Chapter 1182 - 1182 – Trial One: Time (1/2)
”The first level of the Heaven's Trial,” Orthar said, ”only involves you, Mortis.”
”Why only me?” Mortis asked.
”Because you and Gravis are not equal.”
Gravis and Mortis furrowed their brows.
This was a sore spot for them, and they would take this as a provocation if any other person had said that.
However, it was hard to argue with the very being that knew absolutely everything.
”Your power is about equal, but everything else isn't,” Orthar explained.
”Gravis' conviction is far above yours, and if you also want to become powerful, your conviction has to reach his level.”
”Why do you care?” Mortis suddenly asked. ”From what I've heard, the entire deal with Gravis being some sort of mediator between you and our father only includes Gravis, not me.”
”You said previously that someone that only chases power won't face any issues before they become Heaven's Magnates. Yet, when we reach that Realm, he and I would have already been split into separate beings. After all, we only need the True Law of Sentient Life.”
”At that point, he is he, and I am I,” Mortis said. ”So, why would you care that I survive for a long time?”
Orthar only looked at Mortis.
”You are even more trustworthy than Gravis, in my opinion,” Orthar said.
Gravis raised an eyebrow, but eventually, he nodded in understanding.
Mortis was generally more coldhearted, but Mortis also put fairness above nearly everything. Orthar hadn't gone against Mortis in the past, and with Mortis' fairness-oriented mindset, it would be very likely that he wouldn't go against Orthar.
”There's a possibility that Gravis will turn a blind eye to a sudden attack of his father, but I know that you won't.”
”I'm using Gravis as insurance against your father, but I want to use you as insurance against Gravis.”
”If Gravis ever breaks his word without a good reason, you won't just stand idly by, and Gravis knows that. That's why the chances of him breaking his word will be several times smaller,” Orthar explained.
'That really reminds me of the old Orthar,' Gravis thought. 'He has insurances for insurances just to be prepared for every possible eventuality.'
Mortis looked at Gravis for some seconds.
Gravis wasn't sure what to express right now.
”Understandable,” Mortis said, looking back at Orthar.
”Dick,” Gravis muttered.
Mortis and the current Gravis came from the same Gravis, but they had developed in very different directions. By now, if one ignored their appearance, one wouldn't even think that the two of them were related. They were simply way too different.
So, obviously, the two of them also had disagreements.
If one were to exaggerate the negative images the two had of each other, Gravis would appear like an uncaring, lazy bum in Mortis' mind, while Mortis would appear like a way-too-serious stickler for the rules that can't get that stick out of his ass in Gravis' mind.
Of course, the two of them were very close friends. These thoughts were, at most, some annoyances they had with each other.
”Alright, so what do you want to do?” Mortis asked Orthar.
”First, the time you have been alive must be extended. Gravis has lived for millions of years more, which has given him ample opportunities to think about himself and his life, which resulted in him affirming his beliefs.”
”You didn't have these millions of years.”
Gravis raised an eyebrow. He knew that Orthar was referring to Samsara.
Mortis had never used Samsara.
Why?
Because he couldn't.
Samsara had been designed by Gravis for his Void Lightning, while Mortis was entirely made out of Heavenly Lightning. Mortis couldn't use Void Lightning, even if he wanted to.
Because of that, he also couldn't use Samsara.
”And how am I supposed to gather this experience?” Mortis asked.
Orthar pointed at Mortis.
Suddenly, Mortis' eyes widened in shock.
Mortis absentmindedly extended his right arm.
BZZZ!
Black lightning devoid of Laws appeared on his hands. It was Void Lightning!