The Battle for Rax's Soul

[The Ego of the 'Book of Night' has revealed his name to the User. Lamech the Shadowborne, has made his appearance to the New World.]

[Intelligence has risen by 5]

'Land of Nodus… Sir, I took some curiosity into learning about the history of this land, but there are no references to such a place, as 'Nodus'. By chance, the Gods who schemed against Caine have erased the history of your Age?'

{It seems they actually moved along with their plan of turning Middle-Earth into a cattle farm for their Divinity. Is that slut, Rebecca hailing herself as the Goddess of Light and Life still alive?}

'Sir Lamech, didn't you say that I'm not ready to know about that history? It's better to be a moron.'

{No, now that I think about it…}

{I like you, kid. You also know how to manage the Sanctuary without getting spotted by that goblin rat. It's been millennia since I had the chance to talk, I might as well take full advantage of it before I get into temporary slumber.}

'Wouldn't we discuss her, trigger some calamity?'

{She might have transcended into a Greater Deity, but she isn't all-powerful. Besides, that slut is a dumb bitch, if it wasn't for that White Knight of hers Hanul, Master would have succeeded in his plans of reforming the World Order.}

'Hanul? Who is he? I only know about those Gods that are popular with the Humans.'

{Who is Hanul? Rebecca's lapdog, her White Knight, a pitiful little man who couldn't even see the bigger picture. He has the Divine Authority over the 'Sky'. He would be our worst enemy, including Rebecca and her spawns.}

'Her spawns? Are you referring to the rest of the Gods? Sir Lamech, mind if I check on you on whom they were born from Rebecca? This might also refresh your memory after such a long slumber.'

{Yeah, good approach. You're not bad.}

'Thanks, sir. Isn't this form of collaboration better than us swearing at one another?'

{Yeah, yeah, sure. Go tell me the names of those useless fucks.}

'Okay, I'll start with Yatan? Remember him?'

{Not even in death would I forget that insufferable betrayer. Move past him, I'm not in the mood to cuss him.}

'Then, I'll move to Rebecca, then come her sons, Dominion, Judar and Zeratul.'

{Urgh, only hearing those names makes me want to spit on their arrogant faces. Continue.}

Alright. Then we have some minor gods that I had to dig quite a lot to find out. Hexetia, Jilen, Eruas, Rikael.'

'Venice.'

{Pause, pause. Venice? As in… Lady Venice? I thought those ganking schemers would have taken care of her too. Maybe not, since she is a shrewd woman. She probably gave that Greedy Slut some benefits to satisfy her after they won against Master.}

'Is Goddess Venice connected with Caine?'

{Of course, she was almost the Mistress of Master Caine! With her around… we can make our lives easier.}

'You think?'

{That's right, her Divine Rule is rather simple. At her roots, she is an honest merchant. Maybe… too honest for her own good. People tended to profit over her goodwill and scam her. It was Master who would knock on their door and reclaim all the damages caused to Lady Venice.}

[Intelligence has raised by 2]

Vecna talks a bit more with Lamech, before his attention is snapped back to Rax where Tusor vanished from his side, while the evolution process made the former little goblin look now closer to a humanoid, and you could only tell that he wasn't a human because of the small features of the goblinoids.

Then Vecna looked around at the destruction caused by Maglubiyet, and when he thought the dense forest would be cleared out by this rampaging goblin god, another voice was heard in the sky, which paused the Goblin God.

A manly voice that was resolute and unwavering, brimming with a sense of Justice.

[Cease your actions, Maglubiyet. This isn't beneath a God accepted into Asgard. Everything in the World should be a Balance. You attacking the mortals would concur Karma on you.]

[I have a Mortal Enemy that is scheming something against me. I have to wipe him out before he grows stronger.]

[Are you hearing yourself? Maglubiyet, you are a God. Act as one. Just because a mortal has harmed your 'Descendants' It's all in casualty. Leave now, before Her Light notices the Chaos you have caused.]

As the troubles seemed to subsidize, Vecna stared coldly toward the sky, even if it was a Bloody Sky accompanied by a Blood Moon, his Vampiric Sight allowed him to see past his Sanctuary, as if he was connected outside.

'Lamech, whose voice is the second one?'

{Jillen… Hypocritical as always. Painting the picture of Peace and Justice, when in fact, he would be the first one to strike at you.}

[User has learned about the God of Peace, Jillen]

[Intelligence has raised by 2]

Vecna kept his calm, while minutes passed, and without even knowing when 10 minutes passed as he got to discuss with Lamech all sorts of subjects related to the Gods and his Legacy.

The atmosphere inside the Blood World settled down, but for the group of players who never experienced such a Skill that would warp their perception into landing them in a Blood Abyss, they were left dumbfounded.

Veradin couldn't take his eyes off Vecna, as if this crimson-haired person was akin to a Fated Villain who would subject the whole world of Satisfy to his darkness.

#Kiki: Who is he? This skill is unbelievable, and yet he kept it going for 10 minutes. I couldn't imagine how easily he would take care of a Boss under all of those bloody creatures roaming around our surroundings.

#Buno: What's wrong girl? Are you infatuated with the guy? Haha, don't worry. He's rather handsome right now. If I was a girl I wouldn't mind doing some advances on him.

#Kiki: Who is infatuated? You're the one speaking? You're also making it sound so gay.

#Veradin: Enough you two. What do you think about his offer? Should I continue my act and force some more concessions from him?

#Pugman: It wouldn't be the best choice now that we know his Ultimate Skill.

#Veradin: Sure, but there should be a long cooldown for such a skill. My 'Domination' Spell Cooldown is a whopping 24 hours.

As the group of players kept to themselves, and Vecna to himself, with Rax's transformation wrapping up with no signs of Tusor in their surroundings, the former goblinoid opened his mouth and announced with a proud tone, almost celebrating a Victory.

"Hahaha, finally! After millennia of being humiliated, I'm bound to flesh once more. You have done well, Spawn of Blood, your act of shielding my Transmigratory Spell will not be left unrewarded."

"Speak your mind, and tell this great Sage what you wish."

Vecna gazed at the humanoid creature, and to his annoyance things didn't actually turn as he intended. 

[Tusor 'the Wise' - LV 250] (Weakened)

'Unfortunately, things have turned this way.'

{Don't fret, your Goblin Servant is still there. His Soul hasn't been destroyed by the specter. It's just that it got overwhelmed and is currently fighting back.}

'Hehe, I know that kid wouldn't let himself get wiped in such a pathetic way. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken interest in him.'

{The thing is, that my connection with him is weakening as we speak. You should think of a way of lowering this goblinoids guard, and use the 'Cromwell Incantation' to initiate direct control over your Servant}

'Good point, I still haven't tested how 'Cromwell Incantation' works. Had no reason for it, since my servant's loyalty is decently high that we can cooperate without conflicts.'

'Thanks, Lamech.'

{Hah, for nothing, brat.}

The conversation between Vecna and Lamech was seamless, without even giving a hint that he was scheming something, he didn't avert from his persona and asked Tusor in his sarcastic manner.

"What do I wish for? Are you sure?"

"Anything. Ask away, I'll see it fulfilled once I regain my full power. Once I take down that betraying bastard and ascend to my rightful Godly Throne, I'll make you my Apostle."

'This old fool is becoming more annoying with each breath. I should drag him down from his fantastical chair.'

Just when Vecna was about to speak, his eyebrow raised slightly, and a reaction was triggered by Veradin and his group of players who starred in Tusor's direction.

[Ding!]

[A New Episode will Commence Globally!]

[The Voice of a God for the first time makes an announcement to the Players]

["Ohh, Great Heroes from a foreign World. I, the Great High Chief Maglubiyet, will reward generously whoever can vanquish a creature that has escaped my clutches.]

["Whoever brings me the head of the criminal 'Tusorgorbaeyag' at the High Peak of Travian Sierra, shall be rewarded!"]

['A Global Quest has been issued to all willing players: 'Vanquish the Goblin Devil (SSS+)']

Being faced with the Quest Alert from this Global Event, Vecna declined it immediately. 

Both Vecna and Veradin's group received the notification from the system, and the Necromancer quickly put two & two together, figuring out that the being that Vecna shielded them from was actually this God Maglubiyet who was looking for the old Specter.

Quickly opening his DMs he sent Vecna a private message, "The Global Event, is related to this bastard, am I right?"

#Vecna: Partially. Why? Have you accepted the Quest?

#Veradin: It would be foolish not to, and the rewards are … 'Godly'. The one who brings 'Tusor's head on Travian's Peak will be rewarded with a Legendary Artifact of his Choice. Meaning that if our group along with you, can get each a Legendary Artifact from the Goblin God.

#Vecna: You're overthinking this Quest. First, the higher regions of Travian Sierra are filled with High-level monsters, starting with level 300+. If you let's say manage to kill him, you'll not even be able to deliver his head.

#Veradin: That would be for later. Pungman will be able to fly by level 200 since he unlocks his 'Fly' Spell. We can try and ambush him while he is at his weakest. How much are you able to exert from this Ability?"

Looking at the message he received, as the Necromancer began scheming against Tusor, he instead continued to look at Tusor who began to sit up, as his expressionless face began to show an evil grin.

#Vecna: "No need, after all, he is my servant. This quest will not be up for long."

'Now, things have become complicated. That Goblin God sure is panicking a lot just because Tusor got over Rax's body.'

{You can't expect much from the goblinoids. Since ancient times they were a pathetic race that was always at the scorn of the rest of the races. It's only thanks to their rapid breeding that they managed to survive so many genocides.}

'Mine included?'

{Haha, sure. But, trust me. You haven't even scratched the surface of their population.}

{Deal with this annoyance quicker. I think my time is running out, and I will have to go catch some sleep.}

Vecna remained calm even if Tusor managed to take over Rax, as he knew that his 'little goblin' was still there, somewhere, struggling to reach the light of day.

'You schemed too much, I thought you'd just become akin to a Grandpa Ghost that would be just a Supportive Character in Rax's growth, but you had to take over his body.'

'Lemach, mind turning the Book to Blood Servant System Interface?'

{Gladly, only to see the reaction of that rat as he loses control of his body. Let him see how Demons feel when they are caught infiltrating the Zakhara.}

Both villains worked on achieving the same goal, and with the Book of Night's pages turning by themselves, in a swift succession the maddening flow of writing stopped at [Blood Servant System].

'Activate. Cromwell Invocation!'

'Target: Servant, Rax Darkclaw.'

In his glorious state as a Vampire God under the Blood World, it felt as if even his control over his Servant's Willpower strengthened. His crimson eyes blazed with a malicious blood mana, while on Tusor's body his heart began to beat nervously, while bloody chains started to wrap around his vital organ.

"Are you going to betray me, Bloodsucker? Don't you wish for my alliance? I can help you in ascending to greatness! Our partnership would be a key to destroying the Gods."

"Honestly? Your proposal is entertaining, however, I've become more attached to my stupid goblin who believes everything I tell him."

"Now, get lost from my sight, relic of the past."

"NO! I'm unwilling! I'll not let go of this golden opportunity. You'll suffer for this backstab."

[You have lost all affinity with 'Tusor 'the Wise']

"Hmph, I think you've got something wrong. I wasn't on friendly terms with you to begin with. I just probed to see your value, you still hold some value to me, but Rax's value is bigger."

"It doesn't matter! DIE!"

Channeling his mana, Tusor was sure that he could kill Vecna but when casting an Elemental Spell still looking at the abominable Vampire, there was only a cold smirk filled with confidence. 

Using his hands to gesture a stopping signal, Tusor suddenly stopped from his cast, shocking him in the process.

"What's going on? I was about to obliterate you."

"In your dreams, don't forget whose body you're inside. That's body is my loyal Servant, Rax Darkclaw, the future King of Goblins and Vassal to my Kingdom of Night. "

"Get lost ghost!"

"NEVER! THIS BODY IS MINE!"

"Again, that body belongs to Rax Darkclaw's, someone who will be greater than Grimbark."

"YOU HEAR ME, SILLY GOBLIN! IF YOU DO, KNEEL DOWN TO YOUR MASTER!"

Raising his voice, the dignity emanating from Vecna was regal, while Tusor's facial features started to shift into madness, anger then unwillingness, his body was frozen to the ground, unable to move for some reason. 

Spasming around, with his facial expression shifting around, his unwillingness to pass the control over his body was evident.

"Just say put, you little parasite. Your function is to be a vessel for my Greatness."

"Never, my story hasn't even started! I haven't dated Sersa yet! I haven't even defeated the Chieftain to win the position of Leader, then unify the Goblin Tribes and form a Kingdom like the Humans!"

"SHUT UP KID! YOU'RE SPEWING NONSENSE FEED BY THE VAMPIRE! GOBLINS ARE A PATHETIC, LESSER RACE NOT WORTH EVEN A SPECK OF DIRT!"

"Even if you're right, Master Vecna took care of me, better than my father! You're not the real Grimbark! You're just a pathetic loser who tries to scheme against others! How could you be Grimbark, when you can't even face your destiny."

"I shall become greater than you and Grimbark, by Master Vecna's side!"

'Atta boy. Show him your fangs.'

Before long, with Vecna's assistance Rax started to win in the tug of war for control over his body, and just when Vecna's 'Goblin Brew' buff exhausted and the consumption of Blood World started bearing heavy on his back, Rax/Tusor roared toward the Blood Moon, unwillingness to concede on both sides.

"I curse you, Rax Darkclaw! You'll doom the Goblin Race to oblivion with your blind loyalty over the Spawn of Darkness. I promise you something with certainty, once you became useless to him, you'll be discarded like a broken toy."

"Worse! Killed to fuel his mad aspirations!"

"Hmph, you don't know Master Vecna as I know him. He gives the impression he is an emotionless asshole, but he has a heart there. I know it because I could feel it when we bonded together."

"You'll regret it! We could have become God's and reclaim our greatness."

"There's no 'We' in this. It's only me Rax, who will continue on my journey."

With another roar, Rax finally did something hard to grasp for the players in the scene who felt like in a Cinema. Tusor's spectral shape was throw out from Rax's body, revealing a shriveled old man nothing of the sagely figure from the past.

{That brat, he is promising.}

'Told you so. He has that desire in his eyes to not die. It bests most of the goblins' instincts.'

{I applaud your choice, Vecna. **Yawn** Since, I wasn't bothered to give this kid anything in the past, let me reward him for becoming a loyal servant of the Sanguinarius Legacy.}

'You actually didn't give him anything because you thought he was useless?'

{Obviously. I'm not exerting more of my powers for some goblin. I'm not a Saint, but now, I have changed my mind. Tell him to take an item that can be used as a Container.}

'A Container? Does a medallion works.'

{Why not?}

"Rax, hear me out. The fight isn't over. Bring out the Ruby Medallion I have gifted you, it has a hidden ability."

"Yes, Master! Look at this you stupid old ghost, this is the power bestowed to me by Master!"

Taking out the ruby medallion that initially was worthless, and it continued to give that impression for a moment, but with Vecna's Book of Night activating various bloody tentacles sprouted out while Lamech's Crimson Eye burned with dark mana.

"You can't do anything to me in this form. It was a big mistake to draw me out from your body."

A wicked chuckle spread out from the insides of the Divine Artifact in Vecna's hand, and to Tusor's dumbfoundedness his spectral body was tightly chained, and his shocked expression turned to dread.

"How can a Mortal Possess such a power? There's a flicker of Divinity… No! What are you doing? I'm unwilling to die!"

"Don't worry, you'll not die. Instead, you will act as you should have done from the beginning and guide the younger generation. Take your duties seriously."

The tentacles that grabbed hold of Tusor quickly dragged him toward Rax who was holding the Medallion with a proud smile, and then as the tentacles coiled like snakes around Rax's arm, they pushed Tusor's spirit into the medallion.

Rax followed on without being afraid since those were born from Vecna's power, it was only when one particular snake glanced at him with his wicked crimson eye that he felt a chill run down his spine. 

That specific snake followed on by bitting into Rax's arm, and with the blood it collected on it's fangs it moved to the next stage, and began to scribe down using the blood on it's fang, from the appearance it gave the impression it was a Blood Seal.

'It closely resembles the Seal that is placed on the Servan's Hearts.'

{You aren't far from the truth. This particular Seal will be enough to seal the spirit of that goblinoid. Hmph, thinking he is some big shot when this Great Lamech has slayed so many Gods in his long immortal life.}

['Tusor 'the Wise' Spirit has been sealed on the 'Ruby Medallion'. The Item 'Ruby Medallion' has gained an Ego. Its function has expanded from its former state. 'Ruby Medallion's Rating has advanced to Legendary]

'Sir Lamech, good job.'

{Sure. I'll go on my slumber now that I'm drained. Remember. Cromwell Incantation Works on the Seal I placed on the medallion. You can force the spirit to do your bidding without fearing him breaking out.}

'Is it possible he could break?'

{There's always this possibility, but it takes a Caster with impressive skills in the Sealing Art.}

{Yawn. Take care, Vecna. You better not forget to wake me up.}

['Lamech' Ego of the Book of Night has entered a temporary slumber.]

The whole time, his mana was consumed dry to the point the Blood World unraveled before the players, who stared at Rax with conflicted eyes. They now could see the Boss Monster they were previously fighting out-level them considerably. 

[Rax Darkclaw - LV.250](Gold)

However, there was a difference, instead of Rax being hostile, he appeared 'Neutral' to them.

"Master! What the heck happened to me? Why do I look like you people? Where's my handsome green skin? If I return back to the Tribe, they will think I'm a human impersonating myself."

"..."

"Rub some mud on you and then roll in some moss." said Vecna, nodding to his idea, but Rax who was checking his current body started to complain, dismissing his evolved form and trying to get back to his "Handsome" appearance.

The back and forth between the Master and Servant left the group of players in confusion.

"Ahem. I have a simple question. What the fuck just happened? This isn't normal around Satisfy."

"What do you mean? This is rather simple. Do you know about that old anime, Pokemon? Well, this guy here is my Pikachu, he just evolved. Don't mind him, he still spats a lot of nonsense."

"Also, shouldn't you guys be searching for the Chieftain's dead body? It should still be around somewhere. Ahh, and while we are at that, can you not kill the goblins from this Tribe? I have a use for them."