Parallel Vol. 5

Chapter 24: Another One...

Kukulkan warily scrutinized Kashi's expression. It felt like Kashi intended to take advantage of its weakness. Unfortunately, with the wind gem in Kashi's hands, Kukulkan's metaphorical hands were tied. It needed to, at the very least, listen to Kashi's proposal, even if it was a poisoned apple.

Having made up its mind, Kukulkan no longer hesitated. "What is your proposal?"

Kashi gently removed Zuri's hand from his mouth, revealing a bright smile. "I knew we could negotiate." Of course, this negotiation was based solely on the wind gem in Kashi's hand. Without it, Kukulkan wouldn't have bothered listening to him.

Kashi glanced at the far distance. One of the summoning crystals' light had begun to dim. It appeared that even the crystals could not withstand the corrosive acid for too long. He needed to complete the negotiations before the acid destroyed the crystals.

"Alright, so you have two problems." Kashi collected his thoughts and raised two fingers. "First, you need to hide from Quetzy, and second, you need the authority to stand on equal footing with it. Only then can you stand a chance of defending yourself."

The 'authority' Kashi mentioned pertained to Quetzalcoatl's deity status. As a god, Quetzalcoatl had a natural suppressive effect on Kukulkan. This was the reason that Kukulkan could only flee from every encounter. If they battled in earnest, Kukulkan would not be able to utilize even a tenth of its abilities.

Kukulkan did not deny Kashi's claims. Part of the reason it raised the avians all those millennia ago was to harvest their faith in the hopes of one day ascending to deity status. Presently, Kukulkan was a demi-god, halfway on its path to becoming a god.

To ascend to godhood, it either needed a few thousand more years of worship from the avians or a few centuries if the faith spread to other races.

"Oni Hill will most likely be exposed after today. You can no longer hide here." Kashi's words dashed Kukulkan's hopes of hiding in Oni Hill until it became a deity.

Kukulkan sighed and then shook its head. "What do you propose?"

"I am currently forging a new world." Without holding anything back, Kashi laid the truth bare. "I need your wind gem to stabilize its wind element, but I won't have you do it for free. I still have a few deity positions available in that world. It's a fledgling world, so there aren't too many believers, but we both know the deity status on its own is more important than the strength for the current you."

"Indeed." Whether because it found lying beneath it, or because it sensed Kashi's sincerity, Kukulkan did not put on any airs. "I am capable of masking my presence once I become a deity. Quetzalcoatl will not find me so easily among the cosmos."

"Exactly." Kashi nodded, and then further expatiated on the benefits, "Furthermore, it is a world where your avians can live freely without fearing Quetzalcoatl's influence or vengeance. It's still early, so they can even serve as missionaries, spreading your faith to the new denizens. With the increased worshippers, it should not take too long for you to increase your power to a respectable degree."

Kukulkan's eyes betrayed its inner relief and excitement. However, the ancient demi-god was experienced enough to know there had to be a catch. "What do I have to pay?"

"Payment is an ugly word." Kashi chuckled, but then truthfully answered, "You have to agree to submit to my world's influence when you go in. It won't affect any of your thoughts, except making you completely loyal to me."

Kashi glanced at the wind gem. "I'll hold onto this, and only send it to my world after the submission is over. You have to understand. I cannot afford to leave someone as powerful as you in my world without checks and balances. I promise to never violate your autonomy or self-respect." Kashi paused and then let out a derisive chuckle. "Well, I suppose promises are meaningless. You just have to believe me."