49 A very funny story (1/2)
”Ambition. You'll need ambition on your Dao of Mana. On the one I'll show you, at least. You won't be able to step forward without being ambitious.”
Helial furrowed his eyebrows.
Ambitious? Was he ambitious? To be honest, apart from his desire for retaliation, Helial had never really been ambitious nor presumptuous. However, he and the kid would find out together. Maybe that test would turn out to show him something about himself he was yet to discover.
…
How high do you want to go?
I'd want to hop like a Monkey and jump above the treetops.
That's it?
Well, I'd also want to be like a Tiger and climb on the steepest cliffs.
Only that?
Or like an Eagle and soar in the infinity of the heavens.
That's all?
A Dragon, then. Like a Dragon I'd want to touch the windows of the skies and glimpse at the universe from there.
Are you done?
I believe so. And you, how high do you want to go?
Like no one else.
What do you mean?
Like no one else, I will dominate all heavenly bodies, I'll be free and unattainable. I will be like the unreachable sky for Monkeys, Tigers, Eagles and Dragons. The universe will be but a tiny spark of my conscience, life will be but the formation of one of my thoughts, death will be but one of my sighs.
I will reign unrivalled; nothing will exist above me.
…
These words kept resounding in the Devil's mind.
He put out the flames with a blink of his eye, then put a hand on Helial's shoulder and said: ”Time for a few questions, Shithead.”
Helial nodded and took a deep breath.
The Devil directed his gaze towards the universe once again, and so did Helial.
All around them was a galaxy full of planets and stars.
They were now standing on a sort of translucent platform as their only ground. Helial held his breath and glanced at the Devil. He knew that his current form was the mere spiritual projection of his actual soul. Nevertheless, he couldn't help being astonished by that extraordinary sight. Only an Immortal could travel from one planet to another.
Helial looked at the suns as they burnt, at the asteroids as they rained down through the bleak space, and at the universe as it bustled with countless planets.
Let's see how high you want to go.
”Uhm?”
The Devil's eyes swept over the universe, observing it cautiously. But there was nothing to see. No flames, not even a spark. It had all quieted down. He glanced at Helial in astonishment, but something drew his attention. A little black and white flame was shining above the guy's head. It had the size of a fist, and rustled slightly, as if it could die out at any second.
The Devil smiled bitterly.
Without ambition, talent is nothing more than a wingless Dragon. For as fiercely as it roars to the sky, he can never get to defy it.
The Devil shook his head, but decided to keep traveling through the universe and give it a chance anyway.
”How high do you want to go?” the Devil asked solemnly.
”Not much.”
”Just- what, pardon?” That definitely wasn't the answer he was expecting.
”I don't aim very high. Should I?”
The Devil closed his eyes. At first, he had thought Helial's ambition would be great. There would be no match with his own, but he still expected more than a little flame that could hardly reach the size of a fist.
”Don't you want to become stronger to lay your hands on an boundless power?”
”No. That's not what I aim at.”
Had the Devil only got his hopes up? He grinned his teeth and held back the sudden urge to punch that guy in the face. Suddenly, a light flashed in his eyes, as if he had just recalled something. Just like her…
He smiled.
”I once had a disciple who answered just like you did. Like you, she didn't desire to lay her hands on power.”
For the first time since they had met, the Devil's glare brightened with a warm light. It seemed to convey a great deal of sweetness.
One second later though, his glare turned withering. The kid said: ”Well, then. Now I know what to ask you.”
…
Countless years before
Anf
A girl was panting before her master's gaze. He had two enormous bat wings and was staring at her with stern icy eyes.