Yog-Sothoth knew Roy's mind brimmed with questions he yearned to ask her, and she was willing to answer. Yet, seeing him pour his efforts into mimicking Daoloth's dimension-tearing trick, she had no desire to intervene, standing quietly by to respect his endeavor.
The Outer Gods, who sought to consume the Cauldron of Omnipotence (Roy's body), believed they'd drawn close to the frail, contradictory nature of humans. This novel sensation, never before experienced, led them to relish shutting off their innate rationality and omniscience, letting emotions guide their actions, pursuing goals, achieving feats, and exploring paths they'd never considered.
But these were mere surface emotions. Resembling humans didn't equate to becoming them; similarity wasn't identity.
At their core, the Outer Gods' values diverged starkly from humanity's, utterly detached from common sense or morality. By Earth's standards, they were capricious to the extreme.
Though they felt emotions, just as humans feel no attachment to dust, the Outer Gods saw every facet of this planet as akin to cosmic debris, worthless save for Roy, their cherished compatriot and the key to the ark. Nothing else held value in their eyes.
Yet Yog-Sothoth had a peculiar habit, or behavior, of masking her emotions impeccably. Though she cared little for the fragile planet beneath her feet, she showed no disdain, earnestly playing her part alongside the other Outer Gods in this drama with Roy.
While Roy busied himself crafting a dimensional veil to conceal the Wandering Sea, she silently observed the stability and potential flaws of his construct, offering measured praise only after he completed his playful gambit.
Now, with the prolonged prelude concluded, it was time for the question-and-answer session they should've begun long ago.
"Abigail, I have many questions, troublesome ones. Can you answer them?"
In a corner of the Wandering Sea, by an artificial lake, Roy and Yog-Sothoth stood quietly. The lake's surface, shimmering under simulated dusk, reflected their figures.
But a gust of artificial evening breeze soon scattered their tranquil reflections, signaling the conversation's advance.
"I understand. Ask away. I'll answer earnestly."
"Good."
Relieved by Yog-Sothoth's agreement, Roy exhaled, ready to voice the questions weighing on his heart.
Initially, when he thought only Yog-Sothoth had invaded the planet, he planned to seek aid from other Transcendents or devise ways to expel her. But the situation had escalated beyond ousting one or two Outer Gods.
What stunned him more was that the Outer God he'd first guarded against, seeking to counter, was now his greatest ally and the most benevolent, Yog-Sothoth.
In such a scenario, a person of conscience might feel shame for their prior suspicions, right?
But Roy had no time for such trifles, nor did Yog-Sothoth care about such predictable behavior.
They needed only questions and answers.
Thus, Roy became a relentless interrogator, seeking the truth from Yog-Sothoth. In the limited time, she would unravel his queries, transforming him from a pawn manipulated in their hands to a player stepping into their game.
But only stepping in.
Perhaps swayed by peculiar emotions or a whim, Yog-Sothoth genuinely wished to see what choice Roy would make on his own, without coercion or guidance.
"My first question: What is this so-called ark? And where is the new world you speak of?"
Yog-Sothoth's eyes flickered slightly at Roy's question, a trace of surprise evident.
"Straight to the heart, seizing the critical point? You don't hold back."
His question caught her off guard. She'd expected broader inquiries, why the Outer Gods came to Earth, why they fixated on him.
Instead, through their clashes, he'd latched onto "ark" And "new world." zeroing in on the Outer Gods' purpose and essence, wasting no opportunity.
"Don't overthink or elaborate. Time's short. Explain in terms humans can grasp, as simply as possible. I'll do my best to follow."
"Use clear, straightforward words, no cosmic scales or forbidden knowledge only Outer Gods share. I want to stay human and don't have time to learn things beyond my framework or cognition."
"…You're the questioner, supposedly the one requesting, yet you act like you're the one being asked. Is this what humans call turning the tables?"
Abigail glanced at him expressionlessly, her demeanor unchanged, as calm as ever.
Then she answered, "The ark is an ark, a vast vessel carrying people or things across seas to a clear destination. But this ark's passengers aren't humans, but Outer Gods like us. The new world, as the name suggests, is another space or universe, distinct from this one, the final destination we seek."
A simple explanation, a smooth transition. Yog-Sothoth had planned to detail Roy's importance and uniqueness, but since he'd asked the core question, it didn't matter.
She unhesitatingly gave him the ultimate answer.
"You are the key to setting sail, the frame and contour of the ark, the vast shell sustaining it. That's why the Outer Gods fixate on you, flocking to you."
Roy's brows furrowed, his doubts deepening.
He'd suspected the Outer Gods sought him for a reason, perhaps something in him attracted them. But hearing Yog-Sothoth's assessment of his importance, he couldn't suppress his shock, a dreadful conclusion forming, one he desperately wished to avoid.
If he was truly that vital, these capricious Outer Gods would never relent until their goal was achieved.
They'd peel the planet like an onion, chaos reigning over its surface and underside, never abandoning their pursuit. The only options were them finding him or him aiding them willingly.
Further, defeating or expelling them?
Mere fantasy.
Those who hadn't faced an Outer God's true power couldn't fathom their might. The phrase "an opponent absolutely unbeatable" was crafted for them.
The gap wasn't mere power but a chasm of dimensions and existence.
"…"
Roy scratched his head, sinking into thought. Yog-Sothoth continued.
"We've read your memories and know you're unlike this world's humans. You know many taboo truths. Surely, you're aware of a deeper truth…"
"Above all Outer Gods lies the universe's origin, the fixed truth point, our father, Azathoth."
Yog-Sothoth spoke impassively of cosmic truths.
"Our Father resides in the Chaotic Court beyond the universe, surrounded by countless formless vassal gods. Azathoth is the source of all divinity, birthing 'Darkness,' 'Chaos,' and the 'Nameless Mist.' Due to his blind, foolish nature, he has slumbered since our creation, and we're fortunate for it."
"Reality can shape dreams and existence. We exist within our Father's dream, as does this universe, a false framework or cage woven by him. If, one fated day, he awakens from his eternal slumber, all within this universe will collapse inevitably. Even we, the so-called Outer Gods you know, cannot escape annihilation."
"But one day, within this universe, Father's dream, we, whom you call Outer Gods, emerged. Unlike fragile lifeforms born in the dream's corners, we are special, stepping into the dream's essence. Our power is immense, capable of anything in this fabricated universe. To lesser beings, Outer Gods wield infinite power, overturning all laws. Planets and galaxies crumble at our touch."
"Not entirely accurate, but not wrong. We can do such things. Yet, the truth is the opposite."
To illustrate, Yog-Sothoth opened her palm, revealing a butterfly she'd conjured, now alive, fluttering to Roy's fingertip.
"To us, even absolute laws, like life's mortality, gravity pulling apples downward, one plus one equaling two, can be altered by twisting phases."
"Unrestrained, a true Outer God can dominate all laws, destroying and rewriting this universe at will."
"But we dare not… No Outer God would try."
"Because you're still within this dream, this fixed, false universal framework?" Roy asked.
Though Yog-Sothoth's words, even simplified, were dizzying, Roy, familiar with Outer Gods and Azathoth from his knowledge, found them somewhat comprehensible.
In Lovecraft's mythos, expanded by countless authors, Azathoth was the origin of the universe and all Outer Gods.
The universe itself was his dream.
Rumors held that if Azathoth awoke, the universe would collapse, all things meeting their end.
Roy hadn't expected this prophecy to hold in the Nasuverse cosmology.
Though FGO's Servants bore traces of Outer Gods, he never imagined hearing of Azathoth in this world.
Unlike other vividly depicted Outer Gods, Azathoth's mentions were sparse but his status unshakable.
He dwelt beyond the ordered universe, in a realm no dream could touch, a formless destructive force roiling in the deepest chaos, blaspheming all at the infinite's core. The unbound Demon Sultan Azathoth, whose name no tongue dared utter. In an unthinkable dark hall beyond time, amid the mad pounding of vile drums and the hollow wail of accursed flutes, he gnawed hungrily.
"At this point, you should grasp the truth."
"This is but a framework, a dream, and its destruction is fated. To lesser beings, that calamity, eons away, isn't their concern. Ignorant, they drift to oblivion. But for us, who've uncovered this truth, it's different."
"Our power is vast, our status shining like beacons in the cosmic dark. A mere thought can topple phases and concepts. Yet, within this fixed universe, no matter how omnipotent we seem, we're merely prisoners. Unlike ignorant lesser beings, we know death and destruction loom, filling us with dread and powerlessness."
"Our power and status, our ability to rewrite the universe's concepts, exist but cannot be used. We prevent any Outer God from trying. Even a slight movement risks collapsing this fragile dream, waking Father prematurely. That's why we're so fervent about you."
"If I say you're our hope for survival, does that clarify?"
"You mean… you capricious lot see me as an escape, hoping to use my power to flee this universe doomed to nothingness?"
"Exactly. That's why all Outer Gods fixate on and cherish you. Your arrival is the only glimmer of hope in these eternal eons, a light we cannot let slip away."
"We've watched your arrival, subtly guiding your path with our powers toward our desired course, until it bore fruit. Now is the plan's final stage, molding you, this thriving tree, into the true ark."
"So… you knew of my existence from the start, read my memories, and decided my fate, all to make me an ark to carry you beyond the dream?"
"Yes."
"What kind of joke is this?! What am I to you? A toy dancing in your palms?!"
The absurdity drove Roy to curse aloud.
As his furious words spilled out, he instinctively glanced at the invisible sword in his hand.
"From another universe, able to contain all this world's concepts, powers, souls, and consciousness, a perfect material for the ark. Your ability to cross the cosmic barrier without disrupting the dream makes you an irreplaceable vessel. When you appeared with such a treasure, all Outer Gods saw hope… a path to the new world."
Yog-Sothoth was about to say more, but her gaze shifted.
Abigail's serene face flickered with confusion and surprise.
"Another Outer God is here? How so soon? It should've delayed them for hours."
"What?!"
Roy's heart jolted.
In an instant, an extraordinary force locked onto him, stripping his body of movement.
Though the space around him seemed empty…
The next moment, his cheek brushed something soft, an odd fragrance filling his senses. A strange warmth flooded his mind through his senses.
Before he could react, a warm embrace enveloped him from nowhere.
"Finally, I've found you, child! Come let Mommy hug you~"
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Hi guys, Elenea here! I just want to announce that starting now I'll be trying to focus on my own original fanfic, which I've been thinking about for the past few days (lol I really mulled this over briefly for a few days and decided I'm going to make it a full novel).
[Worse Than the Devil (DxD)]
Synopsis:
Devil.
An evil and chaotic creature, born from hell, which are often a scapegoat for humans. Blamed for the atrocities they themselves commit.
"The devil made me do it."
A phrase always uttered by humans after committing crimes, casting blame and responsibility for their wrongdoings onto the devil.
But not all humans are like that, for there is one man who would gleefully commit atrocities that would be condemned by all of human history and accept the blame and responsibility for those wrongs with open arms.
His name is Michael, but in stark contrast to the meaning of his name 'Who is like God' he is not a devout man who draws near to God's embrace. Instead… he is the one who sends lost sheep to meet God's embrace much faster.
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Btw, a quick note before you decide to read, if you have a heart as pure as glass, I suggest you don't read this because it REALLY gets dark to early. The first chapter will give you a little idea of what I might explore later on in this fanservice harem-themed world like DxD.
Adios!