In that moment that froze in time, the system decided that he wouldn't have to lie anymore, so what he was, who he was, returned to him in a flash.
This wasn't his first, or even his second time waking up from such a state, so he was able to handle it much more smoothly than he had before. He gave no outward sign of suddenly becoming a different person; inside, though, he once again dwelled on what the elf had said, but for once, he found that a decision that Daniel had taken was actually a good one.
Of course, the only issue was that Mors was giving no details, whatsoever, about the favor. Judging by how powerful he was going to be…it could be something like asking him to go up against an undefeatable foe, but the more he looked into the elf's golden eyes, the more he believed that this was not someone who would take advantage of him in such a way.
And besides… what he was offering might actually be worth such an undertaking, too, in the long run. If Daneel could fast-track his recognition of magic, the system could create a module, or something else that might just be able to adapt all the thousands of spells he knew, giving him more than enough skill and power necessary to handle those who might even be many levels above him.
After barely a second, Daneel walked forward and made the strange gesture. His own palm faced the sky, and the moment their knuckles touched, a faint shiver went through him, as if he was taking a cold bath.
He was sure that he had imagined it, though, because of the importance of what this meant, and because he did not see any dots that would hint at magic being cast. Judging by the history of the two species who had fought many wars over the long years of the Mainland's existence, it was obvious that this must be a sacrilegious bond, but they had made it, anyway, and only the future would be able to tell what ramifications it would have on the world.
His trademark, easy smile returning to his face, Mors said, "I know this looks strange, but typically, the disciple is supposed to kneel. Because I look at you as an equal, I did not ask for that as it is merely a formality. I still believe in the essence of it, though. This is what it means: one's hands are one's instruments of Will. By connecting your hand with mine, I am signaling to the world that I will be equipping those hands of yours with power unimaginable, and I condone everything that you do with it. It is risky, and not something done lightly…but I have never doubted my ability to read people. Right now, if Alex somehow magically turns out to be capable of casting magic, too, I'll be ready to make the same bond with him. Say…you aren't hiding something like that, right?"
Daneel and the elf burst out laughing, and Alex smiled before getting up.
"This is all well and good, and I know that from how much interested you looked, you might just wish to sit right here and start learning…but if I'm being frank, I don't like this place even though it's supposed to be empty. If you know where we are going to, next, perhaps it is best to begin traveling there. It is always safer to be on the way, rather than sit somewhere and wait for our pursuers to catch up. I'm assuming we are being pursued, in the first place…but based on that voice that we heard, I'm pretty fucking sure that it's very possible."
Narrowing his eyebrows, Daneel nodded and turned to Mors.
"He's right. I do wish to learn everything right now…but at the moment, it'll have to wait. In fact, it might be best to wait until we find a place where he can sequester ourselves for some time."
The elf's smile teetered to stretch only on one side, as if he was amused.
"You sound as if you're sure you'll be able to absorb everything I show, or instruct you in one go. Magic takes years, my dear disciple, so I highly doubt that you'll find it as easy as you think you will. I don't mean to disappoint you…but even though you have found your 'frae', your seed of magic in this manner, I have severe doubts about its strength. You're right about one thing; we do need to find a safe place. So…where will you lead us to, next?"
That last question brought back everything that Daneel had been thinking about before the elf had stopped him and brought up this matter about magic.
Without giving an answer, he walked to the left, where the lip of a cliff could be seen. The ground sloped upwards, but Daneel climbed it without even noticing this, his thoughts elsewhere.
He could tell, now, that even while he had been going through all the data given by the beggar king, he had slowly been reaching a decision that he needed to find and embrace, now.
On the way, he flicked through the worst of it once again. If the man's estimates were true, there were millions of individuals on these islands, most trapped and slaving their lives away in the worst way possible.
His homeland of Angaria had a population of 7 million, but the total population here was easily double that. He hadn't been able to bear it when many of those 7 million, themselves, had been leading downtrodden lives that could have been made so much better…so how could he ignore so many here?
Once again, it all came back to his weakness…but the moment reflected on his journey so far, a thought came to him.
'Weakness? No! It is my strength! If I didn't have this 'weakness', would I have chosen to care for all those Angarians, chosen to love them, to lead them as their ruler, as their Godking? I am a World Dominator, and I choose to be one who cares for those that I dominate. By going down the path of leadership and domination, I have made the system more and more powerful…and if I want to upgrade it even further, then this is the path I must take. Wait…'
A sudden doubt came to him. Not letting it escape, he grabbed it with both his hands, and after a moment, he asked the system, "Why did you choose this place for me, anyway? It was to evade detection, yes…but there must have been many bodies on the mainland, too, into which I could have gone with my memories sealed away, right? So why here, why Graiton, why the islands?"
The system took a few seconds to answer, but when it did, Daneel's expression cleared as he saw that he had been right.
[Responding to host. Along with suitability, a different factor was also used to determine host's location of transmigration. It is called 'domination potential'. The location was chosen where host could engage in the primary task of the system, thereby building a base that could be relied on when host targets greater beings, and greater forces. After studying the situation of the Mainland, it was decided that the place with the most potential was these outlying islands. Hence, the decision was made.]
Daneel even smiled a moment later, because by asking this doubt, he had also uncovered something about the system's origin.
What if…he had transmigrated to Angaria because of this domination potential, too?
It meant that whoever had given him the system and sent him here wanted him to dominate. He didn't know why, and he couldn't even begin to fathom who it could be, but right now, all he could do was look to the future…and carry on, head held high.
After taking a few more steps, he was at the very edge of the land. The sea frothed below him, crashing against the bottom of the island again and again, but his eyes were on the vast territory visible on the horizon that stretched from edge to edge, looking so impossibly huge that it messed with his perception of size.
When he raised one hand, though, and squinted, it was as if the fingers of that hand were able to grasp the entire length of it.
"Mainland. Somewhere on you, my family, the key to bringing my people back to life, the church that needs to be destroyed, and even the key to the existence of the system are hidden. I wish that I could come for all of them, right now…but before I can do that, I must have my own strength that I can fall back on. These forgotten souls shall be that strength. They may seem like nothing, now, forgotten and stepped down on for centuries by those who live on you…but I will mould them into a fist that will punch through you. I don't care whether I am the prophesized one, whether I am the 'Frelsar' meant to save them. Even if I am not, because I have my mind set on it, anyone with prophecies on their side will have to step aside...or be trampled on. I will save them all, and make them mine, and when they howl for revenge…you shall shake, and tremble, feeling a hint of what awaits you. Today, I turn away from you, but soon…"
He closed his fingers with all his strength, and due to the way he was looking at it, it was as if he was crushing the Mainland within his fist.
Putting that hand behind his back, he declared, "Do what you wish until then. This Godking graces you with that chance…but after that, you shall be mine. Until then…farewell."
Taking one last look at it, he turned away and walked back to his companions, face clearer than it had been in quite some time, and mind already working out plans for conquest, subjugation, and...domination.
i love this book