"For now?" Sasrir latched onto the key word.
"Yep. I can't do it yet, but in the future, I should be able to establish rules worldwide," Alaric said, flashing Sasrir a grin.
"Want to give it a shot, Sasrir, my friend? I'm happy to share this power with you." His smile was radiant, his gaze fixed on the Deputy of Heaven, his voice carrying a seductive undertone. "Once I can set rules globally, we might truly build a world of equality... no wars, no hunger, no unjust deaths."
"In that world, children could grow up carefree, reading, playing, not toiling for survival from a young age…"
Alaric spoke unhurriedly, painting a utopian vision, like an idealist... or the serpent in Eden tempting Adam with the apple. "Will you build this world with me?"
Sasrir watched him, his eyes slightly unfocused. He listened quietly to Alaric's description, then took a soft breath. "Sometimes, I really think you're dangerous, Lucifer. You're tempting me, tempting us, leading us toward losing control."
This "losing control" wasn't about Beyonder instability but a different kind. Alaric's utopia was beautiful, save for one flaw: unchecked power was terrifying. His vision implied exactly that.
If a world bent to one's will, even the Sun God couldn't guarantee self-restraint. His nobility might drive him to want more.
At first, He might ban oppression or murder. But then what? Petty theft next? Immoral acts? Unhealthy behaviors?
And when all were forbidden, what would the world become?
Sasrir knew the answer: a prison of another kind, with civilization stagnating, its rulers becoming tyrants in a new guise.
Humanity was complex, craving freedom. No one wanted to live in a cage, even a safe, healthy one.
This power was a double-edged sword. Wielded well, it could forge a utopia. Mishandled, it could turn the world into hell.
"That's a harsh accusation," Alaric said, raising a brow, his smile turning playful. "But I won't deny it. You said it yourself... I'm Lucifer!"
He never hid the mischievous streak in his nature. He was, after all, a Nyarlathotep.
Sometimes, Alaric couldn't resist tempting the good people he liked, using worldly power, wealth, or their deepest desires to nudge their choices.
It wasn't always malice... often, he was just curious about their reactions.
Facing Alaric's candor, Sasrir's expression softened with a hint of resignation. Then, a thought struck him, and he smiled. "But I don't need to worry. The power to set rules lies with you, and you'd never let that happen. A stagnant world would bore you to death. You'd hate it."
Alaric raised a brow but didn't disagree.
He wouldn't let such a world exist. A place where everyone was a puppet, forced to be good? Utterly dull.
The beauty of humanity lay in choice and freedom.
"Instead, I should watch out for you setting some nasty rule for fun," Sasrir said, meeting Alaric's gaze unflinchingly. "But I trust you won't. You're not just Lucifer... you're also Helel. And…"
"We'll keep an eye on you. We'll restrain you, be your anchors, your shackles, as we always have."
Alaric held his gaze, then burst into a grin. "So you're tempted after all, Sasrir!"
Sasrir didn't deny it. He just looked at Alaric. "Because I know we'll always keep each other in check."
Unchecked power was terrifying, but fortunately, they balanced each other.
Alaric wouldn't let the world stagnate, and the Sun God would stop Alaric from turning it into a playground.
"Sometimes, I think our relationship is downright twisted," Alaric said, his tone genuinely reflective. "We're friends, close allies. We trust, help, need, and admire each other, yet we're wary, ready to oppose or even kill one another."
The Sun God was the first he'd met in this world, his most trusted ally, and also the one he guarded against most.
"But you don't hate it," Sasrir said, unsurprised by Alaric's words, not denying them.
"Maybe because it's fun?" Alaric chuckled, pausing before adding, "Or because I'm a bit twisted myself, so I don't mind these messed-up bonds."
Sasrir gave him a look. "Ever thought about seeing a therapist?"
"Who, God? Sure, He's the world's best shrink, but even He can't fix me," Alaric teased, grinning at Sasrir. "No worries, though. I'm twisted but healthy... way healthier than, say, divine puppets or three-in-one hot pots."
Sasrir opened his mouth, then closed it, staring at Alaric with a mix of speechlessness and disbelief.
Medici rolled his eyes. "Someone's got zero self-awareness."
Please, his mental state was leagues healthier than Alaric's!
Adam, also called out, remained calm, smiling faintly. "I think I'm no longer just a divine puppet."
Alaric faced their reactions with unabashed confidence, even tossing them pitying looks, shaking his head with a sigh.
"..."
Medici's fists clenched again!
***
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