CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 98: GAIN AND LOSS

The realm they found themselves in this time was a harsh desert, the sun scorched them and their feet sunk into the semi-solid ground.

"We should move even faster in this realm, it has been long abandoned by its master, but time here runs much slower than the outside world." Bahamut spoke with urgency.

The two dashed around at full speed, Bahamut forced to exert himself and use his power to stop them causing a sandstorm that would make the creatures they hunted take shelter.

It took them half a day to find all five of the creatures, as the sun was blaring down and having as little effect on Carl as the bitter chill that hung in the air during his chat with Gillian. A fact that had Carl feeling self-conscious, wondering how far he can truly stretch his humanity before he becomes detached from the concept.

Bahamut noted the change in Carl’s demeanour, but wanted to get him out of the time of this world as soon as possible so saved the chat until they were out.

As they stepped through the portal they arrived on a world similar to the first, but less like a dense jungle and more like an ancient forest.

Carl had begun the merger as soon as they found the last creature, leaving Sis to manage it while they got out of the realm.

[ MERGER COMPLETE ]

[ VIT RAISED BY 82,500 ]

[ DEF RAISED BY 35,000 ]

[ INT RAISED BY 30,000 ]

[ DEX RAISED BY 18,000 ]

[ CHA RAISED BY 10,000 ]

[ DESERT TOLL = CAN BECOME AN EMBODIMENT OF THE DESERT, BEING IN YOUR PRESENCE CAN MAKE CREATURES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN AN ENDLESS DESERT, SEEING MIRAGES AND CRAVING MOISTURE AND SHADE. ]

[ CREATOR CULTIVATION = 50/50 ]

[ YOU HAVE LEVELLED UP. ]

"We’re making good time, this realm is populated by elves, it may cause problems to linger for too long."

"Elves? What? I can’t be here alone. Tiamutael, send Mum over please." Bahamut looked confused to say the least, though it was quickly clarified when Klaire appeared, kissed him and smiled.

"Good boy. You actually remembered what Tiamat told you about these perverts. Don’t worry Bahamut, I’ll leave you boys to your field trip as soon as we’re off this world."

"Please don’t cause an incident here, the Elven god that watches this forest is far more powerful than me and I won’t be able to keep you safe. Klaire, Carl said you are talented at making barriers, can you keep one up over all of us?"

"Sure, getting pretty good at transformation and mist control as well, but my ancient howl is hard to get the hang of."

"Well, don’t even attempt it, we only need two animals from this place. I’d rather not linger here and risk drawing attention we don’t have time to offer proper greeting."

True to his word, Bahamut walked led the way, he moved as quickly as he possibly could without causing too great a disturbance.

The moment they reached the first creature however, the god Bahamut was so keen to avoid showed themself.

"I understand you are urgent to leave, so I will allow you to defer ettiquette. Simply tell me why you are here for creatures and what you intend to do with them, I may allow you depending on the reason."

Bahamut was about to speak when Carl stepped forward. "Apologies, I wish I could offer you a more gracious greeting.

I stripped Dracula of most of his power, but that was the power of the law of Divinity, there are still battles to be thought and the human variants especially are deserving of retaliation.

I wish to take the creatures and create something new to merge with, so that I might better protect my family and faction in future as well as deter future confrontation.

I also apologise if you were harmed in the backlash of my attempt to conceal event of the battle."

"Fine, you may have the two you come seeking, I expect a formal invitation at some point in the near future, I sense you could be quite interesting for a human. You may also relax, Klaire was it? My elves are not the kind Tiamat warned of, most have been in monogamous relationships for thousands of years."

"Good, I’m grateful for your understanding, so I would have found assaulting an elf making a pass at my husband unpleasant."

The elf god laughed. "I like your warrior’s spirit heir of Faylorn, finish your work and leave, I’ll look forward to meeting you again."

He disappeared as fast as he appeared, leaving Bahamut to sigh with relief. "You two clearly have a charisma beyond mine..."

"Well it seems my presence is no longer required, call me if you go to any sleazy realms and prepare mentally for when you get home... Leanna is not happy."

"Cheers for reminding me."

Klaire asked Tiamutael to return her home, then Carl and Bahamut finished what they came to do.

The endless forest was a refreshing experience after the dead desert and their time there came to an end far too quickly for Carl’s liking, though it was clear that Bahamut remained eager to leave.

The next world they headed to was actually another forest, but not governed by an elf but rather another aspect.

"Don’t be fooled, this world is governed by an aspect of memory, it changes to comply with the memories of the one most intimate with law of Mind."

"So what creatures are we looking for and how the hell do we find them with the place looking like this?"

"Carl, stop seeing with your eyes, trying perceiving the world around you with your divinity."

Carl tried focusing his divinity into his eyes, then fell back and rolled around the floor as he held his face and groaned in pain.

"Not that much drip feed it into your retina, but drip feed quickly..."

Carl wasn’t exactly sure why Bahamut was trying so desperately to educate him over the course of their joint adventure, but appreciated it nonetheless.

Unlike the barrier, which he was still struggling with, Carl managed to get the hang of divine sight pretty quickly.

"Good, your control over divinity is exceptional for one so young, particularly given most don’t even gain it until their fifth star."

"Well, if I didn’t improve quickly, Lillim would have made training even more difficult."

Bahamut chuckled lightly as the value of Lillim’s influence became known to him, but then he hurried them onwards to gather the creatures which they had both forgotten Carl had asked about.

When all four of the creatures had been captured, Carl put Sis to work on the meger immediately.

[ MERGER COMPLETE ]

[ VIT RAISED BY 40,000 ]

[ DEF RAISED BY 10,000 ]

[ INT RAISED BY 90,000 ]

[ DEX RAISED BY 73,500 ]

[ CHA RAISED BY 83,535 ]

[ INFINITE MIND = YOUR MIND IS A VAULT, GUARDED BY INFINITY, ATTEMPTS TO INVADE YOUR MIND WILL NULLIFIED AS INTRUDERS ARE FORCED TO PENETRATE AN ENDLESS BARRIER. ]

[ YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW OF MIND HAS INCREASED ]

[ YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW OF INFINITY HAS INCREASED ]

[ CREATOR CULTIVATION = 50/50 ]

[ YOU HAVE LEVELLED UP. ]

[ YOU HAVE LEVELLED UP. ]

"Seriously, what are they trying to turn me into?"

"Is there a problem?"

"That last merger made it next to impossible to read my mind, but it also increased my understanding of Infinity and Mind and levelled me up twice."

"I see... Well, having your mind invaded would render the location of your sanctuary compromised, so you shouldn’t complain. What is the issue?"

"Issue? I guess it’s just a little bit dehumanising. I’m starting to wonder if it is even possible to be a "god of humanity", we’re supposed to be weak and flawed and driven by the desire to exist despite that. If I lack that weakness and keep resolving my flaws, will I even really be human in the end?"

Bahamut thought about Carl’s words. "I see your point. I’m curious though, you don’t see overly attached to humanity as a species, but the desire to remain human is deeply ingrained in you."

Carl sank into thought. "I guess that’s just me being childish, everything changes, life would be boring nothing changed. That said, I want somethings to stay the same for a while."

"Carl, you are a strange creature. Let’s finish this "field trip" as Klaire called it and get you back to what hasn’t changed."

"To what hasn’t changed?"

"The feelings people have for you; the respect of your followers and the love of your family. Aside from growing stronger, those feelings haven’t changed for a long time from what I can tell."

Carl smiled, finding both comfort and amusement in Bahamut’s attempt to console him.

They then departed the realm of Memory, as Bahamut had described it, finding themselves in a realm of freezing cold.

They arrived in what seemed like a neverending cavern of ice, countless pillars stretching from floor to ceiling at regular intervals which were misaligned because each one housed a creature prisoner.

"Welcome to Cochytus..."