Chapter twenty one:
While Aife was having a bit of a mental breakdown. Corvus turned to Merlin and asked a question that was on his mind. He was sure that he'd be able to get answers from his parent, but it never hurt to have a second opinion.
"Who is Oblivion? I thought there were seven Primordial gods. One Above All's representative, and then six manifestations of the primal forces of existence, Eternity, Infinity, Order, Chaos, Life, and Death. So who is Oblivion and is he/she necessary? Said Corvus Rigel.
Merlin's eyebrows rose in shock. "Thou mean, thou dost not have an equivalent for Oblivion?" Corvus shook his head. " I see. That is most fascinating. The implications are staggering. I hope thee can regale me with thy experiences at some point in the coming days, perhaps over tea. Well, to answer thy question, Oblivion is the embodiment of nothingness and emptiness. It is his entire purpose to return the entire multiverse to the nothingness of the beginning or counteract the expansion of the universe. Death, but Death and Oblivion are not one and the same. But little else is known about this ancient god." Replied Merlin.
Corvus paced and thought on his words. The concept of Oblivion was still a little lost on him, but he was trying to resolve it. After a few minutes, his thoughts reached the following point.
"Well, he doesn't seem necessary. Otherwise, Unova would have included it when I was forming the others. Besides, if I need to return things to nothingness I can just do that myself. It doesn't make sense to have something that does that automatically. Then why... hmm, maybe she uses him as a whetstone for the other Primordial gods? That way, they never become complacent in their creations. The constant destruction and reconstruction would make better and better creations over time, becoming more solid and harder to destroy, eventually making things much more stable and enduring. That's it! He's probably not even a true Primordial at all, but a lesser creation that is programmed to keep the god's on their toes. If I have one of my own... I think my power will be more balanced and built on something more solid foundations. And with both him and Bailhu causing trouble, it would be doubly effective. Bailhu doesn't want nothingness, just chaos, so... wouldn't he be a perfect sometimes ally sometimes enemy for her? And Siwang! She also would treat him the same way!" Corvus Rigel said to himself.
With that flash of inspiration he turned to Merlin with a wide smile on his face. "Thank you!... Uh I mean thank thee for thy assistance." Said Corvus Rigel.
Merlin chuckled. "There be no need to stand on ceremonious language with me. As a wielder of the Time Stone I am very much aware of how our language will develop as time goes on, and have taught as much to Aife as well. I would suggest keeping up thy practice of the language in public or at official gatherings, if thee so wish to join us during such things, but with Aife and myself, thou needest not keep up appearances." Replied Merlin.
Corvus shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank goodness. Seriously, I don't understand how you can talk so stuffily all the time." Said Corvus Rigel.
Merlin smiled wryly at this comment and coughed a bit to clear the air and try to snap Aife out of her ruminations. Like magic (hah) she snapped up and stood in front of Merlin once more.
"Now, I suppose it'd be best to work out living arrangements and daily schedules." Replied Merlin. Corvus raised an eyebrow at this.
"Excuse me, but I was just thinking that I'd go out and the world? There's not really anything that can kill me anyway." Said Corvus Rigel. At this, Aife turned to look at Corvus like he was a freak of nature. Merlin laughed boisterously at his statement.
"Nay, thou art quite mistaken. Thou may not be able to cease to exist, but at thy current strength and level of control discorporating thee or sealing thee would be a simple matter. Granted, neither effect is permanent. Thee would eventually reform if thou lost thy physical body, and the seal would eventually fail as thee grew in power. However, neither experience, I believe, would be pleasant. Wouldst not thee agree?" Replied Merlin.
After comprehending what exactly discorporating meant, Corvus took an audible gulp. "No, I don't think I'd enjoy that at all." Said Corvus Rigel.
"Nay, I don't believe anyone would. Then it's settled. Until thou cometh fully into being with thy current power's, thine training will be here with me and my apprentice. What sayest thee, Aife?" Replied Merlin.
Aife was coming to terms with the fact that there really wasn't anyway to kill Corvus permanently. As that sunk in and she heard the words of her master, she thought about the naivete he just showed and felt that it would be most prudent to stay close to him to make sure he doesn't get into trouble or cause any damage. She knew that he said that he didn't want to cause harm, but she still hardly knew the man... God... thing. While she felt inclined to believe in him, especially after learning that he was the son of the being that created all of reality, she had been betrayed many times in the past and would not let her guard down completely. Keeping him close would enable her to completely learn his temperament, study his existence, and keep him under existence. A single stone for several bird's.
"I believe that is an excellent course of action, master." Said Aife.
Merlin nodded approvingly, knowing his apprentice's thought process. He turned again to Corvus and inclined his head to hear his thoughts on the matter. Aife also looked to him. Feeling the stares, Corvus took a deep breath and released it slowly.
"Alright, I'll stay for a while. However, only until the next Sorcerer Supreme comes into their full power, then I'll travel the world." Replied Corvus Rigel. Merlin's eyes shifted almost imperceptibly. Aife didn't notice this change, but Corvus definitely did, since he looking for it. The elderly wizard mused for a moment and then nodded.
That is more than acceptable. Merlin then shifted to his apprentice, who was once again thinking on what was said. "Aife, please escort Sir Rigel to the place where he shall be living for the foreseeable future, and explain to him the training schedules. He will be following your regimen, and shall start on the morrow." Aife nodded. Seeing this Merlin then addressed the two. "Well, I must be going, I may not have much to do with the administration affairs of Camelot, but the King will be expecting my presence for council. Therefore, until next time." Merlin then created a portal and stepped out. Corvus watched this and posed a question.