I love a good gamble~ Sure, I’m all for the plan!”

“What about you, Andre? We’ll be dealing with Demon Gods, you know.”

“I go where my queen wills it!”

“And you, Goddess Venia?”

“While I am not keen upon trading one threat for another, if I can ascend back to the Divine Realm, I can warn them of Libero’s growing threat, and we may prepare a countermeasure. Hah, perhaps this will be something that unites the efforts of the Divine and Depraved. You have my blessings, champion.”

“Then we’re all agreed. Demon God Curson, we accept your deal!”