Alan nodded, rolling his eyes at the Predecessor’s language. It must think he was an imbecile.

“Okay, here is what’s going to happen. Once I am dead, you are going to remove that crystal from the machine as quickly as possible.”

“Uh, once what?” Alan asked aloud.

The Predecessor jerked its head threateningly. Alan quickly shut his mouth.

“Once I am dead. I do have orders to protect the energy source and kill intruders, you know? Trust me, the warden program has methods to compel even ones such as I.” It shuddered. “Though, it using those methods should also help to drain the facilities reserves further…”

“Wait, if you die, will you even come back to life?” Alan asked.

The Predecessor shrugged. “Death is life. I cannot discuss matters with you… if you think yourself worthy, challenge another Predecessor to a duel. Simply repeat the phrase: Death is life. Demand answers. Moving on. I will give you a piece of precious soulsteel, which will be your reward, along with the black crystal.

“I will bind this soulsteel to you in the form of twin knives, so that you and only you may wield them. Given soulsteel’s nature the items will drop should you ever die, but only a Predecessor will be able to unbind it for their own use. I suggest you never let a Predecessor know you have soulsteel, and keep it in a safe location once you leave here. You are nowhere near strong enough to have passed through a warrior trial or to wield such a metal. Still, circumstances beget the necessary…" The Predecessor's eyes glazed over, reveling in some distant memory.

“Anyway, as I was saying, once I am dead, remove the black crystal, then escape this facility. I suggest you slit my throat, then run; I may be compelled to resist you once you attack me. I will try to resist it, but I guarantee nothing.

“You may need to deal with those golems outside, but they shouldn’t be able to detect you in that stealth mode you were in earlier, and the soulsteel blade should cut through them easily. Their brains are at the center of their bodies.

“Also, you should really learn to hide your presence, as you are only undetectable by machines. Perhaps untrained fools would ignore you as well, but few beings of power would fail to notice you. Anyways, after you have removed this crystal and grow stronger, return here. Remove or destroy the rest of the power sources in this prison. Trust me, you will be well rewarded.”

A quest appeared before Alan:

“Um, and if I don’t want to do this?” Alan asked.

“Then I kill you. I won’t be able to torture you, but the penalties applied by the warden program would be worth it. It’s almost out of power, a few more millennia at most.