Speaking aloud would ruin the moment, dull his authority. But ignoring his Guardian was foolish. Time for a workaround.
He focused inward. He sent a simple signal, like the ones from Shadow and his suit. Intention shaped by his soul.
A questioning signal flowed into his Soul Palace.
Kharon’s answer came fast.
He sent an affirmative signal.
He scanned the burning village - charred buildings, flames, smoke. Nothing else.
A negative signal.
A sigh echoed in his skull.
Kai swallowed his retort. The prisoner beneath his blade said something - probably begging - Kai ignored him. His crew’s confusion grew.
Kharon continued.
Kai knew better than to look at gods. The first commandment was clear: Thou shalt not look upon God.
A troubled signal.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
Who are they for then?
What bores Despair God? Lack of despair. Everyone’s dead.
Summoning Despair God sounded terrible. Summoning any god was bad enough. Summoning the God of Despair? There were easier ways to die.
What about his crew? Even if his lineage protected him from her gaze, subjecting his companions to despair wasn’t on today’s agenda.
A doubtful signal filled his Soul Palace.
A voice reached him. Alira.
“What are you doing, Kai? Planning to scare him to death? Do you need me to—”
Kai raised a hand. He could trust her, right? They’d come this far. Rusk wasn’t likely to betray him. Levi was bound by contract.
The prisoner was dead regardless. Just didn’t know it yet.
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And the boy, Merek. Kai glanced toward Alira’s Dark Horse. The boy sat atop. Determination in his eyes. Kai suppressed a smile.
Want to watch your attacker die?
Merek was the least dangerous, but Kai didn’t overlook him. The kid had potential. His innocence and naive ideals burned with the village and his mother.
Kai lowered his sword and spoke.
“Kharon says not to kill him.”
Alira tilted her head. Levi stroked his chin, glancing at the sky. Rusk and the prisoner frowned.
“Who’s that?” Rusk asked.
“My older brother,” Kai said.
“Your brother?” Rusk narrowed his eyes. “Speaks to you in your head?”
Kharon’s voice returned.
Kai tried the title. “Kharon the Dreadful?”
Rusk’s eyes widened. Vigorous nodding followed. “Ah, that makes sense.” His eyes gleamed.
Levi’s eyes gleamed until Rusk glanced his way. Then his face twisted into a sneer.
“I guess you’re a big deal,” Kai said.
“Huh?” Rusk replied.
“What was that?” Alira followed.
Levi was too busy sneering to engage.
Kai tapped his head. “Quiet. I’m talking to Kharon.”
A collective “ohh” resounded.
Kharon’s voice emerged again. “Did you think me a small fish, little brother?”
Kai didn’t, but he refused to answer. His brother’s ego was big enough already.
“Ask why we’re keeping the scoundrel breathing,” Alira said.
Kai glared at her. Alira’s glare was colder.
Kharon interrupted.
“What about the others?”
Alira’s glare intensified. Rusk and Levi joined the glaring contest.
Kharon laughed.
Kai turned, retreating from the onslaught of eyes. “How?”
Doesn’t a God of Despair cause despair? How could anyone misunderstand that?
He suppressed his response. His crew was watching.
He massaged his temples.
Is this the kinda company I wanna keep?
If Kharon sensed Kai’s hesitation, he ignored it.
Kharon let the moment stretch. Dramatic bastard.
Kai gritted his teeth. “And what?”
Kai sighed. Another Gift meant another Curse. Not an enticing prospect.
“I’d rather avoid a third Curse, thanks.”
“What kind of gift are we talking about?”
Having a god as an ally was game-changing enough, but having Despair God as an ally…
His mouth watered at the possibilities.
Kharon continued.
A skill from Despair God and her favour. Tempting.
Kharon was selling this like he had stock in Despair. But Kai wasn’t convinced. He’d need to devastate an enemy before Despair God cared enough to look. The fight would be over before she showed up.
What use was her gaze at that point?
But if she gave him a skill…
A skill from Despair God could help him exact revenge. He needed to level the playing field.
And the price was a pittance. The prisoner was already dead. This made his demise more profitable. A little performance wasn’t beyond him.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
Kharon laughed.
His big brother hadn’t let him down yet. He’d take the chance.
“You’ll do what?” Alira asked.
Kai cleared his throat. “Here’s the thing. Everyone in the village is dead or worse.”
“How do you know that?”
“Short version is: Despair God is watching the massacre, and she’s bored.”
All eyes turned toward the burning village.
“Despair God?” Levi mumbled, face solemn.
“I don’t see anything,” Alira said.
“I saw her eyes earlier,” Kai said. “I thought it was my imagination, but…” He shifted his weight. “Now I know better.”
She shook her head. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be. Only reason she’d get bored is because—”
“The suffering’s ended.”
He nodded.
Her jaw clenched. “What did you agree to do?”
Kai smiled weakly. “Summon her.”
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What do you think the other commandments are?