"Alright let the challenge begin"
And thus 12 questions of hell had begun for me. Immediately Aurora, The Monarch of Truth and Lies commenced the challenge, a table and some chairs with some tea on it, appeared between us. I guess one could also call this a Tea Party of Truth.
"So, what's all this for?"
"Well, it's just some aesthetics for our little challenge" she said sitting down into the chair in front of her. "If I were to ask you hard questions, you'll surely fail. So, I'm just trying to put you at ease. There have a sit" she smiled gesturing to me.
"Thanks. Doesn't really put me at ease so to say but well whatever goes"
I wasn't necessarily lying, not that I could here. But her attempt to put me at ease wasn't working and I was still scared of what would happen.
"So, say, you mentioned taking me back to another world if I fail, you mean the world you came from, no?"
"Giving up already? Well, it's not where I cam from, it's another world. A world that I rule. We the Monarchs all manifest from a world yes but that world soon became too small to contain us, power-wise and all, so we went to other worlds to conquer for territory and yours is just like it, soon to be conquered with futile resistance"
"How wicked calling it futile in front of a resistor"
I needed to know what was going to happen if I fail. I wasn't planning to fail, but hey I am or better still I once was human so I'm not perfect but I needed to win this at all cost.
"You might think this challenge is tending to gathering info on you humans, but don't get it wrong. No matter how much info you get, your resistance will still be futile. Think of this as my way to pass time"
Did she have to be so condescending? But well, I guess fun is all this means to her in a life-or-death situation of sorts for us.
"So why don't we get on with this? I certainly don't want to provide you more entertainment than you already have" I retorted in annoyance
"Ok, don't blame me if you feel rushed though" she said almost laughing.
If only I knew the types of questions she was going to ask.
"So, first question. At the Slave stronghold which I believe you all call Merth, looking back at the fight we spectated you could've distracted the slaves and still survived. But you chose to sacrifice yourself, why?"
"…"
Ok I didn't know the answer to that. I just had the feeling to stay behind while the others went; sacrificing myself.
"I know it's known but let me mention; failure to answer equals failing the question altogether"
Yeah, I knew that. Why did I choose to sacrifice myself?
"Sacrificing myself was a personal choice I took; I was annoyed that although I was getting stronger, I wasn't strong enough and thus I took that decision"
Yeah, that was why. The pain and sadness I felt when I had even Abel die on me, I wished I was stronger at that point.
"Correct answer, congrats on passing the first question, also indulge in the little snack I brought, it's mot like I'll poison them"
Ok how will I even know which is correct? So, I guess I can trust her with the tea.
"I'm sure you know this, but in my dimension, I can read minds. How do you know which is correct? Simple. Being the being that defines the essence; Truth and Lies, it is simple to know when something is correct since it's a true notion. But don't bother yourself on the little facts, just focus on not failing"
"Wish I could do that with you not throwing around dangerous statements. And also, the tea is marvelous, I appreciate"
"You're very most welcome. A shame you aren't a part of us. Now onto the next one; A fellow human, Abel was what you knew him as, died in the slave stronghold. If you had the power to, which I won't discuss right now, will you bring him back?"
The answer was already set, but what did she mean have the power to? Was Dark forgetting to tell me something again?
"No, I won't. absolutely not bringing him back"
I glanced at the others behind me who were looking with shock, but you all don't understand what I faced, the amount of shame I had to go through at his hands. He was gone and I had no interest of bringing him back.
"Let's treat this as the next question, so even if your superiors order you by any means, you won't still bring him"
"Yes I won't, they can do whatever they want. I am not bringing him back"
And Aurora simply smiled. Whether at what I said or at the looks on the others face; I couldn't hear them so I don't know what they were saying but yeah, I can't tell why she smiled.
Dan was trying all he could. Answering questions, he didn't even know if were correct. We all respected him for that, until he dropped the shocker that he might have the power to bring back Abel and subsequently others from death, but he wasn't going to do that.
"He's joking right? Although he can't say a lie here but a joke like this must be allowed right? What the hell does he mean he won't bring back someone that has potential to be strong?"
I didn't turn to look at who was speaking, but from the voice I figured it was Sir. Fern.
"We can't blame Dan, he too has what he suffered and that made this decision of his not to, at least look at it from his perspective" I replied while still focusing on the ongoing challenge.
"So, you will as well be counted an accomplice Miss. Walters. Why can't we blame him? His personal trauma is of no benefit to humanity's survival. So, we should be losing numbers all because he doesn't want to use his ability for the greater good!!?" he retorted with anger in voice.
"It's of no use arguing amongst ourselves Fern, Miss. Walters. He has his objective and even sacrificed himself to try rescue us. I believe we all owe him by not taking whatever we hear here out of this place I reckon"
Yeah Sir. Henry is right. We all owe Dan, I personally want to spend my life with him so whatever he does or does not do that falls within moral code, he has his reasons for it.
"Excuse you Henry, I don't care about no debt to him, it's the duty of a soldier to perform any act that saves his fellow soldiers which include bring Abel back. Do not lecture me on duty please. As far as I can tell you haven't done a single duty of yours since we came here, I'm starting to think you're in cahoots with the boy"
"Watch it Fern, he's your dir-"
"Don't worry about it Brian, he's right. I haven't performed a single aspect of my duty since we came here and I apologize to you all about it and I'm willing to step down as the overseer of the supreme forms. but as long as I'm still the overseer, I order you Fern nothing we see or hear leaves this place. Understood?
"For now, I'll step down. But don't think I'll let this pass Henry"
I was starting to hate Sir. Fern. If only I could end him here without worrying of anything. But he was stronger than me and there are one too many witnesses around.
I hope all goes well from here
"Congratulations on surviving till the last question, you've impressed me. Although I can't say the same for the rest of your kind present.
"I wonder what's going on with them"
I turned around and saw Sir. Henry and Sir. Fern shouting at each other; not that I could hear them and the shouts were turning to physical confrontations until they were held back by Alex and Sir. Brian. I wonder what happened back there
"Now let's be on with this and finish the challenge; the final question. What is the basic reason for you wanting power"
"Oh, that's simple, I want to protect Stacy"
This was certainly a giveaway question, I want power to protect Stacy and that's why I want it.
"And to think you were close to passing, well you have a second try; What is the basic reason for you wanting power"
Wasn't that correct? I mean I want power to protect Stacy and nothing else?
"Yeah, I'm sure. I wan power to protect Stacy"
"Well, I can't blame you, your present goal has overwritten your basic goals. And you were so close to passing. But unfortunately for you, you fail this question. And since you made it to the last, I'll only pick one person to take with me. And since the last question concerns that girl, I'll be taking her with me"
No. no this is all wrong
"Take me instead, I'll better serve you, just take me and leave her. Please Aurora"
She can't do this. I mean I want power to protect Stacy and what did she mean by present goal overwriting the basic one? I need power to protect Stacy like the situation right now.
"Ha-ha I can't do anything about who I'm choosing again, find me in the other world if you can"