Chosen

As Cipher looks out at the death he causes, the destruction of humans, nothing but pure glee fills his body. The scent of burnt flesh is strong, almost revealing. This feeling of power over lives lower in level than him makes him feel… strong. It isn't like killing one of the beasts they encounter on their journey here—it is more.

"Cipher!" Ricka runs up, looking confused, unlike Elga, who looks amused by the situation that just unfolds.

'What is this feeling?' He stares at his trembling hands. 'Am I feeling fear now?' he ponders, drowning out Ricka's cries as he stands, oblivious to the shocked and amused expressions on Elga and Avidia's faces.

"No," Gluttony chimes in. "It's a feeling of strength. Get used to it."

Her words startle him. He has never felt this powerful before, as if he could rival anyone and survive, though he knows that isn't true. But after defeating the people who have made their lives hell during this small trip, he feels…

"Strong," he mutters aloud, and the rest of them can only watch as he stares at his trembling hands. "If this is what defeating humans feels like… I need more… No, I need to know what it feels like to defeat a god."

"Is that all you're aiming for?" Gluttony interrupts again.

"No," he says firmly. "I need to know what it feels like to defeat an entire universe, to watch it crumble in the palm of my hands."

On the sidelines, Avidia can only watch him, her heart racing. "Why… does he seem different?"

Elga steps up to meet her. "Because he's getting stronger," she says softly.

"What do you mean?" Avidia asks as Ricka rejoins them.

"Yeah, what does that mean?"

"Can't you see?" Elga turns to Cipher, her eyes fixed on him as he stands among the mightiest of swords, still focused on his hands. "Cipher has a big goal, one that most people would only talk about but never see through. However, he's different."

"What do you mean, different?" Ricka tilts his head, trying to understand what sets Cipher apart from him.

"Would you take on an entire universe with just a system? Would you want to rival every god and entity in this universe?" Avidia asks, looking at Ricka, noticing that Elga is right. "Cipher doesn't need us to get this far. Along the way, who defeats the most monsters and doesn't stop until his hands are bloody and broken, yet still pushes on even while injured?"

"Cipher," Ricka says, dropping his head.

"Without us, he would have made it even further. So, do you see the difference between someone who's willing to achieve their goal at any and all costs?" she asks.

"Yes," Ricka mutters, his head hanging even lower.

"The question is," Elga steps forward, turning to face them, "are you both willing to stay with Cipher, even though he might sacrifice you to achieve his goal in the end?"

"Yes," they both reply at once, catching her off guard.

"I follow Cipher because he made me a promise, and I believe in him," Avidia says, looking more serious than ever. "He's willing to join a tournament to find something that will help my curse, and then he's willing to end my father with me."

"Me too. He's willing to defeat gods with me," Ricka says, his eyes glinting with an underlying hint of rage. "If he's willing to take me that far, I'll follow him, no matter what he does to me."

"I see." Elga chuckles to herself. "I guess you did predict it, my lord."