(Chapter 115 Devil's Deal)
"Tsk… Coming here was a complete waste of time…"
Tempest muttered under his breath, leaning back in the chair in one of the rooms Mavuika had provided for him. Three days had passed since his last tense meeting with the Pyro Archon, and though he'd adjusted his conditions several times, Mavuika remained firm in her refusal. It was clear she had no intention of conceding to his terms, and the impasse was wearing on his patience.
Tempest drummed his fingers against the polished wood of the table, irritation flickering in his eyes. Nahida had assured him she would attempt to speak to Mavuika on his behalf, perhaps as one Archon to another, yet she hadn't pressed the matter of the alliance at all. Instead, Tempest frequently caught her engaged in lively conversations with Mavuika, exchanging ideas, laughter, and insights that seemed far removed from the issue at hand.
With a sigh, Tempest leaned back, crossing his arms as he stared at the walls of the room Mavuika had provided. His mind raced, grappling with his next move.
"Maybe I should've gone to Inazuma instead…"
Tempest muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned forward, hands clasped together.
Before he could dwell on the thought, a low, sinister voice resonated throughout the room, carrying a hint of mocking laughter.
"You don't have to go anywhere… Everything you need is right here in Natlan…"
The chilling presence would have unnerved most, but Tempest remained calm, his expression steady and unflinching. He didn't bother to look around, his sharp instincts telling him exactly what kind of visitor he was dealing with.
"Show yourself, abomination."
Tempest commanded his voice firm, a touch of disdain in his tone.
"As you wish."
The voice replied smoothly. A dark, swirling portal materialized before Tempest, and from its depths stepped an Abyss Lector, draped in shadowed robes and exuding a malevolent aura.
Tempest's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively moving toward his sword. His voice was low and edged with contempt as he addressed the figure before him.
"Give me one reason I shouldn't sever your head from your shoulders this very instant, fiend."
The Lector paused, its piercing gaze meeting Tempest's without fear, as if accustomed to such hostility. There was a flicker of amusement in its hollow eyes, a twisted mockery that only deepened the silence in the room.
"Ah, no need for such hostility, Champion of the Sun."
The Abyss Lector said, his voice a blend of mock respect and chilling amusement.
"I come not to fight but on behalf of the Princess. I bring you a solution to your… current predicaments."
Tempest's expression remained steely, giving the Lector nothing but silence, his stance unwavering. The Lector, unfazed, continued as he sensed the opening.
"I know what you truly seek here in Natlan. You desire its precious resources, the very heart of its land. But the Pyro Archon so fierce and proud seems unwilling to grant your request."
He chuckled darkly, an unsettling echo in the quiet room.
"We, however, happen to possess the ideal tools to 'adjust' her views. Imagine… a simple way to make her see the benefits of sharing Natlan's wealth with Fontaine."
Tempest's hand rested near his weapon, the tension in the air thick as he considered the implications. The Lector's eyes gleamed, reveling in the silence, awaiting a reaction.
"Why in the seven hells would I trust an abomination like you?"
Tempest's voice was sharp, each word laced with contempt.
"You and your lackeys have been terrorizing this land for five hundred years. I should strike you down where you stand."
The Abyss Lector threw his head back and laughed, a twisted sound that echoed around the room.
"Hah! And here I thought you were a man with grander ambitions."
He sneered, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Why would you care about our incursions into Natlan, Champion? Shouldn't you be focused on Fontaine's future? Surely a man like you can see that there are far greater interests at play than the fate of this scorched land."
Tempest's expression hardened, his hand shifting closer to his weapon. The Lector watched him, that grin never faltering, his gaze challenging.
"You may not realize it yet, Tempest Proudmoore."
The Abyss Lector said, his voice dripping with a mixture of mockery and sincerity.
"But in the future, you will find yourself seeking our assistance once more. We can help you stop the Prophecy, an outcome I imagine you've long desired, haven't you?"
Tempest's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of uncertainty breaking through his otherwise steely facade. He remained silent, caught off guard by the Lector's words.
"For now."
The Lector continued, his tone shifting to one of feigned camaraderie, "The Abyss will extend a gift of goodwill. Consider it a token of our future collaboration. In time, we will be working together as equals, both striving towards a common goal."
Tempest regarded the creature with a mix of skepticism and intrigue, wrestling with the implications of such an alliance. The Lector's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken promises and underlying threats.
Shortly after, an Abyss Mage emerged from the portal through which the Lector had come, clutching an ominous dark chest. The mage approached the Lector and handed over the chest with a subtle reverence, its surface adorned with strange, pulsating glyphs that seemed to throb in sync with the sinister aura surrounding them.
"Behold."
The Abyss Lector proclaimed with an air of theatricality.
"Our gift to you."
With a swift motion, the Lector opened the chest, revealing a grotesque sight: a dark, black heart that pulsed rhythmically, as if it were alive. The heart emitted a chilling energy that filled the room with an unsettling vibration.
"Toss this into the Sacred Flame."
The Lector instructed, his voice low and conspiratorial.
"Once that is done, the flame will be extinguished, plunging Natlan into chaos. We will seize this opportunity to launch a small-scale invasion, leaving the Pyro Archon preoccupied with reigniting the flame. It is during this turmoil that you and your soldiers can swoop in to rescue those poor souls caught in the conflict. In doing so, you will earn the gratitude of the Pyro Archon, who will owe you a tremendous debt."
The Lector's eyes gleamed with malice as he outlined the twisted plan, leaving Tempest to ponder the consequences of such a dark alliance. The implications weighed heavily on him, as the heart's unsettling thrum echoed the Abyss's promise of power, but at what cost?
"This is nothing like the attack on that small village you managed to save," the Abyss Lector sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "No, this will be far more devastating. Portals will open everywhere, unleashing our pawns to ravage the land and devour everything in sight. But I must say, I expect your soldiers will fare much better than those Natlans who can only wield sticks and stones. Hah!"
A sinister grin spread across the Lector's face as he leaned closer, his eyes glinting with dark amusement.
"Come now, Tempest Proudmoore, let this be the beginning of our fruitful cooperation."
With that, the Lector raised his hand, palm open, inviting Tempest to shake on their unholy alliance.
"Would you shake a poor sinner's hand?"
He taunted, the mockery in his tone unmistakable.
Tempest stared at the extended hand, his mind racing with the implications of this dark pact. The Lector's twisted offer dangled before him like a poisoned chalice, tempting yet treacherous. Would he truly trade his principles for a chance at power, or would he find a way to turn this dark moment to his advantage? The choice weighed heavily on his conscience, and he hesitated, caught between ambition and morality.
Tempest rose from his chair, striding purposefully toward the Abyss Lector. He raised his hand, his expression a mask of composure, concealing the storm of thoughts swirling within.
"The Princess will be pleased; we lo-"
In an instant, Tempest unsheathed his sword, its blade igniting in a brilliant golden flame that illuminated the room. With a swift motion, he struck the Abyss Lector across the torso, eliciting an anguished cry that echoed through the air as the creature staggered back, dropping the ominous dark chest to the floor.
"You insolent-"
The Lector began, but Tempest silenced him with a fierce glare.
"Fuck off," he spat, his voice laced with disdain.
Tempest withdrew his sword, the flames flickering with intensity, and with a powerful kick, he sent the Lector sprawling through the portal. As the creature disappeared into the swirling darkness, the portal snapped shut behind him, leaving no trace of the sinister presence that had invaded the room.
Breathing heavily, Tempest stood tall, the echoes of the confrontation fading into silence. His heart raced, the weight of his decision pressing upon him. He had chosen defiance over deceit, a step back from the edge of an unholy alliance.
"I would never stoop so low... I don't need your help," Tempest muttered, his voice low and resolute. He averted his gaze, focusing on the dark chest that lay ominously before him. Slowly, he bent down, picked it up, and placed it on the table with a heavy thud.
As he opened the chest, he was met with the sight of the pulsating black heart nestled within, its rhythm a disturbing reminder of the Abyss's malevolence.
"I should get rid of this... or maybe..."
Tempest murmured, his brow furrowing in thought. The heart throbbed ominously, as if it possessed a life of its own, drawing him closer with an unsettling allure.
*Knock Knock*
"Tempest? Is something wrong? I heard something loud, may I come in?"
Nahida's soft voice came through the door, tinged with concern.
Tempest muttered under his breath, so quietly that only he could hear.
"Not now… not yet…"
Moving quickly, he closed the lid of the dark chest and scanned the room. His gaze settled on the space under the bed, and with swift, quiet motions, he slid the ominous chest into the shadows beneath it. He straightened, taking a steadying breath as he forced calm into his expression before responding.
"Just a moment, Young Pasha."
He called, his tone composed.
After a brief pause, Tempest opened the door.
"Perfect timing, I was getting hungry, let's go explore the city."
He said with a casual air.
Nahida blinked, glancing past him into the room with a hint of confusion.
"Are you sure? It sounded like something happened in there..."
Tempest shook his head.
"Nothing, nothing at all."
He led her down the hallway and out into the bustling streets, his demeanor as calm as ever.
As the door clicked shut behind Tempest and Nahida, silence settled over the now-empty room. Suddenly, a soft, lilting voice drifted through the air, filling the stillness with a tone both haunting and playful.
"How boring~"
The voice was unmistakable, one Tempest would recognize anywhere. Moments later, his quill, the one given by Columbina herself, began to float, shimmering in the dim light. Slowly, the quill transformed, sprouting delicate, feathered wings, four in total, as if unfolding from a cocoon of shadows.
In an instant, Columbina herself emerged, materializing with an ethereal grace, her haunting smile fixed upon the spot Tempest had just left.
Columbina floated gracefully in the room, her voice lilting with amusement.
"I knew watching you would be so entertaining."
She murmured, her words tinged with an almost childlike glee.
"But really, the flirting with her? That part... I could do without."
She trailed off, her gaze shifting, eyes narrowing in curiosity as they fell upon the dark chest Tempest had hastily shoved beneath the bed. Her smile deepened, a spark of intrigue lighting her face as she leaned forward, studying it with an unsettling intensity.
"Oh... what secret little treasure are you hiding from me, Tempest?"
She whispered to herself, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes as she reached toward the chest.
"I'm going to do you a favor since you don't have the spine to do it yourself~"
Columbina said as she took out the black heart.
Columbina chuckled softly, her tone both mocking and playful.
"Oh, Tempest, poor thing... You don't quite have the spine to do what needs to be done, do you?"
She taunted, reaching beneath the bed with a graceful, unhurried movement.
"Lucky for you, I'm feeling generous."
With a sly smile, she pulled the black heart from the chest, holding it up between her fingers as if examining a precious jewel. Its dark pulse cast faint shadows across her face, making her expression almost sinister as she whispered.
"You can be a hero, Tempest, at least in their eyes~"