Epic of Caterpillar
chapter-1178

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Shub-Niggurath herself, or well, one of her Manifestations within the Limbo of the Gates of Hell spoke to me. Strangely enough, she wasn't aggressive, nor she said she wanted to stop us and challenge me to a fight or something.

In fact she acted very friendly! Why?! This is creepy!

Anyways, she said that we could go anytime we wanted, but she wanted to speak.

Speak? Why? And for what purpose?

She simply wanted to speak and talk, she said she felt bored here. Even though her real self is probably somewhere else, so I doubt it. but it was a good excuse to increase my curiosity.

I was curious about her origins or what she was, but I didn't wanted to get myself involved in any more problems than we already were. There was enough trouble in my path to get into even more.

I didn't wanted to get involved with any of Azathoth's lackeys if possible. I had been told by mother that Azathoth might be sleeping, but his avatar, Nyarlathotep, lurks around and is a playful yet evil trickster.

I am kind of an embodiment of Nyarlathotep in a way, as I had acquired its Skills and even forged a path jewel with many Outer God names, which enhanced my monstrous and eldritch power.

I was shaping myself to become one of them, and I was most likely one already at the Supreme Goddess Level, though I was sure they were stronger. I still felt curious… why did these guys showed up in my Skill names? For what purpose? Being a shapeshifted also made me somewhat close to Nyarlathotep, the avatar of Azathoth? How come?

Now, I had someone of them in front of them, Shub-Niggurath herself in her manifestation… To think that the black forest was in fact made up by her only leaves me more terrified by the prospects of this future journey filled with dangers and wonders of all kinds. I am excited, to say the least.

I looked up to her as I sighed.

"Sure, let's talk, I am really curious… But you promise me you won't eat my soul or something?" I asked.

"I don't think I can do it even if I try, fufu. Do you think I would underestimate the children of a Primordial?" she asked.

"That's why I am doubtful, this might be a plot of yours." I said.

"Perhaps. If you are so worried, then make sure to not lower your guard to reassure yourself." She said.

"That is not very reassuring." I sighed.

"You can leave any time you want and I won't stop you, but speaking with me, remains as an offer." She said.

"This is weird, do you get something out of this? what should I pay?" I asked

"What you think its worth it." she said.

"…You're very fishy!" I said.

"And you're very cowardly." She said.

"Ugh… You want to throw fists now?" I asked angrily.

"Please, let's not go that way, I am peaceful, truly neutral here. I simply bring love to my children, the embrace of a mother." She said.

"Then why did you had to ask for sacrifices of people you ate alive?" I asked.

"That's because I wanted sustenance, a manifestation cannot remain in here without it, they offered sustenance and look how big I've grown. Do not worry, these pained souls now live within the forest, they had grown from my roots and formed new trees… nothing is lost, all my children are always welcome." She said.

"Even the ones you eat?" I sighed.

"Yes, even those. Now, come ask me something more interesting." She said.

I looked at my family, they suddenly sat down over the floor and began having a picnic. It surprised me how chill they were over confronting the manifestation of an outer god, it made me feel like I was really acting like a coward.

"See? Your people are relaxed. They trust you." She said.

"But I don't trust myself so much. I've committed many mistakes, talking to you could be a new one." I said.

"Without risking, you'll never have any gains." She said.

"You always somehow know what to say. Is this a talent that Outer Gods have?" I asked.

"Oh no, we are old but not geniuses. Most of the time the only thing you'll hear are undecipherable screams." She said.

"Ah, but you sound quite civilized." I said.

"That's because your own mind is already grotesque to the point my screams of decipherable monstrosity are decipherable to you. You're already one of us." She said.

"I am?!" I asked.

"What did you think you were? A simpleton fairy?" she asked.

"No but still… Anyways, fine, whatever, tell me one thing for once, who are you really?" I asked.

"…I am the Mother Of A Thousand Young, Shub-Niggurath. My father is Azathoth, as I was born from his Primordial Flesh." She said.

"…I see. So all outer gods are his children?" I asked.

"Precisely. One way or another… Some are born from his shadows, others from his eyes, others from his voice, his will, his dreams… ah well, the entire Universe is structured to be his Dream too." She said.

"Ah… So its like that? Really?" I sighed.

"Not completely, the other two primordial make it still half-real. If they disappear, Azathoth will engulf the entire Universe on his own self, and all of this will be just a dream. When he wakes up, everything shall disappear and only he would remain." She said.

"…That's quite something. …Tell me, how strong are Outer Gods?" I asked.

"On a Rank of our own. But there are many like us around. Some can do things higher ranks can while being weaker than you. We have special abilities of all types… We could consider you as a weak one." She said.

"…So Supreme Gods are comparable to the weakest of your bunch… how thrillingly terrifying to think about. You guys are really in another league… How strong is this manifestation of yours?" I asked.

"Weaker than you. You can defeat me if you want to. Oh! How about you eat me?" She asked.

"I would prefer not to…" I said.

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