Something Immortal

69: Destruction of Soul

Lord Vercin, ever proud and boastful, sat on his throne made by the bones of his fallen victims among the frigid peaks of the nether realm. This divinity donned a golden mask on a quarter of his face, hiding the scars that had disfigured him long before this universe was made. Unexpectant of any visitor, he was stunned for the first time in many centuries, when a reflecting glass materialized across his throne room.

There was a brief silence as the glass melted into a pool of acid, spilling onto the floor where it reformed into the shape of a man, a figure so bold appearing before the Dark Lord could certainly catch anyone's attention...

Darkness without equal, Phaibun raised his head against this lord's giggling lunatics, shadow wraiths, and vicious mutilators. This one unique being among his many children, whom Vercin was familiar with, would lay down useless wagers and promote senseless bloodshed all for selfish reasons and for the mere mirth of seeing another's mistake, misfortune, or rage unfolded for the world to see.

This was the first time this young one had visited Lord Vercin alone, and the coyness in his expression made the deity of the netherworld grin widely. "Well, well...why are you alone in my realm? Has your boy toy finally roused and had chosen to leave your side?"

Phaibun smiled back. "Ryu has somewhere to be."

"Running an errand for you, I see. To what do I owe the pleasure, child?"

Phaibun's handsome face stepped into the fore and into that tiny light slipping through the swirling mass of darkness in the dwelling. "Queen Dragomir has been chosen to give birth to the World-Eater."

"Ah, it has finally come to this, hasn't it?"

Without haste, Phaibun approached the deity in his realm and professed, "I am your son. Certainly, you do not wish to see this world obliterated."

Expressionless behind his fearsome countenance, Vercin disagreed, "That world means nothing to me, child. My realm thrived in chaos and blood. I just need to wait until the Firebird creates another one for me to wreak havoc with. However, if you are that anxious about your fate, you can join me in my kingdom and become immortal."

"I do not wish to be infected with your undead disease," Phaibun stated without holding back. "I want to have power that no one else had. The power of destruction, of plunging an entire universe into obscurity. I want to be a God like Naga."

"You are playing with fire, son. Naga is not a deityyou can trifle with."

Phaibun leaned closer, smirking like a trickster that he was, strike a deal. "I discovered a way to destroy the finest beast of the universe."

Vercin peered at him with utmost curiosity, "Go on."

"Do you know the song of the Firebird could put the World-Eater into an eternal slumber?"

"Not forever."

"But enough for me to destroy him. He will be born in this world as a mortal, and the moment he transforms into a World-Eater, he shall be put to sleep by the Firebird. I will strike him and eat his heart in my ancient form."

"An immortal against an immortal."

"Precisely."

"What's in it for me?"

"How about...I'll have the power of Naga and you shall have the power of the Firebird. It would be delightful if you could have the power of creation and the power to reset a world where you can spread your illness infinitely. How about it, father?"

Amused by the confidence of this son of his, Vercin's mouth curled into a mock grin. "Very well, I shall take pleasure in watching you scheme."

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