Chapter 16: Worthy

The deity completely halted, lifelessly it stood, it's beautiful eyes fixed on Rylan as he spoke.

“I'm not worthy, I don't know what this is, But I don't think I'm worthy. I'm not pure of heart, I don't have a heart of gold, I'm not a good person. I don't really care about anyone and I wouldn't risk my life to save anyone. All I want—all I want is to be free, to explore this insanity of a world and enjoy it, I want to do things I've never done before, I want to fight beasts, collect weapons and become the best but not because I want to protect anyone, but because I love it.” He paused held unto his aching arm as he looked around at the floors that had been stained with his blood, the destroyed statues, cracked windows and body sized craters that decorated the walls, He looked up, through the transparent glass was a perfect blue sky, not like the hued one synonymous to Axiom, this was a perfect blue sky, Birds flew past the glass, free and without worry, the white puffy clouds scattered across the sky sent a warm feeling through him, He looked back down and realized, this place was extremely beautiful, from the colors of the walls to the panels of windows, it was all done to perfection, Every curve and every detail was paid so much attention to make this hall fit for a god but for some reason, It didn't feel like a throne room, No doors and no open windows, It felt like a beautiful prison, Maybe that's why it had that look, Maybe it was trapped, Maybe—a gentle ache brought him back to his senses and he realized what he was doing, the pointless rambles of a man about to die. A chuckle escaped him “Im about to die.”

The pain he had felt wasn't forgotten, having full health didn't erase the memory of what it felt like to want to vomit your own insides, the feeling of every bone in your body breaking, it was something he never wanted to feel again but if he was wrong he'd probably never feel it again but that wouldn't be good news anymore. Still a smile crossed his face, Regardless of what happened next, He was glad he got to say it so He said it again. “I love it.”

Daragura's expression remained unchanged, Cold bright eyes fixed on Rylan's bruised form, garment stained with dirt and splatters of blood. He took a step forward and Rylan's heart began doing cartwheels in his chest but he stood, his breathing bothered as he watched Daragura stretch a hand to him.

“Fuck.” He thought, he failed and was about to be executed, Without an iota of hesitation, he focused all his Arkana energy, if he was about to lose his life, he sure as hell wouldn't make it easy for the deity, He was about to move but as Daragura's palm touched his shoulder He lost all motor ability and control of his arkana energy, stuck in place, A sitting duck wasn't as screwed as he was.

“Fuck.” He thought, a defeated smile curving his lips, there was no dread or sadness, just regret that he wouldn't get to see what was to become of the world. He was about to shut his eyes and prepare for the inevitable surge of pain, when something happened.

An instant grin plastered itself of Daragura's face.

“You Are Worthy.” The words cut through the silence as Daragura released his shoulder, Rylan remained frozen as The deity walked past him, ascended the steps and sat comfortably on the throne. Slowly he turned and looked at the sitting form of Daragura, he could form no words, all he could do was stare, his health began to climb again.

\[HP : 100/100\]

“I'm worthy?” Rylan repeated, his whole body shaking, his legs no longer able to carry the weight of his body buckle, causing him to fall to his knees, something warm trickled down the side of his face, he wiped it away and stared at it, Tears, he'd been lying to himself, he wasn't ready to die.

His shaky breaths were the only sound in the hall, bouncing off the walls and back into his ears, The feeling of relief was unmistakeble. “I'm worthy.” He whispered to himself as he found his feet, stood and wiped completely the dampness from his eyes.

Daragura sat, a similar posture to the one he was in when Rylan had appeared.

“You have questions?” His voice was calm, sounding nothing like he had when he'd repeatedly attacked Rylan.

“I do.”

“You may ask them.”

Rylan opened his mouth but paused, he needed to think carefully of the question he'd ask, maybe he was wrong but he'd act on the assumption that there was a limit to how many questions he was allowed to ask, so he would ask questions that only Daragura could give him answers to. As much as the question of what he was worthy of plagued him, he would refrain from asking as he would find out regardless, So he defaulted to the question that was of the utmost importance.

“What happens when the simulation ends?”

Daragura shifted slightly, closed his eyes let out a soft sigh then replied. “For you to understand my answer, you must first know what this world actually is.” Rylan straightened, Daragura stretched a palm to him and a small ray of light stretched from it and connected to Rylan's head, his eyes glowed and his mind went blank then was immediately transported to a valley.

green plants covered the landscape in a mix of flowers and lush trees, afar he could see the red mountains that formed a canyon surrounding them, The bluest skies he had ever seen filled with fluffy white clouds, the bright light of the sun bathed the valley in it's glow as the breeze brushed his skin, Oasis.

“This was Axiom.”