28 Alternate Universe

A/N: Today's been a bad day for me. I've lost my Patreon account that I worked for almost a year at this point and my 20$. The chest pains that I have are immesuarable.

Anyway, wanna be my Patreon? my username is SirGodfire. I'll link my link soon.

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Somewhere across the world, somewhere across the universe, a King stood still. Their backs straight as horror pierce its way into their being. They won't be the only ones.

For the King has a connection to the force. The Outer Beings. It was nothing but a tickle, not even a grain of sand. But a tickle, like a tap not closed tightly. A water drop that once dripped in a child, once.

Yet the child grew to have magnificent abilities, yet regardless, for that one way small connection, the King felt it.

Unimaginable horror, terror, fright, it doesn't matter. But the King felt it.

Whether child or an adult, women or male, knowledgeable or a fool, wise or imbecile, human or god, it doesn't matter.

Because across the Multiverse, everyone and everything that the Root recognizes as Gilgamesh Of Uruk stopped and felt terror for.. perhaps the first time in their miserable(?) existence.

Being the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh has immeasurable power and wisdom that any or almost all Heroes neither possess. Their power that can terrify even the Gods felt fleetingly in their veins right now. Because make no mistake, Gilgamesh is powerful, powerful enough that his mere words have brought the concept that any and every treasure is theirs.

So, it goes without saying that they're powerful. But the question is.. Are they powerful enough?

Because their stature, divine blood or their Treasury did nothing to assure them in the face of the cosmic horror that was pounding in their skulls—Even Multiverse's away—

Because at this very moment, an Eldritch is born.

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The wind whistled around them as clouds darken and the world dimmed.

Pregnant dark clouds heavy of rain rumbled and shouted their anger at the world.

Forked lightning sprawled against the sky like a whip, illuminating the world.

Icarus shattered kaleidoscoped eyes looked at the sky with so much boredom like he's watching a soapi back in modern earth.

"Oh, hell." Icarus muttered to himself.

He was preparing to shield himself and the children from the harsh weather but a spike in brain activity alerted him of one of his children waking up.

"Hm? Oh, Good morning." Icarus greeted but he didn't move from his position or did he look at the one he just greeted.

He didn't need to. He knew who's awake.

Mid long golden hair like someone took the sun rays and spun them into the child's hair, bobbed tiredly as Jason rubbed his eyes and yawned.

" 'eacher?"

Icarus eased in his sitting spot and sighed. "Wake your brothe— fellow student." Icarus didn't so much than twitch at his perceived blunder. "We have a long ahead of us."

Jason nodded, "Umu."

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Jason didn't so much but twitch at Asclepius' annoyed expression when he woke him up.

Jason resisted from signing— his teacher's actions proved to be contagious—

Jason walked out of the tent, the sun rays glaring at him.

His teacher was still lying on the ground looking at the sky.

Jason cleared his throat to get this attention.

His teacher, Icarus, sighed. "Yes?" He inquired.

Jason frowned. Sometimes it felt like his teacher was just putting up with them. It's not a pleasant feeling, that's for sure.

And one thing that he disliked about his teacher was that he always called them Kids.

Such an insult coming from his teacher. Jason isn't a kid, he's a young man. He's a few days Into going through the Rite Passage. He'll go from boyhood to manhood. It's important to realize that, unfortunately his teacher does not.

Regardless, Jason can't hold it up for him. His teacher was.. what was the word Icarus used? Ah, yes. His teacher was just awesome. Jason can understand that comparing his and his teaches experience, he's justified in being called a child.

Not that he has to like it.

"I finished waking him up." Jason grunted out.

"Oho?" Teacher's eyes moved from the sky to him. Detached, blank and lifeless glowing kaleidoscope eyes landed on him.

It took all his Will power to not flinch.

"Go and hunt some game for you and your broth— For you and Asclepius."

And there it is. He doesn't know how, why or what, but Teacher often call them brothers.

If he didn't respect his teacher so much, he would've worried about his mental health.

Jason refrained from sighing again.

"Right, hunting."

And If he just quivered in place when he saw the tall and dark before them? Well, nobody's going to say anything.

…..

It was probably hours later that they moved on.

The sun shining bright in the middle of the sky.

Jason wiped the sweat accumulating on his brow as he climbed the mountain.

Why would lord Hephaestus want to live on top of the mountain? Right, God of Forges.

And it really doesn't help that they're heading towards a volcano. The heat was unbearable.

Jason want to groan, Jason want to quit, he wants to stop.

Unfortunately, he can't. His teacher would think he's weak and wouldn't teach him how to be a King and 'whatnot'.

His teacher….

Jason glanced at his teacher at the corner of his eyes and frowned.

It was already established between him and Asclepius that their teacher was an Archmage. A powerful magus that is also a warrior.

So, it wasn't a surprise to see him not sweating or panting. He looks like he's taking an ordinary walk in the gardens.

He even has the energy to be 'upbeat' and rock on his heels like he's enjoying this.

Jason shook his head. His teacher was strange. His face always blank and not betraying enough. The only time he showed anything else other than neutrality was when he enjoyed something, and even that was a rarity.

He's tall like anybody he ever saw. Muscles bulging under his definitely magical robes. The way he walks betrayed his status as a warrior.

He would believe his own observation if it wasn't by the lack of callous on this hands.

Yes, he could've removed them by Magecraft by would anyone truly do that? How can you hold a sword then? How can he hold a sword? Anything and everything he does is a contradiction.

Truly, his teacher was an enigma.

Jason was full of questions. Was he a Demigod? No, that can't be it. His teacher made his distaste known that he doesn't like anything to do with the divine.

His teacher was strange, especially—

"Teacher, how did your eyes be like that?"

It was moments later that he realised he had said that. Embarrassed gnawed at him but he didn't take what he said back.

A King wouldn't look so good if his words are mere trash that can be discarded easily.

His teachers crazily coloured eyes like a house of madness lazily looked at him.

"My eyes, huh?" He murmured.

Jason nodded even if he knew his confirmation wasn't needed.

At his peripheral he saw how Asclepius was curious too. People, no matter if they're born with divine status or not, can't have eyes like that. It's so unnatural that the first time he saw them he thought a nymph, fairy or some God cursed him.

"My eyes became like this because I challenged my mentality and worldview when no one did." His teacher said, His eyes are still glowing eerily.

Jason's face was painted in confusion, so was Asclepius'.

It was Asclepius that asked this time, "What do you mean by that?"

Neither of them didn't miss how Icarus's voice deepened and suddenly there was a chill in their spine.

"The world, no matter how beautiful, is an illusion. A dream built by scattered thoughts and long faded desires." His teacher smiled. Serenity and tranquillity was visible on his face. Like he achieved something he desired for a long time.

Like a man finding a pool of water in the desert.

"My eyes became like this because I was dealing with forces out of my control. My eyes were the price to pay to glimpse at the True World beneath this flowery illusion." Their teacher turned and faced them.

The heat must've gotten to Jason because for a moment, he glimpsed a shadow figure behind Icarus. It had eight eyes on Its neck and its eyes were entirely red. Behind It was large tentacles that could break him in half. Madness and Insanity clouded Its eyes.

A monster. Jason was sure of it. A monster that can burn the world for its sick twisted entertainment.

And It turned to face him.

Jason was struck by a headache that must've blanked him out for a moment.

"My eyes represent how my mind and worldview is right now. Shattered and broken, and coloured like a mad man's dreams."

T-that…

His teacher must've found something on his face because he scoffed.

Insane.

"Do not pity me, child. I chose this. I willingly walked down this road. I knew not of the consequences at that point of time, I did not know of the madness that would cloud my eyes, I did not know of the Insanity of trying to comprehend things that no God can, I did not know of the sheer madness that can make even Dionysus keel down. Yet I wouldn't wish to return back. I would not and can not go back to the past. What's done is done."

Jason felt the massive headache recede. Not by a large margin but enough that he wouldn't be blurry eyed.

Before he could apologise, Asclepius spoke.

His eyes held rage like any other.

"What about your skills? Your Magecraft? No mere mortal can have that much at their fingertips without either being a God, Demigod or being taught by one."

Ah.

There's one thing that Asclepius shares with their teacher. Their hate at the Gods.

Jason felt wary of them. No person has ever made their distaste at the Gods known and lived a happy life for it.

As much as he likes Asclepius and his teacher, he doesn't want to get caught in the cross fire that would definitely come.

Divine retribution was a thing. And Jason doesn't want to die or get cursed before he can get his Kingdom back.

"Without being a God huh? You would know about them, wouldn't you?" His teacher's lips twisted into a cruel smile.

Asclepius' face turned ugly at that, he turned to speak but his teacher beat him to it.

"Regardless, My Magecraft and skills are earned by your's truly without a divine parent or without being a God as you claim. I am simply powerful because I am Divine."

Jason felt it before he saw it.

The already darkening sky darkened even more as lightning struck the ground behind them.

Jason saw it for what it was.

A warning.

Jason's heart came to his throat as it beat like a drum. Fear was an old dress in his wardrobe. He wore it everyday, it's familiar, it's safe but this? This isn't safe.

"T-teacher i-i think that's enough." Jason stuttered as terror filled his heart.

But his teacher wasn't even concerned. Like that lighting was a child parlour trick.

The noise generated by that lightning was loud, loud enough that Jason thought it was a thunderclap. But, like everything else, Jason can still hear his teacher speaking. And he wasn't shouting or anything.

Like everything else around his teacher, it just bent backwards for him.

His teacher continued to talk like there wasn't a lightning sent by Zeus to begin with.

"....I am Divine but not the way you think."

Jason frantically thought of ending the topic before Zeus actually tried to kill them.

"R-right. A-anyway when are we—"

Jason was cut off by his teacher.

"Do you have stone tablets on you?" His teacher asked.

Jason shook his head.

Asclepius replied. "I have them but I've already written on them."

Asclepius was able to keep his posture well but it didn't fool Jason one bit. He knew he was just as scared as he was. The King Of The Gods sending his lighting at them was terrifying, horrifying even.

Icarus held his chin in thought.

Jason felt dread pool in his stomach.

'Oh, Gods. Please don't do anything dangerous.' Jason prayed to all deities and more. He doesn't want to die, god-damnit!

Out of nowhere, a large mirror appeared before them. The mirror was as large as his teacher.

But what was strange was that it didn't reflect its surroundings or even light.

As distracted as he was, he didn't miss Icarus's murmur.

"Damn. I should stop harassing other Universe's for my needs but eh."

Jason felt like he's at the verge of breaking. His mentality was thoroughly challenged and out of its depth.

The Mirror then showed a scene.

In the Mirror was a….

They're people in there. Jason saw them.

They're three of them.

One of them was a blonde girl with waist long hair and crystal blue eyes. The other was a boy? girl? Their gender was hard to pin down but they have white hair with green eyes wearing a black robe just like the one Asclepius currently wore.

The last one was… their teacher?

Yes. It was him. Wearing the exact same clothes like he was wearing right now.

Jason was confused. How can his teacher be at two places at once?

Ah. It must be Magecraft. Maybe an illusion or a clone?

But what his teacher said destroyed anything he and Asclepius thought. It destroyed their worldview and everything else.

"Ah, greetings Jason, Asclepius and Icarus. How are you doing in this fine Afternoon?"