My Servant System

For a few heartbeats we were pressed against the ground, struggling against the weight of a power that we could not comprehend at this point in time while staring at this blank being that radiated more power than we had ever felt in our entire lives combined.

Suffocating, demoralizing and absolutely terrifying to be subject to, we were made to lay there for a few seconds that stretched into eternity, each breath coming with the fear that it might just be our last depending on the whims of this being.

| You needn't fear death. It comes for everyone and everything... and it is rarely late. Killing you here would be a waste, and it would invoke the ire of those who commune with death. No, what you are experiencing is the gifts you are trying to throw aside for something as petty as a feud. |

Pacing around in the area between us, the being studied us for a few moments more before finally releasing that pressure, freeing us of the weight and allowing us to scramble to our feet; it was a feeble relief that was given to us just as quickly as it had been stolen.

That instinctual relief that came from having the ability to move around and potentially flee helped soothe some of our nerves, but it wasn't enough to override what we knew to be true; there was no escaping from this being if it wanted to kill us, no matter how hard we tried to run or fight back.

| Tell me, is your feud worth it? This... petty squabble you have, is it worth giving up the opportunity to have even more power? Do your ambitions lie entirely within this world, or are they grander than it? |

The being looked between us all once more, taking in our expressions slowly and weighing what it saw before looking at Jillian as she rolled our her shoulders, still grinning despite everything that had happened so far.

"Why not both? Why can I not finish what I have started here and then ascend afterwards? Ambition runs through my veins, and I want to kill them and I want to ascend. I want power, but I want to see that bitch dead just as much."

Without any facial features it was impossible to read the mood of the being, but considering it had been preaching a middle ground to us for so long I was expecting it to do something to Jillian for her foolishness.

However, attempting to understand this being was dumb of me, since all Jillian's convictions did to it was make it chuckle before nodding slowly, turning towards us and gesturing at Jahi as it asked | And you? Do you desire power as much as you wish to see her dead? |

The Demoness clenched her jaw and glared at the Elf as she replied "I want her dead. Power comes to me naturally, so there is no need to desire it.", earning another chuckle as the being continued to pace between us.

| That is indeed true; your talent and potential shine brilliantly, Demoness. 'Tis a shame you were born down here; you would have been a shining star in the world above as well. Very well then... Both of you have strong convictions, strong desires. So... I shall give you this option. Weigh it carefully. |

Pausing and fixing them both a 'look', the being rubbed its hands together and walked away from us, creating space as it said | You can challenge one another to a duel. Ten seconds max, what ever happens, happens. Just the two of you, just your passion, your desire, your will. If at the end of those ten seconds neither of you is dead, it is a draw. It is the end. |

Spinning around after it walked far enough, the being clapped once and pulled both Jahi and Jillian towards itself, pushing them above us and creating a large platform for them to stand on, before pulling us up as well.

| Should neither of you die, you will be forcefully separated once more. Free to hunt one another down inside of the city if you want, but if you do so you forgo your 'invitation'. Should you win, I'll be certain to give you something very nice for your reward when you join me above.

Ah, and obviously... in the case of a draw you can still ascend, but there will be no time to do anything else. Ten seconds, a battle to the death... If you don't wish to, we can skip this and you make your choice now. Come with me or stay down here forever. |

Laying down that ultimatum, the being looked between the two before nodding again as Jillian took a step towards the middle of the platform, grinning still as she asked "Ten seconds is more than enough~! But tell me, when I win, do I get the Dogkin?", causing Jahi to growl as she stepped forwards as well.

| If you can manage to wrangle her down, I don't see why not. However... I don't think you are prepared for the fangs of this Dogkin. I take it you two are ready then? |

Jillian narrowed her eyes as she glanced at the being and then at me, clearly intrigued by the warning she had just received for free, but there was nothing more for her to do then to ready herself and focus on Jahi as she said "I am indeed."

Her flippancy was still visually there but her voice was steady and calm, flooding me with worry as I looked towards Jahi and used our bond to beg her to just forgo the duel and take the safer route.

We both knew we were going up, but Jillian had no idea about that, so if she ascended we were free of her anyways; and yet, I knew it was a lost cause since the Demoness didn't even react to my tugging on the bond, her resolve showing in how she stepped forwards without a word.

| Very well. Ten seconds, that is all either of you will get. Make the most of it, because there is never going to be another chance in this world. Begin. |