A Not So Evil God In Fate/Grand Order

"...Unless something or someone is preventing you from remembering those memories. That's what you are thinking, right?" As if seeing through his thinking, Stargazer asked with a knowing gaze.

"Am I wrong?" It was not that farfetched. Same as those chains holding his Divinity down, there might be something doing the same with his memories. Until now, he had not thought about it that much as he felt it was not necessary. However, if it was not by his own "problem," but because of outside intervention that he could not remember, things changed.

"You are half right. It is indeed not your fault that you can't remember, but there is also nothing preventing you from doing it." More than clarifying, the Black Demon's words made him more confused.

"...So is it safe to assume you can't tell me the reason why right now?" He was aware of Stargazer's limitations. That's why he didn't expect to hear a definite answer.

"Pretty much. You may not be Thoth, but that doesn't mean you are not knowledgable in magic. Just take into account that you didn't get here for free. Everything has its costs, more so when it comes to travel between worlds. There are only a few capable of doing it without a problem, but they are just mindless masses of power." As Seth's thought, he didn't give him something concrete. That said, he DID provide him with something to think about for now.

"If you put it like that, I think I can have a general idea. That aside, now is not the time dwell in this matter. Although I am not able to detect presences accurately, I can feel danger looming. There is no doubt the others are near." Asterios' Bounded Field was keeping them in line, but as soon as they decide to leave the island, he was sure they would attack their group.

"Yep. Be careful, though. Don't forget you have not the field advantage. Also, you should prepare for the worse. The truth always comes to light, no matter how late. How you deal with it, it's up to you." Stargazer said as he rested his back against his throne. It seemed the time had come.

Seth just sighed, understanding what he meant. "I guess it was just a matter of when. I am also tired of hiding. If it is going to happen, then let it happen."

The Black Demon just shrugged. "As I said, it's up to you. Although the news I have for you are not all bad, you know how this goes, I can't be explicit, so I will have to say it in a roundabout way. The past is near, and when it becomes the present, the world would change its shape and face destruction, and you with it. That's when the future comes into play, to try and shake your beliefs." He paused for a moment before merely smiling faintly.

"Heh...Take it as just a prophecy if you will. And although it looks like a bad omen, it's something beneficial for you."

"You know saying that to me is like saying nothing at all, right? Even for me, getting something useful out of that is difficult." He might be aware that it is not nonsense, but from there to "decipher" it. That's something different altogether.

"You can ignore it if you want. Just know that things are going to get pretty hectic, just how you like them to be. In the next Singularity...no, forget it. I have said enough. You should do like you have been doing up until now and do everything at your pace." He was going to say more, but he realized it was not necessary.

"That seems to be my signal to go. There is no point in filling my head with unnecessary stuff I won't have to deal for the moment. See you later, and make sure not to go overboard with that kid. I am planning to revive her eventually." Seth said, while looking at the fainted Olga.

"Really now? She looks like the type to develop Stockholm syndrome. Haha!" Stargazer found it funny what the black-haired man said. To him, things weren't like how they looked on the surface. Different from Seth, he wouldn't reject food when it was right in front of him.

The demonic smile Stargazer was giving him didn't reassure him at all, but he will have to do with it for now. "Whatever. I will come later in case I need something. Until then, do your best in your primary job."

"Sure, sure. One last thing before you go, though. Be a little smarter with what you use. That weird shut-in warned you about it, and I will do the same. There is a limit to how much humans can wield the power of the Gods. If you aren't careful, you might disappear before accomplishing anything." With a last warning, Stargazer said goodbye to Seth.

'I know that already...' Without putting his thoughts into words, the black-haired man left his inner world, leaving only Stargazer and Olga there.

"What a reckless guy. I don't think you would want to die before meeting your wife again. Well, not my problem if you don't consider I will die with you. Our time will soon be up anyway. Tick-tock, tick-tock. The clock hand continues to move, signifying our inevitable end. We live to die, and we can't do anything about it, such an intriguing concept. Ahhh...maybe I should honestly dedicate myself to poetry in my free time." He loved speaking about essential things lightheartedly. It was a hobby of his in this new life.

'Enjoy this Singularity, for now, Seth. It was as if it was custom made for you, isn't it? It's not a restriction, but a place where you can show the real might of a Hero. I bet it brings a lot of memories for you. What a wonderful thing...'

"...Don't you agree, Apophis?" Stargazer grinned without looking back, as if aware of the individual behind him.

"...Perhaps. I do not know how he is taking it. However, I hope he does not feel regret for what happened. In the end, it was my blunder that caused everything." No features were visible as a shadow was enveloping him. Even so, some distinctive characteristics like four arms and two wings could be recognized.

"Isn't that wishful thinking? You, better than anyone, should know that's not the case. I don't even understand why you didn't appear before him. You could have facilitated his choice when "that" happens." Stargazer turned to him, quite amused by what he said.

"Maybe it is as you say, but I am sure he will make the right decision. I trust him enough to know he will do so." There was a certain...proudness in his ancient voice.

"Huh...I wonder about that. He saw you —and still does— as his father. Do you genuinely think he is going to have the willingness to kill you again? More so when he and his twisted mind is what started all, and the reason why we are all here." The Black Demon's words made Apophis silent for a moment.

"Even so...I still believe in him. I watched him grow until he became a splendid man. Now that I look at it. It is my fault that he turned into a chaotic being. I should not have let him absorb a part of me. The little guy should have been a bridge between both sides, but I ruined that." If he could, he would do things differently this time.

Stargazer just shrugged. "If you believe in him, then I will do so as well. The fact you are a puppet with no free will may help us in winning. Although we just have one path to follow without fail if we want to be victorious."

"That little guy...what he is doing is a mistake. A mistake I can not blame him for, nonetheless. At the end of it all, it is our job to fix the things we did wrong in the past."

"You say it is "our job," but aren't I doing all the work here? You went through the trouble of escaping your prison, and instead of speaking to him, you just observed on the sidelines. Just a little word would have sufficed." Despite not being blood-related, he had to admit these two were similar to a high degree.

"...There is no meaning in me doing so. I am saving all the words I want to say for the time when we are together. Until then, talking will only result in him doing something incorrectly." It was not that he did not want to talk to Seth; it was just that he was afraid of how much it could influence him in the wrong way.

"Aren't you a softie? You look like a father who has been away from his son for so long. One that doesn't know how to speak to him without screwing up, to boot." It was reaaaaally funny. Except..."Do you know the implications of what you said? The only way he can speak to you is by being imprisoned in the same place as you." Stargazer wasn't thrilled about the idea.

"..." Apophis was silent for a moment before replying. "As much as I wish for him not to get there, we both know it is a sure thing to happen. No, it must happen. It is our destiny. If we want to win, we require to create the strongest God."

"What sure thing? You talk as if it was easy to accomplish. We have so many bad endings and only a single good one. The difficulty is no joke, reptile guy." Exasperating, so exasperating.

"It is not impossible, Child of the Stars. You are living proof of that. Were you not created to attain an unreachable goal? The strength you possess will help you with that. Despite your most than questionable character, I have no doubts about your capabilities." Far from being offended by what Stargazer said, Apophis complimented him.

"I appreciate the trust. However, I can't be of much help. The mess you are making in the real world is maintaining me occupied. Not to mention that I am keeping that witch's prying eyes away at the same time before the ideal moment comes. You all are expecting much from me; it's exhausting." He will die from overworking one of these days.

Apophis released a short laugh of amus.e.m.e.nt, the situation between Seth, Stargazer, and Amaterasu looked like a comic show for him. "Although I question Seth's choice when it comes to his partner, especially one with that particular Authority, I wish for him to be happy above all else. As for me, you said it yourself; I am just a puppet. If you want to do something about me, you will have to cut the strings manipulating me."

"Easier said than done. BUT we will do our best. Are you happy with that? Now go, I have enough already with sharing my space with that girl over there." Stargazer said while pointing at Olga.

Apophis merely nodded. "I also believe it is my time to go. I entrust him to you, make sure to take care of him until we eventually meet."

"He is not a kid, you know? He can take care of himself. That aside, my job is, as you said, to make him attain something unreachable like the stars, hence why I decided to name myself Stargazer. Someone who solely observes, but shares a dream." A distant one but also worthy of making them give their everything.

"I can go with reassurance, then." As he said this, his figure started becoming more transparent. "One last thing, Stargazer. Please tell Seth. Tell my son that I am proud of him." With those last words, he disappeared completely.

"Heh...so you DO consider him your son. I suppose it's normal for both of you to feel the same way. Will you be his future? Or will you just stay his past? Only time will tell."