Refusing My God’s Advances

"No one misses you, jackass," I growled and gave him a sideways glance. "What do you want?"

"Me? Nothing! What makes you think that I would want something from the likes of you? You are already pulled into the war, and can't interfere with my pawns. My plan is as good as gold!"

I shook my head as we walked. "Then why are you here? I didn't call your name unless you have changed it to the Annoying God?"

Garland chuckled at my jibe, his form shimmering with a spectral light that seemed both entrancing and unnerving. "You've become quite the comedian, haven't you? But to answer your question, I'm here to offer you a bit of... advice, let's call it. The final cave you're approaching? It's not something to be taken lightly, even with your newfound strength."

I raised an eyebrow, suspicion threading through my curiosity. Garland's intentions were always a maze, each turn leading to outcomes that benefited him in ways I couldn't always foresee. "And why would you offer me advice? Since when do you care about my well-being?"

"Let's just say it's in my best interest to keep you alive and kicking... for now. The entity you're about to face is a remnant of an old power, one that even I would rather not awaken fully. It's not just about strength or skill with this one; you'll need to use that unique intellect of yours."

Scarlet glanced at Garland, her expression unreadable. "Is there any truth to his words, or is this another of his games?"

I pondered for a moment, weighing the possibility of Garland's advice being genuine against his history of deceit. "It's hard to say, but considering the opponents we've faced so far, taking precautions wouldn't hurt. What do you suggest, Garland?"

The god's smile widened, a gleam in his eyes that I didn't entirely trust. "The entity binds itself to the cave, drawing strength from its surroundings. You've dealt with similar foes, but this one adapts. It learns from every move you make, and every strategy you deploy. To defeat it, you'll need to be unpredictable, even to yourself if possible."

I narrowed my eyes. I planned to be careful regardless, but something didn't sit right with me. If I died, then Garland would get his power back, something that I knew he would want. He did mention that it was only for now, but that just made things even more suspicious. I needed to press this bastard more.

"Since you have to tell me the truth, I will just ask you plainly. Why don't you want me to die when we both know that it is actually what you want?" I asked, not beating around the bush.

Garland shrugged. "There are some things that are even outside of that stupid angel's contract reach. I don't have to tell you anything, and it isn't like this is doing you any harm. I am legitimately trying to help you here with some advice."

I was actually surprised by this, but it could mean that He had something to do with it. I didn't think other gods could really make him do anything, but I didn't know what his relationship with the gods from other realities was like. All I knew was that they could visit him, but not our world, Horus.

"It must really grind your gears to know that you have to help me then, right?" I asked after a pause, and Garland nodded.

"This is annoying, but it would hardly be any fun if you didn't get to experience what I have been planning for you. Let's just say that I would sooner be the cause of your death than some random monster," Garland explained, not seeming to really care either way.

There were times when Garland seemed completely transparent and easy to read, but it was times like this that made me wonder. There was a very good chance that this bastard was a lot smarter than he let on. I should keep that in my mind from now on when I was dealing with him. The last thing that I wanted to do was slip and give him an inch to take from somewhere.

"Fine. So I have to be unpredictable?" I asked. I had decided that trying to get more information out of him about why he was doing this was beating a dead horse.

Garland's smirk seemed to stretch even wider, a testament to his amusement at my acceptance of his cryptic advice. "Exactly. Unpredictability may just be the key to overcoming this last hurdle. Remember, the entity thrives on adaptation. If you can't be read, you can't be countered."

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Garland's form began to fade, his final words echoing in the cavernous tunnel. "Best of luck, Leon. Not that you'll need it... or maybe you will."

As his presence dissipated, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease, Scarlet and I exchanged a look. "Well, that was... helpful, in a Garland sort of way," I muttered, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that accompanied any interaction with the god.

Scarlet took my hand and smiled. "You have made it this far, and while that man is clearly evil, it is also clear that he was forced to tell you this information. I think that you can trust it because it doesn't give you a path to victory. Even knowing that you have to be unpredictable

doesn't provide a clear strategy against something that adapts. It's more of a guideline than a solution."

I nodded, appreciating Scarlet's insight. "True. It's not like he gave us a step-by-step guide. Just a nudge in a direction that's pretty broad. Unpredictability... I'll need to think outside the box, then. Maybe I should rely more on improvisation rather than sticking to a fixed plan."

As we approached the entrance to the final cave, the air grew colder, a palpable sense of dread hanging heavy. The darkness seemed to pulse with unseen danger, a silent warning of the formidable challenge that lay ahead. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

"Whatever happens in there, I want you to know that I'm proud of how far you've come," Scarlet said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "You're not the same person who started this journey. You've grown stronger, smarter... more unpredictable in the best possible way."

Her words bolstered my resolve, a warm light in the chilling darkness. "Thanks, Scarlet. That means a lot. And no matter what Garland says or what we face, I'm not planning on going down without a fight."

Scarlet shook her head. "No going down. You just need to focus on winning, and nothing else."