n

n

n

"There are more of you, aren't there? Hero Vessels and Artificial gods!

"

nThe artificial god kept silent, not responding to my question. I wonder, is it restricted from answering such? So far it has been very cooperative, it's regrettable that I can't get any more...

n

"I HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY OF SUCH EXISTENCE. MY ONLY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CREATION OF MY SPECIES IS PRIOR TO WHEN I BECAME ENTRAPPED IN THIS VESSEL. ANY FURTHER ACTION MADE BY MY CREATORS AFTER THAT IS NOT TO MY AWARENESS.

"

nHmmm, I see. In essence, it doesn't know anything after it was placed into the vessel. It's a shame I can't confirm the existence of others like Jared and the artificial god, however, at this point, there can be no doubt. Since they are failures, there will definitely be a success.

nLeviathan is obsessed with perfection. There's no way he'll leave things as they are until he makes a perfect one. Besides, one of the reasons for creating the artificial god and Vessel is to stop me in the advent of my resurrection. They won't abandon that plan with Jared being a failure.

n

"YOU A VERY PECULIAR EXISTENCE. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN PLACED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THIS VESSEL, I POSSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY SIGNIFICANT SPECIES ON THIS PLANET, YET I HAVE NO INFORMATION WHATSOEVER ON YOU. ACCORDING TO THIS ANALYSIS, IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT YOU ARE A THREAT TO MY EXISTENCE, AND THAT OF THIS VESSEL

" The artificial god said.

n

"Well, you're not wrong about that. I also perceive you as a threat to me. However, from all I have discovered from you, I have realized that you are not my enemy. I can not say the same for your vessel though

" I answered.

n

"I SEE... SO WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? DEPENDING ON YOUR ANSWER, I WILL HAVE TO NEUTRALIZE YOU

"

nImmediately she said this, the empty mass of space began to tremble, and I could feel the immense pressure generated by the artificial god. If it wants, I'm sure it can easily get rid of me since I'm just a mind fragment. However... I can't let that happen, especially since I've come this far.

n

"You're quite the dangerous opponent, so I wouldn't want to face off against you now

" I stated, hoping it calms down

n

"... BUT THEN....

"

nIt seems the god is getting suspicious of me. It's about time. Since we started conversing it has been very lax, clearly I can reason with this being. If that's the case, then maybe Incan turn this whole thing to my advantage.

n

"Do you not have any questions for me?

" I asked suddenly, smiling at the vast space around me.

n

"WHAT...?!

" It responded, shocked by my unexpected question.

n

"Yes. I mean, I have been asking you a lot of questions. Surely, you must have a few of your own.

"

n

".....

" The artificial god kept quiet, as though brooding on the words I gave it.

nGood. From its words, I can deduce that it has been isolated here for quite some time now. Ever since its creation, how long must that have been? Does that mean Jared isn't merely a 12-year-old kid? I still have many questions, but those can wait. Asking any more now will definitely raise the suspicion it has toward me. I need to dangle bait and extract more information from it while disguising it in the form of answers to its queries.

n

"THEN... IT SEEMS YOU UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT THE GODS AND PRIMORDIALS. YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO ME IN A CALM AND COLLECTED MANNER, AND YOUR LEVEL OF POWER MUST NOT BE INSIGNIFICANT FOR YOU TO HAVE DAMAGED THE VESSEL THIS MUCH AND DEPLETED ITS ESSENCE... IT HAS BEEN BOTHERING ME FOR SOME TIME NOW, BUT...

"

nIt seems to be hesitating on the question to ask me, but I can already guess what it is. Since we began our talk, I have given it many hints and made many slips. Surely, by now it must be highly curious about my identity. So ask, you fake god... I'm waiting for your question.

n

"... WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HEXARION?!

" The question finally came.

nWait... What?! This isn't the question I expected.

n

"Hold on, what are you asking me? Information about Hexarion... B-But why?!

"

nRight now I'm flustered, no, more like confused. It had a chance to ask about my identity or my motives, but what's with this question.

n

"Why are you asking me that?

" I questioned.

n

"ISN'T THIS UNFAIR? ANSWERING MY QUESTION WITH ANOTHER QUESTION...

" It replied.

n

"Uh... Well...

"

nShit, why did I do that? What's with me losing my composure like this? Like I'm on edge. It must be...

n

"VERY WELL, I SHALL TELL YOU. YOUR EXISTENCE REMINDS ME OF THAT BEING, THE SIXTH PRIMORDIAL. A HIGHLY MYSTERIOUS AND UNORTHODOX ENTITY. SINCE YOU WERE AWARE OF THE GODS AND PRIMORDIALS, I THOUGHT YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH MORE INFORMATION.

" It responded in its usual distorted echoed voice, which seems to ring from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

n

"But why? Of all questions? Why that particular one? You could have asked about my identity or my reasons for damaging Jared, or even the motives behind the questions I asked you. Yet you chose to ask that? Is it so important to you?

" I asked with a tone of impatience.

n

"YOU MAKE A FAIR POINT. THOSE QUESTIONS YOU MENTIONED ARE OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE, HOWEVER... MY QUESTION STILL HAS A GREATER PRIORITY. YOUR IDENTITY POSSESSES LITTLE VALUE TO ME COMPARED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SIXTH. I AM UNDECIDED AS OF NOW, BUT I COULD MAKE YOUR VERY EXISTENCE DISSIPATE IF I JUST AS MUCH AS WISH IT! SO, YOU SEE... YOU ARE OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE COMPARED TO HEXARION

"

nIt makes a very good point. It seems I'm the one who jumped the gun, and I know why. Oh well, it's fine. It won't be long now...

n

"What if I turn out to be him, Hexarion that is

" I smiled.

n

"....

"

nA short moment of silence ensued, making it clear to me that the god is considering my words.

n

"SHOULD THAT BE THE CASE, THEN IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER! AFTER ALL, I HAVE MUCH TO ASK ABOUT HIM

"

n

"Oh? Like what?

" I pushed further.

n

"WHY HE BEGAN THE GREAT WAR THOSE YEARS AGO. THE NATURE OF HIS EXISTENCE... HIS FAVORITE SIBLING... WHAT KIND OF GOD HE IS ATTRACTED TO... IF HE LIKES HUMANS...

"

nWhat the heck? These questions, I recognize them. They are questions my siblings have asked me before. It all makes sense now! I now know the reason behind this god's obsessive curiosity about Hexarion, that is, me.

nAs an artificial god, since it is made of portions of the Primordials, it has portions of their egos and personality. Having these distinct personalities combined, there has to be a common interest that serves as a bond between their very different natures. The most common factor is most definitely... Me!

n

"I'm surprised though. Aren't you supposed to despise Hexarion? I mean, your main purpose is to defeat him. Yet, from your words, it seems you are just trying to understand him.

" I commented.

n

"WELL... I DO NOT FEEL ANY ANIMOSITY TOWARD HIM, NONE IN THE SLIGHTEST. I MERELY HAVE A DEEP INTEREST IN HIM. I SUPPOSE THIS IS ANOTHER OF MY FLAWS, ANOTHER REASON WHY I AM CONSIDERED A FAILURE. ALSO, YOU HAVE ONE THING WRONG. SINCE I AM A FAILURE FOR THE 'HERO' PROJECT, I CAN NO LONGER SERVE THE INITIAL GOAL OF ELIMINATING HEXARION SHOULD HE BE REVIVED. THEREFORE, MY PURPOSE IS NOT TO DEFEAT HIM...

"

n

"Oh? Then what is it?

" I asked.

n

"....

"

nAnother period of silence. I don't even know how to begin, but this encounter has been very interesting in more ways than one. To think such a being like this exists. I can't wait to hear its answer.

n

"... I... I DO NOT KNOW. MY PURPOSE... I DO NOT KNOW IT...

"

nThis answer felt almost pitiful to me. A being with such great power, with a unique existence and an interesting personality... Yet it has no idea what to do with its existence. It must be lonely, filled with nothing but emptiness and insatiable curiosity. I can understand since I was once like that.

n

"Hey, why don't we...

"

nAs I started speaking, my body suddenly glowed. The radiance consumed my entire self and I appeared to be like energy particles, slowly evaporating into the thick void. Looks like I'm out of time already... Just as things were about to get even more interesting... How regrettable.

n

"OH? I DIDN'T THINK YOU HAD A WAY TO PULL THIS OFF. TO THINK YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS IS BEING FORCEFULLY EJECTED FROM THIS SPACE. FOREIGN INTERFERENCE? NO, THIS IS...

" The god stated with surprise, watching me from wherever it was with a tinge of betrayal.

nWell, it's nothing personal. If I could help it, I would also have preferred staying for a little while longer, but it's out of my hands now.... Literally.

n