Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Shorter Skullius was far more baffled by the revelation than his counterpart.

Among the others - outside the two Skulliuses - including the Apostles, only Aurolio was surprised. Kintar, Kenno and Red Rage had arrived to deliver the news to everyone – Elita and Uyuniya – while he was busy appreciating the Opungalian artefact known as the Deathly Ruse somewhere else on the continent.

Boron intended to make Aigas a battlefield? But even worse than that, if he intended to trap both Quintess and Listafelle here, then that spelled a deeper, sinister idea behind just wanting to fight the Deities he had grudges against.

The idea clicked in both Skulliuses.

'He is more interested in hurting Quintess and Listafelle,' thought the shorter Skullius. 'Destroying this world is the end goal, as we imagined, but he wants to make it so that his battle with Boron and Listafelle is the cause of its destruction. By trapping those two on Aigas, Boron guarantees that they have no choice but to fight him!'

Shorter Skullius scowled. Did those crystals really have that potent of an effect? To detain two powerful Deities at once, even for a limited amount of time…

…!

But the Hybrid Warmoth realized what gave Boron confidence.

'I see. All three of them have used their bodies in the process of creating something. But where Quintess and Listafelle created a full world using their bodies, Boron only formed the Under, a kind of foundation to Aigas. He likely has more powers to spare. The Under doesn't seem to be governed by endless Rules and a rich source like Aigas. By all means, perhaps Boron could actually beat Quintess and Listafelle.'

Future Skullius had also gathered that much. Donning a solemn look, he looked at the Fruit Bearer. They weren't as frazzled. They even seemed to have expected the news, actually. It was only natural, Suzamete was Boron's lover, at one point. Even with all the Consternals that had passed since he was sealed, she knew him; she knew his ambitions and his thought process. She must have guessed how exactly he intended to conduct his revenge.

"I'm sure you two realise how grave that is of a problem for all of us," said Elita to the Skulliuses with a stern look on her face. "Everyone is in danger, and that includes even Fulgardt. Three or even four Deities fighting in one world, even if they are limited to alternate vessels and not their real bodies, is a very big deal. We can't do anything about that once it starts."

"The only option available is to stop this scheme in its tracks," Uyuniya said. Given the weight of the topic, she felt emboldened to weigh in with the thoughts she and Elita had already discussed. "We thought there must be a way to inform this news to these two Deities, Quintess and Listafelle . Doubtless, they don't want their Rich world to be destroyed."

Queen Embrell decided to chime in. She had to contribute something while she was in her Royal Mansion, she felt.

"You said that traversing the great void is extremely dangerous, so even if there is some artefact that can be used to communicate with Listafelle and Quintess, how would it even work? Would you happen to know where exactly they are?"

Elita, Uyuniya, and the shorter Skullius turned to the Fruit Bearer. If there was anyone who would know anything about the last question, it would be Suzamete.

The Fruit Bearer locked their fingers over the table.

"Suzamete knows their base of operations but where they are at all times is something impossible to determine," they said. "And like Embrell said, the great void is especially dangerous. Some parts of it disrupt the functionality of most Treasures. I imagine the method Boron is using isn't to transmit some signal across the great void. He is likely linking the effect of the tools he is using to Quintess and Listafelle's bodies. He'll likely warp them here directly. Mind you, that is a scary level of skill, especially without tapping into the Common Reality Leagues. He is enhancing the effect of some tool - the crystals - using his power, skill and the Fundamental Barter."

A heavy atmosphere sat over everyone. Things were dire indeed.

The Fruit Bearer gave an accusing stare at Future Skullius.

"With this information in mind, will you still say you won't help?"

Shorter Skullius supported them.

"It doesn't matter what kind of lessons you're trying to teach me," he said to Future Skullius. "I won't be kicking for much longer if you don't help us. This isn't really the time to be playing the wise old sage under a lotus tree, telling me I'm not exerting myself hard enough, or that the answer is within."

Everyone concurred. All eyes were on Future Skullius.

Everyone wondered just what he was thinking about. His expression had not changed. He didn't look convinced. Or maybe he was, but just wouldn't show it.

Elita found it hard to believe that this was the same man she had fought with and chatted to over the last few hours. He limited his words, hid his intent, and seemed completely unfazed by everything.

Just what had changed in those two years in a foreign world?

As Future Skullius took his time to give a response, his counterpart found himself wondering the same thing.

His bearded, older replica, still adorning a solemn, thoughtful expression suddenly exuded hundreds of disjointed bolts of merigold Ju`wtte over his body.

That was the last thing the shorter Skullius saw before he found himself standing in an odd sort of boundless darkness. It was thick and felt like compact sand around him. He could move quite well, but being here instilled a vibrant sense of foreboding in him. That was the effect the great void was known to give all those who dared enter it.

The shorter Skullius turned behind him. He saw the unfathomably large bright, swirling disk that was Aigas.

"You have grown as much as I hoped, but you're still lacking. That's to be expected," Future Skullius said. He was a few steps away from his counterpart, walking in the darkness as though it were solid ground. He was brisk. "There are things I should share with you away from the others. They might make you appear… weak. That's not such a good thing for your allies to think, is it? However loyal they may be."

The shorter Skullius gave his older replica a suspicious look.

"What are you talking about? Is the reason behind why you are hesitant to help that deep?" he asked.

"It's not about hesitance, you sockethole," said Future Skullius… calmly. "My hands are tied."

"How?"

Future Skullius sighed.

"Was I this naïve two years ago?" he asked himself before fixing the shorter Skullius with one of his chilling piercing gazes. "Did you really think you could piss off nine Primeval Deities and put the matter aside, as though it never happened?"

…!!!!

Skullius might have been struck by Ju`wtte. A cold sensation rose up his spine.

"Sure. From your perspective, you didn't have a choice, right? You could only pick one contract out of the nine, and you couldn't exactly sift through all the options while preoccupied with all the matters happening all at once on Aigas and outside it. Fair," said Future Skullius. "But if you keep this mindset that relies solely on pragmatism where Divinity is concerned, you are going to die a horrible death. Deities are smart, but they also value their egos. They are old."

The shorter Skullius frowned.

"What did you do?" he asked desperately.

"The same thing you did a little while ago," said Future Skullius. "I signed a contract with a Primeval Deity, a very strong one."

…!!!

The shorter Skullius was stumped.

"I've learned to do what many others can – manipulating the guidance field to reveal certain information. I could read what your guidance field was showing. From [Maximum Jaqquezjaqqz]'s formation; your use of a piece of <Counsel>; your contract with TITEMIUS; the creation of that new Ascendant tier Andori of yours; your new Apostle; your trip to the Null Verse... I've been keeping up," Future Skullius informed.

His counterpart was still trying to reconcile with the prior information. But this bit wasn't as shocking or as harrowing. What he needed to know was…

"Who did you sign a contract with? And when? What are the terms?"

"Who? You are me. You know who else was as ominous and suspicious of a choice among all the nine contracts that you received."

Skullius' very being thundered.

Aside from TITEMIUS, who else was he wary of? He didn't even need to ask himself the question, really. It was all but obvious. To refresh himself to the idea, Skullius traced his slew of guidance field messages to check.

~~~

[LIMITED CONTRACT OFFER]

+++Seal of Primeval Deity, COLMUUN+++

---

>ENTREATY:

I see. You belong to that little world I once passed by on my way to the Voiwalla. Fascinating. I just may pay you a visit. I wonder what inspires such boldness in you and the powers you create. You have no doubt made an enemy of Void, given the nature of this power. On the other hand, no matter whom amongst us you choose, I fear you are starting a war. Indeed, there are tools and powers out there that allow us to reach the Broader Existences of others, but this one… it does a lot more than most of the rare specimens I have seen.

I feel you are climbing up into powers you are not fit to wield just yet. If I decide so upon seeing you, I might just pluck you from reality altogether. Perhaps I'll even do it as a favour to some. Ah, perhaps we could make it a game. If you choose a great ally among us, you might just survive. But I am second only to AKHASHA, you know? Well and perhaps that one, but nevertheless, whichever Primeval Deity you draw – if it is not me – you best hope they can handle me.

++Terms of Trade++

In exchange for perpetual usages of the Pseudo-Void rank, Exotic Parlous Nature, Maximum Jaqquezjaqqz, I grant you the following:

+Immortal Realm Physique of the Second Stratum, Straw Lagger Enhanced Body;

+Immortal Realm Physique of the Third Stratum, Mulling Trotter Arteries;

+Immortal Realm Physique of the Third Stratum, Greater Limbs Network;

+Realm rank Wicked Treasure, Embezzling Cloak;

+Realm rank Prime Treasure, Crow of the Beguiler;

+(310) skins of Exora Mead;

+(4) COLMUUN's Tears

~~~