Chapter 223: The Amulet From The Past

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"The 10 True Astral Prince's? Different from the ones inside the Castle of Benevolence, located within the interpass between dimensions?"

Azmodeus's inquisitive voice took the Goddess out of her thoughts as she focused back on him and responded, "The ones you witnessed after leaving the Astral Trial Locomotive were nothing but the puppets of the True Ten Astral Prince's—beings capable of rendering even 3rd Layered Plane's of Infinity as nothing more than scrap metal."

"3rd Layered Plane's of Infinity... Plane's of Infinity that completely transcend 2nd Layered Plane's of Infinity..." Azmodeus muttered with an inexplicable intent contained within his raspy voice.

"Exactly. And it is those sorts of nonsensical existences that have their eyes set upon the 'Faith Value' of the Astral Plane."

The Goddess of Light continued her retelling with an oddly melancholic tone, seemingly recalling something that happened in her distant past.

But that didn't stop her from continuing her explanation, as she said, "I have been around for a few dozen Epoch, with each Epoch equaling 10 trillion years, and even after such a long period of time, not once was I unaware of the presence of the 10 True Astral Prince's. After all, their presence can be felt in every inch of the Astral Plane, with their existences truly omnipresent.

In fact, it is highly likely that they are listening in on this very conversation... But in the end, it matters not, for their power is unquestionable by all lower existences. In their eyes, anything in and below the Star Radiance Realm is worth no more than dirt...

For dozens of Epochs, I have tried to get the attention of those who I assume created me and that God of Darkness...

But, in the end, it was all for naught, as no amount of effort in the world will ever be sufficient to garner the attention of our creators.

And it wasn't until just recently, when you were born in the world of Prometheus, that I received a premonition—a premonition that told me of your part to play in escaping the giant bird cage that is quite literally a playing board of the gods..."

"..."

However, for now, before I vanish away from this plane of existence, I wish to impart upon you the thing that your parents left for you all those years ago. Please take out the amulet that your master gave you, for it is the activation key."

"The amulet? You know of my master?" Azmodeus questioned, as he wasn't aware her understanding of his past extended so far.

"We don't have the time for questions, Azmodeus. You must trust me on this one and take out your amulet before it's too late," the Goddess of Light replied with a rushed tone, her crossed eyes flickering a little, almost as if she were trying to resist something.

Azmodeus quickly realized the seriousness of the situation, so he opted to leave the questions for when he saw her again.

Instead of uselessly chattering, he took out the dark red amulet, dangling it in front of the goddess.

Just as she was about to reach out and grab it, he took the amulet back toward him and emotionlessly said, "Let me be clear on one thing, Goddess. I don't trust you; I don't trust anybody." His voice became a little indecipherable at this part. Then, with the same gusto, he said, "The only reason I'm going through with this proposition is because I know I can kill you if you cross me.

So don't think you're special, and don't assume we're friends—because we aren't."

The Goddess of Light observed the swirling pools of blood honed in on her existence as she felt a little tingly in her lower area for some reason...

This man... He is... something else...

She attempted to calm her growing urges, as now was truly not the time for such drivel. And it was with a lucid mind that she said, "Very well, we may keep our relationship merely platonic... for now."

Her voice came out in an inaudible way toward the end, as she was quite good at concealing her emotions with that fake smile she wore like a permanent charm.

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