Frustration (Marcus POV)

There is the crash of shattering glass, as the hurled vial smashes against the wall. With a shout of anger, Markus stalks over to the god chained to the wall, glaring. “Why doesn’t this work? You should have been drained of your power months ago!”

Despite being chained, Bast simply smiles. “You are not the chosen successor. You cannot counteract my will in this, boy.”

“Bullshit! There’s always a way! Even the demon lord let his power slip as he was dying. But you simply won’t die.”

Marcus glares at Bast, who simply smiles in return. After a moment, Marcus turns away. “We have all the time in the world. Those chains are enchanted to hold you for as long as I need.”

Bast chuckles. “Oh, I am aware. I made them, after all. I had plans too, in my younger days. Of course, you couldn’t imagine the power it takes to make something like this.”

Marcus grits his teeth. He had held Bast for months, tried every form of torment and torture he could think of, and all he got from the god was amused insults. Marcus knew there was a way to access his power, but it was frustrating making no progress.

Suddenly he stops, and look at Bast with narrowed eyes. “Your ‘chosen successor’? That must be Josh. You’ve been grooming that prick since he first showed up here.”

Bast smiles. “Very good, you can listen sometimes. I wondered if you just preferred the sound of your own voice in that empty head of yours.”

Marcus ignores the insults, smiling and stepping closer. “If he’s your successor, then he can take your power. Which means he can kill you. And I can take it for myself when he does.”

Bast’s smile fades, and Marcus chuckles. “All I need is some leverage against him, something he cares about.”

Leaning forward, he sneers at the chained god. “Fortunately, he surrounds himself with leverage. It’s time to get this show started, you old relic.”

Marcus turns away with a satisfied smile. Behind him, Bast lowers his head. In the shadows, a smile plays across his face as well. In a low voice, he mutters, too quiet for Marcus to hear.