Reincarnated at Level Two Million - Chapter 141

The entirety of the ship turned black all-around Zell and everyone on board seemed frozen in time. The mark on his hand began to glow as the presence of a god was near him.

“Did you really think there would be no consequences for undoing the master’s grand plans?” A mysterious man who appeared out of nowhere said. “To revive a hundred billion souls and remake a planet. Did you think that would escape his notice?”

“Oh, you must have been sent by one of the creator gods.” Zell said with a laugh. “It is not that I assumed there would be no retribution, I simply did not care. Now who are you and how are you here without a vessel?”

“I am the god of hate and war.” He said. “In this universe that does not believe in the divine I have made my home for eons. Feasting on the billions of souls lost to senseless hatred. It is all part of the master’s plan.

When a civilization has reached a certain point, it must be eradicated for the good of the rest. That is the law of this universe, a law you have sorely broken.”

“I was looking for you.” Zell said. “How wonderful it is that you have found me instead.”

“I know you are strong, but I can sense the hate that dwells deep within you.” The other god responded. “As long as you have that hate in your heart you cannot kill me.”

“It is true.” Zell said. “I do have hate. I hate the gods who toy with mortal lives and claim it is for the betterment of everyone when I know it is just for their entertainment. Tell me what your rationale for the murder of a civilization is. I would love to know. I would also have your name.”

“I am Radi, though you are not worthy to hear my name.” Radi said. “As for the reason for the civilization’s death. It is simple, if left unchecked they would create a weapon that would destroy the universe. I do not know what type, but it is certain that they were on the path to create it. So, for the good of the rest of the universe they had to die.”

“Radi, that is an interesting reason.” Zell said. “It was perhaps true, until they met me. Now their days of warring are behind them, and the days of peace will be plentiful and great.”

“You are very naïve.” Radi said. “They will still work on building the weapons that will destroy everything and they will say that it is in the name of defense. They will still create it, that is the bottom line. You only kicked the can a little further down the road.

In a forest if you do not cut out the old growth the new trees wither and die. This is no different. It is not because I find joy in their destruction, nor does the master. It is something that must be done.”

“When you introduced yourself, you said you were the god of hate and war.” Zell said. “But I know from Anna, that your real title is the god of hate and love. Why would you change love to war?”

“War is fought more for love than for hate.” Radi said. “The love of your own culture, of your own people, or perhaps the love for another’s possessions. Love is war, it is a constant battle. You know, I am sure. When you love someone, you fight every day to be with them, near them. You do whatever you can for them, and they do the same for you. Every day is a battle in love.

Hate however is different. When you hate the most common reaction is to avoid the thing that is hated. You do not seek it out unless you are overcome with love for something else. Only through love will you embrace hate. So, I changed my title to reflect what love really is.”

“Damn it.” Zell said. “You had to be rational. I was honestly hoping you were a raving psychopath like Steve. That way I would collect your soul without a second thought. But you have reasons for what you do, although I do not agree with them. You do not do it only for your entertainment.”

“I do it as a job, not for fun.” Radi said. “I wish I could let everyone just live and love, but sadly that cannot be so. Not if I care about the others, and the fate of the universe.”

“But what if they don’t?” Zell asked. “You are certain that they will create this horrible weapon that wipes out the universe. But what if they don’t? Then you just condemned an entire civilization to death. If mortals truly are to have freedom, will they need to make their own choices and yes, their own mistakes. You cannot be the one who decides for them if they live or die.”

“Did you not just do that?” Radi asked. “I watched you pluck souls from the cycle one hundred billion times. Did you not just decide who lives and who dies? Where was the free will in your decision to save them? Did you give them a choice?

Of course, you didn’t. You are a god, and you act like one. You decided to know what was best and you did it. By doing what you did you have altered their entire civilization. I may have killed them, but so did you.

The civilization that you rescued has been forever changed. They now have a religion and a god to worship. They will act differently, think differently, and progress differently. There is nothing about them that will remain the same. Other than the fact they will eventually destroy this universe.”

“There is no way for you to know that.” Zell said. “You are not the god of future visions; you are basically the god of the heart. As such you are thinking only with your heart and not your head. I know there is a more advanced society in this universe is there not?”

“There is.” Radi replied.

“Did you need to kill them?” Zell asked.

“I actually attempted several times.” Radi said. “Somehow, they have overcome every attempt to destroy them. It is so dangerous to let them exist, yet I have no choice but to.”

“That is actually amazing.” Zell said. “To think there is a civilization out there that openly defies the will of the gods and gets away with it. An actual bastion of free will and free thought. I cannot wait to visit them as soon as I am done here.”

“Do not think I will let you continue doing what you are doing!” Radi yelled.

“Oh, Radi, there is nothing you can do to stop me.” Zell said with a small laugh.

Radi held on one of his hands and it started to glow. He was trying to cause Zell to become overcome with emotion. He was trying to make him lose himself in his past suffering. Zell just walked towards Radi slowly.

“Why isn’t it working?!” Radi yelled out as Zell walked closer and closer. “Why! I feel the hate in your heart, I feel the sorrow and the pain! Why do you keep coming even when I amplify it?!”

“I conquered my demons long ago.” Zell said. “My pain is a part of me, and I will embrace it no matter how large it grows. I will move forward with what needs to be done no matter how I feel. I am sorry, but we were a bad match up. I thank you for attacking me though.”

“You thank me?!” Radi asked with a worried look on his face. “Why would you thank me for attacking you?!”

Zell placed his hand on Radi’s shoulder. “Because it makes this easier.” From Zell’s hand Radi’s body began to glow until his entire being was just one giant light. Slowly the light shrank until it was a tiny ball. When the light faded only a sphere of Zell’s scales remained. He had trapped Radi inside.

As Radi became trapped the lights of the ship returned and the people started talking and moving once more.

“Zell are you alright?” Furg asked with a concerned look on his face. “You kind of zoned out there for a moment. Did saving my planet zap you of too much power? Do you need to rest before we go to the enemy and rescue my daughter and end the war?”

Zell looked down at his hand and the ball of scales that now resided in it. “No, I am fine.” Zell said. “We can go to our next target; I don’t need to rest.”

“Alright, but you look so worn down and sad, are you sure you are, okay?” Furg asked one more time.

“I am fine.” Zell said while faking a smile. “Please let’s move on.”

“Alright everyone you heard the god!” Furg yelled. “Next stop those bastard’s home world!”