>>6045158Okay, stay cool, don’t draw any attention to what might be going on with Hado, but stay aware of it. In fact… you’ve got an idea. “Soooo… Zelos, now that we have an idea on why Sala can wield it, CAN she have it? Like, just for a little bit. Or at least the schematics, we know a guy who’d love to get a look at how it’s made, probably set a whole project onto understanding it.” But at the same time as you ask that aloud, you telepathically comment to him, ‘Hado may be compromised by whatever was still in the Consciousness Grid. I have no hard proof but he’s acting a little odd. I’d like to be wrong about this, but… better safe than sorry.’
He gives you a bemused look, next glancing at Sala, then Hado, then you again, and finally back at his sword. “You are assuming two things: one, that there is anyone who could in a less than a hundred years understand the skill and craftsmanship that went into the forging of Sophis, and two, she would make better use of it than I will. I highly doubt that.” But he gives a telepathic response to you, saying, ‘You’re assuming… what, that the Promethean Chronicler resides inside him? A fleeing Majin? Doubtful. The former is not designed to reside inside a singular mortal mind, the latter is not subtle enough to keep up a charade for any long period of time.’
‘Again, better safe than sorry. Just keep an eye on him.’ It might not even be one or the other… still, “Do you intend to go up against Yalbadoth then?”
Zelos frowns. “…That is not something I can answer at this time.”
“Oi, you tryin’ to back out of this already?” Sala asks him pointedly, putting her hands on her hips and leaning forward a bit. “Sounds like coward talk to me.”
“It is not as simple as ‘tagging along’ and fighting my former comrades. He is the most crafty of us, and even with my vast intellect, he has a sharp, honed mind that is hard to predict. He may already have some method of dealing with my… betrayal… if I show up on your side against him.” Zelos states. “It is not as if that stunt was subtle…”
“Actually, on that point, what do you see Yalbadoth trying to do going forward? As you said, that wasn’t a subtle move to make. Yao’s been defeated and you actively helped us make that happen. You have to have some insight into what his next plan is.”
The air in the room gets noticeably more serious, everyone looking towards Zelos. His arms crossed, he contemplates the answer he’s about to give… but both you and he notice a look of fear on Hado’s face. It’s gone in a flash, but it was there. Neither of you comment on it… out loud. ‘If I agree to hand my sword over to the girl, whatever has possession of the boy will look for an opportunity to take it for itself. You must be alert for that.’
‘Got it.’
(cont.)
