Amon couldn't predict what Alaric would do if he spoke that name. If it meant mutual destruction, so be it, but it was clear the revelation wouldn't faze his opponent much.
So, after a moment's hesitation, Amon smiled. "Never mind. Since you've discarded that name, there's no need for me to bring it up."
"But…" Amon continued, his smile sly, "I kept your secret. Don't I deserve a reward?"
If he couldn't take Alaric down with him, he'd at least milk some benefits.
"Such a cunning kid." Alaric, under his Lucifer guise, said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. "Do you know your father's fate?"
"What?" Amon froze, sensing Alaric wasn't referring to the Ancient Sun God's fall but to some future outcome.
Alaric patted Amon's shoulder, snapped his fingers, and used the other dimension's power to create a private barrier around them. Looking at Amon, he said, "He will fall completely... every part of him, with almost no chance of revival."
Amon's grip on his monocle tightened.
"But I can change that fate. I can try to bring your father back to life, truly alive. Is that the future you want?" Alaric asked, smiling.
Amon met his gaze. "I don't trust you."
"You don't need to trust me. Just be a good kid." Alaric said, his smile unhurried. "Don't make me angry, and I'll give you the candy you want."
Amon stared into those golden eyes, so like his father's yet entirely different. "I think I understand why Bethel and the others are swayed by you." He said. "You're terrifying."
"Oh, come now. I'm just a kindly candy merchant." Alaric replied, still calm and leisurely. "I sell candy, you pay the price. Fair, isn't it?"
"…Maybe." Amon said, giving Alaric a deep look before smiling. "But I'd like to see the goods first. You didn't forget your promise to let me see my father, did you?"
"Of course not, but not today." Alaric said, smiling back. "Three days from now, you'll see him. I hope you don't cry like a kid when you do."
With that, Alaric dropped the barrier, his demeanor as breezy as ever, though inwardly he sighed in relief.
That was close... he'd nearly been exposed!
Alaric had overlooked that Amon knew the name "Alaric Zoroast." Thinking back, he regretted using that identity when he first approached Pallez. He should've made up a new one! He sighed at his own carelessness, but the promises he'd made to Amon weren't just empty talk.
He genuinely intended to revive the Ancient Sun God in this era... not for Amon's sake, but an idea he'd had for a while. Without the Ancient Sun God's return, many plans would be inconvenient. Sure, revival might bring drawbacks, but as long as Alaric didn't destroy the world, the benefits outweighed the risks.
As for how to revive him? No clue!
It was just a concept for now. Alaric figured he'd try when he had a solid plan, with no guarantees of success.
"I never said it was a sure thing... just that I'd try…" Alaric muttered to himself, in no rush. Even if he went through with it, he'd wait until he had enough power. For now, it was far off.
Alaric multitasked, controlling "Jack Jones" To host the animal-themed charades game while watching the chaos unfold. Since it was the animal edition, participants transformed into animal forms. Those like Amon and Medici could do it themselves, while Klein, Leonard, and others without the ability were transformed by Reinette Tinekerr at Jack's request.
When the game began, the dimension was nearly empty of people, replaced by animals: black cat Klein, white rabbit Leonard, ragdoll cat Sharon, and beagle Mr. A.
That was the mid-Sequence group.
Black panther Azik, raven Amon, white snake Ouroboros, and lion Medici.
That was the high-Sequence group.
With an even number of players... four mid-Sequence and four high-Sequence... Jack Jones, for fairness, paired one from each group, forming four teams:
Team 1: Father-Son Team – Klein and Azik.
Team 2: Rivals Team – Leonard and Amon.
Team 3: Quiet Beauty Team – Sharon and Ouroboros.
Team 4: Brainless and Grumpy Team – Mr. A and Medici.
Whether the pairings were deliberate was anyone's guess, but the setup promised plenty of entertainment. Jack Jones grinned widely, Klein and Azik shared a warm vibe, Leonard looked like he might faint (with Pallez offering psychological support), and Amon, ever the instigator, flashed creepy raven smiles at Leonard.
Sharon and Ouroboros got along quietly, exchanging words after long pauses:
"Hello."
"You too."
Medici and Mr. A's pairing was odd... Medici clearly disdained the "brainless mad beauty." while Mr. A seemed content to lounge.
The game kicked off in this peculiar atmosphere, with all four teams playing simultaneously to save time. High-Sequence players drew, mid-Sequence players guessed.
Alaric, juggling his Jack Jones persona, hosted while spectating. For Team 1's first word, "Roselle." black panther Azik dipped his tail in paint and scribbled on a canvas. Soon, he'd drawn a stick figure with a crown, surrounded by books and odd lines.
"Uh…" Cat Klein stared at the abstract stick figure, hesitating. "Emperor?"
Each player had three guesses, so Klein didn't mind trying.
Panther Azik shook his head, bound by the no-talking rule.
Not an emperor? But it's wearing a crown… or is that a crown? Klein sank into thought, then a spark hit him. Wait, could it be a specific person?
A name flashed in his mind. With two guesses left, he didn't hesitate. "Roselle."
***
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