Genetic Ascension

Chapter 2500 My Way

Nathan frowned, but Alex didnʼt give him the chance to answer.

”For now, weʼre doing what we can with what weʼve got. And no. Iʼm not betting my life on some vague trust in Sylas. Hm not an idiot, Nathan. I know exactly what kind of person he is.”

Alex glanced at Sylas before going on.

”Iʼm betting my life on the fact that Sylas Grimblade would never let someone elseʼs success or failure decide whether he succeeds or fails. If my plans work, great. If they donʼt, heʼll find another way. The idea of leaving his future in someone elseʼs hands probably disgusts him more than anything.”

He shrugged.

”Now, does that mean heʼll save my life? I donʼt have an answer for that. But I know he wonʼt let me ruin his plans just because I fucked something up.”

Nathan stared at him. ”Thatʼs an insane way to look at things.”

”Maybe. Itʼs also the only reason live survived knowing that bastard for as long as I have.” Alexʼs expression went cold. ”Listen, Nathan. When youʼre weak, you fall in line. It doesnʼt matter how smart you think you are, how much money you used to haver or how important you think your opinion is. If youʼre standing in front of someone who can kill you with a thought, you need to understand exactly what position youʼre in.”

Nathanʼs face changed, but Alex kept going before he could cut in.

”Youʼve got a lot going for you, and youʼre a smart guy, but I really donʼt think youʼve struggled all that much. You turned your companies into successes back when Earth was still Earth, and then the Grimblades drafted you. Before you ever had to carry any real weight in this new world, Sylas handled everything.”

Alex paused, and his gaze hardened.

”I remember giving this exact warning to someone else before. He didnʼt listen to me, and Sylas killed him.”

Neither of them said anything.

”It would take one thought for Sylas to kill you now, Nathan. One thought, and you wouldnʼt even have time to understand what happened. Hm not saying that because I think he wants to. Iʼm saying it because youʼre starting to forget just how far apart you two are.”

Alex exhaled.

”Youʼre my friend. My best friend, actually, and thatʼs why Iʼm asking you to fucking listen to me for once. Iʼve been telling you this for 3 years, and hm getting tired of repeating myself. You donʼt have to like what Sylas does, and you sure as hell donʼt have to agree with hinn, but you need to understand when your opinion matters and when it doesnʼt.”

He looked at Nathan.

”FOCUS.”

Nathan was quiet for a long while. It was obvious he didnʼt like what Alex was telling him. However, he understood it.

Eventually, he nodded.

”Fine. Where are we going?”

Alex let out a breath, and his shoulders loosened a bit.

”Well, thatʼs about the one thing I actually have figured out. There are a few ways we could get to the Nethum, and Iʼve spent a lot of time weighing them against one another. The problem is that most of the obvious methods donʼt actually give me an opportunity to do anything useful.”

Nathan frowned.

”An opportunity to do something useful?”

”To Sylas, you idiot. Who else?” Alex gestured toward the man meditating at the front of the Ship. ”Do you think Iʼm worried about impressing the Nethum right now? Those bastards might decide to dissect me the moment I show up, regardless of what I accomplish on the way there.”

Alex shook his head.

”The easiest solution would be to rely on the Creation Tower. Sylas already controls the Towers of the Skai Heaven, and with his Rune Mastery, Iʼm sure he could figure out some ridiculous way to use that authority to get us where we need to go. But then what would be the point of bringing me along? Iʼd just be another mouth to feed.”

Alex glanced toward Sylas, his expression growing thoughtful.

”He put me in charge for a reason. I donʼt know exactly what heʼs planning, but I know him well enough to understand that he doesnʼt do things without a purpose. If I stand around waiting for him to solve everything, sooner or later heʼs going to wonder why heʼs bothering to keep me around at all.”

Alex didnʼt know what Sylas was planning, but he did know that Sylas didnʼt do things for no reason.

Sylas could very well have put Alex in charge simply because he knew that Alex would have already worked out a quick and efficient way to get to the Nethum, and very well plan to kick Alex to the side once they got there. Maybe Sylas just wanted to rest after pushing his mind to the limits for three years, and working out a complicated way to cross the barrier to the God Realm wasnʼt worth the time he could spend recovering instead.

Alex hoped that Sylas just had bigger aspirations for him, but he wasnʼt naive enough to believe that Sylas would have such thoughts. But what he did know was that it didnʼt matter. Even if Sylas wanted something that simple of him, he had to prove that he could still stick around, if for no other reason than to stay alive and the fact that Sylas was his best chance at getting revenge for his parents.

Nathanʼs expression tightened, but Alex continued.

”And thatʼs the whole problem. I canʼt compete with him in strength, and I sure as hell canʼt compete with him in Rune Creation. If I try to play his game, Iʼll lose before I even start, so the only option is to use something I have that he doesnʼt.”

Nathan considered his words.

”Your Demonic heritage?”

Alex grinned.

”See? Thatʼs why I keep you around. Sometimes that big brain of yours actually works.”

He leaned back, looking considerably more pleased with himself.

”The Creation Tower is the easy answer, but Sylas asked me to take point, so weʼre doing things my Way.”

Nathan waited.

”Weʼre going through the Demon World.”