Dungeon Raider System-Chapter 962: Change of hearts

"What do you mean you refuse, you can’t? The least you can do is won your mistakes and take responsibility for them!" Uriel snarled as he stood up from the throne Water warlock placed in his room in a failed attempt to intimidate Uriel.

"Whatever happens to your race is none of my business." Water warlock shrugged and looked the other way.

"He’s so annoying." Uriel clicked his tongue.

"I think he’s kind of cute." Nika chuckled causing the immortal being of untold power and alleged titan to blush heavily.

"Hold on..." Uriel muttered as a realization hit him like an apple falling from a tree, then inwardly thought. ’He tries to act tough, but gave up the throne without putting up a fight or even complaining which makes sense because our hearts are swapped. This means he’s acting similar to what I would have done in the past, but the way he acts towards Nika...’

A wicked smile appeared on Uriel’s face as he decided to take a different approach on the situation because now he knew logic would get him nowhere. The first time they met, Water warlock desired to be reunited with his kin more than anything, but now that the opportunity is presented to him on a silver platter he refused it not because his goals changed, but rather because he was scared.

"Well, I tried. Come on, Nika, let’s go."

"Really? You’re not going to try to persuaded?" Although it was Nika who voiced the question, the shocked expression on Water warlock’s face showed that Uriel’s scheme worked.

"He said it himself, he doesn’t want to do it and we can’t really force him even if we wanted to. If we had the power to do so, we wouldn’t need him in the first place."

"Don’t be so hasty, there’s still room for negotiation." Water warlock stopped Uriel mid way downstairs.

"I already offered you to exchange places with me. You would be in full control of my body for eternity, which would allow you to live a happy life and do whatever you like. You could meet your family or start a new one. Meanwhile, I would be trapped in this place for eternity with nothing to do but to regret making this decision until I finally die of old age. Does this sound like I have anything else to offer? If you didn’t take this deal, then there’s nothing else I want from you."

"Even if you say so, if I try to possess your body you will eventually explode like those dolls." Water warlock showed the palms of his hands, but Uriel shook his head.

"That’s not the case because of this." Uriel opened his shirt revealing the flux orb embedded in his chest causing Water warlock to gasp.

"How is this possible!?"

"My guess is as good as yours and I think it may be related with the fact that I’m still alive even without a heart." Uriel shrugged.

"Then it might be possible, but still..."

"Don’t stress about it, we’re already on our way out."

"And what will you do?" Uriel asked with a questioning look and Uriel replied by turning his back on the primordial being.

"That’s none of your business."

"Stop!" Water warlock demanded. "Hear me out!" Water warlock shouted. "Please." He pleaded and Uriel knew he was ready to negotiate.

"What?" He said as if it wasn’t the most important moment of his life and maybe humanity. Even he was surprised that he could keep a straight face, but that made little difference as Water warlock had already made up his mind. Even if he was being tricked, there was no way he could let Uriel outside his domain in the mystical place because by that point he knew that millions of years passed before the first person reached his chamber. Other than facing the family he betrayed, the only thing that he feared the most was to remain isolated in his domain with nothing to do for a similar period.

"I’ll help, but there’s one problem." Water warlock said shyly and Uriel replied with the glacial coldness that characterized him since the moment he lost his heart.

"If you keep that attitude I’ll just walk out. If you want to ask something, just do it."

"It’s not that," Water warlock shook his head. "the only way for me to do this, is to first give you back your heart."

"I don’t want it. As I am now, I don’t have any issues staying in this place for however long. But if I get my emotions back..." Uriel’s words lingered in the chamber as he reminded the visions presented to him when Medusa used her petrifying glare on him.

That time, he saw himself surrounded by all manners of treasures, but in a dark place and with no one by his side. Saying he didn’t feel a particular way about that scenario coming true now would be a lie, but he at least would be able to endure it as long as he had something to do. However, with his old self death felt way more alluring.

"There really is no other way," Water warlock let out a sigh. "but you know... maybe getting your heart back is not the worst that could happen. I don’t know how you managed to find the dagger or muster the courage to use it with this flimsy heart of yours. Even talking to women is difficult and I need to muster all my will to do it. The time I spent with Samael Song was also miserable because of this, do you even know how anxious I was every time I tried to impersonate myself and act the way I should have? I almost passed out on Easter Island when he saw me through your eyes."

"I know you think you’re making a case here, but trust me, you’re not." Uriel sneered.

"Sure, there’s a lot of downsides but this also allowed me to experience things I never understood, not truly. I can see beauty in the past and light where others only see darkness. For instance, I never lost hope in you. Despite not knowing you, even though I knew you were weak, from the moment your heart became mine I always trusted you would come to me one day and fulfill your oath. It was painful, but also thrilling."

"Should I repeat myself?" Uriel asked, but Water warlock continued nonetheless.

"And I also know that you’ve felt it too. That our bond has become stronger even though we’re not together. I know that deep inside, there’s still a spark of your own self. I know it, because if you truly acted like me, instead of sacrificing yourself to save your friends, you would have abandoned them. I know it because that is what I did," Water warlock grabbed Uriel’s hand and led him to the center of the room. Due to its ordinary decor it may have seemed like a meaningless place, but due to the ceremonious atmosphere there was a hint of solemnity in each step they took. "If we exchange places, I would get the better end of the deal, I know it. But I have the feeling that even if I accept, none of us will get what we want."

The moment Water warlock made contact with him, Uriel somewhat could feel what Water warlock wanted to do, but the idea was so sudden and reckless he second guessed himself. Time seemed to pass too fast despite Water warlock’s slow movements which gave Uriel barely enough time to find the answer the moment Water warlock grabbed the orichalcum dagger that started everything.

"You want us to work together." He said.

"I, Water warlock, oath to aid Uriel Sage in defeating the gods and saving the human race from extinction. So, please, lend me your power."

As Water warlock spoke those words a thought was born in Uriel’s mind ’what power is he talking about?’ a short lived question that could not be answered before the flash of light enveloped the room. Nika shut her eyes on the spot as the light was so intense it hurt her eyes and when she opened them, instead of two people from different races she could only see one.

Without so much as a warning, Nika had witnessed the most complex dilemma being resolved with the simplest solution.

"Who are you?"

"I’m just me... I guess, but I’m certainly much stronger than before." The voice that replied was Uriel’s. The same voice Nika had heard so many times in the past, though instead of the usual emptiness it carried the same warmth and awe the college student used to.

"I can’t believe you’re back!" Nika rushed in for a hug and this time, instead of a cool reply to the gesture he attempted to shake her off.

"What are you doing, get off of me!" He blushed slightly, but Nika refused to let go until Uriel remained completely still and his face paled as a sudden realization hit him.

"Nika... I don’t think I can fight the gods."

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