Chapter 30: Chapter 30 - A Bout With A God.
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Don't forget to check the auxiliary chapter about Adam. It's like an info chapter.
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[Adam POV]
"So, tell me, kid? What is it that you seek in my temple?"
I stared at the tall, broad-shouldered man in front of me. Mavis' reaction, and his introduction all but confirming that he was a god. Or someone with incredibly good timing.
Now the question was, what to do?
I didn't feel the same apprehensive presence I had felt from Irene from the man in front of me, the power I could feel from him was without a doubt great, but not on the level of that woman.
If I had to compare the strength I was feeling against someone, I would say the man was on Gildarts level.
That however, didn't make this any less hard than it already was, after all, being on Gildarts level was more than enough to deal with me as I was now, meaning the best possible approach was a political one.
"Well, I'm looking for a specific kind of gem, one known as the Gem of Apedemaks, if I'm not mistaken," I replied calmly.
The god in the bronze armor shifted his weight, the metal clinking with each step. He tilted his helmeted head to the side, and his grizzled beard shifted between the gaps in the leather straps of his armor as his lips turned upwards, a hint of understanding dawning in his eyes. "Ah," he said softly. "I see."
Well, ain't that ominous.
The god's eyes bored into mine, and he spoke with a heavy air of gravity. "Human transmutation? I suppose? More often than not most of them are that's always the case."
I... I don't really know if what we were attempting to do can be classified as Human transmutation. It didn't feel like it, but it didn't sound completely wrong to call it that.
"My friends and I are trying to create an artificial human body to host the soul of a woman who is on her deathbed," I replied, wondering where the conversation would go from this point forward.
Would it anger him that what I was trying to do that?
Or would he simply not care?
The god's eyes under the helmet sparkled and his lips curved into a broad smile as he threw back his head and released a thunderous laugh. Still laughing, he dropped his hand onto his knee and shook his head in amusement. "Well, I'll be damned! An honest human!"
"Don't do anything to anger him," Mavis whispered in my ear.
"Wise advice tiny one, but you shouldn't worry about that, the kid is very respectful, and I'm not like Ankhseram," The god replied, his gaze seeming to pierce right through her, showing the fact he could see her.
So not only he could see her, but he could see her connection to the god that cursed her.
It might be best if I draw his attention off her, just in case.
With that in mind, I sighed and clasped my hands apologetically. "I apologize for the interruption and the suddenness of my request, but I must ask, is it permissible for me to take the gems I need from your temple to fulfill my quest?" I said, raising my eyes to meet him.
At this, The god took a step forward and a trace of a grin crept onto the corners of his partially hidden face. "If you manage to strike me, the gems are yours," he said, his voice echoing through the chamber.
My lips twitched at his challenge, and my eyes began to dance around the room as I suppressed a smile from spreading across my face. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I was fucking thrilled.
"Very well," I replied, getting ready to fight, releasing my Zanpakuto. "Judge all things in this universe. Zanryuzuki!"
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[Mavis Vermillion POV]
Adam stood before the god, his blade in hand and his eyes fixed on the divine figure in front of him, ignoring everything else.
The idea of attacking a god was both daunting and foolhardy, of that, I had no doubt, especially without god Slaying Magic. But Adam seemed thrilled, and before I knew it, he took a deep breath and lunged forward with his blade blurring out of sight.
Reappearing in front of the god, Adam's blade sliced through the air with a sharp hiss bending the space around, his strike aimed squarely at the god's chest.
But just as Adam's attack was about to strike the god, the former moved out of sight with lightning speed, sidestepping the blow with effortless grace.
Adam grinned at this, showing he was clearly pleased by the god's agility, so, without wasting a second, he continued his attack, striking again and again with all the strength and speed he could muster, his strikes cutting through the temple walls as if it were made out of paper.
Nevertheless, each time Adam attacked, the god easily dodged the blow, his movements fluid and elegant. And despite this, despite his failure to land a hit, Adam continued attacking completely showing he was undeterred.
His excitement reaching an all-time high, Adam continued to strike at the god with all his might, driven by a determination to achieve his goal and the fun he was having.
After a while, Adam's moves became faster, or rather more in tune with the god's movements, and with an incredible display of speed and skill, he managed to reach the god, his sword aimed straight at the god's neck.
But as the blade came down being nothing but a blur of motion, something strange happened. The god's body began to shimmer and blink as if it was made of light rather than flesh, and instead of striking him, it passed harmlessly through the god's form, leaving no mark or wound behind.
"That was fucking awesome!" Adam laughed in clear delight, ready to continue his assault on the god.
However, before he could do so before he could even take another step, a smile formed on the deity's lips, a smile that seemed to convey a sense of approval and respect.
"Already over?" Adam muttered in a rather disappointed tone.
This kid will actually kill me with his antics, he oscillates from a logical person to a complete idiot without a warning.
Then again, if he wasn't that way he wouldn't be Fairy Tail material, would he?
As I pondered on that, the god let out a deep hearty laugh that echoed through the temple. "It has been a while since I have faced someone as brave and determined as you, young one. Your attacks may not have harmed me, but they have proved your worthiness. The gems are yours." With a wave of his hand, a few gems began to float toward Adam, each one coming from a different chest.
"Thanks," Adam replied, sheathing his blade.
"Best luck in your quest young one," The god replied, his voice reverberating off of the cold walls around as Adam gave him one last grateful nod before taking his leave.
I guess we are finally going home.
"As for you little one," The god's voice was slow, gentle, and deep. His eyes were dark and seemed to be filled with a hint of sorrow and understanding before he looked away for a moment and then back at me with a small smile. "I hope you find a way to break out of your curse. Ankhseram is a cruel bastard, so I wish you the best of luck."
"Thanks," I replied, unsure how to react to his kind words.
His attitude didn't make any sense.
The air around was heavy and choking with the smell of old death, with skeletons scattered all around, showing the remnants of those who had fallen to the temple's cruel fate. Yet despite all of that, despite the evidence of his dark deeds all around us, he was sharing kind words with me.
Perhaps those we had seen were the skeletons of bandits. Or something similar?
Then again, perhaps it was best not to look too much into it. According to the tales of old, gods can be both kind and cruel in the blink of an eye.
The god smiled once again, as rays of golden light slowly radiated from his body, making his features appear to shimmer and blur. "Farewell, little one." As the last words left his lips, his form suddenly vanished into tiny sparkles of light, leaving no trace of him behind.
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[Adam POV]
I finally had all the ingredients I had been sent to collect. Now, all that was left was making haste back to Magnolia, and hope that Gildarts and the guild had both finished their parts.
"Time to go back," I sighed in relief.
However, before I could take a single step Mavis materialized beside me, her arms crossed and her full lips pursed in a pout. Her eyes narrowed on me in disapproval, and her voice strained with frustration as she spoke. "What on earth possessed you to take on a challenge from a god so recklessly? And don't say because of the gems, or so help me I won't let you sleep!"
That is a good question and a good threat. Efficient combo there Mavis.
I hesitated before replying, letting out a small cough. "Well... it seemed fun," while I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise in my cheeks.
"You truly are Fairy Tail's material through and through," Mavis sighed at my answer, shaking her head as if that was exactly what she expected to hear. "Very well then, let's go back home!"
I smiled. "Lead the way Mavis Navigation System!"