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"So, we're here, huh. Just one step and hello to the new tomorrow."
Abraxas wasn't sure why they said it. It was redundant information. Both Rover and they had functioning eyes and the Tethys System's core in front of them was hard to miss. Maybe Abraxas simply wanted to break the uneasy silence covering both of them.
(How strange. They've never had a problem with silence before, in all of their trillions of years of existence. Yet one puny human could change it in less than a few millennia.)
"Yeah," was all Rover added to the short conversation, in a tone so absent-minded, one might think he was not here at all.
A spark of annoyance passed through their being. Abraxas wasn't even sure what reaction they expected from Rover in the first place. Both of them knew the plan, knew what had to be done and the steps necessary to achieve it.
(The plan was very simple really, in all the ways nothing about the universe ever is. If Tethys System, a fruit from humanity and divinity, could use the Lament, born from humanity’s negative emotions, to predict the next catastrophes, then feeding it memories and experiences, both those negative and positive, of the vessel of the god with a dominion over both, should be able to at least slightly alter the fate of this cursed world.)
Unfortunately, not even a god such as Abraxas could accurately predict what outcome this insane idea would bring. The universe is such a fragile, fickle thing. Fate is even more so. Not even gods are exempt from its whims.
By all means, humanity should’ve long since vanished. In fact, it shouldn't exist at all. Many higher beings thought so, spitting down at these lowly, feeble creatures called humans. Even Abraxas used to think humans were redundant, that these creatures could not stand a chance against the catastrophe, especially one born precisely because of them. It was one of the reasons, they did not mind the ever encompassing destruction from Threnodians and the Lament. Universe knows creatures tend to perish from less.
"Why don't we make a bet?" Tired golden eyes seemed to stare fearlessly through them, despite being trapped in a limbo between life and death, lost in a void of time, waiting for a gate to the right moment to open.
Abraxas sniffed, having been exposed, albeit from afar, to humanity's emotions. They recognized this human's feelings. Grief and melancholy seemed to cling to it as heavily as the familiar blessings.
Tch. Troublesome creatures. No, even less than a creature. A speck of dirt. Why would SHE even look at these creatures, much less give them HER blessings.
SHE even took an image of one. Not to mention, making the deal with this mortal in front of Abraxas.
"Insolent creature. Your kind is already gone, and yet you still wish to save them? How ludicrous."
A look of defiance passed through its feature. A frown appeared in the corner of its mouth.
"Not yet. Humanity is not gone yet."
How utterly amusing! Abraxas only snorted in response.
"That's why I proposed a bet. Humans might seem foolish to you. And maybe they are, but they can also endure. They can survive, adapt. Humanity will thrive.
Abraxas huffed, "You really think so?"
"I know so." The human answered, conviction shining in the voice.
"...And why am I supposed to care?"
A slight smirk appeared on the mortal's features. "Well, aren't you curious what humanity has to offer?"
"Why should I be?"
"You're here, talking to me in this strange space, aren't you?"
Tch. The punk wasn't wrong, and it irked Abraxas more than they would care to admit.
(How amusing was it then, that even the so-called higher beings perished and yet humanity stood as strong as an impenetrable wall.)
The sound of steps shook Abraxas away from their musings. Their head snapped towards Rover's direction, only to see the Resonator stepping towards the core of Tethys System, face deep in thought.
He must've sensed Abraxas' gaze because he turned toward them with a reassuring smile. As if they needed comfort.
"It will be okay, you'll see." Rover added, gently. Face so very pale and exhausted.
Something in Abraxas' chest tightened.
Rover often smiles. They’re such a small, yet soft thing, full of gentleness and fondness directed at people and the world around him. At Abraxas themselves.
Sometimes, Rover would smile in amusement at the stupid joke he had just made, unreasonably proud of himself. Sometimes, an amused smile would make its way onto his features when Abraxas generously decides to demonstrate their own joke-making skills.
(Sometimes, and Abraxas hates it, he would smile in situations such as this. These empty smiles on his face that try to be reassuring yet exist with no actual conviction behind them.)
Abraxas sniffed. Despite Rover’s frequencies being hidden neatly beneath Abraxas’s own (creating a satisfying veil of their united frequencies), they had no problem sensing Rover’s emotions from his frequencies.
Fear. Faith. Anxiety. Hope.
These emotions mingled together, creating a pale ghost in front of Abraxas. Not that Abraxas can blame him. Any human would be scared in Rover’s shoes. After all, which mortal could be fine with losing all of their memories (their whole identity)?
(Except Rover was not quite human, not anymore. His memories were just another pieces of himself, he’s willing to lose.)
“I can’t leave this place. I don’t have a body of my own.” Abraxas finally admitted, after a long pause. They hoped the annoyance (and absolutely no hesitance to admit the truth) was clear in their voice.
Rover, as the young man introduced himself, only tilted his head curiously, just like one of these small animals with ears and whiskers that live (or used to live, now that the world is destroyed and not yet reborn) in the human realm.
“Then can’t you possess me or something? I might be able to carry you out of this realm.”
Carry Abraxas out of-!? Forget being insolent, this punk was downright mad!
“Are you being serious!? No mortal can become a vessel of a primordial god and live to tell a tale! Don’t you have a world to save!? New humanity to guide or something!?”
Whatever HER deal with Rover was, it clearly had something to do with re-establishing humanity’s civilization. Otherwise, why would HER blessings and power be placed in a seed of a world, yet to be reborn? Why would she agree to send Rover there to try again if it was not a deal between them?
If Abraxas possessed him, Rover would die before setting foot out of this realm.
“...What if I’m not a mortal anymore. Would that work out?”
Stunned Abraxas sniffed the air around Rover once more. The pieces were missing, like Abraxas was staring at the incomplete picture. Rover was supposed to be mortal, yet his mortality was gone, just like that.
Can he even be called human, at this point? If he became the vessel of Abraxas, whatever still tethered him to humanity would be irrevocably gone.
(If Rover was an incomplete picture now, then if Abraxas agrees to the deal, he will become neither human nor a god. Forever stuck as something else, never fitting with mortals nor with the divine.)
Maybe he understood Abraxas' sudden silence as shock at the sudden realization, for an understanding smile (that seemed too...empty weird) made its way onto his expression.
“How about a deal, then? I will become your vessel, so you can stay in the human realm as long as I am there, and in return, would you lend me your strength?I’m okay when it comes to fighting, but re-establishing civilization seems like a lot of work, and I could use extra hands...well, wings? Paws?”
Abraxas did not answer at that Instant, and in that Moment.
(But they would agree a Moment later. Forever changing Rover’s fate. Forever shaping him into a weapon to fight Fate with.)
For all the principles and rules Abraxas had understood since the beginning of their existence, how could they have forgotten about this one? There was always a price to pay when making a deal. And making a deal to change one’s Fate, birthed the highest price of all.
“If something more dire does happen, then I’m sure we can count on the Sentinels and the Black Shores to aid people.” Rover continued, his gentle hand reaching towards their head and mussing their fur.
Abraxas couldn’t help but huff. These artificial beings humanity calls their “gods” are nothing more than a product of Tethys System, and by extension, humanity’s own creation.
(Perhaps it was only fitting that both humanity’s destruction and its guardians stemmed from humanity’s own spirit)
But, Abraxas had to admit that the Sentinels did come in handy, more than once. Of course, some of the interventions of (Abraxas and) Rover were necessary, and some interrupted Rover’s much-needed rest (let it be known that Abraxas was not pleased by that), but overall, for a fake divinity, the Sentinels were alright.
It was, however, not their concern right now.
“That’s not my problem and you know it.”
Abraxas would never admit it out loud, but they did come to care for humans through these few millennia they spent by Rover’s side. However their number one priority would always, always be-
Rover’s hand on their head stilled. His features softened, and the empty smile faded for the sake of a much more genuine expression.
“I know.”
-him
Finally, having had enough, they pushed (snuggled) this small, fluffy body against Rover’s chest. In response, Rover froze for barely a second before embracing Abraxas’ current form.
“Thank you, Abby.”
Abraxas huffed fondly before a sudden realization hit.
Abby
Oh, this little-
(They had told Rover so many times not to call them this nickname! They were primordial god, for the universe’s sake! And yet this punk still insisted on calling them Abby as if they were some cutesy stuffed animal-)
Abraxas’ head abruptly snapped up, his ire ready to be known-
But Rover’s expression was so soft. A gentle, small smile on his lips, and his golden eyes were shining with so much fondness for Abraxas, with this quiet happiness and content.
-and just like that, Abraxas’ ire vanished as quickly as their yesterday dinner.
(Their body still snuggled closer in Rover’s hug.)
After a long while, they (hesitantly) let go. It was the time. They could hear Rover taking a deep breath, steadying himself.
“Are you ready, Abby?”
Abraxas has already made their decision, too. “I will seal my memories.”
Rover’s eyes widened, mouth slightly agape. In any other circumstances, Abraxas might’ve snorted at his expression. Right now, they were dead serious.
“Wha-”
“It will not be permanent.” Not like in your case. They didn’t say, but the fact still tasted acidic on their tongue. “And who knows, maybe it will even up the chances of drawing HER attention. Additional help won’t hurt anybody.”
Clearly stunned and moved at the same time, Rover started, “Abby-”
“And this way we can start over. Together.”
Golden eyes stared at them. Abby stared back.
Please. You’re not alone in this.
A grateful look passed through his gaze before it softened. Clearly, as choked up by emotions as Abby, Rover took a calming breath, “Thank you...Yes, let’s start over. Together.”
Abby nodded, and exchanging one final look, together they made their way towards a new tomorrow.