Just as I was about to finish off the apostle, it felt as if time froze.
("This feeling…") [Solace]
I felt the presence of a god above, so I peered upwards to see that the female god that cursed me was watching. This was also the part where I realized I was able to move.
"My goddess… Lod…?" [Apostle]
Turns out I wasn't the only one who could move.
"Slayer of my hero, I command you to release my apostle." [Lod]
"...What?" [Solace]
I was left utterly baffled. Did this goddess think I was going to do as she says just because she said so?
"Why would I do that?" [Solace]
I locked eyes with the goddess in an act of defiance, her golden eyes brimming with dislike and power. Just from matching her gaze, my hairs stood on end as I felt danger signals rapidly firing in my brain.
"You should be mindful of your words." [Lod]
I scoffed.
"Or what? It's obvious there's some kind of rule where you can't directly intervene with mortals." [Solace]
"..." [Lod]
"Are you surprised I figured it out? If you really wanted to do something to me, you would've done it back in Lithik." [Solace]
I could see flames raging within the goddess' eyes, yet she did nothing.
"...My apostle only recently took up the mantle. He is… inexperienced in matters of the |Divine| and the mortal way. Spare him, and I shall lift the curse bestowed on you." [Lod]
"You mean the curse that lets all humans know my location? What about the fact that they are hunting me?" [Solace]
"I will… absolve you of your sins so that you are no longer a heretic." [Lod]
Well ain't that a great deal?
("With that, I could bring all of these problems to a close.") [Solace]
And so, I smiled kindly at the goddess.
"Your wish is my command." [Solace]
I then snapped the apostle's neck.
"You…?! You! YOU!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!" [Lod]
Her voice boomed with fury, waves of energy rattling my very bones.
"Hah! Are you mad?! I hope you're mad! Fuck off!" [Solace]
I flipped her off with a grin.
"This is NOT over! You will pay!" [Lod]
After saying those words, the goddess vanished and time resumed.
"He's killed the apostle! Alt the Cruel Sinner has committed another act of heresy!" [Lord of Metus]
I expected guards or something to come forward, but no one dared to make a move.
("Is this what it means to be intimidating?") [Solace]
I was at a point that I had no clue what to do. I had lifted the crimes off of Fina, and I've ended up earning more ire from the gods. Plus, everyone knows I'm Fina's spirit now.
("Do I escape by myself or do I try to bring Fina with me?") [Solace]
Before I could come to a decision, something crashed into me from above.
"Urgh!" [Solace]
I found my face shoved into the ground, a firm cold grip on my neck.
"Seriously? I was called for a weakling like this?" [???]
I heard an unfamiliar voice as I tried to grasp the situation. Scraping my face against the ground, I was barely able to get a glimpse of who was pinning me down.
("This feeling…?") [Solace]
Chills, heart racing, and difficulty to move. It's been a while, but this feeling was undeniably fear.
"Warning: You have been targeted by Nermain Wynfast the |Fist King|. Strength disparity: Incalculable. Probability of survival: 0%. Probability of escape: 0%." [Spirit Guide]
I could see an incredibly toned man, either that or it was the design of his armor. It looked like full plates of red metal were pounded onto every inch of his body to perfectly match his physique, or the blacksmith just measured him to perfection. I could see loose clothing underneath the armor, so I can assume he's powerful enough to not care if anything gets through the gaps, or maybe it's that he's confident nothing can get through.
("That look in his eyes…") [Solace]
Short brown hair and eyes that looked like the very stars sparkled within it.
"I heard you had the guts to kill an apostle, but you're way too weak to have beaten a full fledged one. Well, at least I can get a goddess to owe me a favor." [Nermain]
Just as I felt him apply pressure to my neck, the Fist King was flung away as I heard the clash of metal.
"I can't let you do that." [???]
Another unfamiliar voice. I picked myself up thinking maybe it was Master hiding his identity or something, but I was surprised to see an elf's back facing me. Long white hair, green cloth on top of white clothing, a white cape, and a silver spear. I feel like there was supposed to be a theme, yet somehow I don't know if there was supposed to be one for the clothing.
"Alert: You are within the presence of two |Kings|. The probability of combat is high. It is highly advised to retreat to a distance exceeding the current city grounds." [Spirit Guide]
My Spirit Guide acting like I have the ability to do that right now. Does it even know how big this city is?
"Fettle the |Spear King|. What are YOU doing here?" [Nermain]
"I should be asking you the same." [Fettle]
"I came at the request of Lod, the Goddess of Wind and Harvest. Are you trying to take my kill?" [Nermain]
The elf aimed his spear at the Fist King.
"The boy is under my protection." [Fettle]
Anger began to surface on the Fist King's face.
"...What?" [Nermain]
An intense pressure began to emit from the Fist King, making it hard for me to even breathe.
"You're no Sword King. Do you really think you can beat me?" [Nermain]
"I'm a King nonetheless. Neither of us will come out unscathed." [Fettle]
"You do realize that the boy is an enemy of the gods, the very ones who bestowed us our titles. You're willing to stake your life for him?" [Nermain]
"That may be true, but I've been called in on a favor." [Fettle]
"By whom? There's no god that wants to keep that boy alive." [Nermain]
Fettle shook his head.
"...Not a god." [Fettle]
The Fist King froze.
"Not a god?" [Nermain]
"Try and think of a mortal we know with some degree of influence." [Fettle]
"Are we playing twenty questions?" [Nermain]
"Just entertain me for a little." [Fettle]
The Fist King crossed his arms.
"Is it a male?" [Nermain]
"Yes." [Fettle]
Are they for real playing twenty questions right now? The pressure from the Fist King wasn't getting any lighter you know?
"Are they a King?" [Nermain]
"No." [Fettle]
"Are they… a Lord?" [Nermain]
"Nope." [Fettle]
"Are they…. A Saint?" [Nermain]
"Incorrect." [Fettle]
On top of already being pissed, the Fist King was growing frustrated. I ended up dropping to my knees due to the increased pressure.
"Oh come on, give me a hint." [Nermain]
The Spear King scratched his chin.
"He knows the Sword King." [Fettle]
"That's not fair. Everyone knows the Sword King." [Nermain]
"I meant they used to travel together." [Fettle]
"Travel together? There's only that old hag of a mage and… Oh." [Nermain]
Realization crossed his face.
"...You're lying. He should be sealed beneath the sea." [Nermain]
"You know him as well as I do. Even if he were sealed, do you not think he'd find a loophole?" [Fettle]
The Fist King's anger subsided and the pressure lifted.
"How do I know if this isn't a trick?" [Nermain]
"Well? Would you risk having to face The Curseborne yourself?" [Fettle]
The Fist King took a moment to ponder.
"...Shit." [Nermain]
He then pointed at me.
"You're damn lucky that you've got a monster backing you. If it were any other King, you might've died today." [Nermain]
The Fist King parted with those last words, ascending into the sky without looking back.
"That takes care of that." [Fettle]
The Spear King turned to look at me with a kind smile, extending a hand to help me up.
"I've heard of you, Alt. Feel free to call me uncle." [Fettle]
"...What?" [Solace]