A thing named "Face".
Trance had been a world declared “dead” for some time, but that had to be witnessed. At a first glance it seemed fairly alive, more plant matter than any other world could dream of, but the air didn't smell fresh. No, it smelt a lot like rot and decay.
This place won't be missed.
It only took a minute for the flames to pick up speed but even that hardly masked the smell. Fortunately one gets used to it after living in horrid conditions for so long.
Despite the moon being in the sky the flames acted as a false day, lighting up the world and bringing out the remaining life. The rustling of brush was the only indicator that something was still in this world, multiple somethings. Having a red carapace in a green world was bound to stand out, so hiding would be useless. Despite being outnumbered, a simple flame dispatched this false life. The sinew was all that held the bones together, burning up and fading into ash as no sound of agony came from it.
Unfortunate. It's not even edible.
Huffing and continuing to spread the fires, finding no joy in snuffing out parasites, there was a small urge just to leave such a boring and already dead world. What was the point of doing this?
A strange glint from a forest went right into the empty eye socket, annoying enough to pull anything out of its thoughts. Shielding itself from the bright glint it watched how the light refracted onto its arm, the shape never staying the same due to the flames. Pausing in its empty massacre a stronger feeling swelled; Curiosity.
Just this once…
Heading into the dense forest the flames were practically hidden, darkness taking over as it followed the glare that danced on the bark. While the darkness wasn't an issue, it was the fact that whoever made the structure it just walked face first into decided to make it match the surrounding shrubbery. The overgrown plants didn't help but it was still an irritating choice.
This structure was smaller than the other temples it ignited, one entrance in the supposed front had intricately carved columns and arches. Spending time on such pointless things was beyond it but suppose it could respect hard work.
The inside wasn't much different, matching the exterior as it seemed the walls were thin. However the source of the glint was found, a glass like gem stuck in the ceiling that was reflecting the light around the structure. Only then a new detail was also noticed, that being several faces with varying expressions. It wasn't unusual compared to the other temples, all of which had a repeating face carved into the stone, but this one was clearly different. It just couldn't put a claw on it -
“Oh wow, look what the misery dragged in!”
A voice- multiple voices said in union. It sounded like it came from everywhere and nowhere at once, causing some sense of alarm of a possible ambush.
“Hey, look UP! I know you have a neck.” The voice said again but the tone was less than desirable. Nonetheless the advice was taken, looking up at the glass the light was now concentrated on one of the faces. This one in particular seemed to be neutral, perhaps the default position the glass was in.
“There you go! I knew you weren't dumb.”
The sound of scraping stone above moved the glass to aim the light on a more joyful expression.
Meanwhile it was less than amused by this encounter.
“Eesh, tough crowd of one. I'm isolated all the time and this is what I'm greeted with? No wonder you're the icon of hopelessness.”
With the light focusing back on an annoyed expression, whatever this was finally grabbed its attention.
“You know of what I am?” Its voice came out, gruff and quiet, the smoke having done a number on its throat.
“Well duh!” The face changes multiple times, first back to smiling then to a more maniacal grin. “You're the new Hellbeast. Killed the last one and forced that Agelum to follow!”
While the accuracy couldn't be considered strange, after all everything back on its home planet knew exactly what it was, the strange part was the fact whatever this was knew it killed the Golem. Or “Agelum” as the voices said.
“Not talkative, got it.” The voices said with mild annoyance, the face in the light matching with the tone.
“Maybe you just need an introduction! This universe is strange after all, I don't blame you for being so timid.”
The Hellbeast huffed at being called such, this thing clearly just trying to get under its hide at this point.
“The beings that used to live here called me something that doesn't follow your linguistic rules, but it roughly translated to ‘A mask who knows thousands of things’. ‘Face’ is fine though for your case.” The being explained as if that would make any more sense.
“That's hardly a name..”
“Oh hush! As if ‘RED’ is any better!”
Hearing “Face” announce its Zenith given nickname was jarring. That wasn't a guess. That was the tone of something that knows it.
The light focused on a guilty expression as pupils made themselves apparent in the Hellbeast’s empty sockets.
“How do you know that?”
“Is it really that far strung of a guess..?”
“Answer or I burn you to the ground.”
“You're a great negotiator.” Face quickly caved, “This isn't the only world or species that built a temple I could access. Religions and ideas spread just as wildly as the flames you created. Not only can I gather information by word of mouth but I can technically 'see' what's going on around me. It's hard for me to keep my metaphorical nose out of things! Especially something as serious as another Hellbeast taking over on Zenith!”
While the explanation made sense to some capacity it didn't ease its irritation.
“There’s a temple like this on Zenith then.”
“.. maybeeee?” Face was hesitant to answer and the panic in their many voices swelled when the Hellbeast turned to leave.
“Wait wait wait! Please don't destroy it! Knowledge is a powerful tool and you know that! Surely you can see the benefits of my existence there!”
Their pleading did nothing to stop the Hellbeast, helplessly watching it almost exit the small temple. The sound of scraping stone was the only thing that caused it to momentarily pause, the light shining down on an enraged expression.
“Why are you so pointlessly destructive!? Are you actually satisfied with this lifestyle!?” Face exclaimed, questions that were all too familiar. They just barely managed to make it turn back to talk just to prove some point to itself.
“I am, but do not believe I am destroying your temple on Zenith to be ‘pointlessly destructive’. I do not enjoy being watched by some supposed ‘all-knowing’ thing. There are enough eyes on me.”
The expression for Face changed to the neutral one, a rare period of silence as they seemed to be stuck in thought. The Hellbeast was unsure if Face had just decided to go silent out of spite, or simply lost in thoughts. Eventually the layered voices finally spoke back up, quiet but having some form of understanding.
“That's.. reasonable. Just unfortunate that I can't stop you from destroying more history.”
While the Hellbeast felt no sympathy for a mere structure, losing a source of information would be stupid of it. As it was told by its predecessor: Knowledge was an invaluable tool that would only help its endeavors.
What a fool it was then.
With a drawn out breath it decided to make a very rare proposition with this “Face”.
“You cannot convince me not to tear apart the Zenith temple, however-”
It was temporarily cut off by Face changing to a surprised expression.
“However, when I come to you for knowledge you may ask two questions that I cannot refuse to answer.”
That almost seemed to excite Face, instantly changing to their gleeful expression.
“In exchange of a temple I get to ask THE Hellbeast any question I want?”
“Do not make me regret this.”
“Too late it's already a deal!” Face practically cheered, more than thrilled about its proposition.
“I'll see you on Zenith!”
With those final words the temple went dark and quiet, none of the faces illuminated and instead the light reflecting at random. The Hellbeast remained for a moment, the silence appreciated after too much chatter for its personal tastes, but couldn't help but wonder what sort of mess it just created for itself. Perhaps it should work on its bargaining…
