Chereads / The Adventure of Zog Zorblatt / Chapter 16 - The Elder Things

Chapter 16 - The Elder Things

Zog Zorblatt, a cunning shape-shifter, delves into the labyrinthine terms and conditions of a lucrative tournament awarding 50 million gold, the equivalent of 5 billion US dollars. Intrigued by the prospect of gaining both wealth and a mysterious Mask of Faces, he's drawn into a competitive world that requires assembling a team of five.

However, Zog faces a predicament—he lacks friends suitable for this venture. Turning to Eleanor, a red-haired beast woman maid, for assistance, he is met with indifference. Eleanor claims ignorance about warriors, leaving Zog suspicious but undeterred. Undeterred, he seeks advice from Luna Hellstrand, a blonde-haired demon maid known for her connection to the mansion's owner, Polo.

Surprisingly, Luna directs Zog to a bookstore owner named Mr. Lee, a character he vaguely recalls meeting before. Following Luna's advice, Zog visits the bookstore and discovers that Mr. Lee is none other than the primordial of chaos himself. Eager for guidance, Zog engages Mr. Lee in conversation.

In Mr. Lee's cluttered bookstore, Zog's eyes catch a peculiar title, "The War of Two Brothers." The story unfolds in a distant realm where two siblings, Carlos and Jev Vanidad, vie for the position of Duke in the Meadowcroft territory, part of the vast Empire of Hearthswan.

Carlos, the elder brother and Marquess of Meadowcroft, epitomizes vanity and narcissism. Jev, the younger brother, embodies melancholy, leading a simple life without aspirations for titles or power. The conflict arises not from Jev's desire for the title but from Carlos's tyrannical behavior towards his subjects, prompting Jev's unexpected rebellion.

The war escalates as Jev, the once indifferent brother, becomes a symbol of resistance against Carlos's cruelty. Jev's transformation from a bored observer to a passionate defender of justice captures the essence of the narrative. The battles unfold, revealing the complexities of sibling rivalry, power dynamics, and the consequences of unchecked vanity.

Amidst the chaos, Jev finds himself on the brink of death, a perilous situation for a primordial being. The narrative skillfully explores the vulnerability of even the most powerful entities when faced with internal strife and external threats.

As the story unfolds, the unexpected victory of Carlos Vanidad, the primordial of vanity, challenges the conventional notion that goodness guarantees success. The story takes a compelling turn with the introduction of Kageyama, the primordial of greed, a enigmatic figure who wields wisdom yet is indifferent to wealth.

Unlike the conventional portrayal of greed, Kageyama's motivations defy expectations. He aids individuals not for personal gain or avarice, but out of sheer boredom. Making a unique pact with Carlos, Kageyama offers to elevate him to a status surpassing even the Elder Things—the ancient beings with omniscient knowledge in the expansive Feneverse.

The Elder Things, existing at the pinnacle of intelligence and power, only answer to a higher authority—God. Kageyama's deal with Carlos, turning him into the strongest entity in the Feneverse, adds a layer of complexity to the power dynamics within this vast cosmic tapestry.

The Feneverse, a sprawling expanse of infinite universes, each containing myriad iterations of reality, presents a mind-bending landscape. The intricacies of these universes, where a single reality can spawn countless variations, emphasize the boundless possibilities within the narrative.

Kageyama's indifference to alternate realities where he didn't become the primordial of greed highlights his understanding of his own place as the second most powerful being. Even in a realm where Elder Things reign supreme, Kageyama holds a unique position that neither Zog nor any other entity has managed to attain in an inconceivably long span of one hundred quadrillion years.

The delicate balance in the Feneverse underscores the danger associated with disrupting the Elder Things. Their existence is so vital that eliminating them would unleash chaos and destruction upon the earth. This revelation adds a layer of tension, emphasizing the significance of the Elder Things and the risks involved in challenging their authority.

While Kageyama manipulates reality with unparalleled prowess, his intentions, surprisingly, align with benefiting humanity. The unintended positive consequences of his actions underscore the intricate interplay between power, intention, and outcome in this complex universe.

Even Zog, a formidable figure in his own right, falls short of achieving the title of Elder Things, a position unclaimed for a staggering one hundred quadrillion years. Kageyama's ability to shape reality for the better, albeit driven by boredom, becomes a testament to the unpredictable nature of power dynamics within the Feneverse.In the vast cosmic tapestry of the Feneverse, the revelation unfolds—the Elder Things, once primordials, have ascended to a higher plane of existence. These ancient beings, towering giants in their majestic form, exist to impart knowledge to those deemed worthy. Seeking wisdom from the Elder Things is an endeavor that requires both goodness and a genuine thirst for knowledge.

Kageyama, the enigmatic primordial of greed, attained his unparalleled understanding from the first Elder Things—the epitome of strength and intelligence among their kind. His insatiable curiosity and unique deal with Carlos granted him access to knowledge that transcended the boundaries of reality.

Elder Things, benevolent in their nature, stand as giants that dwarf any opponent, transcending the limitations of size and stature. Their benevolence stems not only from their ascension but also from the inability to harbor anger or hatred. Unlike primordials, Elder Things have shed the shackles of negative emotions, becoming repositories of pure wisdom.

Attempting to provoke an Elder Thing is a near-impossible feat, as their serene demeanor and unwavering calmness shield them from emotional disturbances. However, the consequences of their demise are catastrophic. The death of an Elder Thing echoes across the entire Feneverse, causing the collapse of universes, worlds, and every conceivable existence. The sheer magnitude of this event underscores the irreplaceable role Elder Things play in maintaining cosmic equilibrium.

In contrast, the demise of a primordial, while significant, pales in comparison. When a primordial falls, another rises to take its place—a cycle that perpetuates the existence of these powerful beings. Kageyama, the oldest known primordial, continues to navigate the cosmic landscape, driven by a unique blend of boredom and empathy.

His interactions with the denizens of the Feneverse reflect a complex character. Kageyama's choices, whether forfeiting tournaments or creating them at whim, stem from a profound understanding of the human experience. His interventions, driven by boredom or empathy, disrupt conventional expectations, showcasing the unpredictable nature of his actions.

As the narrative unfolds, Kageyama's dual nature as a primordial and a benefactor to humanity emerges as a central theme. His motivations, beyond mere curiosity or boredom, involve a deep connection to the emotions and experiences of those he encounters. This paradoxical blend of apathy and empathy paints Kageyama as a figure whose actions ripple through the fabric of reality.

The story delves deeper into the symbiotic relationship between the primordial and the ascended Elder Things. Kageyama's unique access to their wisdom becomes a pivotal element in his journey, shaping the narrative in unexpected ways. The Feneverse, with its intricacies of power, ascension, and cosmic consequences, unfolds as a mesmerizing backdrop for a tale that transcends the boundaries of mortal comprehension.

In the ever-expanding cosmos, where primordials and Elder Things coexist, the narrative continues to unravel, weaving a tapestry of cosmic significance and personal journeys that challenge the very essence of existence within the enigmatic Feneverse.There could also only be 15 Primordial at once.