Chapter 459 Moranti“s Freedom Changes Everything...
"Because we're also mutual companions."
"Huh…"
Jack's mouth was left open, unable to form words as his brain short-circuited momentarily.
Continuing, Moranti added, "Sure, Skaryn's a strict guy and he can get triggered pretty easily but he's a good friend."
"Then… If he's such a good friend, why on earth did you rebel?!" Jack shouted, totally thrown for a loop along with the rest of the mortals and gods present. "Wait, what do you mean triggered?!"
"I learned that from some of you ancient heroes long ago," Moranti laughed as if relishing in fun memories. Then, he showed them all a smug shrug. "I don't hate Skaryn, I hate the faction. And if I killed some of the idiot pestros, like Pestro was, it was to remove the factions altogether."
"But that… Why would that…" Jack's brain was aching from the confusion. "Can you explain a bit better, please?"
Sighing, Moranti obliged. "Fine… Then let me add this. Skaryn may have gotten me to join him, but we didn't officially form a faction until after Halmut had already helped three demigods ascend. Before we knew any better, they were parading themselves around the world as the self-proclaimed 'Holy Gods' and labeling me and Skaryn as the 'Chaotic Gods'. Halmut started everything, not Skaryn."
"That's true," Eedaj added, reaffirming the statement for the others to more easily take in.
After that, Skaryn had no choice but to recruit more. He understood how competitive Halmut was and that Halmut would stop at nothing to get what he wanted," continued Moranti. "Apart from Eedaj torturing that stupid Magma Dragon to death, the first god to die unjustly was one of ours.
"The god following me was ambushed by the holy gods and killed by Halmut. That's when I killed their newest member while he was sleeping in Olympic Chateau. The pitiful fool didn't even know he had been killed by the time his head was removed from his body…" Moranti sighed, bringing his tangent to an end.
"Anyway, now you understand that Halmut was the driving force for the conflict. But Skaryn did join in, so he's not guiltless," added the God of Space. "Depending on what happens next, I'd be interested in knowing how Skaryn would react should after his unsealing."
"What do you--"
Choron cut into the conversation, "Moranti… Are you going to talk about it or not?"
"Right, right…" Moranti sighed again, resuming the true explanation. "Knowing Tralbok, I won't assume that we're the strongest faction. Not with his loyalties being so fickle."
Jack caught wind of what Moranti was implying, but it was Sterfen that spoke next, "You mean Tralbok may switch sides? Can he do that?"
"It wouldn't go against his existing contract to form a second contract," answered Moranti. "He's the kind of man that doesn't mind servitude if it offers security. For years he's been debating jumping ship. And now that Choron and I have left officially, Tralbok will most likely try and convince the remaining chaotic gods to join him and the holy gods."
"That's quite an assumption…"
"He's right," Eedaj spoke up again. "I noticed it slightly during our first battle but it was at the forefront of his mind when we rushed to Moranti's rescue. He was originally planning to offer Moranti in exchange for a better standing in the holy gods."
Breaking out in laughter, Moranti shook his head. "I guess he was even more cunning than I gave him credit… That two-faced pestro…"
"Now that you're free, can't you just kill him? What's stopping you?" Jack continued his questions, trying to get as much information as possible before redesigning their game plan.
"I could… but finishing Tralbok off is much trickier than you think," Moranti stated. "His time magic is hard to counter and he always carries at least one item for self-regeneration on him. That annoying pestro is the most cautious god I've ever known. However… that means we now have a self-regenerating item!"
Taking out Tralbok's stolen ring, Moranti greedily smiled for all to see. "I'm sure he'll try to get another such item off of Halmut, but at least we have his wealth!"
"So, in other words, the remnant chaotic gods will likely join the holy gods," Jack summed up the conversation. "Shouldn't we just kill them now then?"
"We could try, but I'm sure the holy gods will intervene this time. Given Tralbok, he's probably got a contact within the holy gods, right?" deduced Sterfen.
"Correct…" Choron nodded. "His contact is also ours, only Tralbok doesn't know that Lyrun is two-timing the holy gods."
"What?!" Eedaj shouted in question.
"I told you Lyrun was on our side!" Sterfen added, nudging Eedaj in the side.
Moranti turned to the Mind God and stated, "I've been in contact with Lyrun for a few centuries now, thanks to Choron linking our crystals in secret. It's obvious he hasn't told you or the holy gods about that, so I can only assume that he's done well to hide his tracks."
"But… I thought--"
"Lyrun is more complicated than you know," Choron added. "Since that incident, have you ever been able to read your brother's mind while your own mind was clear of rage? Or do you blind yourself still?"
"That…" sighing, Eedaj didn't know what to say but he was already getting angry just thinking about his relationship with Lyrun.
"Either way, Lyrun is the one who told us about Tralbok's possible betrayal and the various offers he's given the holy gods," Moranti continued. "He's also the one who warned me and Choron before Tralbok caught me with the contact crystal and redid my chains. Also, he's the one who warned Choron to flee before Pestro arrived at his temple."
"That…" Eedaj wanted to ask if what they were saying was true but it was clear as day for the Mind God. He saw straight through their emotions and found their statements to be true at the deepest levels of their consciousness.
"Than… what about the incident of my people? How could he--"
"Eedaj, calm down." Sterfen walked up and placed both hands on the elf's shoulders, rubbing them down. "Relax… then we can talk more clearly and you'll better understand them."
"Right… Sorry…" Taking some deep breaths, Eedaj refocused the best he could. "Then… has Lyrun ever told you about his side of that story?"
Moranti shrugged, as did Choron. On the other hand, Sterfen spun Eedaj around and nodded.
"I told you, he didn't take part in that," stated Sterfen. "He genuinely wanted you to join the holy gods."
"But why would he be so interested that he--"
"He had been deceived by that long-forgotten Magma Dragon and Halmut. What Lyrun wanted was for you to be accepted as a holy god so that the other elves would better relate with you and the other Greis elves," explained Sterfen, instantly silencing Eedaj. "I never told you the rest because you would've never believed me. Now, I think you're in a position where you have no choice to believe. So, after reading my mind and hearing all of our words, do you believe that your brother was so spiteful of you after having a few centuries to mature?"
Finally considering that possibility, Eedaj struggled to accept that in his heart. It was so radical to his beliefs for thousands of years, so those feelings wouldn't change instantaneously.
"With the holy gods about to grow again, it's only a matter of time until they eventually strike another war," Moranti returned to the original topic.
"Then… what do you think we should do?" Jack asked. "I'll recover all of my old treasures at the bottom of Earthen Keep and those two will quickly ascend this week. That should leave our strength about even."
"I disagree," replied Choron, "and so would Lyrun."