Unmade Chapter 9: chapter 9: beat me?

Read chapter 9 of Unmade by churro on NovelPedia.

Kealix focused more intently on the signature Zellion was giving off. His expression remained indifferent, though beneath that calm exterior he was far more than surprised. Zellion, the first of the Eidolons, was the very last being Kealix had expected to lend aid to the boy. After all, the boy was nothing but a stranger to him. It wasn’t in Zellion’s nature to help those he didn’t know. Unless… The thought flickered through Kealix’s mind as he continued to observe the strange energy signature rising in tandem with the boy’s. It was more than likely they were connected somehow, though the boy himself couldn’t be tracked, his presence could not be traced through any known means. “Heh… Writer,” Kealix said at last, though his mouth did not move. It didn’t need to. His voice reached me through thought alone, our existences occupied entirely different planes. “Who is that kid, really?” I smiled faintly from my own realm, my voice drifting toward him like a whisper carried on static. “Who that boy is, huh? Well… his name is Vale. The rest....” I let the words hang in the air, “....is for you to figure out.” A slow, amused smile crept beneath Kealix’s obsidian mask as he heard my response. “You’ve never been one to tell me everything,” he said, lowering his head within his chained restraints. “Nevertheless, I suppose I hoped for a straight answer. That was my mistake.” He tilted his head slightly, a glint of interest flaring in his crimson eyes. “But I have to say, you’ve intrigued me. This boy, this Vale, is the only one I cannot detect.” His smile widened, the edges sharp with fascination. “It’s almost as if this boy doesn’t exist at all.” I said nothing, only watched from afar. Kealix had already left the White Space, and I rarely meddled within his plane unless it was absolutely necessary. Still, I knew him well. Kealix was clever, frighteningly so. I was certain he would uncover the boy’s truth in time, especially once he began training him. The two were already closer than either of them realized. After a brief silence, Kealix’s voice broke through once more. “So,” he said, his tone almost casual, “we have a little time before he enters my dome. Tell me, Writer, what kind of goal do you have in mind for this boy before I cast him out of this realm?” I chuckled quietly, letting a knowing smile curve across my face. “What kind of goal, huh? That’s simple.” I leaned forward in my seat, eyes gleaming. “He just needs to beat you.” For the first time, Kealix’s composure faltered. His eyes widened in genuine surprise. “Beat… me?” He gave a low laugh, disbelief laced with amusement. “You’re cruel, as always. You do realize I hold the combined skill and knowledge of everything that exists within my plane, don’t you?” My smile didn’t fade. “Oh, I know,” I said softly. “That’s exactly why he needs to win.” I smiled softly and added, “If this boy manages to defeat you, he’ll survive long enough to uncover the tools at his disposal.” Kealix’s smug smile didn’t fade, in fact, it grew wider as my words sank in. “I assume you want me to craft him a weapon to fight with as well?” he asked, his tone shifting. The excitement that flickered beneath his mask was no longer subtle, it was the eager thrill of a predator catching the scent of new prey. “Well,” he continued, his voice low and filled with anticipation, “it’s about time I created a new Eidolon anyway. I think…” his grin sharpened “I’ll use my heart to create this one.” His words carried weight. I met his gaze, my expression unchanged. “You know that using your heart will forge an exceptionally powerful Eidolon, don’t you? It might even surpass Xerax with the right nourishment.” Kealix chuckled softly. He knew exactly what I meant. The Eidolons were among the most powerful entities his plane had ever known, though none could rival him or his brother directly. They stood in a strange hierarchy, caught between the gods and the founders, a tangled balance of creation and destruction. There w