Building a magic system on threat of destruction

Deis was concerned. The filth he had summoned was a problem. Making himself useful, even necessary to the task at hand. The truth was that Deis did need help with this “system”. It was an interesting idea, and served as another way to monitor his people. If he had possessed this system before Plexion’s death then maybe…but it didn’t bear thinking about.

Deis didn’t like losing control of a situation. He was the High Deity for goodness sake. But the trash had given him a spark of insight, by speeding up the creation process he wouldn’t need to interact with the earthling any further than necessary. He would have someone create a host body, then draw attention to its existence. No one would ever dream about harming Deis himself (even if they could), but there were many who were upset at the death of the king of all demons. Perhaps a certain garbage person would make an excellent target for the upset extremists. It would solve multiple issues at the same time.

Deciding that any further mulling was unnecessary, Deis selected his target. He sent out a psychic avatar to appear before his chosen, ready to deliver a mission to them.

Within a bore-bot research facility.

Reph stood in front of a desk, looking over the diagrams he and his companions had compiled. His internal clockworks ticked along, bringing him a sense of peace even as he looked upon the chaotic nature of what they were trying to create. A bore-bot with all three kinds of internals. A union between clockworks, steam, and mana. Such a thing was heresy, and would likely be discovered and killed in the homelands. Even here on the surface there was always risk of discovery, which is why his team had acquired the best guards money could buy.

Finding like-minded souls had been hard enough, but finding others who would actually partner with him, who would spend the remainder of their lives with him? It had been nothing short of a miracle that they had found each other.

Smiling to himself, he continued to go over the diagrams. He checked each section piece by piece, looking for misalignment or inefficiency. However, something began to pull at his focus. His gaze rose, and then began to search the room. Was someone there?

Reph, of the clockwork clan. I am Deis, and I have come to speak with you

Instantly, Reph threw himself to the ground in prostration. He knew that voice, everyone in the world knew that voice. The High Deity! Here! What could the God of gods want with him? His internal clockworks began to speed up, nervousness overtaking him. Was this about his work?

You may rise

Reph slowly brought himself up, and looked. Deis hovered before him, a shadowy cloak that commanded the very air around him. An avatar of the High Deity then? Reph had heard the stories, places where the God descended personally warped and decayed into nothing after only moments of exposure. This seemed to be only a partial manifestation of power.

“Oh perfect one,” Reph began. “How may this humble servant be of use to you on this holy day which you have seen fit to grant me?” Reph was grateful for his devotion at this moment. He had always felt it was important to listen to the priests, to know the proper forms of supplication. Perhaps it would save his life here.

Your willingness to serve is well placed. I have a task for you. As well as Glimm of the mana clan and Dirge of the Steam clan

All three of them then? This could only be about their work, was Deis himself lending his name to their purpose? Such a thing would give them legitimacy! They would be safe, unharmed from those that deemed their work to be a betrayal to their race.

Hesitantly, Reph decided to ask, “If it is not too bold to ask, does this concern our work? We have long desired the completion of this construction.”

You are correct in your assumptions. Though perhaps you will not be pleased with the result. I require the form you are building, and have intentions to place my own agent into it upon its completion

The clockwork internals of Rephs body froze, horror and dread coming over him. This couldn’t be happening. “Oh great and mighty God of gods, I would gladly do as you ask, but…will you not spare me such a fate?”

I will not, my agent has requested a body and this is the only form available to one such as him. I will not deny him this, though I am loathe to allow it

An agent of Deis that needed a body? Reph had never heard of such a being. Something that could ask favors of the High Deity was absurd to consider. His displeasure must have been apparent for Deis spoke again.

Do not fear, I have seen your displeasure. I will allow this to become an opportunity for you and yours. You may study the body while my agent is using it, this will allow you to construct a superior replacement in the future

“...I thank you, High Deity.” A replacement. There were so many who considered new bore-bots to simply be new members of society. So few understood that most bore-bots considered their creations to be like their children. The God was asking to use the body of his child, the most special child that would ever be born to his kind. It was terrible, but there was no way he could refuse.

I shall grant you the notes needed to complete the work, as well as the materials. You have until tomorrow

With those final words, the avatar in front of him vanished. It took minutes before Reph felt like he could move. He slowly went to his notes. All the work that he and his partners had put into their child, replaced in a moment with clear instructions, void of any care.

“He can’t do this!” Dirge roared, steam literally pouring out of their head in anger.

Glimm sat, unmoving even as Dirge stormed around the room.

Reph had told them what had happened, and then immediately set to work. Deis had given them a day to complete their work, and he did not want to provoke the God to anger by failing to deliver.

“Everything we’ve worked for! Everything we’ve given up!” Dirge was furious, but Reph could feel the sorrow from his partner. Steam bore-bots were often more emotional than the other internal types, but Dirge had always been more passionate than their peers. The feelings were very understandable. Even as he worked, Reph felt the pain in his own chest.

“Glimm! You’re on my side here right? Our child! That’s our child!”

Glimm hesitated before speaking, her softer and more natural sounding voice trying to calm Dirge. “This might be a good thing, Dirge. The High Deity, approving our work and even asking us to continue it! He never shows this kind of favor to anyone, let alone criminals.”

The three of them were an odd pair. bore-bots paired up to become life partners, and then built their children to have the internals of both builders. There were dual type bore-bots of course, but they always chose one type of internals to pass on to their progeny. Reph, Dirge, and Glimm had all chosen each other, and to abandon their homes and friends to pursue this path. Not only advancing their species to untold new heights, but to be with one another outside of the public eye and its judgment.

Dirge wasn’t happy with that answer. “How can you say that? There is no part of this that’s okay!”

Glimm bore the brunt of Dirge’s anger, then responded with a grim tone. “Dirge, we don’t have a choice. That,” she pointed to the form Reph was working on. “Is not our child. It is a body that we intended to use. We have had to restart before, this is no different. What we are making now is basically a medical body. A host form for someone who is too broken to move. It’s not even using most of the parts we were going to use.”

Dirge was angry, very angry. But they knew what Glimm was doing. Rationalizing something helped her get over it. By insisting that this was a new creation, not at all tied to their child, she could work. The only reason she wasn’t helping right now was that she didn’t want Dirge to feel ganged up on, so she was talking to them instead.

Dirge made an effort to expel some steam that was churning in their mind, making it billow out of the exhaust pipes that fashioned their hair. “I don’t like this Reph. But if you tell me to help, I will.”

Reph didn’t turn around, his hands continuing to work methodically. “I need you to help me.”

Dirge marched up, then spun their partner around. Dirge and Reph locked eyes. “Tell me to my face, look me in the eyes and say you want my help with this.”

Reph took a long minute, not saying anything. Then, slowly and quietly, he spoke. “Please Dirge, I need your help.” Turning to look at Glimm he said, “You too Glimm, I can’t do this by myself.”

Dirge straightened up, then nodded fiercely. “Then you shall have our help! I don’t like it one bit, but I won’t let you do this alone!” Then Dirge started working, their movements more erratic and haphazard than the mechanical movements Reph usually showed.

Glimm smiled to herself, then joined her two partners at the table.