Chapter 237 – Regrets

Chapter 237 – Regrets

“For the love of... *sigh*. Petra! It’s happened again!”

“*Facepalm*. Is Aesa here as well?”

...

Life has a way of being cruel as once again, we’re forced back into the void. But, unlike with our usual adventures, no perversion is the cause of it this time around.

Ahead of us is a long table with who else but those annoying creators that seem to want to steal the show. Unlike the last time, there’s eight of them and all have oddly shaped forms. Half are orb shaped; the other half couldn’t be more different if they tried.

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It was bad enough Asmodeus doing it when he was still alive... great. Now I’m feeling even worse bringing up the dead again.

“Oi you morons, stop freaking sending us here! If you need anything, relay it through Aesa”

...

Instead of getting a response, the energy in here feels like a parent ignoring a misbehaving child. We’ve not even started yet and I’m already getting pissy. Not going to say a single thing till one of them get started now.

(Orb of Water) <We, the primordial beings officially greet the last demon and the newest Goddess of wisdom. All of us are in attendance so if any oppose, now is the time to do so>

Maybe being mistaken, the atmosphere inside this place now feels more professional than usual. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

“You just said all the primordial beings? Which of you are supposed to be Nyx and Chaos then?”

“*Gasps!*”

Actually hearing some of these idiots gasp from my cheeky remark, my assumption of this is true. Nyx may not have mentioned there’s any bad blood between the beings, but it’s clear there must be some.

(Virus Spore) <It appears you’ve been less observant than we expected. To bring those two up... there’s still work to be done>

(Tentacles) <We are the ones that question and observe, not you!>

(Jellyfish) <We advise you never to use those two names in our company again>

(Orb of Fire) <Unfortunately, I cannot defend you on this>

(Orb of Light) <The disrespect. There’s no logic in discussing topics with creatures that don’t understand simple courtesy>

(Orb of Water) <Advise you all relax and let emotion fade. She is testing us just as we test everyone else>

(Orb of Transparency) <Agreed with my wavey brethren. It was only a question with the intent being to cause a reaction>

(Demon) <Ha! My fellow beings are extremely sensitive when it comes to... Nyx. She’s of no use to us now so best just forget about her and Chaos>

‘The fact most of these dislike Nyx makes me like her even more. At least she’s willing to put on a humanly face’

For the sake of myself, Petra and all the imaginary voices inside my head, the faster we get out of this place, the better. Just tell me what ability to upgrade already and let’s be done with it.

“Clock’s a ticking and you lot have us at a bad time. Get to it already or I’m teleporting both of us out of here”

(Demon) <Ha! I admire your nativity orange phoenix, as if we’d allow you to escape that easily. No, listen to our terms and conditions, then you’ll be set free...>

‘Fuck! Terms and conditions my arse, didn’t realize these lot are like a capitalist company’

Pausing for dramatic effect, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out who Asmodeus gets his personality off. Even in death, he still finds a way of continuing that stupid grin. The zeno-something demon’s face basically smiles the same after all... even if it has a mouth inside another mouth.

(Demon) <In full view of all those beside me, I offer a deal which woul->

“No”

<Ha! Haven’t even finished yet sister, you and destination number five really are alike. For now, you should silent until I’m finished>

“No means no, demon. Our minds aren’t going to cha-, mhmmm!”

I’ve actually been physically muted! Like, my mouth no longer exists! Does he think treating me like this is going to change my mind!? I’m so done with anything demon related now.

On the bright side, at least I’ve still got the rest of my face. I’ve seen that shit in horror movies and that shit is traumatizing. Here’s hoping I do look a little creepy though... not why I think that would be cool.

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Now crossing my arms and pouting as best someone without a mouth can do, I’ll just let him finish. Not like I have much of a choice anymore... wonder if my arms and legs will be removed if I attack them. Yeah... I’ll keep myself calm and composed for now.

I can already see Petra wanting to strike them down for shutting me up, but clearly has more control than I... I think? Regardless, I’ll hold her hand and see if that will calm her down.

(Demon) <Where was I... ah yes! If it weren’t for the corrupted lizards made a long time ago, your world would be perfect for our goals. Alas, we’ve spotted a diamond in the rough as wish to see sparkle>

‘Again with this dragon creation thing, swear even Zeus made a small comment about it a while ago. Asmodeus already told us they basically evolved from those gigantic beasts down south’

“I hate you at times... num”

Not needing to even say a thing but doing it anyway, Petra senses my stupidity and I find a fork with her cheesecake on it. I really want to sulk and say no... eh. Who am I kidding? Down the hatch...

“Queens... I have some important news!”

An annoying intruder bursts into the café, grabbing everyone’s attention and heading straight for our table. Another thing I’ve just realized is that our busty elven maid has jiggle physics turned up to an unrealistic level.

“This arrived this morning and you must see it immediately!”

Eve runs to our table and places the unsealed invitation on it. On the front of written says ‘to the two Queen of Lesbos’ in extremely childish handwriting. This isn’t good.

“Eve, who the hell delivered this!? Quickly now, we may have a huge problem!”

Getting in as quick as I can, the only person I know of with such childish writing is the world-famous Zeus. If he’s here personally to deliver a note, then he may already be wreaking havoc.

“Penelope did, Queen Ikarus. Apparently a bird carried it over so it’s fine, we’re not under attack”

‘Phew, at least that explains why the note isn’t sealed. Miss Gender Bender couldn’t help herself... guess I’ll sit back down then’

(NPC 1) “Wait, we’re under attack again?”

(NPC 2) “Where are the Gods hiding this time? Let’s fucking go!”

(NPC 3) “It’s time to get our swords again! Let’s defend the islands!”

In a matter of seconds, Eve’s slip of the tongue sends the entire café into a frenzy. I’ve got to hide under my arms and bang my head against the table, the cultists have infected every single corner of our town.

“No! We’re NOT under attack, calm down everyone! Jeez... don’t eavesdrop using those non-pointy ears y’all have”

(NPC 1) “Aww, shucks. I wanted to spill some more godly blood...”

Moving on, both me and Petra open up the note and I’ll be honest... I can’t read this. Having an automatic translator is pointless when the freaking language doesn’t need to be translated. It’s like writing cursive while drunk, but also using your weak hand!

Thankfully, the wife can sense I’m not getting anything from this, so she’ll give me what’s needed. She’s not finding this easy as well and has to stare at it.

“It’s... an invitation Ikarus. Summarized... something about regrets, wanting to make amends... no. Make amends to the Gods he’s offended, we’re apparently excluded...”

‘Figures. As if he could ever give up that hatred of us’

“...Let’s see... mention of us destroying his world... a lot of bahs. Ah, he’s given up on the idea of destroying everything. Know, he just wants an ending of sorts. It ends with him mentioning his palace and one final battle. No games, no tricks, just a fight to the death”

This... actually surprises me. He’s finally willing to give up on the idea of destroying everything to just settle things using fisticuffs? This has to be a trap... not like we can turn it down though. This is our only lead.

“He’s not expecting a one-on-one battle, is he?”

“It says... bring that darkened witch by your side if you must require assistance from you lover. Heh, think I’m now a witch, Ikarus”

...

“It actually says that? Where!?”

“Heh, might not want to look Ikarus. There’s a lot of cursing in this”

Quickly scanning the note, I find the area Petra doesn’t want me to see and know exactly what’s been put down, insults seem easier to spot. Vile, disgusting, pitiful, witch, boring... how dare he call Petra those things!

I’ve also noticed the colourful, maybe even racist language he’s used for me. I’m not paying an inch of attention to that though.

“That fucking bastard! First, he summons that thing that kills father, then he calls you boring? I want him to suffer to his last breath”

Already knowing I’m going down the Zeki path, I’m long past the days of caring. This isn’t one of those stages of grief thing where the stage I’m in is anger... you have no idea what I want to do him. Remember that sadistic princess Petra lost her temper to? The one who ended up like a red painting... that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“Ikarus...”

Feeling the wife’s hand lightly squeeze against my hand and an obvious fake smile to try and lighten my mood, unfortunately nothing like that is going to help me. I already know she’s angry deep down from seeing the note insult me like this, just always puts on a brave face for the both of us.

“Even now, he still doesn’t consider the possibility of peace? That’s... unsurprising”

Nyx speaks to herself when scanning through the note, not at all surprised from the development.

(Petra) “Huh... he does say he’d be willing to negotiate a surrender if we beg and grovel at his feet. It also mentions a period of servitude... or slavery. That part is unclear”

(Nyx) “That’s unfortunate. Once one reaches the pinnacle of what’s possible, this is unfortunately quite common. Delusion”

So, Zeus may now be willing to leave the world alone but in order to achieve peace, we must serve him? Yeah... this world isn’t big enough for the both of us.

“At least there’s no reservations... do we know where he is at least?”

“It says something about an obvious mountain close to a river and the desert. Think that can only be one place Ikarus”

An obvious mountain, right at the edge of the Sierran continent. I know exactly where he’s referring to... so does Zeki as well.

“Erk! That fucking dickhead has stolen my crib! That took years to get all that shit in there and his stupid ass is now using it!”

“Uh, ahem Zeki”

“Oh, bite me brother. I don’t care if it was yours and sister’s first. He’s going to fry for stealing our home... or first home. Erk, let’s take back our home...”