Chapter 78: The Deciding Factor
Harvey spoke with a touch of anticipation as he watched Darm's excitement.
"Lord Kassadin, you've given me a chance to change my life. I won't disappoint you," Darm replied, his tone filled with conviction.
"I'd follow you to the ends of the earth, Lord Kassadin," he added, bowing deeply.
Harvey watched Darm's almost fanatical devotion, curious about what the man had seen, but he didn't ask. Asking would imply ignorance on his part, so he stayed silent.
"Good, go and embrace your new power," Harvey said with a slight nod of approval.
"Yes, my lord!" Darm replied, standing tall. After offering another respectful bow, he strode confidently out of the villa.
Now, it was just Harvey and Sonya left in the room.
"Ask what's on your mind."
Harvey noticed the hesitation on Sonya's face and spoke first.
"Lord Kassadin, what exactly is the Void you mentioned earlier?" Sonya could no longer contain her curiosity and immediately blurted out the question.
"You can think of it as both a place and a symbol of a greater will," Harvey explained after giving Sonya a glance.
"Those who place their faith in the Void and receive its response are granted continuous, ever-growing power, along with an extended lifespan," he continued.
"By breaking free from the constraints of common sense, one can glimpse the deeper truths of the universe."
"Can anyone gain this power simply by believing in the Void? Is there no cost?" Sonya's interest was piqued at the thought of such extraordinary power.
"The Void offers everyone a chance to join. But to say there's no cost at all would be a lie."
"Firstly, your appearance will become more youthful over time until it eventually stabilizes somewhere around early adulthood. The changes in your looks could make it obvious to others that you're different."
"Secondly, your appetite will grow—dramatically. You'll need to eat large amounts of food daily."
"But those are minor sacrifices compared to the real risk," Harvey continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "The real price is the constant battle to control your increasing power."
"If you're not careful, you may lose yourself, becoming a mindless, ever-evolving creature driven solely by the need to consume and grow stronger."
"That's why you need a strong mind and the will to resist the temptations that come with such power."
"In the future, your role will be to handle my daily affairs, just like you do now. But in addition to that, you'll need to watch over the others in my absence."
"If any of them lose control and start engaging in things like cannibalism or display signs of madness, simply report it to me."
Harvey explained everything in detail, making no effort to hide the truth. Unlike the others, Sonya was different. He needed her as a steward, someone who could manage his affairs on Xandar, but also keep an eye on the growing Void Church.
Her deeper understanding of the situation would be essential for the future.
"With great power comes more choices, more opportunities to get what you want, and an easier life. But why would that lead to madness?" Sonya was starting to understand why Harvey, or rather Kassadin, always ate so much, but some things still puzzled her.
"Sonya, apart from a few pure, wise creatures, the desires of most intelligent beings are limitless."
"In the past, they may have dreamt of things that seemed impossible, but once they have the power to obtain them, they'll immediately set their sights on the next thing."
"Things they were too afraid to do because of their lack of strength—they'll now do without hesitation."
"As their power grows, their understanding of the world expands, and their personality inevitably changes."
"Whether they can keep their sanity and maintain their moral boundaries during that process is what matters most."
Harvey stood and looked out the window at Darm, who was now walking briskly out of the Elite Hotel.
"Then why are you willing to grant them power?" Sonya asked after a moment of reflection, her voice filled with confusion.
But as soon as the question left her lips, she glanced at Harvey and realized something. A look of understanding crossed her face.
"Yes, I'm just like the majority of them." Harvey had noticed the change in Sonya's expression and responded with a knowing smile.
To live freely and without fear in the Marvel universe, he needed overwhelming power—enough to face any threat that might come his way in the future.
"So, can I join the Void too?" Sonya's resolve deepened as she processed Harvey's words.
"Have you thought this through?"
"Obtaining power is a dream for many, but it also means stepping into a world completely unlike the one you've known." Harvey's gaze sharpened as he tested her commitment one last time.
Her answer would determine whether he could fully trust her with the responsibilities he had in mind.
"I've thought it through. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If I don't seize it now, I might regret it forever."
"Besides, if I'm going to help you keep an eye on the others, I won't have the courage to do it as I am now."
"And, Lord Kassadin, you explained everything so clearly to me because you wanted me to make this decision now, didn't you?"
"If I agree, I'll become your steward and manage all your affairs. But if I hesitate now, you might still let me join the Void later—but by then, you'll likely have chosen someone else to handle the more important matters."
Sonya flashed Harvey a charming smile, her youthful face glowing with determination.
"Being smart is a good thing, but being too smart can be dangerous," Harvey replied, avoiding a direct answer but hinting at his approval.
"I'll remember that." Sonya nodded, hearing the warning in his words but also sensing his recognition.
For two months, his system had been prompting him about whether to introduce Sonya to the Void. Now, he had finally made his decision.
As Harvey gave his silent confirmation, Sonya closed her eyes and felt the world around her shift, as though everything had suddenly changed.
Harvey watched as Sonya, eyes closed, stood still. He knew she had been curious about him for a long time—about his identity and the Void itself.
Yet, until now, she had never overstepped her boundaries or asked anything inappropriate, which was one of the reasons Harvey had decided to entrust her with the role of his steward on Xandar.