A day had passed since we played "Tic Tac Toe." It wasn't much of a game because even when I saw his face with Pride hurt but he still lost on purpose. Am sure if we were not in this situation it would have played out like I was an ant in front of a sun.
Just thinking about it makes me terrified of such things happening to me but it's too late as it is. Tet had already passed down this fragmented dimension and his will along with the power it contained to me.
What is more terrifying is that my soul right now is being consumed as auxiliary power to keep this dimension from falling apart.
I feel two different emotions right now, one is like being happy in the sense of feeling power but the other is like weights that have fallen on my back causing me pain.
While sensing this I thought. 'I should have expected what he said to be true but there is no more point in debating this.'
As I was in a phase of thinking, Tet walked up to me and patted my shoulders, and asked: "Hey Ace you feeling alright?"
I look at him with a look that could kill.
"Tsk, Is this a joke to you? Do I look alright?"
Tet looked at me but I could see a bit of disappointment for an instant of a second. he spoke with a look of Concern. "Just to remind you in a few days I will be gone. so take it as you may but it would not matter to me that you have a bad image of me.
However, I would ask you to cooperate. I was going to tell you "The 10 Pledges" yesterday but I decided to wait to see what you would do after I gave you my power"
I looked at him and frowned. ' Did he want me to act like a fool and give up the only thing that would help me survive a little bit longer?' ask I question the absurdity of his words.
He spoke.
"No offense or anything but I just had to make sure that you would not be filled with arrogance. But now that that has passed I can tell you what "The 10 Pledges" are.
There is no easy way to put this into words but try to imagine a list that has ten things written down in it like your world PowerPoint presentation. Now imagine it was in front of you, I will wait."
As he said those words, at first it sounded gibberish to my ears but I try seeing that I got nothing left to lose.
I focus and try to create an image but for some reason, something seems to be getting in the way. I stop concentrating on making an image and looked at what was getting in the way with full focus. Before I could dive more in-depth I hear a voice.
"Oh, you did it, I thought you would take much longer than expected"
At those words, I felt like he was mocking me and I was about to say something back when I noticed the list-like screen in front of me.
It looked more like a Computer screen than anything else but seemed to show the theme of being a little magical.
As I read more focused on what it contained my eyes opened wide.
『The 10 Pledges』
1. 『All murder, war, and robbery are forbidden in this world.』
2. 『All conflicts in this world will be resolved through games.』
3. 『In games, each player will bet something that they agree is of equal value.』
4. 『As long as it doesn't violate pledge three, anything may be bet, and any game may be played.』
5. 『The challenged party has the right to decide the rules of the game.』
6. 『Any bets made in accordance with the pledges must be upheld.』
7. 『Conflicts between groups will be conducted by designated representatives with absolute authority.』
8. 『Being caught cheating during a game is grounds for an instant loss.』
9. 『In the name of God, the previous rules may never be changed.』
10. 『Let's all have fun and play together!』
POV: TET
I see him looking at me angrily, I know what he must be thinking but I will listen to what he has to say just so I can make sure.
"You, you... TRICKED ME!! You knew you couldn't do anything to me so you left it out "The 10 Pledges" so I wouldn't know it!!"
As I hear him going on rambling about what I did, I scoff in my head. 'It wasn't part of the game, and even before it would have been risky to disclose. well at least let me save myself knowing that the deed is done.'
I brought my hands close to my mouth. " cough... cough... You got it all wrong, I did not tell "The 10 Pledges" but it was because if I gave you the "Suniaster" before giving you my power you would have burned to death."
He looked at me with a loom that could kill and started to speak.
" so having my soul as auxiliary power for this fragmented dimension wasn't enough you also wanted to burn me?"
As he brought these words together my eyes twitch as I thought. 'Changing my words to fit your portrayal of events... not bad, not bad. Looks like for me hope is not lost after all.'
I looked to the side not giving a care in the world... Well, I should say this plot of land of fragmented dimensions. I raised my voice as I spoke.
"Well, it would not matter if I tricked you or not at this moment because it is already too late for you to start jumping... Hmm, how did they put it in words in your world again? Oh yes, jumping carts.
I would advise you to think wisely about what to do with your time because Just like me you won't have enough soon. Perhaps using the "Suniaster" to try to awaken that construct that seems to be part of your soul?"