INFINITY!

Alpheus could finally find the answers to all his questions:

"Who is this guy really? How could he take the relic behind the magic barrier? But most importantly, why does he need that relic?"

But as he approached Atlas to clarify everything, he saw him sitting, both hands behind his head, displaying a slight smile, which prompted him to say:

- Is it some kind of weird delirium you have, smiling like that?

- Argh… you woke me up from a beautiful dream. Atlas said, looking at the sky. "I was in a meadow, with greenery stretching as far as the eye could see, and beautiful trees in the distance. Next to me was captain Iris, with her beautiful green eyes and her unique long pink hair tinged with a few green streaks, not to mention her indescribable shape.”

- You fought her only once, she exterminated you, and you fall in love?" Alpheus said, placing his hand on his face with a disappointed look.

- Hey! Don't take me for the kind of guy who likes torture. Of course, I'm not in love. But… she intrigues me. I still wonder why she spared me after our fight.

- She could have easily wanted to keep you alive to manipulate you later for her own purposes.

- Who knows? Maybe. But anyway, I can ask her the next time we meet, I hope.

- Okay, fair enough! Let's change the subject now. It's time we talk about this relic. Said Alpheus, sitting down by the fire as well. "I don't need to tell you that I need it, but you also want it, so let's find some common ground."

- Yeah, I agree with you. First, tell me one thing, why do you want to get the relic?

- For the power it holds. You know their history, don't you?"

- Of course! The four deities locked the power of the four primordial Laws at the origine of the world in each of these relics.

* The Law of Nothingness

* The Law of Creation

* The Law of Space-Time

* The Law of Life and Death

"Each relic contains the power of one of these laws, and when a mage comes into contact with the relic containing the power of the law for which he has an affinity, he gains a considerable increase in power. Of course, it's as long as his body can handle it, otherwise, he dies on the spot."

- Exactly! And I'm looking for the relic containing the Law of Life and Death.

- Okay, I see. Said Atlas, before taking the relic they had retrieved from his pocket to give it to Alpheus. "Since your goal ends there, I have no problem giving it to you to check if it's the one you're looking for."

Alpheus didn't hesitate to take the relic. But when he had it in his hand, nothing happened. It wasn't the one he was looking for. This relic was probably the one of Nothingness or Creation. So it would be useful neither to Alpheus nor to Atlas, at least for now.

- Hmmm… This isn't the one I'm looking for.

- Too bad.

- I noticed you're keeping the relic even though it doesn't have the Law that suits you, so I deduce that you need it for another reason, why?

Upon hearing Alpheus's question, Atlas smiled slightly before asking him:

"A few moments ago, you asked me if I knew the history of the relics. But what about you, do you know the history of INFINITY?"

His interlocutor's question made Alpheus slightly jump. But he still seemed a little lost.

- No, but I think I've heard that name somewhere when I was younger. He answered, leaning forward a bit, showing his interest in where the conversation was going.

- I see. It doesn't surprise me, very few people know this story. And I wouldn't have known it either if my master hadn't told me. But fortunately for you, you will now know the truth about our world.

Atlas then began to tell:

"Absolutely every form of existence originates from somewhere, except one thing: INFINITY. A supernatural entity known to be the origin of the world (or worlds)."

- So our world exists thanks to the power of this entity?

- Indeed! But if we want to talk about the most important thing, we should also be interested in the history of the world of Aspell. Pointed out Atlas before continuing his story:

"Long ago, a group of humans discovered a supernatural world, filled with magic, landscapes and fantastic creatures, and even other races.

The first inhabitants of this new land had named it: Aspell.

Centuries passed, and this fantastic world became populated by many humans, elves, dwarves, and other minority races, living in perfect harmony with the most docile creatures.

But something shook the history of this world forever:

One day, a genius was born. His mastery of magic was far more than exceptional. Yet, despite the numerous things he accomplished during his life, he is only remembered for one of them.

He was the first to fully master one of the Primordial Laws coming from Infinity, the founder of the world: the Law of Nothingness. Because of this extraordinary achievement, he was considered a god and thus became the first "Deity".

Over time, other geniuses of this kind were born. Each of the laws: Nothingness, Creation, Space-Time, Life and Death, had their own genius.

In the very rare cases where several mastered the same law, they fought to the death to elect the one and only deity of that law."

- You know the story like the back of your hand. Alpheus said enthusiastically. "But like most inhabitants of Aspell, I already know this part of the story. So let's get to the part that interests us."

- As you wish. Replied Atlas, diving back into the story.

"These deities, being above the world, feared absolutely nothing, except for one thing: INFINITY. The only thing representing a real danger to them. So they decided to concentrate their power into 4 indestructible magic relics and reunite them by means of a fifth, in order to seal INFINITY.

To prevent anyone from awakening this entity through the relics that had once sealed it, the Deities scattered the first 4 throughout the world and had them protected by overpowering creatures. As for the fifth, they kept it by their side because the relics should never be reunited.

It was only after centuries of searching and fighting that curious humans managed to get their hands on one of these relics. A relic requisitioned and kept for many years by the Grand Council, venerating these Deities. A relic that was nonetheless retrieved by us due to their negligence."

- Do you understand now? Asked Atlas.

- *Sigh* So you want to find and awaken this entity called Infinity.

- And maybe even obtain it has to offer. Added Atlas with a look full of desire.

- But… this story, are you sure of its authenticity? We've always been taught that the origin of the world is a universal secret, unknown even to the Deities themselves, who were once human.

- I understand your doubt. It's hard to believe such a story when we knew a completely different version of events. But for my part, I fully trust my master and I believe in the existence of Infinity. Replied Atlas, confident. "After all… maybe it's only through ourselves that we'll truly discover the truth."

- Hmmm… Anyway, your ambitions are huge. But you know you're taking a big risk? Getting on the wrong side of the Grand Council might barely pass if you're very powerful, but saying that the Deities are on a whole other level would be underestimating them.

- I know. But… the most difficult goals to achieve are often the ones that bring the most satisfaction once accomplished, don't you agree?

- There's a difference between difficult and impossible.

- Alpheus, are you afraid of the impossible?

Alpheus took a few seconds to think about Atlas's question. But eventually, he replied:

- It could be exciting to face it.

- That's what I wanted to hear. Said Atlas, looking up at the starry sky above him. "Funny enough, I quite appreciate your company. I never had friends when I was younger."

- That must have been tough. On my side, all my comrades were just pretentious nobles.

- Damn! It must have been tough for you. I don't have much experience on the subject, but I know it's hard to pretend in such an environment. Atlas said, very seriously. "As for me, my master supported me a lot for a while. Maybe I was lucky to meet him when everything was at its worst."

- I see.

- By the way, I have a question to ask you. Would you like to help me on my journey to Infinity?

- I have my own goals to accomplish, but helping you shouldn't be a problem.

- It's good to hear!

...

- We've already retrieved a first relic, we have four left, one of which is with the Deities. Alpheus said, lying on his back by the fire, contemplating the stars.

- Yeah, so we still have a long way to go. And it starts again tomorrow. Replied Atlas, his face full of excitement.

- Indeed! So, where are we going now?

- No idea!

****