strangers in fate

Being thought so little was no novel thing for the god king. In fact, he was content to keep it that way as his underestimation was key in much of his success. Even Mythal who knew him better than most was guilty of as much and in that he found much joy. He encouraged her ire, constantly searching for ways for which to command her attention so she missed the smaller threats looming in her peripheral. The same threats that when amassed would become something she could no longer ignore. So while she thought him lonely and pathetic, he allowed her because it played right into his own motivations for total domination. 

Yes. He said simply. He was not afraid to admit that he needed her for the benefit that a dichotomy like theirs offered. Good and bad. Light and dark. Yin and Yang. Two parts of a whole. One could not be without the other, even if her faith preached good in all things. He simply represented the contrast to her otherwise perfect existence.  

He smiled, allowing his soul to brighten with amusement for her perceive. She sought to demean him with words when he had nothing but time to spare at her expense. You forget that I do not claim to be otherwise. I am alone, yes. I am weak, sure. I am a coward, if you insist. I do not seek love as you do. Far be it from me to understand your fascination with it. What I need, what I crave is your existence on this plane and the next and every other we find ourselves together. Destroying your shards is needless waste. He needed her alive to continue his narrative. 

So destroy me if you must, sic your legion of pious drones. But know this. You destroy yourself in the process. I will always find you. He'd given up trying to make her love him millennia ago, realizing that she was far more a value to him as an unrequited obsession than soul mate as she'd vowed to the Dread Wolf. 

I put the knife in Arithari's hand so that when you died, her face might haunt you instead. I do not need credit for something so temporary. Watching her kill you was a thrill I am tempted to repeat. And had with the late Antivan king and his queen. He didn't mind this being a calling card of his if only to watch others continue to underestimate and undervalue his true influence. Dance with me All-Mother, remind me of your worth for it seems you have forgotten mine.