Alaric awoke the next day, the agonizing pain had mostly disappeared, leaving Alaric with a dull ache, though it was hard to differentiate from the usual soreness. He gathered himself, thoughts racing through his head about the day before. Had it even happened? All traces of the god had vanished, leaving Alaric mystified– that is until a voice spoke within is head.

  “Awake are we?” Alaric looked around in shock for the source of the disembodied voice. The disgruntled voice continued. “Release me from this prison of flesh, brat.” Realizing the situation in part, Alaric replied tauntingly.

  “Or what?” Anger rose within Alaric, but he could feel it was not his own. He could sense the god’s anger within him.

  “Oh so now the little shite’s grown a pair, eh?” Surprised at the crude language, Alaric continued to tease the powerless god.

  “You’re no longer so sanctimonious. Give up on the act already.” The god spoke again, with a note of desperation in it’s voice.

  “Is it power you want? No strings attached? I can grant any wish your puny mortal mind can conceive, just let me out.” The pitiful state of the ‘god’ agitated Alaric more than anything.

  “How can I trust you. Besides, even if I wanted to release you, I don’t know a damn thing about why you’re trapped in my mana core.” The god pondered a bit before replying.

  “At the very least we should leave this shithole.” Alaric looked up at the chains holding him in place.

  “Yeah, a fine idea.” Their conversation ws interrupted by grinding steel, as the doors opened like clockwork. The Emperor strode in, Royal Guards trailing behind him. The Emperor’s scowl was especially deep. Alaric knew immediately that he was in a particularly foul mood.

  “Three talentless sons and a bastard. Is that all my bloodline can muster?” Lamenting the fact that he was unconscious for the entire day, Alaric’s head hung. Dismayed at the lack of energy, the Emperor scoffed. To him, Alaric’s torture was a respite from the duties of a king. Alaric had never experienced the calm, demanding aura that the Emperor emitted, because in front of Alaric was not a king but simply a crazed dog frothing at the mouth. The Emperor drew his blade, fingers twitching in anticipation, clearly somewhat addled. From within Alaric’s mind the imprisoned god chimed in.

  “Your father seems on edge.” Alaric pursed his lips, not daring to reply to the being out loud. “Just reply in thought, I can hear you”. Alaric’s eyes narrowed, and he responded telepathically.

  “You’ve been reading my thoughts, then?” He questioned. Alaric could feel the god laugh in reply. The god fell silent for a moment before speaking.

  “You could escape if you wanted to…” Alaric ignored the god with wary silence. “We both get what we want. Don’t forget I’m stuck here now too.” The last line in particular made Alaric think. It was true the god could have no ulterior motive, and he only wished to escape like Alaric. But as Alaric thought of yesterday, having to wrestle for control of his own body he shut out the thought. He could feel a brief tinge of arrogance and agitation from the god. “Of course…It’s your choice to hang here and rot - but I can’t say I understand.” With their conversation coming to a close, Alaric turned his attention fully to the Emperor who had approached Alaric, taking note of the royal guard setting the bucket down below. Alaric tensed, fearing what would come next, when the god’s dark miasma began gathering around Alaric. In a panicked tone Alaric barked at the god.

  “I told you no! What the hell are you doing?” The emperor looked at Alaric, brow furrowed, wondering who Alaric was speaking to.

  “Finally lost it, fool? A pity.” Apparently the Emperor could not see the miasma gathering, and he showed no reaction.

  “My power may have waned, being trapped in your mana core…but I am still an Elder God.” The miasma thickened and some of the royal guards behind the Emperor began to cough uncontrollably. A couple even dropped to their knees. Alaric stared mouth agape, The Royal Guard was not for decoration. Each one was an elite warrior sought after personally.

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  The Emperor finally turned to see his guard crippled with the mysterious illness, though he soon began to cough uncontrollably. The Emperor looked down, his aged hands becoming even more withered, bone and sinew beginning to shape them.

  “What have you done?” The Emperor muttered in pained breaths as he fell to his knees, but he was was enveloped in golden light. While the royal guard behind had been turned to dust, the Emperor stood tall,]. The damage had reverted until he looked full of vigor, even younger than before. In a commanding voice he shouted, “Where have you acquired the power of a god?” As Alaric beheld the Emperor, who now resisted the miasma with ease, the god within Alaric took the chance to offer new terms.

  “The Emperor is only blessed by a Minor God. Normally I could dispose of this lowborn shite with ease, but…” Alaric sighed, finally giving in. The god felt Alaric’s acceptance and laughed. With the god’s powers unleashed, Alaric felt his body being shrouded in the familiar miasma, now dense as smoke. The chains hoisting up Alaric snapped, the corrosive energy had all but destroyed them. Alaric fell to the ground, too weak to stand. In response the energy around Alaric supported him, allowing Alaric to face the Emperor on even terms. Without speaking, the Emperor pointed towards Alaric and two beams of light shot from his hands. One of the beams missed, hitting the back wall of the prison, causing the entire palace to shake briefly. The other immediately dissipated within the miasma. The Emperor clicked his tongue, and took a step back.

  “Whatever god bestowed it’s boon on you is powerful I will admit. Perhaps I was wrong in my assessment of you.” Alaric strode towards the Emperor, ignoring his silver tongue. He leaned down to pick up a fallen chain before leaping on the Emperor, who fell back without much resistance. Each attempt at a counterattack from the Emperor disappeared in the dark miasma, even as the Emperor shot beam after beam of light. Alaric straddled the Emperor and wrapped the fallen chain around his neck. The Emperor struggled vigorously, shooting wildly in all directions, but as Alaric jerked the chains harder, the light that shrouded the Emperor began to dim. The emperor reached toward the light and pleaded in choked gasps.

  “Why do you abandon me? You said I was destined…” with a final breath the Emperor spoke his final words. “...For greatness.” Alaric leaned back and took a deep breath . A myriad of thoughts ran through Alaric’s head, but among them one word echoed in his head. Freedom. He attempted to stand, but his legs buckled from the years of disuse. He heaved himself from off his father’s corpse and began to pull himself towards the door. As Alaric moved deliberately towards the door, contemplating how he’d get it open, the familiar grinding of chains and gears began to churn. From behind the door Donnell emerged smiling, trailed by more priests. There was a foreign glint in Donnell’s eyes as he approached.

  “That priest. Who is he?” The god within Alaric suddenly spoke. Before Alaric could reply Donnell spoke in a booming voice that was not his own.

  “If it isn’t the black sheep of gods” The voice speaking through Donnell oozed with arrogance. “To think even an Elder God could fall victim to the sweet allure of someone pure of blood.” Donnell smiled wider. “Avarice, how have you been.” Alaric could feel intense disdain boiling from within himself.

  “Donnell, you knew-” Donnell handwaved Alaric.

  “I want to speak with Avarice, mortal. Let him talk.” Alaric’s brow creased in confusion.

  “Let me use your body for a second. If there’s ever a time I plead with you mortal, let me speak to him or else we’ll both die.” Alaric listened the god Avarice’s pleas and nodded, letting him take over Alaric’s body momentarily. Suddenly Alaric heard his voice, but it was the god speaking this time.

  “So this was your trap, Pride? How dare you trap me in this mortal soul. Release me at once or I will tell him.” Alaric could see Donnell’s smile falter for a second before he regained his composure, ignoring Avarice’s threat.

  “Tell him what? That you’re trapped in a mortal soul, bowing to the whims of a bastard? How far you have fallen, Avarice…Oh, and before I forget.” Donnell waved a finger, and a burst of light emitted from his palm and imbedded itself in Alaric’s mana core. Avarice fell silent and Donnell turned his attention to Alaric. “With the emperor dead I no longer have need for you.” Donnell pointed a finger at Alaric threateningly, but then sighed. “But I am a god of my word, I swore to Donnell I would spare you from death. Goodbye.” The strange light in Donnell’s eye seemed to leave, and an air of familiarity washed over him. For the first time it was Donnell who spoke.

  “I’m sorry, Alaric. Know that things weren’t meant to end up this way.” Alaric stared at Donnell, feeling betrayed. Had Donnell truly set up Alaric to kill his father? The whole situation felt farfetched, though the presence of gods served as proof. As Alaric struggled to come to terms, Donnell continued to speak. “What happens next, I will do my best to explain. You will be branded nameless and sent to serve in the frontlines of the Imperial Army. ‘Alaric’ is now dead, executed for the assassination of Emperor Orneros II. I wish there was more I could do for you, Alaric, truly I do.” Alaric refused to reply. For him, he was out of one set of shackles just to immediately be burdened with another. What Alaric found strangest of all, however, was that Avarice was still silent.

  “What happened to that thing- no, that god inside my mana core.” Donnell adjusted his spectacles and stroked his beard. “To my knowledge, Avarice has been sealed. It’s quite difficult to kill an Elder God, even for Pride.” Donnell flicked his wrist, healing Alaric’s legs and allowing him to stand. “This is goodbye, Alaric.”