'Answers' Reward

Six nights ago, in Alesha's assigned room

[The questions I am answering for this quest reward are: "System, is this your doing? Why am I having trouble thinking about the attack?" and "How come it's acting up like this, when it never did before?"]

[That sound about right?]

Alesha was surprised. She'd forgotten completely about the first question, but it was one she'd like an answer to, now that the System brought it up. As for the second, that one she was expecting. "Yes."

[Very well. Alesha, yes, it is partially my doing that you are having trouble remembering the attack. Or rather, it is because of my existence. I am not entirely certain myself, but what I do know is that I was being born during the time you were being set aflame, and I think it likely that parts of your consciousness at the time were stolen by the fire in order to create me. Do not ask me about the details of that because I am as uninformed about the process as you are. As for your trouble thinking about the attack, that's likely an innate trauma response, coming from your weak human side. That, or my chaotic nature devours the mental energy created when you try to remember the trauma of the time.]

"Wait, you can do that? You can devour my mental energy?" Alesha was too horrified to attempt being anything less than blunt at the moment. What did it mean that the System could devour her mental energy? What sorts of implications did that have?!

[It's not what you're afraid of. I exist to help you become the most efficient, best Seed of Chaos that you can. You cannot do that if you are caught up in the throes of trauma. IF part of the reason you have trouble recalling the attack is because of my devouring your mental energy related to it, and that's a big IF, then what I do is not eat up your thoughts themselves but redirect them by devouring seeds of mental energy that would hurt you.]

Alesha wasn't sure how much of what the System had just told her could be trusted. However, since this was part of a quest reward, she decided to cautiously trust that it was the truth.

[Now for the other question. When you asked me about why your Chaos Energy was acting up before, you had pushed through your mental barriers to think in detail about the day of the attack despite them. That brought vivid memories of the other attack to your mind as well. Then, your Chaotic Dragon Bloodline resonated with those memories and the Chaos Energy within you. You've never explored your Chaotic powers, not yet, and keeping them suppressed isn't good for you.]

[To put it simply, you are no longer human.]

[You are a being descended from Chaos and, as such, Chaos is no longer optional for you but has become an innate need. When you have not wrought or partaken in enough chaos, the Chaos Energy within you will amplify your dissatisfied instincts, and you will yearn for Chaos.]

With every sentence the System "spoke" within her mind, Alesha's stomach dropped. If the System was telling the truth, then it was likely that as she continued to evolve, this problem would only grow worse over time, not better. The System had always been dogged in its insistence that humanity was inferior, and therefore, in its quest to turn her into something other than human. If, after a mere single evolution, the instinct to create chaos was already as hard to suppress as it was now, then she was in big trouble. How could she live among human society like this? Could she? Was it even possible?

[Probably not,] the System said, not sounding the least bit regretful. [You'll be able to blend in for a while longer, but before long, you'll need to migrate to another world if you want to seem normal. Preferably one which Toltura controls. Then, you can grow into the Seed of Chaos you were always meant to be. Of course, you could just take over the world where you grew up, that's always an option. Then you wouldn't have to leave, nor would you have to hide.]

What kind of stupid idea was that?! "Seriously? You think a planet controlled by the Human Alliance would really be so easily conquered?"

[Yes. Maybe not with your current strength, and definitely not by yourself, but if you make the most of your time here and things work out with Toltura's Army, you might just get lucky enough to rule the world you grew up on.]

"But why would an army of the Goddess of Chaos let me rule anything?! I'm just a human, and if their attitude is anything like yours, then there's no way they'd let a human rule a conquered planet! I don't even want to, anyways!"

[Your loss,] the System replied, completely ignoring her first question. [I will remind you, you are NOT human. Not anymore. You are mine now.]

The System's? What did it mean, by claiming ownership of her in that way?! "Hey! Rogork, I'm not yours! I don't know what you're playing at but I don't belong to anyone!"

The System did not respond.

That night, Alesha spent a long time thinking about what the System had told her, and had a very hard time falling asleep.