71 Gaining Servants (1/2)
[Yes you can. You can also cast teleportation on others even without you going with them.] The system informed me. That brought a grin to my face.
I immediately turned my attention to my mini-map and inspected it to see where Raiz, Troik, and the elves were. I was delighted when I saw that they weren't over at the still activate zone of ”Unfettered divinity”. Seeing that brought a smile to my face and allowed me to turn my full attention to my two dark elven companions.
I looked at them and spent a second targetting them. And then I cast ”Teleportation”, whisking them out of here and into the same spots where Calorron and Farrane had just stood. A second later I followed them there, vanishing in a flash and reappearing in the forest I had spent the early morning in.
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The span of time it took for the three of us to leave the chamber we had met in was a mere few seconds. And when I met the dark elves once again both of them were reeling from the sudden exposure to the sun. I chuckled and refocused to target them, before bestowing them with a single blessing: that of the domain of light.
Doing so merely took me looking at them and willing them to experience the sun's kiss on their skin. As soon as I wanted them to be blessed by the domain of light, I felt a rush of power flow out of me and into them. I watched as both of them fell to their knees, and as they read whatever notification they had just received.
”So it's true...” Lilith muttered, truly stunned by what she was reading. Her eyes were filled with an emotion that hadn't crossed her face until just now: awe.
”He really is... a god.” Uttered her fellow historian. His voice was reverential, as he was truly in awe of the power I displayed.
Both of them finished reading whatever notification they had received at the same time and their gazes snapped upwards. They had calm expressions on their faces and their eyes were surprisingly tranquil. It was when they spoke though that I was the most surprised.
”Althos... What are your intentions? Your true intentions?” Asked the male dark elf. I chuckled. It seemed that he didn't believe that I was being honest earlier about my desires. I turned my gaze so that I could stare at him.
”I am building an empire. An empire that serves me. That worships me. I seek to add Aronms to it. I wasn't lying.” I told him, speaking honestly. ”I intend to become the overlord that rules over Aronms. A living god and the figure from which all other power is granted.” I explained to the dark elf.
Lilith listened to my answer, her eyes widening when she also realized that I wasn't joking or lying. She spoke now, her voice filled with curiosity.
”What will you do to those who intend to oppose you?” She asked, looking at me in a whole new light now. I sighed.
”I will convince them to accept the truth. In life... or in death.” I told her, speaking somewhat honestly. I had the power to convince people to worship me, and I intended to use it.
”I possess powers over the earth, light, darkness, and so much more. I will sneak into the places where I am not worshipped and make myself worshipped. I am a god. I will earn the worship of the living, or I will accept the worship of the dead.” I told her, speaking arrogantly for a moment.
”I want this to be clear. I am the most powerful being either of you have ever or will ever meet. And I grow stronger every second. If you revere power, then there will never be a being you revere more than me.” I declared, speaking sincerely.
”I can grant you power. Power to shape your city as you see fit. But for you to acquire said power, you must worship. You must submit. Your pride is nothing to me. Discard it and become mine.” I declared to the elves, before finally focusing on the male dark elf for the first time.
[Name: Drow Dragonspear (Level twelve monk)
Species: Dark elf
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Personal virtue: Chasity
Personal vice: Pride
Magic sensing: Drow isn't a particularly potent spellcaster. He is, on the other hand, an incredible warrior.
Faith sense: Drow lacks a cause to fight for or a master to believe in. What's worse is that because of his high-ranking position within Aronms hierarchy he isn't really below any specific individual. This leaves him directionless and adrift in a surprisingly hierarchical society.
Authority detection: Drow is a well-known individual and military-commander within the city of Aronms. He is one of the higher-ups within the military, and his suggestions are taken seriously.
Soul sense: Drow has the soul of a templar. Many templars are lawful warriors or monks who obey their divine masters with fervor and who love and adore the divine beings they follow. They are also skilled warriors who obey the edicts of their gods zealously.]
Learning more about the male dark elf made me smile. The dark elf, noticing my attention, bowed low and passionately. I considered how to approach the directionless denizen of the darkness. And then I began to speak to him.
”Drow... I see your secrets. I feel how adrift you are without a master to serve. If you would serve me, you'd finally have a master that truly deserves to be served.” I told the dark-elf.
”You've spent so long feigning service to mortals undeserving of your service. Mortals who never appreciated you and who never recognized your talents. Let today be the day that that past dies. That your old life comes to an end.” I told him, before beginning to truly appeal to his pride.
”I recognize your power. Your pride. I delight in them.” I told the dark elf, speaking truthfully.
”I could help you further advance your powers. By serving me you cease to be who you once were: someone people saw as a figure to be feared and you become who someone with your power was always meant to be: a recognized and valued servant.” I told the dark elf.
I sensed the conflicted feelings my words stirred within him. He tensed up at what I was saying as if it conflicted with some value held by dark elves. But he also exhaled, releasing a breath I doubt he knew he was holding in at all.
”You are directionless, unsure of where to go or what to do. You are above the petty politics of Lilith. I need skilled warriors and respected commanders who are immune to the temptation of personal advancement and recognition. Come to where you are needed. Serve me.” I told the dark elf, speaking sincerely. In response, he grinned at me.
”If I serve... What will I gain out of it?” He asked, beginning to seriously consider the words I was saying.
”If you serve you will gain the power to extend your people's power and authority. If you serve, I will be able to quicker in my conquest of Aronms, and thus add your people's might to my empire. This will open up new trade routes, and allow for more power and fear to be afforded to dark elves throughout the world.” I told the dark elf, before adding on a few additional benefits.
”I can bless people who follow me. One of the benefits of that, as you've seen here,” I said, gesturing to the sun-bathed forest around me. ”Is that I can help people in various ways. I can also increase someone's stats using my blessings, making anyone I want into a champion.” I told the thoughtful male.
”I can render people immune to the sun's burns and help them see in sunlight. Imagine the surface dwellers facing off against an army of dark elves?” I told the dark elf, chuckling as I envisioned an army of creatures even a quarter as powerful as Lilith or Drow being forced to defend themselves from the subterranean warriors.
Both of the dark elves also began to chuckle at that remark, themselves amused by it. After they finished chuckling, I rose a single finger in the direction of Drow.
”I can also grant classes. A number of them. If you wish for power, all you need to do is tell me. I'll add to your power, blessing you and bestowing upon you a new class. All it takes is accepting your rightful place as my servant.” I told the dark elf.
”It is your destiny to become a valued and respected member of my forces. It is both of your destinies in fact. Serve me, in exchange for power. And gain so much more.” I told them.
”Serve me, and use the power I grant you to pursue your own objectives. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. All it takes is, in Drow's case an embrace of pride, and in your case,” I said, turning to Lilith more once. ”An abandonment of arrogance. And in return, you gain power.” I whispered, tempting both of the dark elves.
I sensed both of them consider my offer. I looked into their eyes and saw them weighing the benefits vs the drawbacks. A part of me was tempted to remind them of the vast power difference between us but I opted not to do so just yet. I didn't like resorting to violence or even the threat of it if I could help it, and I didn't feel the need to do so just yet.
I waited patiently while they mulled over my offer. A few moments passed before Drow turned his gaze back to me. When he did so he refocused and waited for me to let my eyes fall on him. As soon as they did he began to speak.
”Master... I shall serve. What are your orders?” He asked, his gaze dropping as soon as he finished speaking. I chuckled, and rewarded him by granting him a class: the templar class. I then turned to Lilith.
”Althos... If we aid you in conquering our own home, what do we get out of it?” She asked. I chuckled and thought about how to reply to her. It didn't take me long to come up with a lie suitable for the occasion.
”By serving me you save your own life, that of your family, and those of your allies. I shall conquer Aronms. If I do it with your help it will take longer, but more dark elves will live. And every dark elf that dies shall arise and shall serve. I am a god of necromancy. You and your kin will serve in life, or in undeath. Only the truly blessed shall serve in both.” I told her, my words falling over her easily.