Free Web NovelChapter 224: Chapter 223 - Void and Thunder
Point-of-View: Dietrich Engel
———————————————————————————
"So, uh, where are we?" I inquired, as Petra and I stepped out of the portal.
It was a beautiful, clear water lake inside a cave, that had a skylight above and went deeper in up ahead. I feel like I’ve seen this place in online ads and stuff...
"Wow, this place looks amazing," Remarked Petra in awe.
"This is the Melissani Cave in Greece. It’s usually a popular tourist spot, but with everything that’s happened lately, plus the fact that a Dragon is currently residing inside, it’s been closed to the public. Head deeper inside and find the Deity in here...the Space Dragon Deity, Void," Replied Neo, before opening another portal after pulling a small rowboat out of a different portal and setting it onto the lake, adding as he left, "I’ll see you two later."
"Uh...we don’t know how to row a boat," I sighed in exasperation, but he was already gone.
"Also, what exactly are we supposed to do with this?" Frowned Petra, as she picked up a book that was in the boat.
It’s a book of optical illusions and tricky puzzles...I don’t get it, did he leave this by accident or something? freёwebnovel.com
"Well, I guess we need to head deeper into the cave to find the Space Dragon, huh?" I mused apprehensively.
"It looks really dark and creepy...can’t we just stay out here where it’s nice and bright?" Grumbled Petra warily.
"We don’t have a choice...standing out here isn’t gonna accomplish anything. It’s not the Deity is gonna come to us, after a-...," I began, before stiffening and trailing off as I felt a powerful suppressed Aura suddenly appear behind me.
I glanced back with a sense of dread, a heavy pit in my stomach as a bead of sweat ran down the side of my face, meeting the gaze of a pair of eyes that looked like an endless, dark chasm, feeling like I was getting drawn into them.
"You should not be here, human children," Came a deep, growling voice, sending chills down my spine as I felt my body break out into a cold sweat.
"Are, u-uh...are you Void, the Space Dragon Deity?" Inquired Petra, her body trembling slightly.
I slowly shifted my gaze back further to get a look at him...he was in a humanoid, smaller form, about seven feet tall and standing on two legs. He had beautiful purplish black, smooth-looking scales and what looked like a portal in the middle of his chest.
"Oh? Are you here seeking me, then?" He responded, sounding a bit intrigued.
Uh, that’s a good thing...right?
"Y-yes, we...we were hoping that you would train us, so that...so that we can help when Hell invades," I replied, after taking a deep breath to calm myself a bit.
"Ah, so that is what this is about. I am afraid that I must disappoint you, then. Leave immediately. I simply wish to stay isolated in peace for the time being, in preparation for the impending invasion. I do have the time nor the desire to waste my time with you humans," He waved dismissively, as he opened a portal.
At least he seems nice, he isn’t trying to be threatening or intimidating towards us. But still, we can’t accept that response...
"Please, wait!" I exclaimed in desperation, frantically trying to think of a way to get his attention, before glancing at the book in my hand, "We, uh...we brought an offering!"
Zoraiz and Alexis won over Bastet by petting him, and he’s also been getting a supply of high quality cat food from Harmony regularly.
And I remember something that Neo told me a while back...Space Skill users, the natural ones anyway, tend to have an interest in puzzles and things like that. Petra and I aren’t natural Space Skill users, so we don’t have such inclinations, but maybe...
"Hm? I doubt you humans could offer me anything that would suffice, but I suppose I can at least-...oh? What is this?" He muttered in fascination, as he flipped through the pages, "Hm, images instead of physical objects to solve...ah, I see, it is more challenging this way."
"W-well? Is it to your liking?" I inquired hopefully. freewebnσvel.cøm
"If you want, we can get you plenty more books like this one, or even physical puzzles like, uh, rubix cubes, jigsaws, those things where you have to separate linked rings of metals and, uh, stuff like that," Chimed in Petra, as she caught on, before adding, "In return for training, for at least a month, maybe?"
"I really do not want to...but I would have to return this book if I refuse," He frowned, a conflicted look on his face.
Good, he’s got integrity too.
"I mean, you could just take it by force, but yeah, at the very least, we wouldn’t bring you any more of these books. Ones that are even more varied and challenging," I suggested tantalizingly.
"I must admit, that is quite a difficult to refuse offer. And no, I will not simply take what I want by force, that would make me no better than the Demons," He frowned, looking insulted.
"But you had no problem killing humans while hunting Monsters?" Responded Petra with a raised eyebrow.
Hey, stop, don’t make him change his mind!
"Collateral damage, it could not be helped, it is not as though I deliberately targeted humans. I was informed of what happened to Vapora...and I suppose it is not unreasonable for the humans to retaliate, so I cannot fault them. Very well, then...as much as I regret this, I shall train the two of you human children. At least until I have had my fill of these fascinating books," He replied, looking pretty engrossed as he flipped through the pages.
Woah, it actually worked...we did it! We’ve gotten ourselves a Deity trainer!
———————————————————————————
Point-of-View: Alexis Tucker
———————————————————————————
"It’s so cold here! Let me go back and get a coat or something!" I frowned as I shivered.
"I’ve got you covered, here you go," Replied Neo, as he tossed me a winter coat, gloves, a scarf and ear muffs.
"Where are we, anyway?" I inquired, as I put on the stuff he gave me, "Hey, these are kinda too big for me."
"Better than too small, right? Anyway, we’re in Nepal at the moment. Mount Everest is over there," He replied, as he pointed at a massive, towering mountain peak up ahead.
"You’re not gonna make me climb that thing, are you?" I took a wary step back.
"Of course not, relax. The Deity that’s been selected for you currently resides here, you see," He informed me.
"And which Deity is that?" I asked him curiously.
"The Rival Electro Deity, the Thunderbird," He replied, as he opened a portal to leave through, "Just look around and I’m sure you’ll find it."
"Wait, hold on! What am I supposed to offer it in order to persuade it?" I inquired as I grabbed his elbow.
"The Thunderbird is known to be fond of humans, so you should be fine," He shrugged, before leaving as I let go.
Damn it, at least try to explain in more detail exactly what it is I’m supposed to do here! Hm, now that I stop and focus, I can feel an unusual amount of electricity in the air. It’s a similar feeling I get after I unleash a powerful Electro technique.
If I really concentrate, I can follow it to where it’s at its strongest...that could be where the Thunderbird is. Here’s hoping that it isn’t somewhere high up that I’m going to have to climb to.
Also, even with all these extra layers that Neo provided, it’s still really freaking cold out here, damn it!
I should get moving, I’ll only freeze my ass off if I stay still. I rubbed the sides of my arms as I followed the electricity in the air...it’s pretty intense, is all this caused just by this Deity’s presence?
That’s kind of a scary thought...but also, the idea of being trained by a creature like this is pretty thrilling, here’s hoping that it hears me out. I don’t have anything to offer it, so-...hm?
The electricity in the air, it seems to be coming from that cave up ahead...well, at least I don’t have to scale up a mountain or something. I gulped nervously as I approached it, forming a bit of lightning in my palm to illuminate the area as I entered the cave.
Ugh, it smells so damp and musty in here...but there’s no doubt about it, the air in here is practically crackling, I can feel my hair starting to stand up.
Before long, as I headed further in, I noticed a glow emanating from deeper inside, and made my way towards it. And soon enough, it came into sight...a large, majestic bird-like creature with bright yellow wings that had a few dark blue stripes across some of its feathers.
As it looked up and met my gaze, its eyes narrowing, I inadvertently took a step back, my blood running cold as I stared into its intimidating gaze...
_____________________________________________
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this Chapter! Don’t forget to vote, and feel free to leave a comment, I appreciate any and all feedback and criticism!
Also, check out my Instagram account @aimdaqs for posts relating to this book.
Join the Discord server, I plan to tease upcoming Chapters and future story arcs here, and you can also discuss or ask me any questions about the story and characters. Use the invite link to join:
https://discord.gg/sRbx9VbTVP
