While Colin Iliad gathered the group set to leave and finalized City of Silver's arrangements, Alaric followed his connection to the Ancient Sun God, finding the father and son strolling through the ruins.
Compared to before he left, the atmosphere between The Ancient Sun God and Amon had warmed considerably. Gone was the earlier awkwardness; they were even chatting happily.
"I hate to interrupt, but fun time's over. Get ready... we're about to take City of Silver's advance team out of the Forsaken Land of the Gods." Alaric said with a smile.
The Ancient Sun God and Amon exchanged a glance. Under his father's encouraging look, Amon adjusted his monocle and said, "Perhaps you wouldn't mind me helping?"
"Oh? The naughty kid's turning into a good boy?" Alaric raised an eyebrow, teasingly eyeing Amon like a rare specimen. "So, Lil' Raven, how do you plan to help?"
"I have Avatars running some successful ventures outside. They can help the City of Silver folks adapt quickly." Amon said, his tone smoother after the initial quip. "You've got mysterious powers, but you're not suited to guide them in the outside world. And the Aurora Order…"
Amon paused, smiling. "You really think a bunch of fanatics can handle it?"
Alaric fell silent, rare for him, because Amon had a point. He hadn't planned to personally guide City of Silver's people... that'd be a hassle, and they likely wouldn't want it either. His original plan was to delegate to the Aurora Order, but Amon's words gave him pause. The Aurora Order's devotees were loyal but hardly lived "normal" lives themselves. Were they reliable for this?
"The Aurora Order's unreliable, but you're Mr. Trustworthy?" Alaric asked, not hiding his skepticism.
He knew Amon's current obedience was a facade, tied to his father's presence... pure playacting.
"Even if it's an act, I'll be a good boy until my goal's met, right?" Amon said openly, unfazed. "You hold the candy I want. Why not give me a bit of trust?"
Alaric squinted, then grinned. "Classic Amon."
He patted Amon's shoulder. "Since you're offering free labor, why would I refuse? I'll hand them over, but if anything happens to them…" His smile widened, eyes carrying a warning. "You'll never see your father again."
The City of Silver residents were under Alaric's protection, and he wouldn't let Amon mess around.
"Quite the threat." Amon said, then smiled back. "Rest assured, even if just to not disappoint Father, I won't do anything unnecessary."
Alaric gave a fake smile, glancing meaningfully at The Ancient Sun God. "Looks like you taught him a lesson."
"Just filling in some gaps from years of neglected parenting." The Ancient Sun God said gently.
"Parental discipline really works. Even Amon's starting to seem human." Alaric remarked, then added, "Oh, Grisha, I forgot to ask... did Sasrir ever demand an eight-hour workday and weekends off after last time?"
The Ancient Sun God's warm smile stiffened. He gave Alaric a helpless look. "Sasrir is my Avatar, another part of me."
"I know, but Avatars deserve rights too!" Alaric shrugged. "Exploiting Avatars is wrong. Avatars rise against tyrannical originals... the world belongs to Avatars! Mistreat them, and you'll get overthrown. You get that, right, Sun God?"
The Ancient Sun God went quiet, then said diplomatically, "What if Sasrir's willing?"
"'Willing' under pressure isn't willing. Do I need to teach you that, Sun God?" Alaric said confidently, pulling Amon into it. "Take Amon here. Some of his Avatars 'willingly' stayed in City of Silver for decades, sat in a treasury trap for millennia, or got kicked into the Chaos Sea. All voluntary?"
Before Amon's main body could respond, a palm-sized Avatar materialized, shouting, "Not voluntary! We were forced by the main body!"
Classic Amon... such a mischief-maker, he'd even throw his own father under the bus for a laugh.
"Don't talk nonsense. Every action was decided by a full Amon vote. Don't blame the main body if you're unpopular among the Avatars." Amon said, adjusting his monocle with a smile.
Alaric shrugged, turning to The Ancient Sun God. "See? Overwork your Avatars, and they'll rebel."
"..."
For a fleeting moment, despite knowing Alaric was likely just stirring trouble, The Ancient Sun God wondered if he'd been too hard on Sasrir. Shaking off the absurd thought, he looked at Alaric. "I'll consider giving Sasrir some rest, but don't get any ideas about poaching him. He's my Avatar... would you want a spy by your side?"
"I'd love one!" Alaric said, baffled by the question. "A spy? Adam's practically air half the time. You think I care?"
"..."
He'd forgotten Alaric's skewed worldview.
Resigned, The Ancient Sun God changed the subject. "When can I go to Moon City?"
"Two days from now. Not enough time today... you know my summoning limit." Alaric said honestly. His spirituality was robust, but summoning a Quasi-God Almighty like The Ancient Sun God was taxing, and he didn't have enough left today for Moon City.
"Alright." The Ancient Sun God agreed without protest.
"I'll move City of Silver's people to a pocket dimension first. After that, I'll need your help to get us out." Alaric said, smiling at The Ancient Sun God.
The Ancient Sun God nodded, as this was part of their prior agreement.
***
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