Benjamin sighed.
"Let's set that aside for now and move on to the next topic."
Eluzan nodded.
"I'm all ears."
Benjamin couldn't laugh, even if Eluzan was almost fifty percent ears.
"You're a god, right? Why aren't you with the other gods up at the Pantheon?"
Tamzi had made it seem like Benjamin was a failure and doomed since none of the gods had chosen him. If it was such a big deal, how come he encountered a god as soon as he descended onto Arthea?
"..."
Eluzan stayed silent for an uncomfortably long time.
"Don't tell me…?"
Eluzan nodded.
"Why does everything need to be so complicated? Can't one question have a straightforward and comprehensive answer that doesn't require a mortal's lifetime to explain?"
"Chaos theory. And yes."
Benjamin gave Eluzan a blank stare.
"Next. What's the deal with being chosen by a god?"
Eluzan bobbed his head.
"That one's simple, actually. Being chosen by a god is a significant achievement. If it's done early on, like when children are born or for new arrivals such as yourself, it lays the foundation and sets the direction for the person's development, I guess you could say. It's also a boost. Of course, there has to be some degree of common ground between the person and the god."
Benjamin squinted. He kind of got it but not quite.
"I guess being chosen by a powerful god is a good thing, then? Oh, and apostles. What are those?"
"Yes. The greater the god, the greater the achievement. Apostles are the gods' messengers on Arthea. They have received a greater blessing, and their achievement is correspondingly better. Why? Did one of your fellow arrivals become an apostle?"
Benjamin nodded with a grave expression. He didn't know what the deal with achievements was. But he could tell that they were important.
"One of my classmates became the apostle of a tall, bare-chested dude with a hunting dagger at his hips and a bow by his leg. He sat in the middle of the place and Tamzi acted extremely subservient."
Eluzan grew silent as he looked at Benjamin. He could tell through their connection that Benjamin wasn't lying. He also didn't experience the happy type of feelings when thinking about his classmate.
And Benjamin could tell from Eluzan's expression, or lack thereof, that he had not delivered good news.
"...That's Kiamtar, the Hunting God and current Chief God."
"That's not very good, then."
"No. At least you're not on good terms with your classmate."
Benjamin raised an eyebrow and looked at Eluzan.
"Two questions. How did you know that? And why is that a good thing?"
"The anger hiding deep inside you bubbled up when you spoke about him. And I am on opposing sides to Kiamtar."
'Right. Hunting God. Fox. Makes sense.'
Benjamin nodded.
"Okay. I think I'm getting close to the end of my questions. What is an avatar? Why did you make me one? And what happens now?"
Eluzan accepted the change in topic with a nod.
"An avatar is a god's incarnation. Well, it would be more accurate to call you an extension of my will since you are your own being. You can borrow my power and your every word and action represent me and my wishes."
Benjamin narrowed his eyes.
"That seems like an awfully important position for someone you have just met?"
Eluzan nodded.
"A god can only have one avatar at a time, and, historically speaking, an avatar can lead their god to destruction."
"So, why?"
"The long explanation is too long. But in short, I am desperate."
Benjamin already suspected that Eluzan wasn't as great as the gods up in the Pantheon had seemed. The Black Fox God seemed to be a little down on his luck. His being desperate made sense.
"As for what happens now…Just like my will is yours, your will is mine. But I can tell you right now that my goals are long-term. As long as you are active and grow stronger, we will eventually reach them."
'That's a little suspicious.'
"And if I say I want to go home?"
"That will be possible after my goals are accomplished, so it's even further down the line."
"...I see."
Benjamin was disappointed.
"My avatar, how about lessening that anger of yours, for now, and taking things one step at a time?"
"Lessening my anger? How? Meditation?"
"No."
Eluzan smiled, revealing razor-sharp white teeth that glimmered in the bright sunlight.
"Through bloody revenge, of course!"
Benjamin felt a chill run down his spine. Maybe becoming a god's avatar wasn't as great as he first thought, at least not Eluzan's avatar.
Benjamin was careful with his thoughts since he didn't want Eluzan to read them. But he couldn't be sure, so he quickly changed his train of thought.
"...Okay. I guess we'll see. For now, let's do something about my current circumstances. I'm hungry, tired, and not in the mood for sleeping under the stars."
Eluzan nodded.
"Perfect timing. I'm also hungry."
"Gods need to eat?"
Eluzan turned to look up at Benjamin with shining eyes as they started walking into the forest.
"Always."
'Does he have to be so ominous?'
Benjamin didn't know if it was what he said, how he said it, or due to his appearance, but Eluzan had a talent for giving Benjamin chills.
"Since you're a god, can't you do something like conjure up a feast?"
Eluzan was silent for a moment before turning to Benjamin again.
"What do you think a god is, my avatar?"
Benjamin shrugged.
"I don't know. A powerful being beyond my comprehension that can do a lot of supernatural things like summoning people from other worlds."
"I…I can't explain to you what a god is, but you're wrong. Do you know what a ghost leech is?"
"No? The ghost of a leech?"
"Wrong. As such, it's a powerful being beyond your understanding and comprehension. In your words, a god. In reality, an annoying bug. Do you understand?"
"...Yes."
"Also, the Pantheon summoned you and your friends, not any of the gods."
Benjamin didn't even know what kind of question to ask to that revelation.
"Enough questions for now. Go find me something to eat, my avatar."