CH296

He cradled the crushed shell in his hands, tears streaming down his face at the death of his lone companion-

“Ben.”

Without Greed he knew it was the end for him. His body was a mess of injuries. Broken and bleeding, he did all he could to raise his head-

“Ben!”

Facing the balls of fire plummeting from the heavens, one on a collision course that he couldn’t avoid. He’d need the strength to move to do that and he was spent. After so long in there, so many near-death experiences and violent injuries he had nothing left to give. All he could do was watch his death come-

“BEN!” Thera yelled as she shook him awake, his eyes snapping open as she did, only for her to softly take his face in her hands. “Are you okay? You were thrashing and groaning and I wanted to let you sleep a bit longer but things weren’t looking good so-”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Thanks for waking me but it was just a nightmare. I think I’ll be having them for a while,” He muttered as he thought back to it. Even if he and Greed lived, the ordeal had left its mark. It was just something he’d need to learn how to live with.

But I’ve got plenty of experience with that already anyway.

Thera though seemed unconvinced as she split her attention between him and the road ahead. “Has this been happening a lot since you got out?”

“Only on the nights I’m not in Myriad’s realm, so if I just keep going there then there’s no problem.”

“That actually sounds like a huge problem.”

“If it doesn’t get better I’ll make myself some sleeping meds when we’re back in Stonewall,” He said, trying to wave off the concern. “Gotta see how awakening my crafting affected my alchemy anyway.”

“I don’t think that’s going to solve the root of your problem, but then I don’t know enough about human mental structure to be sure,” A voice said from behind them where there should have only been the statue they were delivering, as well as the magic materials and crates of books he’d bought.

Thera immediately stopped the cart and they turned around, finding a familiar grey sitting on the statue, or at least appearing to.

“I was wondering when I’d hear from you Quilith,” Ben said, giving the other man a broad smile. “Looks like I’ve lived to take advantage of your race’s knowledge for another day.”

“It’s good to see you as well,” The small alien said in unusually good cheer. “Your survival has left me extremely wealthy.”

“…What?”

“Just some gambling on my end to pass the time. You wouldn’t believe how bad the odds against you were.”

“What the hell man! I was doing my best not to die and you were gambling on me? That’s so… wait, Myriad! Are you listening? I know the gods were placing bets on me and Thera in the last trial, don’t tell me they did it for this one too?”

<Ahem, ordinarily we’d never place bets on the dead god’s trial.> His god said awkwardly. <There was no point in betting on something with a certain death rate.>

“Yeah? Well, I’m noticing your tone and the fact that you said ‘ordinarily’ so what gives man?”

<Come on, I was just so sure you’d live that of course I had to put some faith down on you. Hell, I bet almost all I had to give! You wouldn’t believe how well off I am for it right now too, haven’t felt this strong in millennia.>

“Yeah yeah, good for both of you then,” He muttered. “I guess since you guys were betting on me then it’s fine. So anyway, what do I owe the privilege Quilith, going to give me a quick lesson while I’m off to screw over Eneth?”