Prophecy Approved Companion

Book Three Chapter Forty: Morality System

The Evil Devs, Qube blinked at the Chosen One, surprised at his shock. You know, the ones the Devs want us to help defeat when we ascend.

The Chosen One closed his eyes for a long, long time. He opened them again and stared at Qube.

What? he asked eloquently.

What to what part? Qube asked.

Why do you think there are Evil Devs?

Well, the first time I met a Dev, they spoke about there being Evil in our world and that it was there for a reason that I couldnt understand and that if I tried to think about it too much my brain would explode.

Qube twisted her fingers together as the Chosen One stared at her.

So I tried to think of a reason.

Even though they said it would make your head explode, the Chosen One said flatly.

Yes, Qube confessed. So Evil exists in our world for a reason. Thats just a fact. The Devs had made the Golden Prophecy, which worked against the Evil Emperor. Thats also a fact. But then I asked myself: whos guiding the Evil Emperor? And why?

Youre assuming someones guiding him, the Chosen One said, not in an argumentative way, but more pointing out a potential flaw in her logic.

Well, he has to have a reason for doing what hes doing. And with how much power he gained so suddenly, and the Devs reluctance to explain why, and with how little idea they seemed to have about what was happening in this world, it all seemed to add up to them not being in complete control of what was happening in our realm.

Thats very true, the Chosen One said wryly.

Which means, Qube said, excited by his agreement, that other people have to be involved. Evil people, working against the Golden Prophecy and the side of Good. Its possible they didnt have a choice about whether or not to bring badness into our world, if these other Devs have access to the same mana pool, or can influence the working of the spell that made our world. Thats why theyre so interested in our party and our specialness, and why they want us to ascend. They need people experienced at fighting against Evil.

Also when we met the Dan Dev you said he was Evil. That last part was said as a clincher.

I mean, yeah, he is, but not actually

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Evil, the Chosen One said confusingly. I more meant hes an [apple]. No ones actually Evil in the Dev realm. The Hero paused, thinking. Well, people do Evil things, but huh. Okay, so there is, but not in the way youre thinking.

But then why is there Evil here? Qube asked. She tensed, afraid of her brain exploding, but instead there was only the echo of the Golden Prophecys displeasure.

Oh boy, you sure know which questions to ask, the Chosen One said with a sigh. Why does Evil exist here? He dug the tip of his toe against the marble stairs, the full plate armoured boot making a horrible scraping sound. He was silent for so long that Qube was beginning to worry that he wouldnt answer her question, when he finally stirred.

Do you remember what you were like back in the village? he asked. Startled by the sudden topic change, Qube just nodded. Thinking about how you were then, and how you are now, do you feel like youve grown?

Yes, Qube said, puzzled as to how this was relevant. Although I still have a long way to go, she added humbly.

How are you different? he asked.

Qube rearranged her robe, trying to think of how to express the multitude of ways shed changed since leaving the village. How could she articulate, even to herself, how much shed grown since shed been nothing more than a potential companion?

I feel more solid, she managed eventually. Like Im a fuller person. That I dont have to constantly try to make myself smaller.

Do you prefer being this version of yourself? the Hero asked.

Of course! Qube replied, astonished.

But this new, better version of yourself wouldnt have existed without all the terrible things that happened, the Chosen One said. If the Evil Emperor hadnt attacked, or we hadnt needed to set off to defeat him, you probably would have been stuck in that village your entire life, and never would have changed. Think of how boring that would have been.

Oh, how Qube wanted the Hero to skip to the point!

And? she asked impatiently.

So if it hadnt been for him ruining everything, you wouldnt have grown. Its like, I dunno, making a statue. You gotta smash the rock a bunch for the true form to emerge.

Chosen One, Qube said sweetly, that is a very strange thing to think. If his threat against the kingdom hadnt existed, I wouldnt have needed to grow stronger. And, sure, I like who I am now, but I also liked who I was back then. If monsters hadnt been a problem, the woods wouldnt have been protected our entire lives, and we wouldnt have had to train to be Chosen, and so we could have gone out exploring as much as we liked.

Qube suddenly remembered. I mean I would have gone out and explored, she corrected herself, grief in her heart.

But you wouldnt have fought so hard, the Chosen One pressed. The group wouldnt have come together. I never would have come to this realm. It would have just been aimless exploring.

The things weve dealt with havent all been Evil, Qube said, struggling to remain calm. Most of the time, its just been people on different sides of a conflict, and weve managed to appease both. Thats not Evil, thats just disagreeing.

But Evils what happens when disagreeing goes too far, the Chosen One continued. When someone on one side thinks theyre so right they do something terrible. Sometimes they dont even mean to do a terrible thing, or from their perspective its the right thing to do. So you cant have people running around freely doing things without Evil entering the equation.

Well then they shouldnt be running around freely! Qube said, sharper than shed meant to. Thats why things like the Golden Prophecy exist! To stop us from being bad!

But thats not right! the Hero said, rising to his feet. Qube rose too, facing him down. Its not right that they did that to you.

Qube gasped. Of course its right! Its Good!

Its not Good! the Hero said angrily.

How else are they supposed to stop Evil? Qube snapped.

Thats not how you stop people from doing the wrong thing! the Hero snapped back. Even if people make the wrong decisions, you cant control their thoughts by hurting them for thinking something you dont like or feeding them pleasure when they think what you want them to. People do messed up stuff, and make mistakes, and learn from it. Thats what being a person is! Thats how you live a real life, and become an actual sapient being, rather than whatever it was you had back in the village.

My life was fine in the village, under the Golden Prophecy! Qube declared.

That wasnt a life! the Hero exclaimed. You werent a person! You were just a puppet! Look at how much youve grown! Thats only possible because of bad things happening.

My personal growth wasnt worth the price of Evil, Qube said, shaking.

The Hero stopped. The two of them were practically shouting at each other, both of them trembling. There was a terrible gulf between them, far wider than any Qube had ever felt. Within it were the memories of her still-burning village.

The Chosen One sighed. His shoulders slumped.

I dont know, he said eventually, sounding defeated. I dont know if youre right. And I know that the reason I just said isnt the only reason bad things happen in this place. Or even the main reason. But surely you can see why the Devs wouldnt want everyone to be completely controlled by the Golden Prophecy? Why theyd allow people the freedom to learn? Sure, people here might learn things they didnt intend them to, but you guys are special because of how different you are from what they expected you to be.

He ran a hand through his hair.

There are those in the Devs realm who want to put you all back to how you were when I first arrived, he said. To make sure no one who ascends can do anything they dont like. Does that sound like something youd want? he asked, in complete sincerity. I just assumed he took a deep breath. I thought you, and the others, would want the ability to make choices. Even if they were bad ones. The freedom to think your own thoughts, without the Devs having control over them. But I never actually asked any of you.

He gave her his familiar lopsided smile.

I guess, in the end, Im not that different from the others, he said sadly. I just decided what you should want, without asking. I thought I knew best, because I knew what I would want.

They want to rebind us? Qube asked. So we go back to the level of control the Golden Prophecy used to have on us?

Yeah, the Hero said, studying her intensely. Ive been arguing against it. Saying that you guys should be allowed to continue growing freely. But I really should have let you choose.

So suddenly was Qube forced to evaluate the statements shed just made! Would she be fine, going back to how shed been before? She and the others were already Good, so it shouldnt matter if they were rebound, forced back into being Good. Was it a fair price to pay, to be absolutely certain that they wouldnt be Evil when they ascended? After all, who knew how ascension would change them?

She wasnt sure. A part of her rejected the idea outright; she wouldntcouldnt!go back to not being able to think without searing pain. And there was the fact that the Golden Prophecy hadnt exactly been subtle, or understood nuance in moral situations. As amazing and necessary as it was, it was a blunt instrument.

Plus, she had already been raised by it. She didnt need it anymore. Shed only been growing better and better at guiding the Chosen One!

But

Do people in the Devs realm have things stopping them from being Evil? Qube asked. They cant, otherwise there wouldnt be bad people in their world, she instantly answered her own question. So it would be just us who had to be bound like that?

Just you and the others in the group, the Chosen One said gently. No ones ever ascended before, so some of them are afraid.

Qube understood that fear. She was often afraid.

I think this is something we should discuss with everyone else, she said, trying to put off the decision. After all, this affects them too.

Sure, the Chosen One easily agreed. But what do you want?

Qube internally floundered.

So do our Devs want us to fight Evil Devs when we ascend? she asked.

I dont want you being used for fighting when you ascend, the Chosen One firmly replied. Im not going to allow that.

Do you think well turn Evil when we ascend? Qube asked in a small voice. Do you think I will?

The Chosen One didnt instantly reply, which frightened Qube more than anything else.

I dont think people are Good or Evil, he said at last. I think you, and the others, have potential to do bad things. Especially when the reality of the Devs realm, and everything else, really sinks in. But I dont think thatll make you Evil. The others, even ol Sing-Song, might worry me, but I dont think any of them should be controlled the way you seem to have been. And, at the end of the day, Id rather trust you too much, and be wrong, than never give you a chance.

Qube took a step back from the Hero, back towards the mausoleum and the others. She didnt know what to think.

Go ask them your questions, she said, taking another step back. Ill wait with the others.