Brambus Knocks
While he was dealing with the pain, he got moments of clarity in between. He was terrified of the man called Brambus. The ease with which he had attacked him, even if he knew that Devery would not die, spoke volumes of the kind of life he led. Devery was filled with regret. He had a premonition that his life ahead was not going to be easy.
"Porky, calm him down," said Brambus. A translucent wave spread across the room and it impacted Devery's body.
Devery's pain started receding in the back of his mind. While he knew that the pain was still there, he could now almost ignore it.
"I think that answers your question, Master Devery. Turns out that you really can't die. Quite fun, isn't it?" Brambus laughed, and he seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself. He then told Devery to ask him any other questions he had.
Devery thought of what to do in this situation. He didn't want to be mutilated for this madman's fun. And he really needed some information about his situation to tide through it. If he really was going to live forever, with his infirmities increasing unless he killed a guardian, then he needed all the help he could get. He gathered his courage and asked Brambus.
"What do you think I should know, Lord?"
Brambus mused and smiled. This was a good question. At least the plebeian did not get too full of himself. Getting overconfident was the fastest way to getting yourself captured. He would know.
"Well, since you asked nicely, Devery, I'll tell you a little about the things I know. But mind you, even I do not know everything," Brambus said.
"What you should first know is that we Versam are one of the few beings on our planet Zebay that can successfully kill a Guardian. Actually, some ancient empire records go as far as to say that the sole purpose of our existence was to kill Guardians. And as you might imagine, we do not see eye to eye."
"But I have never heard of either Versam or any Guardians falling," said Devery. Brambus chuckled. He enlightened Devery of the information manipulation done by the Guardians behind the scenes.
"The news that every region gets is highly doctored. Now, don't go thinking that the Guardians are scared of us puny humans or the various beast folk. It's just that the rebellions have gotten irritating for them. All it does is reduce the economy of the region. Each region is ruled by a Guardian, and if the region gets weak, it's susceptible to attack from their rivals. So they control the news."
"Now onto your situation. You have gained my Versam inheritance. There are others, but you don't need to know about that right now. While it makes you almost immortal, it does nothing to save you from the threat of Guardians. Imagine being a prisoner that cannot die. It opens a whole new meaning to torture," said Brambus.
"So I would make myself scarce, if I were you. If your son brings his superiors here, you are done for. A Guardian can sense a Versam fairly quickly, especially if he or she is on the prowl for one."
Devery scowled. The situation just kept getting worse.
"Lord, can you just take back this gift? I would really not mind being a simple old man," remarked Devery.
Brambus smiled at him and said, "You should have thought about it before you actually wished in your heart to assimilate this power. Had you not wanted it, it would have been a harmless little object inside your body, and I would have been forced to take it back. Of course, I might just have killed you myself out of anger. Now there's no solution."
Devery knew that there must be a way to get rid of this power. Brambus seemed to be doing just that with him. But somewhere inside, he did want to see how it felt to be powerful and undying.
"Now I am going to recommend you a course of action. It's more than what I ever got. You should focus on escaping from this district region. And quick. A rank 4 Guardian named Kevarthy is the owner here, and she is as sadistic as they come. If you keep traveling east for about ten thousand miles, you would enter a town called Revar. A newly minted rank 1 guardian has taken charge there. The chances of killing him are not zero percent, for you. And before running, you need to steal something from your village leader's house. Investigators provide every leader with a device through which they can track their subjects. It looks like a rolled-up parchment with hoops dangling on the side. Helps in dealing justice or finding the traitors in hiding. It would have your imprint. As soon as you have it, leave the village quietly. And travel alone."
"Lord, I have never traveled further than three villages away. How will I even survive outside the walls? The worms would have me within days if I travel at night. And what about my wife? I can't leave Gracy alone," said Devery.
"Leaving her is the best thing you could do for her right now. Your son would take care of her. If you stay by her side, the Guardians would consider her a Versam confidante. No one wants that. Believe me, I would have provided you with more help, but if I interfere too much it would turn out worse for both of us. I will try to distract them for as long as I can," said Brambus.
"Aren't you just using me as your escape goat?" asked Devery. He could not think of leaving Gracy for anything.
Brambus smirked, "Yes, I am. But it is also an opportunity for you. To rise above in your life. To be someone you could never be in your youth. To matter."
Devery stayed silent. He did not know what was the right decision in this situation. Usually, he would have discussed it with Gracy or Seleph. But now he had no one other than the madman sitting in front of him.
"You should make it quick. Travel fast. I'll meet you in Revar. In the meantime, I will try to keep the Guardians off your tail," said Devery.
"My Lord, do I have powers at my disposal other than...not dying, to help in this quest?" asked Devery.
"No," said Brambus and got up from the chair. He dematerialised the chairs and walked out without any flair. Porky was unusually quiet.
Gracy had slept soundly through the whole meeting. Devery sat on the bed and wondered what he should do.