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Godslayer Lysette: Chapter 170
🕑 Added 2024-08-04 18:41:36 +0000 UTCChapter 170: Karchek, Demonic Cultivator
Lysette floated in silence over the starlight skies just south of Ciricu as she processed exactly what Saffron had just told her. Not only was Karchek an actual being and not just a legend to the people of the town below, but he was, in fact, a demon. One at least five hundred years old, and one which Saffron chose to imprison rather than kill. That last part in particular brought with it yet more questions that Lysette was anxious to have answered.
“Demons?” Mirae asked. “Please forgive my sudden question, but this is the first I’ve heard of demons, either in classes or with regard to all this god stuff.”
“Demon is a bit of a misnomer. As far as I am aware, Karchek is not actually a denizen from the Infernal realm. Nor are any of the beings sometimes referred to as demons. In fact, they aren’t much different than Lyse and I.”
“Demons and Godslayers are the same?” Mirae asked.
“In many respects, yes. Karchek is a Godslayer, just like she and I are. However, Karchek was granted an ability that most demigods don’t have. Even most Godslayers don’t possess this ability— I, for one, don’t. As I’m sure you two have already learned, a god’s power comes from mortal faith, willingly given, in the form of Divine Essence. However, demons can also accrue power from mortals in another way. They can steal the Sparks of mortals. By killing them.”
Lysette’s heart sprinted in a panic. Cold sweat built up on her palms and forehead as she absorbed the implications of Saffron’s words. If that was the defining line of what made someone a demon, then–.
Mirae seemed to have noticed Lysette’s discomfort, as their hand had slipped into Lysette’s at some point during her panic-stricken state. They gave a series of gentle squeezes and a soft, warm smile as they maintained the telepathic connection with Saffron. And, despite her fear, despite her hesitation at learning exactly what she was, Lysette Reciprocated her love’s smile, allowing some of that guilt-filled anxiety to melt in Mirae’s hands.
“I’m guessing this Karchek is quite powerful. From the sounds of it, probably on par with both of us together, at the very least. What advice can you give us?”
Saffron let an audible sigh permeate the telepathic link. “Loath that I am to leave Domark, especially after the events of last week, it’s best that I accompany you. As for where, there’s an entry to a hidden passage near the peak of the highest mountain in the range, not far from the western edge of the mountain range. I will meet you there in one hour.”
The telepathic link closed, and Lysette allowed herself to fall into Mirae’s embrace. For two minutes, they were completely quiet except for the flapping of their wings. This time, rather than being sad, Lysette was scared. Scared mostly of what Saffron would do to her if and when she found out the truth. The truth that Lysette was, by her nature, the same as Karchek. A Demonic Godslayer.
“Love, I remember what you told me back then. About your abilities, and how you thought they were abilities tied to your being a Godslayer. And I want to assure you that learning more about what you are is scary. It was scary for me too, coming to terms with who and what I was. I was even more terrified and afraid of how the world would react when it saw me as me, rather than the façade I previously presented.
“But it doesn’t matter to me if Saffron sees you as a demon. Even if the whole world perceives you that way, it wouldn’t change how I feel about you. Lysette, my goddess, my girlfriend, the woman I love.”
“But I–”
“I know, love. You told me about how exhilarating it was whenever you absorbed the Spark of a person that you slew. How it terrified you at times, how enrapturing, addicting it could be. But you know what? Despite all that, you’ve always been kind and considerate to me and so many others. I’ve never felt more safe than when I’m in your arms, when you’re wrapped around me, holding me, letting me know that you’ll be by my side for all eternity, should our paths allow it.”
“I’m worried. Worried about Karchek, and worried about what Saffron will do if and when she finds out about me.”
“Then we’ll go together. Just as we have been. We will overcome this obstacle side by side. And if Saffron wants to harm you, she will have to go through me first. When I told you that my Devotion to you was absolute, I meant what I said. When I said I would lay down my life for you if you needed me to, I meant that too. So please, let us go forward, confront this challenge just like we have the others. Together.”
Lysette knew that Mirae meant their words with absolute certainty. As Lysette floated beside her love, her heart warmed. She blushed, looking in their eyes and seeing the love and affection radiating off their smile. Mirae’s fingers traced their way along her cheeks, and as they did, Lysette’s hardened gaze softened. Her quivering fingers stilled. Her pulse and pale skin returned to normal. And she took another deep breath to again become calm.
“You’re right, love,” Lysette said. “All we can do is move forward along the only path available to us and hope that everything works out okay.”
The two flew off to the southwest toward a quartet of peaks in the distance. Even after conferring with one another for some time mid flight, the two weren’t able to pick out exactly which peak was the tallest among the four, but Lysette knew they were heading in the right direction. Somewhere deep underneath the mountains was indeed a powerful nexus of Essence, one that seemed to be growing with each passing moment.
Lysette took a long and deep breath as she and Mirae landed in the middle of the shallow valley which lay between the four apexes of the Spire Mountains. She knew they had made the right decisions— first, to confront the being that lay within. And second, to enlist assistance in doing so. Even if the creature still needed something or someone to free itself completely, the chances of defeating or resealing it were going to diminish further with each subsequent day.
As the two looked around and waited for Saffron’s arrival, the voice from before again gnawed at Lysette. But this time, the words echoed low and deep throughout the surrounding area. Snow shook off the peak of the mountain to the northeast as the entire ground quaked.
“So, you’ve come at last,” the voice said. “And here, I thought I would have to resort to more drastic measures to secure your company tonight. It’s been so long since the last time I’ve gotten some company. And even longer since I’ve met one of my own kind.”
Lysette scowled.
“Now now, demon girl, there’s no need to act all high and mighty around me. After all, you and I are the same.”
Lysette took Mirae’s hand and held it tightly, again refusing to acknowledge the voice speaking to her.
“Oh, what’s this? Feeling sanctimonious, child? You have a little pet, a little plaything by your side? You think that because you have another by your side that you aren’t a demon. That just because you’ve turned one of your little playthings into a deity doesn’t mean you aren’t just the same as me.” The voice made a sound that seemed a mix of salivation and lip-licking.
“Tell me, child. How many lives have you taken to sate your lust for power? Ten? Fifty? One hundred? A thousand? More than that? How audacious.
“In truth, though, it doesn’t matter. And do you know why? Because in the end, that feeling, that rush of power, that scintillating, breathtaking, all-encompassing sensation of bolstering your own strength by taking the lives of these contemptible mortals? You’ve experienced it before, tasted it. You crave it, deep down. Go ahead, deny it to me. Deny it to yourself if you feel the need to revel in your pitiable self-righteousness. Because in the end, when the situation turns desperate, you’ll do it. I know you will.”
“She’s not like that at all!” Mirae shouted. “And I won’t let you besmirch my love’s name!”
“Oh? Does the child protest too much? I think she— no, they— do.”
“I do indeed protest!” Mirae said. “You keep saying she’s like you, but she’s not! I don’t care what you tell yourself to justify your words, but I have never met a kinder, more caring individual than my love!”
“Your love, child? Surely you jest.” The voice paused. “Oh, ho ho! You’re actually serious! Ha ha ha! This is too much! A demon who’s managed to convince a child that she’s in love with them. I– I can’t stop laughing! This is simply too much!” The voice continued choking on its laughter for nearly a minute before recomposing itself.
“You are simply a demon beyond compare, girl. Managing to convince another that you are capable of such things as ‘love’. Maybe you even managed to convince yourself. But I know what you know deep down, so far down that you’ve managed to convince yourself of the opposite. That when push comes to shove, when you’ve lost all hope, have no other options, you’ll do what comes naturally. What feels right. You’ll take the power that’s rightfully yours–”
The voice cut off for a moment. “So, it seems the architect of my long imprisonment has arrived at last. I must thank you two for summoning her here. Saves me the trouble of searching all of Aimarion for her. As thanks for your assistance in this regard, I will grant you the mercy of a swift death, as painless as I am able. But you may rejoice. For in doing so, you will give your all, and your strength and Spark will serve a greater purpose— mine.”
The voice went silent as Saffron approached.
Mirae fumed in the interim, their eyes nearly bloodshot with pure rage, and Lysette understood why. The demon’s last line about service to a greater purpose was a deliberate and calculated perversion of Mirae’s Devotion, each word chosen precisely to serve as a dark and twisted mirror of how they had defined their Domain some weeks ago.
One thing was clear. This self-described demon was a mental Cultivator of no mean ability, able to pick out both her and Mirae’s thoughts to such a degree that he was able to use their thoughts against them. And worse still, try to take her and her love’s greatest strength— each other— and wield it against them.
Lysette took an angered, hurt Mirae into her arms and held her as close as she could, Reciprocating her love’s gentle embrace from before. Mirae whimpered, continuing to clutch their fist in rage, but Lysette continued to soothe her love as best she knew how until Saffron touched down after about three minutes of holding one another.
“Good. I’m glad to see you both here. Though, it’s regrettable that Serrena is still preoccupied. I’d hoped she was up here with the two of you.”
“Unfortunately, neither of us has seen her in a few days,” Lysette said.
“Is something the matter with you two? Mirae looks particularly distraught.”
“This demon has been reading our minds and using our thoughts against us,” Lysette answered. “It said something rather pointed about Mirae and they aren’t taking it too well.”
“Sounds about right.” Saffron took a deep breath. “Karchek has two specialties. Fire techniques, and Mental techniques. Which should explain why I sealed him up here. Now then, stay close, keep your wits about you, and under no circumstances allow yourself to lose focus. I’ll need both of your help if I’m to do what I should have done half a millennium ago and finally put this damned monster out of the world’s misery once and for all.”
Chapter 169: https://www.patreon.com/posts/109460502
Table of Contents: https://www.patreon.com/posts/table-of-101896170
Chapter 171: https://www.patreon.com/posts/109460514
Comments
Ria Corvidiva
Well, I won't spoil what happens regarding Lysette's story in future chapters. Not here, anyway. But about parallels involving identity, learning about and understanding yourself, and trying to reconcile different, sometimes competing values and figure out what truly matters at the end of the day? Well, that's just part of the human experience. And maybe those sorts of themes about identity and acceptance are going to be just a bit more salient in my writing... for obvious reasons.
Bielna
Her tendencies to enjoy the fighting were always a bit worrying. Although I suppose where it comes from changes little to what she should do about it, unless she can get rid of that part of her. Let's hope she doesn't get too worthy of the title of Demon ! As for the parallels, I was reading it as having a part of you that you don't like and having to do your best to live while ignoring, changing or burying it, and contrasting it to questions of (gender) identity ;-)
Ria Corvidiva
And now, in book 3, we get the reason why Lysette sometimes gets so, well, demonic, when she's fighting. And I think you're right on the money about what comes next. Acknowledging what she is, and then trying to make the best of the situation for both herself and everyone around her. I am curious what parallels you are referencing? Another story you've read did something similar? :thinkingemoji: Related: I did say in the Book 3 blurb that 'A demon rises'. I can now reveal that Lysette is, in fact, the demon in question. :P
Bielna
Oh. Oh. Well, that's bad. Insert "I'm already a demon" quote here somewhere. Zarielle has a few questions to answer... I feel sorry for Lysette. She hasn't asked to become a Demonic Cultivator, and certainly doesn't want at least parts of it, the ones regarding enjoying domination and killing. But, well. She's been given a bad hand, which is unlucky, so now she has to do her best to live well and respectably despite that. Even if she would be justified to lament her situation, it wouldn't help her, so I hope this knowledge about herself will help her change or control the parts she doesn't like, instead. ... Yeah, I'm drawing some pretty heavy parallels here. Which I really like.
Ria Corvidiva
Sometimes you want morally complex villains who have understandable, maybe even defensible, justification. And sometimes, I just need mustache-twirling villainy.
Jessica
So good job in escalating your villains.
Jessica
I just hate Karchek more. The chancellor feels more misguided in comparison but Karchek is outright evil.
Ria Corvidiva
Do you not anymore?
Jessica
And here in my youthful naiveté I thought I hated the academy's chancellor.
