Chapter 298: The Freedom to Choose #298
"The enemy of my enemy is my friends, eh...?" I said, raising an eyebrow as I looked at Godfrey, still holding his hands high in surrender. "We humans do like that saying, don't we?" I added with a chuckle as I slowly approached the New God.
"That's right. Darkseid has been a thorn in your planet's side for the longest time, and he will continue to be unless he's dead," Godfrey said, still arguing his case as he watched me approach.
"True. Teaming with you to stop Darkseid sounds the most logical move, and I pride myself on being a logical man," I said, smiling as I watched Godfrey's expression instantly relax. "I don't like you one bit, and I'm sure you don't like me, but our interests align, don't they...?" I asked as I stopped in front of the New God.
"We don't have to like each other to work together, and once Darkseid is dead, we wouldn't have to see each other again," Godfrey said as he lowered his hands. "I will leave Earth and never come back," He added, trailing off at the end of his sentence.
"Do we have an accord...?" Godfrey asked with a frown as he extended his hand toward me, asking for a handshake.
I paused momentarily, alternating my gaze between Godfrey and his outstretched arm as I contemplated briefly before raising my hand. But instead of reaching for the New God's outstretched palm, I went for the insect on the helmet, snatching it before he could react.
"Nope," I calmly said as I crushed the hideous bug between my index and thumb, much to Godfrey's shock. "I saw you throw your sister to the fire to save your sorry hide..." I said, raising an eyebrow as I watched the helmet emit an intense golden glow.
"Anything value to your word instantly became null once you did that," I added, watching as the New God's body convulsed and his eyes turned white. "And unlike you, I'm not dumb enough to piss off a Lord of Order..." I concluded with a shrug as the life left Godfrey's body slowly until he stopped moving and fell to the ground.
"Fucking idiot..." I muttered as I levitated to the ground and inspected Godfrey's vitals. "So this is the Helmet of Fate...?" I said as I removed the golden helmet from New God's head and gave it an appraising look.
"Doesn't look that impressive..." I remarked with a shrug as I tried to put it in my inventory for safekeeping, but it refused to go inside, much to my surprise. "Erm, Nabu...? Do you have something to say...?" I added, instantly regretting my words as everything turned black around me, and I found myself staring at a giant golden head floating within the nothingness.
"You have my thanks for dealing with the usurper of my power..." The head, rather Nabu, said, his voice booming as he spoke. "But the day is not won yet... the forces of chaos still wreak havoc on your planet," He calmly added.
"Put on the helmet, be empowered by my will, and together we shall purge your home world of the God of Tyranny," Nabu concluded as he paused, seemingly expecting compliance instead of a reply.
"I'll have to pass up on that... I'd rather not share my body and mind with a jumped-up elemental, err, no offense to you," I said, awkwardly scratching my head as I looked at the Lord of Order's blank face.
"I'm guessing your former host is indisposed for whatever reason... but I'll be happy to help you find a new one once Earth is safe..." I added, trailing at the end of my sentence.
"Jumped up elemental, you say... that's an interesting term, especially coming from you, child..." Nabu said as he gave me an amused smile, much to my surprise. "You might not realize it, but you're well on your way to becoming one such existence," He added, his smile disappearing.
"It is why I offer you my power. You have the flesh of a champion, though chaos has touched your soul," Nabu explained, his tone turning grave. "In the vastness of the universe, you are the one mortal capable of using my might to the limit that the very fabric of your reality would allow..." He added.
"Such power would allow you to crush the likes of Darkseid with the snap of a finger..." Naabu said, trailing off. "Knowing that, would you still refuse my offer?" He asked in a solemn tone.
"Yeah, I'd still refuse..." I replied with a shrug.
Ever since I came to this world, attaining power took precedence over everything else, and though I have other priorities now, it was still high on the list.
However, more than anything, I valued my freedom to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, whichever way I wanted, and I didn't need some higher power to give me anything.
I knew I could achieve anything and gain everything I wanted with time and effort without a hyper-intelligent species of aliens, ancient wizards, or Lords of Orders breathing down my neck.
The idea of attaining enough power to defeat someone like Darkseid with a snap of my finger by simply nodding my head was very tempting, and it's for that reason that I would never accept it.
I honestly didn't trust myself not to grow addicted to such power, and I had no intention of turning into a damned crack fiend ready to jump and bark to keep the rush going.
After all, power freely given was power just as readily taken.
"You're not thinking clearly, child. Reconsider," Nabu said, still speaking in a confident tone as he looked down at me. "I'm allowing you to wield a power greater than anyone in your world ever has," He continued, frowning as he noticed my unfazed expression.
"You will be able to correct every wrong, to turn the world into a utopia with my aid, and all you have to do is to nod your head..." The Lord of Order concluded, trailing at the end of his sentence as he waited for a reply.
"I'm sorry, but as I've said, I'm not interested..." I replied, firmly shaking my head. "Now, can you please let me go? I need to get back to Earth," I added, sighing as I crossed my arms.
"Very well. I will allow you to return to Earth, but..." Nabu said, clearly displeased, evident by his frown becoming more pronounced. "Not before you had time to contemplate my offer properly," He added, his eyes shining in a golden light.
"One year. I will give you one year to contemplate and give me your final answer. If it is still a no, I will allow you to return home," The Lord of Order added, causing me to frown as he regained his blank expression.
"Should you change your mind before that, I will send you back myself..." He concluded, and the darkness instantly disappeared, replaced by the Nightshade Dimension's barren forest.
I took a deep breath as I retrieved the Motherbox and tried to teleport back to Earth. It seemed to work as a blue rift instantly formed, only to disappear within a moment.
"Is this your doing, Nabo?" I asked through gritted teeth, barely resisting the urge to throw the Helmet of Fate into the dirt and stomp over it. "How are you even able to influence this plane...?" I asked, trying and failing to calm myself and make sense of the situation.
"My power is limited in these wretched dark lands but nigh infinite outside it..." Nabu replied, his voice booming in my head as the helmet's eyes shined. "Locking down this plane of existence is a mere parlor trick," He added as the light faded.
"I don't know what game you're trying to play, Nabu, but You better let me leave at once," I said, holding on to the last vestiges of my calm. "I don't care if you're a Lord of Order or god himself. I will figure out a way to hunt you down and kill you if you don't release me right fucking now..." I added, taking a deep breath as I waited for a reply.
A minute passed, and Nabu did not reply.
"FUCK!" I exclaimed as I gave in to the urge and threw the helmet into the ground. "I'll fucking kill you for this! You fucking hear me?!" I went on, finally losing my calm as I began tearing down the weathered trees surrounding me in anger.
...
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