The imp landed on a open field free of any demons torturing souls, much to the mutts relief. Those screams were really unnerving.
"Show me what you can do.", the imp pointing at a black spot.
The mutt was about to start chaining in Egyptian words of power to conjure a fire ball, but after considering for a bit, the mutt simply manually manipulate the elements around it. A simple wide stream of flames spew from its center head.
"Oh you know how to use fire too?", the imp commented, impressed. The imp was at the bottom of the barrel so of course the strength the mutt exhibited, wowed it.
The mutt was a bit disappointed that its magic it studied so hard was useless in its situation. compared to when it was a cute little phoenix it could conjure flames much stronger than this. Now it had to learn a whole new system!
The mutt: But, I'll be fine! After all I am a god!
Author: A god who lost its powers and turned into a mutt?
The mutt: You don't have to remind me!
Was there anything it could do increase its firepower? It was truly nothing compared to its pervious combat power.
"Wait didn't it have two other heads that are doing nothing right now?", the mutt suddenly had an epiphany!
It commanded its other 2 heads opened their mouth as well and a stream of fire erupted from them as well. It immediately widened its range to a full 300 degree circumference and a sea of fire seemed to blanket the area. It controlled the 3 streams of fires to merge into one and the heat increased so much it melted even the red earth of purgatory!
"68 give me some targets!", the mutt wasn't done yet and wanted to experiment some more.
"You got it!", 68 threw out little rocks on the ground into the air.
It shorty closed off it's stream of flames and rushed into a sprint while hitting targets by launching precision attacks of fire balls.With only one mouth it could rapidly spit out a few dozen at a time, but now that it utilized its other heads it was akin to a machine gun!
BAM! BAM! BAM! The little rocks were eviscerated.
It was still getting use to its new body but having 3 pairs of eyes allowed it to aim easier and spot targets and its big bro Horus training didn't go in vain. Its mind for combat and tactics for battle was still ingrained in its brain.
It could focus fire on a single point or have large scale attacks to hit multiple enemies and especially evasive ones like Loki, who it faced in the vault. It was not effective as its phoenix form while it chanted its magics, but it was a suitable crutch.
It didn't utilize the special characteristics of its cerberus body enough! The revelation added new creative options to its combat style! This new body had its perks! Of course it still preferred its cute little phoenix form...
"I thought you were the power type. What sins are you compatible with?", the mutt grinned and told the imp with great pride.
"Three sins! Wow!", the imp was very impressed compared to the lack luster reaction of lord Phenex.
"Hehe!," looking all smug his tail started to subconsciously wag. It missed the feeling of being praised...
*Ding!*
"Proficiency in the sin of pride achieved!", a voice sounded in its head.
"System you'r back!", cried the mutt in its mind.
"New features were added after plundering the sin system."
"Host evaluation of compatible sin initiated..."
*Beep!*
"Pride:Compatibility 30%"
"Greed:Compatibility 35%"
"Sloth: Compatibility 25%"
As the system listed out its compatibly, the mutt thought, "Should I be insulted or proud?", was it like saying it was lazy, greedy, and arrogant, these sins don't exact paint it in a great light...
"You are already so strong! You might me equal to a knight class demon! If you master the power of sin you might even have chance at the lord class!"
"The next step is to empower your flames with a type of sin and give it a special effect.", 68 then proceeded to explain the properties of sin.
"Sloth is associated with sleep and laziness many use it to impose a sense of weakness to delay and sleep opponents."
"Pride has great overall balance and gives rise to power and defense as well as a strong unwavering confidence and will power."
"Greed has enhancement effects as well and I hear many devouring others strength and making it their own."
"There are millions of different interpretations, but those are the most common ones. I suggest you incorporate pride first to your flames It will give you a simple power buff, and mental durability."
"Your other sins... I honestly can't help with much beside my own sin of wraf, I don't know how you will incorporate your other sins. You have to find out on your own."
"You have my thanks.", the mutt was truly grateful it such a friendly soul.
"Hehe, no problem just treat me to a few sin points next time!", the imp gave a friendly smile.
"How do you use the power of sin?", asked the mutt.
"You simply have to act it out with your understanding of it. Demons with sloth will sleep, those with wraf will go into a rage, and those with gluttony will gorge themselves full. There are lots of other ways to increase your comprehension and you should find whats best for you."
"What does the sin of pride mean to you", the imp pointed at it.
"The sin of pride, huh...", the mutt wondered.
"Alright you get the gist of it. I still have to earn my keep, Im going to do another torturing job. Ill be back after Im done. Im expecting great things from you!", with that 68 spread his wings and took off.
The mutt was left to ponder by it self. It sat its butt down and closed its main heads eyes and its other heads on auto pilot to keep alert and warn the main head if there was any danger. The mutt decided to first find the definition of pride.
"Pride... I think professor Thoth taught me such a word... I thinks its like arrogance, ego, hubris?"
"Haughtiness, cocky, vanity?"
"Narcissistic?", the mutt listed out similar terms.
"Hmmmm, none of these really resonate with me..."
"Hmmmmm....."
A few hours later...
"Arhhhhh! So annoying!", the mutt grew agitated and flopped on its stomach. It even started to roll around in frustration. It started to wine uncontrollably and throw a tantrum. Eventually it tired itself out and sprawled on the ground defeated.
*Ding!*
"Gained one percent in proficiency of sloth", the system notified it.
"...."
"Ok Lets, try again...", the mutt gathered itself and tried again.
Maybe it could draw some inspiration from my teachers...
It never did pay much attention of physiological stuff that its teachers taught it. So it started to really search its empty bird-er dog brain to reminisce and recall its old lectures...
A unpleasant memory after a brutal beat down,"A strong god must alway be fierce and never back down, to protect whats dear to you." Horus's confidently told it.
Perhaps pride can mean bravery and fearlessness...
In the next scene it remembered being embrace of her gentle hands,"A good god must have confidence, kindness, and never stray form the wrong path.", Isis kindly expressed some advice from her experience.
It can also mean honer...
Next in a room it dreaded during a hellish study session,"A knowledgeable god needs to stay sharp and always be learning and achieving new things. Learning and improving is never beneath you.",Thoth educated it.
It could mean self worth and fulfillment... As it gathered its thoughts it became more confident and clear. It was like a dame various scattered thoughts became comprehensive and solid!
Pride didn't necessary need to be negative! If a demon heard it's philosophy they just might think it was blasphemy! It felt foolish for taking its teacher's words of knowledge for granted! In its enlightenment it truly comprehended their words and clung onto them fondly.
"I understand my path now!"
*Ding!*
"Proficiency in pride increased!"