NOVPUB
Chapter 306: 306
Another surprise was the presence of strange entities that neither Ikenga nor Keles had encountered before. Within the Ratman’s consciousness were bizarre creatures, which they called "dream creatures."
These beings appeared both real and unreal at the same time, yet they paid the gods no mind and simply roamed the dreamspace. Ikenga was tempted to investigate them further but held back, remembering from stories of his past world that venturing into someone’s mindspace without fully understanding it could be dangerous.
With no interference from the dream creatures, Ikenga and Keles continued their search through the Ratman’s memories. Their journey led them to a glowing magical chain wrapped around an orb. Ikenga refrained from probing it, aware of the potential consequences, but he could sense the mana radiating from the chains.
"Do you think all Ratmen have similar chains deep in their consciousness?" Ikenga asked Keles, who was circling the chained orb.
"This is our first encounter with a Ratman, so we can’t draw conclusions yet. But I do think they all might have similar chains," Keles replied, glancing at Ikenga.
Ikenga could guess why she believed that, but he wanted to hear her full reasoning.
"Our exploration of this creature’s memories shows that he’s still a recently-turned adult Ratman. His memories reveal that, for as long as he’s been able to think, their race has been oppressed by the goblins," Keles explained.
"To this point, we’ve yet to see any memory of him interacting with or even being near a mage who might have placed this chain on him. This leaves us with two options: either his memory was wiped, or the chain is a curse that’s passed down from generation to generation."
Ikenga nodded thoughtfully at Keles’ conclusion, his eyes narrowing as he processed her words. "A curse passed down through generations," he mused. "That would explain why the chain feels so deeply embedded, almost as if it’s woven into his very being."
Keles stepped closer to the glowing, chained orb, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Exactly. If this chain is part of every Ratman’s mindspace, then their entire race might have been cursed for as long as they’ve existed."
Ikenga crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the orb. "But why? What purpose does this curse serve? Is it purely to keep the Ratmen oppressed, or is there something more we’re missing?"
Keles exhaled, shaking her head. "It’s impossible to know for sure without more information. But it seems like this chain binds more than just their bodies. It shackles their potential, their ability to rise against their oppressors. If it’s truly passed down from generation to generation, they’re born into bondage without ever realizing it."
Ikenga’s cursed tattoo pulsed as he examined the chain. "I could erode the curse," he said, "but the magical signature embedded within it is what I find troubling."
Suddenly, an idea struck him, though his expression remained grim. "It seems we’ll be spending a lot of time in this world, sister," Ikenga said as he walked closer to the chained orb.
"Why is that?" Keles asked, confused.
"I have a way to break—or rather, slowly erode—the curse and chain without alarming anyone. But it will take time before the effects are noticeable," Ikenga explained as he raised his hand.
A small tree, resembling Osis, slowly took shape above Ikenga’s palm. Simultaneously, his cursed tattoo glowed, and a snake-like phantom, similar to Boros, emerged from it.
The snake slithered across Ikenga’s hand and up to the small tree. Gently, Ikenga placed the tree above the chained core, where it floated mid-air. Once the tree settled into position, its roots began extending, merging with the chains.
The snake coiled around the roots, wrapping itself around the tree with its head resting near the base. It opened its mouth, filled with sharp teeth, and began eating away at the roots—only for them to regenerate as the snake continued its relentless consumption.
Keles watched the scene unfold in awe, her eyes fixated on the small tree that resembled Osis and the phantom snake coiling around it. She could sense the energy radiating from both—the tree exuding a slow, regenerative power while the snake’s gnawing presence steadily wore down the chains with a quiet, methodical persistence.
"Ikenga... this is impressive," Keles murmured, stepping closer. "But I have to ask—what is the purpose of this tree? How will it break the curse?"
Ikenga’s eyes remained locked on the chained orb as he answered. "The tree is a symbol of life and growth, but more importantly, it’s my connection to Osis’ essence as a cursed tree who feeds off cursed energy. Its roots will gradually intertwine with the curse embedded in the chain, slowly sapping away its strength without alerting whatever force placed it here. It’s a subtle erosion, rather than a direct attack. The tree will grow, bit by bit, and the curse will weaken."
Keles nodded, her gaze moving to the phantom snake that was tirelessly gnawing at the roots. "And the snake?"
"The snake is Boros," Ikenga explained, his tone steady. "Or rather, a fragment of her essence. It consumes the remnants of the curse as the roots regenerate. It’s a cycle—one that will continue until the chain weakens enough to break, but without drawing attention to our interference."
Keles raised an eyebrow. "Ingenious. But how long do you think it will take?"
Ikenga frowned, clearly considering the complexity of the process. "I can’t say for certain. years? Weeks? Months? It depends on how deeply ingrained the curse is within the ratman’s essence. But we have to be patient. If we rush this, we could risk triggering a violent reaction."
Keles watched as the dream creatures dispersed, their forms turning into specks of light that slowly dissolved into the void. The sudden shift in the dreamscape’s atmosphere confirmed Ikenga’s warning. The consciousness was stirring, signaling it was time to leave.
With a wave of his hand, Ikenga summoned the portal that had brought them into the ratman’s mind. "We should go," he said, stepping through without hesitation. Keles followed closely behind.
In an instant, they were back in the physical world, the cool air of the waking realm greeting them as they reappeared inside the moving carriage. The dim light of dawn streamed through a small crack in the carriage window, indicating that the sun was beginning to rise.
Ikenga grabbed the portal, now a small shimmering disc, and placed it back on the table. The ratman’s mindspace was still visible through it, showing the creature stirring from its slumber. "It’s waking up," Ikenga noted, watching the ratman shift in its bedroll, oblivious to the gods’ brief intrusion into its subconscious.
"For now, we have no destination," Keles said, leaning back in her seat. "We’ll keep moving, at least until something more pressing reveals itself. Perhaps the ratman will provide some entertainment in the meantime."
Ikenga smirked at her suggestion, though his mind was still on the chain and the curse. "Let’s hope Zarvok and Phantom shift things on their end," he said, thinking of their allies who has their own mission set out for them.
Meanwhile, back in the city where Ikenga and Keles had left, a massive mansion sat quietly under the early morning light. In the stables, a ratman lay sprawled out, his thin body exhausted after a long night of labor. A huge, crocodile-like monster was nudging him awake, its large snout prodding at his side.
The ratman groaned but didn’t seem startled by the creature. "Alright, alright, I’m up," he muttered, patting the beast’s snout before getting to his feet. The monster, a creature he had tended to for years, lumbered toward the nearby well to drink while the ratman, still weary, went to fetch its morning meal.
He followed the scent of fresh meat to a large circular tub filled with blood and raw flesh. Thick ropes were tied around the tub, meant for pulling it back to the stable. With considerable effort, the ratman, despite his scrawny frame, hoisted the ropes over his shoulder and began dragging the heavy tub toward the waiting creature.
The crocodile, sensing its food approaching, moved with surprising quickness, devouring the contents of the tub the moment the ratman brought it within reach. The ratman collapsed to the ground, his arms splayed out as he stared up at the sky, breathing heavily from the exertion.
His body ached, but this was routine. As the sun continued to rise, he let his mind wander, The ratman lay sprawled out in the stable, catching his breath as the morning sun climbed higher into the sky. His thin chest rose and fell as he stared blankly into the blue, watching wisps of clouds drift lazily overhead. The massive crocodile-like beast continued tearing into its meal behind him, the wet sounds of flesh being ripped and chewed filling the otherwise peaceful silence.
This was how his mornings usually began—exhaustion from tending to the monster’s needs, followed by a brief moment of stillness before the day’s tasks pulled him back into the cycle of servitude.
