Chapter Text
What would you give me, it asks, as its invisible fingers lock around the warlock’s throat, in return for my favour?
What do you want, the warlock asks in return.
The entity chuckles and hums, as if it is pondering on an answer. It enjoys dragging the time both of them know the warlock does not have.
Everything. Every life in the universe. I want them all.
I am not sure I can give them.
There is a chuckle again.
You will. Harvest them in my name! And in return you will live and possess powers beyond your wildest dreams.
Hesitation.
Powers? I only want life.
I do not do such trivial bargains. You came looking for me, knowing what I have to offer. You are broken; your soul is shattered. You have a month in that world of yours, and then you will die and fade into nothing as each and every pitiful little god comes to claim what is owed to them. There will be nothing, not even you.
He does not want to die. That is why he is here in the first place.
Every life I ever take, big and small, for your favour. That is my counter-offer.
The entity ponders.
You will have to take a lot, then.
A moment of hesitation, before it floods his mind:
Images and memories, and feelings, and all of them raw and howling for vengeance like hungry wolves do for a stray animal on a winter night.
The voice is silent and yet amused at the same time. It knows what its doing has wrought.
It knows what the answer will be.
Then I will.