Chapter 425 - Conqueror And Overcomers
Among the many things that Seeker found in Pridgeon's ship were records alluding to a grand war that is about to occur. The dystopian world of the Aragarians was a place where those who were strong only got stronger. And Seeker was able to theorize more about the Aragarians and what they did from Lourca Oviili.
But Lourca explained that she was just a Pioneer. She does not know or can comprehend how Presiders and those beyond that level think. She was too low on the level, and even her encounter with the Lost Primordial was full of many strange things.
With all those information, Seeker was able to deduce what the Prime Wars was easy.
Shakstress turned to Seeker at the sudden offer.
"If you take a step back and forget our... territorial divide, we are but the same. The Lost Primordial's records indicate that you were all from Earth. When the Almighty Being who we call God showed up and attacked Babel, your people fled and created the society that you now know."
Shakstress's expression revealed a realization.
"So there was a connection. Babel and Babylos. What a revelation. To think it was staring me right in the face." Shakstress laughed.
"Think of us as another group of Presiders vying to become Principals and Primes. Join us, and you will grow stronger. Our techs will be of use to you, and the legacy of the Lost Primordial will be yours."
"That does sound intriguing." Shakstress smiled.
"My death does seem certain now. Where are you taking this ship?"
"To hide in Pangea, of course. This ship will be a perfect basis and improvement from the things we made. The lost Kraken and Atlantis is also there."
"Oh. There was that. Your lucky most Presiders were not interested then. We could not scan what was happening here on Earth. I take it that you had something to do with Crostfree's death? It was perhaps the schemes of that calculating man who managed to take full control of my ship in the short time I was away?"
"Yes. We fought and captured Pridgeon back then. We have an ally who is practically a succubus."
"Ah. That woman. I met her on the way here."
"That's right. She calls herself the Tyrant Empress and appears to Pridgeon. He doesn't know it yet. But he has long been our pawn. Once the Tyrant Empress gets stronger, her powers will corrupt Pridgeon, who has seen her. And your actions placed blame against that Kid with Four Horns. Now he will be pressured. And of course, Zeraphine will be mine soon." Seeker smiled.
Lynd and the few nearby gave Seeker a quick glance.
"Join us. I have great respect for you. The truth is, you are stronger than us. It took several powerful Paths to defeat you. Lowengrens lies, Vender's Vexation, Arthur's Acts..."
"Vexation? Was it that annoying, man? Now that I think about it, I couldn't concentrate with him on the mic." Shakstress laughed.
"Seeker. Are you sure about doing this? You're telling her so much." Meryl asked. If this Shakstress were to send a message to all Presiders, they wouldn't be able to stop her.
"It's alright, Meryl. Lynd was able to use his Path on her. I know right now that she won't rat us out. But... I can tell... She has no desire to join us as well. She just wants to know who defeated her and how." Seeker smiled.
"What?" Meryl was shocked.
"She won't join us? But she won't rat us out? I don't get it!"
"Impressive. You really can sense my emotions. I thought that it was just a coincidence!" Shakstress laughed.
"Not me. Him." Seeker pointed to Lynd.
"We know that telling you and making this offer is pointless. You will struggle to die. I can see that. But I want to know why, as well. We are sincere in our offer. We are, but Earthlings caught up in this battle between gods and devils. We just want to have enough strength so that we won't get attacked." Lynd explained.
"Ha Ha Ha. You already defeated a Top-Tier. You guys have no choice. Principals are already coming here! And since my death is very certain... it will draw their attention. This is because I am a Future Conqueror."
"A Future Conqueror?" Seeker asked.
"The reason why I will reject your offer is because of the Prime Wars. If I am defeated here, at the hands of people that aren't even Presiders but Earthlings who clearly have an incomplete legacy from the Lost Primordial, then I have no chance in the Prime Wars. I am Presider, and I do hope that my powers have astounded you. But beyond me is a Principal. It will take around four or five of me to kill an average Principal. You're lucky that the Principal coming here, Prince Dormin, is weak. But even that one can kill me. Now imagine how strong Primes are."
"We can't. Hence our desperate pleas to ask for your alliance." Seeker added.
"At least you guys haven't become arrogant. You see, in our world, the only way to have a hope of joining and surviving a Prime War is to become a Conqueror. And I have been classified as someone with that potential. This means I have hope of becoming a Principal. But that's just the minimum. I wouldn't join you because I would be untrue to myself if I did. I have already lost. I am not a conqueror. I can only fight and die. And I know that you know, that my death is certain here. But, the release from the burdens is so... exhilarating."
"You're excited to die?" Meryl asked.
"Someone like you won't survive the Prime Wars. The fact that you are asking for an alliance is proof of this. I rose the ranks on my own. I fought and conquered killing Presiders when I was but a Pioneer. Because a Conqueror isn't determined by the techs they have, it has something to do with their will and fortitude." Shakstress declared.
"So you call it Conquerors, we call it Overcomers. Several months ago, I was like a Pioneer, and look at me now. I have an army and powerful allies, all borne from my powers. Even this guy right here is bronze from my powers."
"I will not deny my interest in the powers that you and your lover showed."
"PFFT!" Richie and Meryl laughed. Lynd was also laughing and didn't even bother to hold back.
The rest had to summon the peak of their Inhuman cultivation to force themselves not to laugh at Seeker Carlean.
"My point is!" Seeker added.
"The Lost Primordial appeared when Lynd and I harnessed our powers together. He was quoting from the Bible. Specifically, Psalms 133. He talked about unity, and I am assuming that whatever world and ideology you lived in is flawed. Someone like the Lost Primordial who relied on others became strong. He became Primordial through unity. The Path of the Conqueror that you walk on is a lonely path. But Overcomers overcome by themselves and are stronger together. So be an Overcomer and join us."
"No. The Lost Primordial isn't a Primordial who got 'lost' but someone who lost the battle against THE Primordial. Ultimately, the Path of Conquerors and the ideology that we cling to is correct based on that alone. If I give in to you, I will never be strong enough. I may reach Principal or even a Prime. But I will die. In our world, you only fight to become Primordials. This is what the Prime Wars is, after all."
Seeker and the rest were silent. However, they could tell from the look of her face that she was determined and even excited to die.
"Alright. I guess there is no convincing you. Even Harker and Lowengren won't be able to do anything with your Zone. And if Vender is here, you'd just get irritated and fight ahead. I guess there is no way for you to join. Shall we fight and take away all your burden and give rest to your wearied soul?"
"I am curious. About you and Lynd. Why lie about that? That had no benefit in battle. I feel that there is more to that than a simple joke." Shakstress asked.
"It's... complicated."
"I want to know. Tell me, and I'll do you a favor."
Seeker frowned and turned to Lynd.
"Lynd?"
"As far as I can tell, she has accepted her death. She just wants to know. I'm guessing her Zone is telling her there is something more behind our secret lovemaking sessions."
"PFFT!" Several chuckles could be heard.
"It's Zeraphine." Seeker answered impatiently.
"It's an ongoing joke this idiot made to stop me from developing a deeper relationship with Zeraphine."
"That Princess? Why are you so attracted to a Presider who hasn't spent more than two months on Earth? Did she take away our virgin heart?" Shakstress smiled.
"Since we're talking about this, I will ask ahead. Can Primes alter time? The truth is, I'm from the future where Earth was attacked. In that timeline, Zeraphine and I were dating. But she soon revealed her true colors, and I ended up killing her. She was quite strong, but I was something of a Conqueror back then."
"Oh? From the future? That makes sense. No wonder I can sense two of you in your body and that the other is older. So that's the story. In that timeline, you and her. But in this, your gay."
"I'm sure someone as smart as you can figure it out!" Seeker cursed.
"Ha Ha Ha. This is fun. The first friend I make, and it's someone who will kill me. I know. I'm just teasing. I can guess what friendly pranks you made." Shakstress laughed.
She then pondered for a bit and gave her answer.
"To answer your question, Time Travel is indeed possible, but no one can do it. The Primordial locked time. Not even the Lost Primordial could. Otherwise, he could have fled to a different timeline. I'm guessing that your resurrection is something that the Lost Primordial arranged through a very complex and unimaginable means. Principals can already sense Fate, and Primes can alter the future. The way I see it, the Lost Primordial prepared the earth for those who will inherit his legacy and challenge the Primordial again and altered Fate and somehow found a way to create a weakened version of Time travel and apply it to you. Why you? And why that scenario? I don't know. I can't fathom Primes much more someone who could challenge the Primordial." Shakstress explained.
"Why are you helping us? Why won't you rat us out?" Meryl asked.
"Why should I help them? Ou defeated me, and it would be unfair to leave you without gifts. This is the best way for me to die. Those other Presiders hate me to the bone. Why give them the pleasure of knowing the secret threat on earth. I'll be rooting for you. If you do get stronger, find me in the dimensions of the afterlife and save me." Shakstress smiled.
"And what help will we receive, I wonder? After all, we already have your ship."
"This massive ship? The Mother Orbital hiding behind Mars is much much bigger than this. And it is a Principal's ship. One blast from that ship, and this ship will sink. My suit will have several techs enabled that you can study. And since I'm sure that sound-man can imitate my voice, I'll give you this." Shakstress then raised her hand, and the metal began to form and became a small comm device.
"When I'm dead, call out to this to threaten everyone. It will link to all Presiders. But this will only be used once. That way, it will buy you some time. No one will investigate this ship if you do that, and when the Shrink tech disappears and the ship reverts to its size when I die, they won't attack you for a time. You can throw in Lanterk's name for good measure. I already sent a ping telling everyone of his identity as that Principal."
Seeker was amazed.
"Thank you! That's very generous of you."
"Let's have a good battle. I want to see our true powers." Shakstress smiled.
"Let's...." Seeker smiled as he and Lynd activated their powers.