Chapter 17 Creation of Relics
Getting up from his sitting position, Kreed struggled to uncross his leg. He was sitting for a good hour and now his legs had grown a bit numb.
Alden was steering the grape through the water calmly while occasionally throwing a glance a Kreed.
He seemed to be waiting for Kreed to respond, no matter what.
Sensing this Kreed added.
"Your right, that isn't all... Infact what I told you was the easier part of the runes to understand.
The main words scribed into it was a set of phrases that looked similar to the pledge one would chant during a ritual."
Alden interjected.
"Wait, so your saying that Caelan's tablet had a a summoning chant inscribed on it?"
"Yes, precisely"
"That's unexpected, I thought it would be something less... Astounding. "
Pausing for a second he thought.
"Is that how you were birthed? Did you summon something? Perhaps one of your relics?"
Kreed chuckled.
"Something way worse, I summoned a being that could change the world around me. It could talk, and referred to it's self as the god above gods"
Giggling a bit Kreed continued.
"Quite strange isn't it? It all seemed rather believable, until I thought about it clearly.
For all I know he could be telling the truth. He may be some harrowing god that could battle the demons head on. However I doubt that I'd be able to witness the true form of a god and survive. Besides I've heard stories of warriors struggling to keep sane in the presence of certain horrors. There's no way a god would be able appear with out repercussions."
Looking up Kreed studied Alden's face.
'i hope he buys that.'
Kreed had just blatantly lied to Alden. Of course he knew that the father of all was a true deity. He had received a bloody divine relic after all. Two for that matter and even an Alias. There was no doubt that it was a god. But Kreed still struggled to understand how he could come within it's presence without being harmed in some way. So he had mentioned that as well.
The best of lies we're made with a little truth sprinkled in after all.
Alden nodded.
"I see that's even greater than I expected.
It must've been at least a Stulified Oppressor, or even a Descended brute for that matter. Your quite lucky, k."
Suppressing a laugh Kreed nodded.
"Yes, yes."
"So, how did you get those relics? Did you kill the creature?"
"No, it gave them to me." Replied Kreed
"Wait so it wasn't hostile? That's strange. Perhaps it was a creature that walked the path of ascension." As if pondering Alden continued
"If that's the case then that would be even more astounding. Tell me K did the creature say anything about Caelan?"
After recalling for a while Kreed answered
"No. Not as far as I remember."
Suddenly being assaulted by a small wave Kreed shifted on the ground.
"Alden how about we eat right now." Said Kreed suddenly realizing just how delicious the meat smelt.
Alden stared at him for a while before smiling.
"Sure"
Soon the grape was placed into the makeshift automatic mode. And Alden joined Kreed on the floor.
"Welpp, let's dig in then." Said Alden.
...
As the waves crashed against you the wooden sides of the grap kreed sat, slumped and full.
He had just eaten a portion of dark lyre. Raging feelings of pleasure engulfed his mind. He had not tasted something so wonderful in over ten years. And finally he wasn't hungry anyone. For the first time ever Kreed was completely satisfied.
Sitting beside him was Alden. He was leaning against the side of the grape and picking his teeth.
Staring at him Kreed chuckled. Suddenly he asked.
" um Alden if you don't mind me asking, what's the glasses for?"
To Kreed Alden looked extremely comical. It was as if he was someone who boasted of fake confidence. Why would someone wear such Large golden glasses with a uniform on. Not to mention his silver white hair that made him stand out even more. It was as if Alden was begging for attention. And what about his skin? Kreed couldn't tell if Alden was paler than him or not. If he hadn't known he would have definitely assumed that Alden had been on apostle island for just as long as he had.
Turning to Kreed Alden replied.
"The glasses you ask? Well to make a long story short. Most people that I've let look into my eyes are scarred to this day. So the glasses are sort of like a safety measure, a veil of sorts to protect those around me."
"Wow, that's very interesting. Is it a relic? "
Asked Kreed
He was super curious about Aldens glasses.
Why was it made of gold? Could he see properly? Was protection it's only use? Many questions plagued his mind some finding answers and others remaining unsolved.
'hah, am really starting to see the effects of my power now. But it's more of a burden than a help. Because now I need to know the answers.'
"Well, k it actually is. I got it made by one of my good friends a couple years ago. It cost me quite a lot but I'd say the product was worth it. "
Answered Alden
"Wait you got it made? Is that possible? I thought you could only get relics by killing creatures?" Replied Kreed.
Well that was a lie, of course Kreed knew that relics could be made. It was one of the most researched topics by the scientists on apostle island. He also had two relics that could be used as material for another. So of course he knew. But right now he needed information.
Information on the creation of relics and how he could do it himself.
"Well it's a very complex process k. Most obtain relics by slaying creatures be it good or bad. This was proven to be the most effective way as the relic received is directly proportional to the rank of the creature slain. But there's also the obtain that most of the big clans go for. They aim to create their own relics to suit there needs to the tee. They can also use the soul crystal dropped by the creature to directly influence the rank. And the amount of crystals to influence the grade of the relic." Alden paused before continuing.
"For example the Dark lyre you just ate.
It was a stagnant wretch. Therefore being of the second rank and the second class it possessed two soul crystals of the silver rank.
If a craftsman were to make a relic with that, the best he could do is create a silver ranked grade two relics. But that's the best of the best of course."
Kreed look at him astonished
"I see that's quite something. So what rank and grade are those glasses?"
Suddenly Alden's smile widening and a wave of regret washed over Kreed.
"Oh... These? Well I got the crystal form a creature called Selmak it was quite the battle actually. Am not sure if I've ever been that close to death since then. But it was quite something. If I remember correctly it was a Stulified Oppressor, impressive right? I actually got a tamed from it but I gave it to one of my accomplices. I got five third rank crystals from it and so I used three of them to create this glasses and sold the other two.
So overall this glasses is a gold rank grade three relic."
Kreed studied his face for a bit thinking of a reply. With that little interaction Kreed had learned so much and so little at the, same time.
Apparently having a gold rank relic is impressive. But then what would having a profound ranked relic be considered or having two divine ones for that matter? Kreed definitely couldn't tell Alden about his relics now. It would be way to much of a risk.
But more than that he couldn't tell if Alden was lying or not. He had just claimed to kill a Stulified Oppressor after all a creature of the same rank and class as Dallas. For some odd reason Kreed found that hard to believe. Dallas wasn't even at his full power yet he completely desolated the entire island. Not to mention that his poison was still running rampantly and spreading from the island at a concerning degree ten years later.
So then how would Alden be able to kill a creature of similar power?
'is he delusional?'
"Ohh, is that Soo...? But if you killed such a terrible creature then surely you wouldn't use it's crystals to make a glasses. I sure wouldn't."
Alden's smile widening even further.
"Well k originally I was planning on selling all five crystals but then my friend offered to make visionary relic for me. So I went with it. "
" that's something, you must really have good friends."
Replied Kreed
"But of course. Well k now that we're talking about relics, tell me what's the rank of the one you got from the creature."
Said Alden a sneaky smile appearing on his lips.
'Damnation'
Alden had just switched the topic to Kreed, and now that it had started Kreed was in a dilemma. He could either tell Alden the truth in which case he would have to present a form of proof.
He could lie in which case he would probably still need to show a bit of proof or he could try and change the subject. The third option seemed most suitable for the situation, but was definitely the most unlikely to happen.
Making a quick decision Kreed replied.
"Am so sorry Alden but it's not as incredible as your hoping it is and to me honest I don't fully tr--"
"Quiet"
Alden had just cut Kreed off. The expression on his face had changed from that of a smile to that of a beast. He seemed to be entirely focused on something. He held his index finger to his lips as if signaling to be quiet.
'shit, did I mess up? ' thought Kreed as he couldn't help but gulp.
Suddenly Alden's head jolted to the bow of the grape. His gaze seemed to fall somewhere far of into the distance. And soon a crazy smile found its way to his face.
"Well k, how about we hold of on this conversation for a bit? It looks like we have company."
Saying that Alden got up and headed for the the bow of the grape.
Removing the stick that kept the throttle straight Alden increased it's speed and turned to the left. He seemed to have been focusing on something in the distance.
Soon Kreed joined him at the bow, staring preciously into the open expanse of water.
There he saw something incredible yet chilling to the core.