Cabal stood there , rooted by the shock of the situation. His somewhat playful mind came with many snide , and joking comments and remakes about her statement , but sensing the severity , and finality with which she said that , he stopped himself.
He looked his patron in the eye , tryin to understand her decision , only to see her wince.
The black markings that covered almost the entire collar around her neck had inched forward again , just a little bit. From what he could see, it'd be only a few moments before the darkness completely filled the collar.
Groaning , Renova faced him again. This time , forgetting the weight of the his mission , and what she had asked of him , he could see how much pain she was experiencing.
"Renova , w-what's going ? Are you okay. "
Despite the situation , the ancient Phoenix chuckled. " You're really interesting. Just by looking the situation anyone can tell that somethings off ," she shook her head in disbelief.
Indicating the collar around her neck , she explained. "This is an artifact designed by the humans , called the Soul Manipulating Collar. It's purpose is to erase the conscious will of anyone who wears it , and force them into servitude. So far , I've managed to hold off its effects , but , I've reached my limits.
"I'd rather die than turn against my people. After everything I've gone through fighting for them , crying for them , even dying for them, I don't want to harm them involuntarily. "
By now Cabal could sense the frustration and sadness that was torturing her. "B-But can't w-we do something. Anything at all. "
The Phoenix Queen shook her head sadly as she saw his struggles. Racking his brain , Cabal threw out possible courses of action.
"What if instead of removing the chains on you , I deal with the collar itself. "
Even as he spoke , his four arms reached for them. A glare from Renova stopped his approach. "The runes in the Collar will kill anyone who isn't at least as strong as I am the moment they touch it. "
"T-then what about killing you. I heard Phoenixes are reborn stronger than they originally where when they die. Maybe you can remove both the chains and collar once you come back. "
Once again , Renova shook her head. "Can you even damage me. My magic is sealed , my strength diminished, and I am the weakest I have ever been since the moment I was born , but even so , can you leave even a small scratch on me. "
Although it hurt , Cabal had to admit that it was true. " If not for these chains , I doubt you'd be able to withstand the flames my Phoenix form unconsciously radiate. No Cabal, the only option you have is to devour me. "
By now tears had started forming in his own eyes. He refused to accept this. Throwing out more ideas , each one more ridiculous than the last , until he had nothing else to say.
So much for being the worlds most brilliant scientist. Smartest man alive my ass. He couldn't even save his friend.
Renova smiled at him as he was stumped. "As you can see , there's nothing you can do. I've already accepted my fate. You appearing before me he given me the chance to contribute to my people and my beliefs one last time.
"Devour me Cabal. You may not be strong enough to assimilate my power now , but overtime , my strength will slowly integrate into yours. When the day comes , when you're able to fully wield my powers , promise me that you'll use them to take revenge for me. "
The former scientist still shook his head in denial. Thinking ,still thinking of a way. He racked his brain as he run through the knowledge he'd gained since he came to this world , whether pilfered from the memories of those he'd assimilated in the past , or from what he'd found out personally , and he came up shot.
Not even Voice of the world , could help him in this those regard.
"Stop hesitating Cabal. Please , this is my last request. If you don't do this, once the collar takes effect , the first people I'll be forced to kill is you and my subordinates. Would you really force me to do something like this. Would you like to die to me when I'm not even in control of my own actions. "
Now that she mentioned it , Cabal wasn't sure that he'd get a third chance at reincarnation. He did many meritorious deeds in his previous life. Made many inventions that revolutionized the world and helped make life better for many others , yet he was reincarnated as a measly Mudman.
What would happen to him if he died now.
He looked at Renova one last time with conviction and he could sense her approval.
The Phoenix Queen pondered for a few seconds before speaking for the last time. "I don't have much to say. I've never been a good conversationalist when I was alive , so I don't think I should talk much now that I'm coming to die.
"I just have a few words of advise for you. First , know that the very spell that the Monster King created to allow us to communicate , despite the distance between us , can allow the other generals to read each other's memories. It takes conscious effort to block each other. Once I'm gone , they'll have access to my memories of the last few years at the very least meaning , they'll learn of your existence.
"I'd advise that you find somewhere safe and cozy to groom yourself up immediately after this entire incident , because the other generals will come after you. Once they feed you to their wards , they'll have and edge in for the final showdown.
"Second , a reminder. Don't forget to avenge me. Kill all those bastards the first chance you get okay. Try to make it painful. I want to be able to feel their pain all the way down in Hell. Finally , " she glared at him. "Try not to mourn me so much okay. I'm not really interest in that stuff. "
Cabal didn't know where to laugh or cry, but he nodded all the same. His skin hardened and his height increased as he took on his golem form and activated his [Assimilation].
As Cabals form slowly washed over her , consuming both her strength and form , Renova the Phoenix chuckled. "So that's how it feels like to be devoured. "
She looked up at the sky with longing in her eyes. " I'm coming to you , so hold on. Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long." There was melancholy in her eyes as she allowed herself to be eaten. With her strength , a slight shift of her body would be enough to render Cabals skill useless , leaving him heavily injured , if not dead. But she allowed him. Even egged him on.
"I'm coming. Just a little longer ...Agnes K-"
And then she was gone. Swallowed up by the bottomless pit that was Cabals body.
Even as he consumed her , Cabal felt all kind fo conflicting emotions. Anger , hate , regret, bloodlust. So many negative emotions assailed his mind. And all of it was directed towards the humans.
For a guys who was once human less than the years ago to hate jigs former race to such an extent was almost unprecedented. Even as he was feeling such intense and conflicting emotions , helplessness towards his own weakness filled his entire being. He longed for strength. The strength to no longer be looked down on. The strength to do whatever he wanted with no consequences.
As these opposing yet similar emotions messed with him , a notification from [VOD] drew his attention.
"[The requirements for unlocking the skill [Soul Imprisonment] has been met. ]