"Just so you know, your earlier theory is correct. The Shadow God has indeed reached the ne plus ultra of godhood." Ray looked Butler Fin in the eye as he spoke. His countenance was stern, his words without an iota of doubt.
"I see", Butler Fin replied. "What gave him away?" he continued. He was aware that his 'employer' wouldn't be so certain if he didn't have proof. He curious about the how though. Since Seth had blocked his senses, and since he had kept out of Ray's way, he wasn't clear concerning what had happened to give the Shadow God away. He wanted to know how Ray had caught on to the elusive one.
"The head of the Assassins Organisation was his giveaway." Ray answered. Fin looked at him without a word, waiting for him to continue. "There is something I never told you, mostly because I was certain that you wouldn't approve. Apart from me, only my uncle and wife know." Ray sighed in resignation as he confessed. Butler Fin knew everything, well almost everything. But when it came to Ray, the butler mostly stayed out of his way. He didn't like to peek into the secrets of his 'employer'. He didn't want to know what Ray had kept from him. But if he wanted to, he will.
Ray smiled bitterly and said, "You can look. With your ability, once you look, you will see."
Butler Fin wrinkled his eyebrows in consternation. Ray wasn't going to mention his secret because he wanted to guard against any peepers. Although he was shielded by Butler Fin, he still didn't want to take any chances. It was this level of caution that brought worry to Butler Fin.
He brought a palm to Ray's head and closed his eyes. For about ten seconds the duo remained in this awkward position. Once the tenth second had ended Butler Fin opened his eyes. He looked at Ray with anger and confusion.
"What have you done?" he questioned, the fury in his tone unhidden. "You want to be free of them yet you accept such a burden?" he wondered. He anger was born from his worry for Ray.
"I had no other choice. There was no one else suited for the task" Ray helplessly shrugged.
Butler Fin sighed tiredly upon seeing Ray's reaction. Although he was angry, his ability to carefully think about an event remained uncompromised. He was angry, that much was true. But he also understood why Ray did what he did. If he was in the young ascender's position, he would have done the same thing. 'He really is my student', Butler Fin thought.
"Who else knows about this?" Butler Fin enquired. "Just you and Alexis. Oh and my uncle obviously." Ray picked his nose nonchalantly. Butler Fin had the urge to slap his employer silly. How could one be so uncaring about the consequences of his decision? In the end, all he could do was sigh. If he was thinking about the repercussions of the choice Ray had made, then the Brute King had also considered them. Even if he hadn't, Alexis would have done so. And if she was fine with it, who was he to complain?
"The more important thing is that the Shadow God is recruiting." Ray switched the topic to what he felt was more important. His decision could not be reversed, it had already been made. Any of its consequences would have to be dealt with when they come. Instead of worrying about just one of the possible futures, he may very well worry right. The Dark God was reaching out to this world. In fact, he already had. But they could try to stop him before he gained total control.
"You can just call him by his name or true title. That belief that he'd hear you when you mention his name is a superstition the jerk spread himself so that he would inspire fear." Butler Fin stated. "And it seems he's looking out for those with impure souls." Butler Fin kindly ignored the embarrassed smile on Ray's face and continued with his speech.
"And even though I have met only one recruit, it seems he's targeting those with such level of power and authority in this world." Ray interjected.
"Indeed. This is why he is so unpredictable. I do not know whether he's targeting those who have committed so many wrongs so as to grant them the power of darkness, or to cultivate them as one would cultivate a vineyard. He may be planning to swallow their souls to increase his strength later on. Or there may be other reasons our logical brains just cannot think of." Butler Fin sounded exasperated. It was so difficult to try and comprehend the ways of one like Seth. The cruel god was so incredibly intelligent that, when you had assumed that you had considered all possible outcomes, his decision would slap you in the face. Butler Fin couldn't count just how many times he had been wrong about the dark god.
"Whatever his intentions are, we do know one thing for sure", Ray added. "Zandor would be chaotic again" Butler Fin continued.
"Well we knew this would happen one day. From the day I created a hole in its barrier it was bound to be discovered by other gods. It was never a matter of if, but when." Butler Fin said regretfully.
"You had no choice. Without you to contain our auras, this world would have been discovered long ago. And that was when I was weak. I could have easily died at the hands of my enemies. It is because of you that I am still alive." Ray said solemnly. Any third party, with the exception of Alexis, would be very confused by the information that was being shared so casually in this room.
There were three kinds of worlds: higher worlds; lower worlds, and; sealed worlds. Higher worlds were worlds inhabited by 'non-mortals'. The lower worlds were those inhabited by mortals. But it wasn't as simple as that. Those regarded as mortals were those below the heaven realm. Although the above-mortal realm made it seem like one had finally transcended mortality, it wasn't so. The above-mortal realm was so named not because one wasn't truly a mortal anymore, but to remind the wielder that his power could only be exerted over those in the mortal realm. Hence, there were several lower worlds with energy practitioners with strengths in the earth and profound realm. So even among the lower worlds, there was a hierarchy. But every lower world had something in common- they were all subject to the rule of the higher races. The stronger the race, the greater the number of world's they owned. That is why sealed worlds were so impressive. These were worlds that were hidden from the eyes of even the gods themselves. Once they lost their 'masks' the greedy beings that were never sated would come rushing, striving to gain control over them. Zandor was such world. It had enjoyed 'peace' for a while because of that. But this was about to change.
"Besides, I think Seth would have been here anyway." Ray said. "Why do you say that?" Butler Fin enquired.
"Because he didn't find this world. He was summoned."