Vantric stayed at the edge of the battle, direct combat wasn't something he was particularly adept at, and surveyed the situation for a moment. Roe and the plant creature clashed, resulting in a stalemate. Afterward, the child ran between Aen and Melanthios, both deciding for whatever moronic reason that the middle of a battle was the best opportunity to impress proper values onto the chaotic god. Melanthios and Ailish both struck at each other, significantly damaging their opponent.
As the dust settled, both lines began reforming as Vantric prepared to join the battle. That was when it began.
Ailish bled out a dark ichor, staining the ground beneath her. It reminded him of something, something he had not seen in centuries. A memory so distant that it made the god feel truly old for a moment. The acrid stench, the slow burbling, the wrongness of the texture and consistency; it all bore a familiar feeling. It took him a moment to place it, eyes widening as he did. The body began moving once more, and it wasn't Ailish that rose with it.
"That was unexpected." Vantric said, trying to suppress his annoyance at being surprised. "The monster has shown its true face." He saw Melanthios's demigods and Roe rally and charge the beast. Tsking, he slipped behind it as subtly as possible and flipped the Luck of the Gods before diving in on Ailish.
"So let me get this straight. We have no idea why that island chose to arbitrarily combust? None at all? Because seriously, any hints would be fantastic at this point. Saz, Nul, you're sure that neither of your guilds had anything to do with it?"
Had the conversation been occurring at a reasonable pace, Ven would have taken a few seconds to irritably massage his temples. As it was, the Mizzen didn't have time to spare for dramatic gestures; he got his reply in a matter of milliseconds, the two guild heads answering one after the other.
"Not one of my projects," Saz began, still speaking with his iconic lackadaisical tone even in the presence of his king. "At least, I don't think it was. Maroe Archipelago, yes? Smaller island? The only Breaker outpost in that area is just south of Chama; unlikely that they would have tried to destroy an entire island like that, at least without telling me first. Have been meaning to test out that new C8 though..."
"No, no, no. Do not do that." There was no way anyone could have missed the frustration in Ven's hasty response. Though, in the synthetic's defense, leaving Saz any amount of leeway in the past had ended with some rather... volatile results.
"Nul, what about you?" Ven continued, turning his focus to the other Mizzen in the chamber. "The island showed signs of severe burns and high temperatures; is there any way it could have been the Burners?"
There was a lengthy pause (almost half a second) before the blazing machine spoke up in reply. "I don't believe so, Ven," the head Burner began, his tone precise and methodical. "I can't deny that some of my subordinates, given the chance, would eagerly test out a few of their more unstable projects. But something on that scale, without any sort of warning, no, that's simply not possible. I'm sorry, but I just don't know what's going on."
"Fan-freaking-tastic!" came the terse reply. With a poorly muffled grunt of frustration, Ven turned his back on the two guild heads and began to pace around his workshop, idly dragging one of his hands along the wall as he walked. His fingers glided over benches laden with half-finished projects and shelves packed with various tools and bits of metal and his feet scuffed against the floor with every angry footstep. Damn, this was infuriating! He had to figure out what was going on, and he had to figure it out now!
"So," he began again, not bothering to face his companions, "island randomly goes boom. We don't know why or how. We just know that it wasn't due to the Burners or the Breakers, yes?"
"Correct."
"Probably, yeah."
Barely resisting the urge to snap at Saz for his vague reply, the king belligerently continued. "Could it be because of the Blitzers? Or the Builders or the Benders, for that matter? Do either of you know?"
"I would not think so, Ven. There is no reason to accuse them of devestation on this scale, at least not without-"
CRACK
A thunderous peal cut off Nul's answer, and a brilliant flash filled the small room, blinding all of the Mizzen with its intensity. Panicking, Ven struggled to clear the spots from his lenses, trying desperately to divine the source of the light; if this was some new attack or disaster, then he wasn't sure he could deal with it.
"Oi, Ven! You still playing around here?!"
...Hellfire.
"Nivix, if that's you then I swear I'll-"
Ven's furious threat was suddenly cut off as Nivix stumbled forwards, awkwardly wrapping an arm around the Mizzen's shoulders. "Heh, boy am I glad to see you. You would NOT believe the day I am having; it's just been crazy thing after crazy thing."
"Look, Nivix," the synthetic darkly muttered as he ducked out from beneath the god's half-embrace, "I'm sure that you'd love to go on and on about whatever experiment you've been up to, but I'm a little busy at the moment. So, unless it's really important, I'm going to have to ask you to..."
Ven trailed off as he got a good look at the chemister. "Hells, what happened to you!? You look like you just jumped from Obscuritatis into a lava pool!"
"Close, but no cigar Ven," came the surprisingly cheerful reply. Nivix flashed a grin towards the Mizzen as he slowly tottered backwards, like a drunkard who's had one too many. "There was certainly fire and a moon sized planet involved, but you're wrong on the jumping bit. Nope, just up to some good old fashioned forging!"
"Moon sized... What are you talking-"
The Mizzen suddenly jerked to a stop, a horrible premonition slowly creeping over him. Please no, please please please let him be wrong...
"Wh... Where exactly were you doing this forging?"
"Er... What's that place down south of here?"
"Chama? Olegard?"
"No, no, the one with all the islands."
"...The Maroe Archipelago?"
"Yeah, that's the one."
Silence reigned for a few moments.
"Nivix, quick question."
"Mmmm?"
"Are you in any danger of dying or anything?"
"Dying?" Nivix took a few seconds to examine his burned and bloodstained body, a surprised look crossing his face as he took in all the damage that he'd received. "I don't think so, no. A little beat up, maybe, but not dying."
"Good to know."
Taking a few quick strides forward, Ven did something he had always wanted to do. Putting all of his divine power and strength into it, he slammed his fist into Nivix's face in a collision that seemed to bend time and space itself. The chemister, caught off guard by the sudden attack, was sent flying across the room, his body embedding itself deep within a wall of solid rock.
"Hey, what was that for?" the god whined as he struggled back to his feet, wiping dust off of his clothes with his one good hand.
"What was it for? What was it for!?"
In a flash of steel and fire, Ven teleported across the room, reappearing directly in front of his creator. "Are you being serious!?" he roared as he launched a fearsome barrage of blows towards the madman. "What do you think it's for?! For randomly giving me this body?! For making me immortal!? For leaving me in charge of an entire race while you went off and screwed around for a thousand years?! For coming back out of the blue and telling me that YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ALMOST SLAUGHTERED MILLIONS OF ROWAN, CHANGELINGS, AND MIZZEN AND CAUSED AN INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT THAT I'M GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT FEW MONTHS CLEANING UP?! Maybe it's for one of those reasons, huh!?"
Such was his fury, Ven didn't even notice the fist that slammed into his head with all the force of a dying star. The Mizzen was sent hurtling across the room like a missile; he only came to a stop after crunching through nearly ten feet of solid rock.
With an annoyed grunt, Nivix finally hoisted himself from his own dent in the wall, his grin replaced by a thin hard line. Slowly, he stalked across the room, nodding towards the other two synthetics as he passed them. "Saz. Nul."
"Nivix."
"Master Nivix."
Sticking his head into the hole Ven's body had unwillingly dug, the madman tried his best to negotiate. "You know, those punches really weren't that strong. Have you even been trying to get any tougher?"
...What, I never said that his best was any good.
"No," came the furious reply, "because I've been too busy with running a damn nation! Because, unlike some monarchs, I wasn't given a damn choice in the matter!"
"Well, we can't have that, now can we?"
Pulling his head out of the crevice, Nivix shouted over his shoulder. "Hey, Saz, Nul. I'm taking Ven with me for a while, okay? You two are in charge for the next few weeks, got it?"
"Wait, wait, no. No no no no no! Nuh-uh, don't you dare-"
Another blinding flash filled the room, and when it disappeared Nul and Saz found themselves alone.
Nivix and Ven teleport to an unspecified location: Effortless
The figures were knocked back by their adversary. Ailish... Yes that was they were calling her. She... changed, she was no longer the female figure that had addressed with then with pleas. Ailish now bore an appearance similar but yet different to Zs'Wua's ancestors - the Aask who she had been taught about when she was but a youngling. She smiled as she remembered as the teachers shown their skill in shapeshifting throughout her education as a Phantom in her mortal life.
However, 'Ailish' had the stench of wrongness all around her. The ichor bubbled up from ground, the soil had refused to absorb it, to absorb such a thing. Zs'Wua was puzzled by this strange sight - were all of the gods simply these monstrosities masquerading as divine beings? She asked the one who had uplifted her to demigod-hood, and got a negative answer. But even after that, she didn't know what to think. The feeling was like almost an instinct, that this creature - whatever it was - did not belong.
In this, Zs'Wua was certain - that she had to help defeat this being and her lackey. Zs'Wua had to make this right, she had to help with the erasing of this corrupted goddess, M'endar's orders be damned. She rose up from the shadows and chose her course, the little one had enough shielding from the others. Yes... she would pick the one with the blades. As he charged at the creature, through her power - meager though it was - he became encased in shadow, protecting him from the creature's bite.
Defend Vantric - DC = Effortless
Bonus(es) - Shadow [+4]
Send a message to M'endar - DC = Effortless
M'endaxius - 0/30 AP, 2/2 MP
Apart from the occasional mutter from Petal, it was silent in the chambers of Umbraculum. But at least it from safe from the ravages of the battle in Eld. However, it was time to ask its agent what was going on there. It sat down on the obsidian chairs which contrasted sharply with the gray-white interior. M'endar began to fiddle with the shards from the last great battle, just to keep its mind at ease. Anything could happen, even another imprisonment.
It just chucked the shards to the other end of the table. Just messing about wouldn't do anything. M'endar quickly opened a telepathic channel with its agent in the field, Zs'Wua. She seemed to be a little preoccupied, so M'endar drummed its fingers on the table while it waited for a response. All the Deceiver got was an annoyed "Yes?" It shrugged off the bile in the voice. No doubt this one would be hard to control. Was picking one so proud a good step? It couldn't be sure, as the results of it so far were few and far between. Nevertheless, it was... limiting being weakened, but at least with Zs'Wua, M'endar could do something. It replied:
"Situation. Report. Now."
The response was an irritated hiss of words, "The one called Ailish has turned into a... monstrosity. She has clashed with the one called Melanthios. Both have taken grave wounds. A young-looking god tried to talk the little one but failed. Another push is happening, Melanthios's forces and the little one are attacking as well as the one with the coin. Melanthios's forces are also shielding the little one and I have taken the liberty of shielding the one with the coin with my power."
"Hmph. Caution. Dangerous."
M'endar sighed as it send those last words to Zs'Wua, if Melanthios had been weakened, then... No, it wouldn't think about that. From the sound of it, no-one had objected to the slaying of Ailish. Well, except Aen, but that god clung to his 'honour' like a babe clinging to a mother. That was his way and for now, it did not bother M'endar. With the situation explained it when back to fiddling about with the shards, wondering what to do with then and about the outcome of the battle. So many possibilities... Though it couldn't say what would become of the remnants. The Deceiver, to its dismay, had to wait and see.
Cassiel looked around and ghasped. The gods were fighting after all! Some looked harmed and others were mutating, alliances were being formed and friendships destroyed.
"That planet won't be the death of this planet...we will" He mumbled and rushed into the battlefield. One lone god had yet to move in on the beast and the angel teleported close enough to gain his attention. "Hey! What is going on? Who is the goo monster?"
Aen never took his eyes off what was once Ailish. Even the god clamoring for his attention proved a minor distraction. "There was a fight. One of the god's attempted to remove a few obstacles from his path. Thankfully, he failed. Well," Aen gestured towards the creature with his free hand. "I suppose it's not a thankful thing anymore."
"Evil intentions versus evil incarnate? Interesting I suppose." Cassiel knew little of the situation, but he wanted to save Eld and ending the conflict fast was the easiest way to do that. "I say we stun that thing and see if there is a way to save it. You in?" He gripped his shield tight, Stardust's blaze streaming in its normal curvy manner.
Aen raised his blade up, and forced a grin. "If it's possible, then we should go for it. But make sure no one else is put in danger because we're holding back, got it?"
Cassiel saw Roe in the brunt of the battle. He didn't want his new friend hurt. "Got it." Cassiel raised his sword and made a leaping slash at Ailish, focusing all of his energy into Stardust. His divine light mixed with the blaze of the hottest sun.
Aen didn't respond right away. 'I don't hold the optimism in this that you seem to, Lennonous, or whoever you are now. I fear there is only one way to end this.' With a deep sigh, he strode into battle.
Ailish was a monster now, but he wasn't sure he had it in him to kill her. Not yet. He would leave the fighting to Cassiel. Grix sprang after him, and Aen nodded his approval. However, he was shocked when he heard Ren clanking after him too. It seemed that she was starting to follow his will as well. He'd pray for their safety if it wouldn't have been to himself. Instead, he silently asked that Zareth make sure no one got hurt. He had his own ward to take care of. He hadn't protected Ven from Roe to let her get killed defending Ailish, and if her positioning said anything, it was that. He broke into a run towards her, hoping to pull her out of the battle.
Roe bounded around Ailish with a look of grim determination on his face, desperately trying to strike a blow with his diamond sword against the void creature's pulsating mass. Each time he got close however her great arms came crashing down and the young god was forced to leap back, unharmed but no closer to his goal. He saw first Vantric and then Cassiel joining in the fight, although he had scarce time to pay attention to them as Ailish's blows kept raining down on him.
Suddenly he noticed Venator approaching the beast causally and his blood ran cold, what if she helped her former mistress? The demigod held her arms wide apart as if she was greeting Ailish and walked up with a smile on her face. She never even got a chance to block the gigantic fist which materialised from the creature's bowels and struck her in the middle, her lifeless body landing in a heap on the ground some distance away.
"Noooo!" Roe shouted but there was nothing more he could do, he frowned and threw himself back at the corrupted god with a renewed vigour, ducking under a swinging arm and striking her deep in her liquid abdomen.
No! Again... he was weak... again, he had failed. The battle forgotten, he ran to Ven's crumpled body and fell to his knees at her side. She coughed weakly as he pulled her up into his lap. There was a battle raging behind him, but it didn't need him. The fallen warrior dying before him did.
"My purpose," she whisper softly, a slight wheeze to her voice. "Did I protect her like mother wanted?"
Aen bit his lip and held back his tears, forcing himself to smile. "Yeah. You did it. You did it perfectly." He held onto her as her coughs began to sound wet and her blood splattered onto him. He barely noticed. He hummed a somber requiem, one use by the Ekiruru for their fallen warriors, rocking the young demi-god in his arms as her coughing slowly quieted. As he hummed the final note, her eyes began to look past him.
"Thank you... for that honor, battle god," she said at last, barely audible. "I am glad... I could live up to your... favor." She said no more. Only then did the first shining drops fall from Aen's eyes, staining the blood of his fallen champion.
Melanthios looked at Venator, and was how she was crushed by Allish. "good riddance" He thought with a smirk. He then saw the items of power, he felt the power they possessed and smiled. He then saw Aen running up to her, and holding her in his arms. That annoying pest was getting in the way again, but no more! He would get those items, no matter the cost.
Melanthios appeared behind Aen. "Aen, I am sorry for your loss." He said looking at Aen, his voice betrayed sadness.
Aen wiped away his tears before looking upon the weakened god. Ailish had kicked his ass, it seemed. 'Good,' he thought. Let him feel the pain he'd wrought. His anger shown in his eyes. "Sorry? Sorry?! This is all because of you!"
Melanthios face remained unchanged. "You think it is my fault? Are you sure it isn't the void creature, which has crushed her and misled her? Or the cowardice mother who left her alone, with orders she could never fulfill?" He asked sounding cold.
"Yes... your fault. You sent Roe to kill her, when she had done nothing. You attacked Ailish, the stress forcing her to change into that beast. Your words fall on deaf ears now, Melanthios. You are greedy. You are guilty. You are the monster here."
Melanthios seemed distant and cold. "Believe whatever you want Aen. But just because you were in love with Alish, doesn't mean she wasn't this all along. And I send Roe at her because she was dangerous, because she wanted to help Alish. Who is a void monster, or can't you see that?"
Aen would laugh if he didn't feel it would turn into a scream. This god kept saying his pathetic words in an attempt to convert him to his truth. Well fuck his truth. It was worthless to him. "You know what Melanthios, you're right. Ailish is a beast, but I can only imagine how sick it must have made her. How it must have eaten away at her, every moment of her existence. She fabricated a whole story, just to hide away her pain. But you... you revel in it. You hate, and lie, and kill, and yet you think yourself above everyone else. Like somehow you're better, that creation exists to serve you. And those that don't... you remove." Aen stared deep into Melanthios' cold eyes. He didn't blink. "I guess that makes me next."
Melanthios remained calm as he responded. "Why would I want to kill or hurt you? You are a friend of Zareth, and no enemy of mine. And I hope you believe that Alish tried to hide it, because from what I have seen from those 'things'. They don't have that many positive emotions, are you sure she wasn't trying to convert or weaken us so she could more easily feed the portal? And I don't revel in killing things or causing pain. If I did, then wouldn't I have made a race that could only feel pain and fought each other? And if I liked those things so much, why would I have made my children?" His cold eyes remained unchanged, he didn't blink as he stared back into Aen's eyes.
"Ailish never struck one of us, until you struck first. I went beyond the portal with her, she fought by my side against them." Aen looked past Melanthios, standing over him, to see Goliath for the first time. It took a moment for him to register what it truly was. "Salustis..." he said it as a curse. Then he looked back at the god of magic. "You control them. They suit your needs. Why kill what you own? Why hate what is exactly what you want. Ah, but that is where you lie, isn't it? Truly free thought could never sustain such a rule." Aen grew sick of the god standing over him, pretending to stand tall when he'd been struck so low. "I'll mince no more words with you, Melanthios. Finish what you started. Kill her. Put her out of her misery. Or do you prefer to let children dirty their hands for you?"
Melanthios remained calm, he had learned that only a fool let himself guide by his emotions. "How much do you know of the world beyond the portal? She could have simple planned everything. And my race is what they want to be, they could change if the wanted. But they have chosen to follow my teachings, and I have to admit I am very pleased with that. And if you will step out of the way, I will put her out of her misery." He said as he lifted his staff, and walked towards Venator.
Aen roared in hatred. "DO NOT TOUCH HER!" Grix began to peel away from the fighting, but Aen demanded his return. "You know what I meant. Ailish. Finish her. Or whatever she is now."
Melanthios looked at Aen. "You accused me of reveling in hatred earlier Aen, but what are you doing right now? I simply came over here to say I am sorry to see her slain, instead you begin accusing me of things. I didn't want to see her dead, I wanted to stop her from helping Alish. And you may see yourself as the good guy, but know there is no true black and white. Everything is gray, and we decide what we see as 'good' or 'bad'." He said sounding just as cold as before.
"I do not enjoy this feeling, Melanthios, but I cannot remove it from me either. Save your words, they are wasted on me. You're the last one I need to educate me on morality. Return to your hiding at the back of the fight, where you belong. I would hate to see you hurt anymore than you are." His last words had a threatening growl to them.
Melanthios smiled amused. "You pride yourself on being noble and honorable, a god of fighting. Yet I have fought more then you. And I chose to defend my allies, leaving myself open. Yet you don't even have the stomach to defeat your former ally. What an honorable person you are." He said showing his amusement, as well as making clear how sarcastic he is.
Aen let his power flow. Apparently he needed to be more clear. "I said go, Melanthios."
Melanthios laughed loudly. "You really don't have enough courage to face her, now do you? It is always amusing to see someone as hypocritical as you Aen." He said as black tendrils began to form around him.
With a sigh, Aen picked up Ven, taking care not to drop anything, and carried her over to where Zareth stood. He said not a word to Melanthios, only nodding to Zareth and sitting beside where the god of death stood.
Melanthios had wanted to make Aen attack him, or attack Allish. It seemed he had failed, but it was of no concern right now. The seeds had been planted, and his plans had been set into motion. He turned back around, and focused on defending Roe again.
he turned his head to face Aen. All around him people, plants, the very ground of Eld began to die beneath his feet. A cold wind began to blow from the north and the beginnings of frost found a footing on the leaves. Still the sight of the fallen plant girl stirred a flicker of warmth in his dead chest.
He placed a hand over her cold, unbeating heart. Stilling her fluttering soul. Keep it safe, keep it hidden. IT was time to gather his strength.
Zareth summoned Flight and whispered in her ear. "Go to the god of the dwarfs. Warn him of what may come, protect his mortals if you must." With that the bird was gone, off to her task.
He looked back to Aen. "No one else dies today."
Zareth rejoined the fray, his power gathered around him, withering and rotting anything that got too close to him. "Cover me!" He called out to Carnivox.
The Hunter had been knocked back after Ailish's transformation. He stood there in shock for a while. The sight odf another one of those... things, a relic of his former self. It had been enough to strike fear into the wolf for the first time in over a thousand years. Luckily Zareth's roar brought him back to the present, just in time to dodge one of the creature's flailing appendages. "Right." He growled and opened fire with with a flurry of arrows. None of them were enough to piece its leathery hide, but they could at least distract her.
*****
Meanwhile in the meeting hall of the gods Pentar's peace was disturbed when a bird suddenly flew through the window and perched on his statue. "Craaw!" It began to squak and flap its wings at him wildly, as if trying to convey some meaning.
The Storyteller took a deep puff of his pipe and then continued his tale.
"With all attention diverted towards the battle, few noticed something stirring deep in the depths of space around Evalon, nor did many see Cassiel moving an entire forest from Eld to Coelus, complete with a number of Ekiruru."
"Wouldn't the Ekiruru fight with the Grigori?" a child asked.
"Ah, perhaps..." the Storyteller replied, "Cassiel would be careful to avoid this however. Anyway, back on Eld, the Venator Crisis was coming to a head. Venator's misguided attempt to defend her former mistress cost the demigod her life, presumably she had no idea just how insane Void Ailish had become. Her body was retrieved by Aen but even this gesture was marred by bickering with Melanthios over the fate of Eldarwen's items.
Meanwhile, Ailish found herself surrounded by Roe, Vantric, Cassiel and Zareth, desperately attempting to fight off all four with her many arms. Eventually their blows were too much and the void monster leapt forwards towards Zareth in a last ditch attempt to save herself. This mistake would cost the void creature her life, having let down her defence she was impaled on the weapons of the four gods fighting her. The slime melted away into the ground leaving only a withered husk behind."
Ailish shriveled corpse lay in a heap on the ground, the black mass oozing away as fast as it has collected. Roe walked cautiously up to the body and dejectedly sat next to it once he was sure she was dead.
"I'm sorry Ailish, I really didn't want to have to kill you," He said aloud and recalling his gesture an age ago at another friend's death, he summoned a small white flower out of thin air and placed it gently on the slain monster's breast. He stared down for a while at the body and noticed a glowing light deep in her torso. Intrigued, he reached in to lift it gently out and hold it out to the light, it was a small sphere that sparkled with countless colours.
"I won't let you go," Roe whispered to the glowing orb and cradled it against him.
Effortless - Roe obtains +2 domain / rank from Ailish
It was done. He cleaned his blades before sheathing them back at his sides. Ailish, the void monster, whatever-it-was, was dead. Vantric walked the length of the monster for a moment. "Quite distasteful." He murmured. The beast was hideous, and it's death did much to improve the aesthetic of the world if nothing else.
The beast's blood slowly stained the ground of Eld, discoloring it. Vantric doubted that anything would grow on this particularly part of the verdant world for centuries, possibly ever again. As he walked, considering the power the beast had and trying to understand what he could of its corpse, something caught his eye. It was a glint in the sun, something that no one else seemed to notice.
Carefully, he knelt down, pretending to examine the remains of Ailish. While next to the body, he slid his hand toward the shining object within the beast. By touch, he realized it was a container of some. A jar? Vantric thought. He slowly eased it out of the beast, careful to hide it within the folds of his cloak. Perhaps it was nothing, but perhaps he had stumbled upon something very important. In any event, there was no reason to tip his hand just yet...
Zs'Wua watched as the battle, both verbal and physical, came to a conclusion. The young god still held the corpse of the servant, but Zs'Wua could see the divine power was still trapped inside. Partially out of curiosity and partially out of greed, she wandered over to the god and asked with an innocent tone, "Are the gods always this violent?"
Aen made sure to watch as the 4 gods struck as one to finish off Ailish. He didn't turn away as they did it, but his grip tightened a little on Ven's corpse. He wished he'd been able to do it himself, but he couldn't leave Ven alone, now more than ever. Melanthios had proven that. Only when the demi-god spoke to him did he turn away from Ailish's lifeless body. "... you are young, but perhaps you heard of the time the humans led an invasion on the other races of Evalon?"
Zs'Wua nodded, she knew of that. When her people heeded the call for war, but there was none between the Humans and the Verr. She replied curtly, "Yes, I know my history. But according to the records, there were more peaceful times."
Aen smiled. "That attack was forced upon those humans by a mad god. It was not their fault. That is the first time I know of a god killing another." Aen laughed bitterly. "It was my hand that struck the blow." He paused before continuing. "Before that... I don't know. I came to live among you in what you mortals call the second age. Before that... I was somewhere else. Perhaps during that time there was peace."
Zs'Wua was puzzled, she had just watched this god argue with another over attacking a god, and yet he had done the same in the past. Zs'Wua smiled, this would be an interesting conversation. But first, she would answer the question put forth to her, "Perhaps, that was the Age of Creation..." She paused and turned her head, moving onto the other matter, "So why did you bicker over the slaying over this one? Was she not mad?"
Aen sighed. "Whatever he says, Melanthios did not know this would happen. He did not expect Ailish to change into... whatever that was. He simply wanted to remove an obstacle, and things worked out in his favor. On the other hand, this one," Aen looked down at Venator and paused for a second, losing his train of thought. He shook his head and continued, "... this one he had no reason to try and kill. He sent a child after her when she had done nothing. She was younger than you... freshly risen. Now she's gone."
Zs'Wua sighed and looked towards the items that adorned the corpse, pretty though they were, she had a sense that they were not simple trinkets then turned her head back to the god, changing the subject, "What about yourself then? Did you not simply want to remove the mad god from this world and chose to fight him?"
"Ah, but the story is not so simple as that. I wanted to fight him, yes. I wanted to weaken him. If their god was defeated, the humans could return. There could be no bloodshed. I challenged the god to a duel. M'endar offered to aid me, but when I refused, it politely backed off. Seith, however, did not. Without my knowing and against my will, my strength was doubled and I accidently destroyed my opponent. This of course leads to the next battle of the gods... and again, I am in the thick of it. I asked M'endar, who was most fitting to the task, to help me teach Seith a lesson for what he had done. It got out of hand, and the others took it as a chance to seal Seith away."
It was a lot of information to take in, but at every turn, this god referred to himself as if he as just a passive piece that others moved. There were flaws in his argument of innocence, especially with using her patron god as a weapon. She snorted, "You strike the first blow on both counts, and yet you expect peace and happiness afterwards." Whoever this god was, he had some strange ideas. Ah! Introductions were needed. She then said afterward, changing the subject yet again, "I believe we haven't been introduced..."
"I only wish every battle did not end in death..." he muttered. "My name is Aen, should you need it."
"Best for there to be no battles at all, but you seem to be so fond of fighting." She replied and gave a slight bow, "Zs'Wua'Itzala, agent of M'endar, though you may call me the Lady or Zs'Wua."
Aen paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Aye, but what is life without conflict." He noted how polite she was. He regretted being unable to bow, but he hoped having his hands full counted as an excuse. It was nice, to be distracted, however. "Hmmm, the Lady is too formal, and I fear the pronunciations of your people were always a bit beyond me. Would it be alright to call you Z.Z.?"
She returned the smile, but frowned for a while. She had earned that name. She had risen up from simply being Wua to Zs'Wua when she joined the ranks of the Phantoms and that last element had been awarded to her for her service to the Verr, and her skill in her mortal role. Zs'Wua concluded that this god did not know of Verr names and the power they hold. She looked into Aen's eyes. Ignorance was bliss, it seemed. Both in the fact that battles always end in hurt and in the matter of Verr names. She sighed, "I have earned my name... But I will concede. Z.Z. it is."
"My apologies. I know little about the Verr. I will attempt to practice the words of your language, so that the next time we meet I can properly honor you."
"I see... Let the words twisted your tongue then." Zs'Wua nodded and turned to the corpse littered with items of power, "What of these, I am sure that many would want to get their hands on these."
Aen gritted his teeth. "And they will... once her death is honored. You took part in the battle as well? And you work for M'endar... perhaps I shall help you claim your own reward from this as well. But after, and fairly."
Zs'Wua smiled, "Thank you. For all of those things." Honeyed work had worked this time it seemed, she bowed and faded back into the shadows, ready for whenever this honouring of the monster's servant or the claiming of items began.
It was over, the beast was dead. All that was left was the poor creature he had first met at the beginning. Zareth knelt down among the ichor and gathered her up in his arms. He carried Ailish over to her fallen protector and laid them down side by side. Find some peace girl, your pain's over now. He surveyed the scene and set about doing what he was made for.
Cassiel withdrew his sword from the withering corpse of Ailish. The others went in for the kill. He looked down with a sad look on his face. "Such a violent place. Such a shame." He walked over to Venator, he had been watching her and felt a bit in common with her. He smiled a bit, though was curious to what she actually looked like, without the mask obscuring her face.
"You defended your friend without fear. I would have done the same in your situation. Rest now, the nightmare is over." The golden angel then looked towards Aen and Zareth, saying bitterly. "What was her name?"
It was starting, Zs'Wua faded out of the shadows and began the watch the funeral, she didn't know what to make of it. One was mad and the other had followed her in her madness, both deserved to be put down, but for the sake of appearances, she knelt down in silence by the bodies.
Melanthios looked around at the other gods. Surely they would also want the powerful items, but he wouldn't be left out. He had been injured during the fight, and he deserved one of the items. He walked over to them an looked at the corpses, he felt no regret for their fate. He did kneel down and look at them in silence, as was expected in such an situation.
Roe sniffed and clutched the glowing orb closer to him as Zareth gently carried Ailish's body away and laid it beside Venator. He sheathed his sword and shuffled up to the fallen pair, bowing his head silently.
Vantric rose, approaching the body. The others were taking up positions around it, many paying it some measure of respect. It made little sense to him. She had been allied with Ailish, and she had died. There was little enough to respect in one so unknown. Still, it was in bad form to so flagrantly disrespect the others by insulting the procession, so he adopted a mournful pose and looked down at the body, secretly surveying the items of power up on the corpse.
"Venator." Zareth whispered to the Angel, not bothering to look up. The young demigod was covered in armour and weaponry. Each one radiated an aura of strength and power, like Midnight at his waist. That was no good, they would only get in the way. He brushed the petals that served as Venator's hair out of her face. So young. With grim silence he stripped her of the items of power and laid them out neatly by her body.
Cassiel watched carefully as the mask was removed from her face. It radiated with the same fire and passion he had seen in his own face. She had died protecting her planet as far as he could tell. They were similar, he would not allow himself to suffer her fate.
Now on the ground, a mask shone with what he could only describe as hope itself. It even seemed to call for him a little bit. It reminded him of his own weapon. The angel walked over and touched the mask, examining it.
The dark armour glinted in the light of the strange orb the little one was carrying. It looked tempting... And from the look of the other gods, eye were looking more on the items and less on the body. Surely there wouldn't be another fight? Hopefully the one she that just talked to - Aen - would spilt the items evenly. The bright one was now examining the mask that she wore. Zs'Wua frowned, this was out of turn.
Melanthios looked at the items, he was wounded so using force was not an option. His children gathered near him, they were all ready to act when asked. He looked at the guitar sword, it was an interesting invention. He decided to try and get it, knowing he could never get more then one of these items.
Aen stepped back once Zareth got to work. It would not do to get in his way. He noticed many of them came to her honor her, but it didn't matter. Most of them wanted her dead, and cared only for appearances. Still, he would not dishonor Venator at her own funeral. Instead he let Zareth keep the watchful eye and bowed his head in silence.
Vantric didn't let his eyes leave the items as Zareth removed them, laying them out for the others to see. He was subtle, keeping his head low and his eyes on the body as much as he believed necessary, but always his gaze flicked toward the items. "And so at last she rests." He said, softly. He didn't even know her name, but it never went amiss to keep up appearances.
Roe's eyes widened as he saw all the powerful items Zareth placed besides the bodies, he could count at-least three and thought there might be another orb like the one he carried if Venator was anything like Ailish.
As Cassiel's hand touched the mask, a voice began to swirl around, it sounded scared and confused. But it wanted him to put it on. Now wasn't the time. Cassiel picked up the mask and held it. "We will have to protect this place. It is sacred now. Too many here have died."
"What are we going to do with all these items?" Roe wondered aloud as Cassiel picked up Venator's mask and inspected it with a curious eye.
Aen's hand twicthed when Cassiel touched the mask. He had hoped that at least he would not be tempted by greed during this. He fought the urge to growl.
Zs'Wua hissed as the bright one took the mask, "You dishonour them both by doing this. Let the items be sorted after we have honoured them."
The angel picked up the mask, and Vantric had to resist an impulse to snatch it from his hands. "If it's so sacred, perhaps we should leave the items as well, as a memorial?" He could always come back for them later. When no one was looking.
Cassiel looked over, everyone else had reached for items. One other god spoke up, the first to take an item. "Then perhaps you should put that jar you took back. This item feels familiar to me. I did not take it out of greed. If I had it my way none of them would be dead."
Zareth's hand flew to the mask and plucked it from the angel's hands. He wordlessly placed the mask back on the ground beside its owner. "I suggest everyone take a step back and let me finish my work." His tone implied that this was not up for debate.
"I haven't the faintest what you're talking about." Who was this angel to accuse him? Moreover, what did he even know? This one might be trouble. Vantric thought. All angels were trouble. He smiled. Most.
Melanthios gazed at Seith's former demigod. He then heard Vantric and his suggestion, it seemed he were thinking the same thing. He then heard about the honey, it seemed Vantric had moved faster then he had thought. Melanthios stood up, and took a few steps back. Giving his friend the space he needed, his children once again gathered around him.
Zs'Wua took a step back as the death god commanded, she would not earn the ire of this one. She glared at the bright as she did so, but did not lift her head in feinted respect to the ones that had died today.
Cassiel shook his head at Vantric, saying emotionlessly. "You should know not to lie to a Girigori. Even if it is an ex Girigori." He took a few steps back and planted his shield in the ground. So many false faces around. He turned to Zareth and said sincerely "I apologies. It was my mistake."
The death god nodded silently. He positioned himself between the two corpses and opened his hands, holding one out over each one. It was time to get started.
Roe looked between the other gods in turn, surprised they would argue over the possessions left by the deceased gods. He thought it best he speak up.
"I think everyone should get something because then it's fair but especially Melanthios. and Zareth and Cassiel since they helped us fight Ailish."
"I believe I also aided in this battle." Vantric interjected. "It's only fair that I should be compensated as well."
Zs'Wua hissed again, "You may be forgetting someone, young one." She was promised aid with claiming a rewarded, and judging by the crowd here , it would be needed.
Aen glared at Melanthios when Roe suggested giving him a portion of the items. It didn't matter that Melanthios had fought and been wounded, he had started the whole fucking fight to begin with. He should be punished not rewarded.
"You've already got one!" Roe replied indignantly to Vantric, pointing to the pot, concealed under the god's cloak, "I saw you pick it up,"
Cassiel was now annoyed. He looked at Vantric and said sternly. "You took the jar from the demon's corpse. I believe everyone else saw the creature use it. You claim not to have taken it, but I can see through your deceit. Now be silent."
Zareth took a deep breath and gathered his power up around him. It was already riding high after the fight. He flexed his hands, stretched his arms out and his power dispearsed. The air around him rippled and the nearby trees withered and blackened. But there was something else as well, it was only for a split second but in that moment Zareth's true form revealed itself. For the span of a mortal heartbeat there stood the end of all things. And then it was gone and there stood the horned king once again. Perhaps not even he had noticed what had happened. The bodies of the two fallen faded into ash and were blown away on the wind. From their ashes a pair of bright sparks rose up and floated to Zareth. He cupped them in his hands, whispered something the others could not hear and blew them away into the ether. He watched as each one flew away, oblivious to what was happening around him.
Melanthios looked at the young god, he had mention him as the one who deserved something the most. A small smile spread across his face, Roe was a kind soul. He was very happy he had recruited him. Melanthios wound was still stinging, and Aen was obviously still angry. "Alright everyone calm down please. We all want these items, I think it would be the fairest to divide them among the gods that fought in the battle."
Cassiel looked up for a moment. "I did not come here because of the battle, I came because I saw an army advancing toward the planet. Before I ask who's it is, I have a question. Why did this battle start in the first place?"
"Eh..." Roe looked awkwardly down at the ground in reply to Cassiel's question, leaving the question in the air.
Vantric took measure of the situation. Melanthios had been severely weakened in the fighting, Zareth was busy looking off into space after the spirits of the fallen, Aen was busy glaring at Zareth, and Lennonous (who else could it be, he thought) was looking up into the skies. He considered trying to steal the rest of the items, but decided against it. There were too many eyes and not enough distraction.
It seemed that the angel and Roe both saw him take the jar, and were concerned about it. That, in and of itself, was interesting. Why care so much about something so insignificant? The answer was that it wasn't insignificant at all. So what was it?
Melanthios looked at Cassiel. "I suggest we talk about that after we have finished this. Because as long as these items haven't been divided, there is going to be a lot of tension." He said sounding neutral.
Aen saw Roe's hesitation and decided now was the time to lay the blame squarely where it belonged.
"It was Melanthios who started this battle," he told Cassiel, "He sent no more than a child after Venator for his own perverted goals and then stepped in himself when the conflict didn't seem to be going his way. If anyone doesn't deserve an item, it's Melanthios."
Melanthios looked at Aen. "Could you try to contain your anger? We are at an burial here." He said calm.
"It's your fault there is a burial at-all!" Aen hissed back at Melanthios, barely concealing his anger.
Cassiel looked Melanthios squarely in the face. The god was dodging the blame. There would be no escaping this. "Is what he says true? If so, why did you want them dead? What had they done to you? There has already been so much death today, why compound it with more blood?"
Vantric's contemplation was soon broken when Aen began shouting. It seemed the warrior blamed Melanthios for the battle, and blamed Melanthios for Ailish's death. A new development. Possibly useful later. "Perhaps we could do without blaming each other. What does it matter at this point? Ailish is dead, singling out those who had a hand it in makes all of us killers. It's pointless."
Melanthios looked at Cassiel and Aen."She was a void being, I couldn't allow her to gain even more power. As she was even insane enough to strike down her allies. But there is a time and a place for everything, and this is a burial. So like I asked before please remain calm, and wait untill later."
"She was a void beast." Aen said, giving Melanthios what little credit he deserved. "And became one at your interference. A beast may have worn the skin of Ailish, but that does not absolve you of your blame, Melanthios. You killed Ailish, even before the beast did." He might have gone further, but the burial was finishing up. Once it was over, then he would settle things with Melanthios.
Melanthios looked at Aen. "She was a void beast before the battle. I did not make her into one, I simple made her reveal her true form. I am sorry if you liked her, but like all other void beast she was insane and beyond any kind of help."
Cassiel shook his head. The demon was apparently named Ailish. "I haven't been around for long, but I hadn't seen any aggressive action from her. From what I have gathered, you struck first. But I don't think it was to rid the world of Ailish, you have only been eyeing those items from the time I entered. Even when she wounded you, you moved to go attempt to grab them. None of us knew she was like the Seven, if we had she wouldn't have lived so long. The time to talk about this is now. You can not get what you want until you answer some questions. Now tell me, why did you start this?"
Melanthios looked into Cassiel's eyes, he kept the same expression. "I do not need to explain myself to you. I will do it later though, but not because I have to. And I went over to her to try to help her, sadly she was already deceased by this point."
Roe looked visibly distressed as his friends verbally tore into each other, he really hoped they wouldn't end up fighting each other.
"Why can't you all be nice to each other..." he whined quietly, half to himself.
Cassiel could tell this was going nowhere. Tensions were too high, people refused to be honest. He sighed. "I will remember that, Melanthios." He then pointed to the giant planet sized golem that was now more than visible to all the Ekiruru. "I saw that coming here. Those inside were speaking of either destroying the planet or taking it. Who's is that?"
Melanthios looked at Cassiel. "It is mine, but they spoke of no such thing. It is simply there to make sure they don't attack, I have no interest in more death."
"Still you lie, even to yourself." Aen said, the service wrapping up and his compuncture to hold himself in check alleviating. "You twist words and care for nothing beyond Melanthios. You disgust me. You order those below you to fight for your own advancement, and manipulate those whom you cannot."
"This is going too far." Vantric said, pulling himself into the argument. There had been too much fighting thus far for the god of ambition. He had no interest in encouraging it.
Melanthios looked at Aen. "I am very sorry that you feel that way about me. My opinion of you isn't high either, but for the sake of peace I will keep it to myself."
Cassiel was now visibly frustrated. He had heard them with his own ears. "Do you know what you are doing? You are lying to the face of an ascended Girigori. I can't believe this! I am starting to think your intentions were to kill these two, take their items of power and then take the whole planet for yourself! You wanted to slaughter these mortals and then rule whoever surrendered with the same kind of cold hearted hatred that I witnessed from the one trying to enslave my own people! You won. They are both dead. The planet however, belongs to the people who live here."
Melanthios looked at Cassiel. "I am not lying, I have no interest in another planet. And neither did I want to see her dead, you are only saying this because you think that is the truth. Do not assume that just because you are a former Grigori, that you know my true intentions."
"I too, seek peace." Aen said, looking off to the horizon. So much blood had been shed thus far. So much death. And from the words of the one next to him, there was an immediate risk of more. "But my desire for peace will not overcome the need to see you judged." He drew Judgment and pointed it at Melanthios.
"You will be judged for your actions." The sword glowed for a moment before ringing out in a low voice.
"Guilty."
Zs'Wua snorted as she watched the argument unfold, she whispered to Aen, "See, you always draw your sword first and expect peace afterwards from what you have told me.."
Vantric drew his own blades, afraid that Aen was going to strike Melanthios down. He had to act fast, his mind running through what responses he could use to convince the god to stand down. "You would kill on the word of a sword?" He accused.
Melanthios looked at Aen. "And who are you to decide? You are trying to justify your own actions, and trying to use them as an excuses to kill me. I have no interest in killing you, yet you are going to try and kill me. Who is the truly violent one here?"
Cassiel roared out with extraordinary displeasure. "No more blood!" His voice rocked the planet itself. "This is the same madness that has killed so many! I will not stand to see you all kill each other. This is done. We will split the items and leave. Your madness will not rip this universe in half!"
Aen looked down at the blade. "I will not kill you, Melanthios." He said at last. "You have been judged for your actions, and must be punished, but Vantric is right, it is not my place to judge you. Your crimes are against all of us. The gods as a whole. It is to them you must answer. But it is I who will carry out the sentence."
Melanthios looked at Aen. "You are just saying things, to try and justify punishing me. I am not telling you, that you need to be punished for your actions. What right do you have, to tell me that I need to be punished for mine? And my only regret today is that I was unable to stop what I had feared, that Allish showed her madness and hurt someone."
Zs'Wua looked puzzled, here was Aen, a friendly god turned to fury. Fury that drove him to the madness the bright one spoke of. She whispered into the angry god's ear again, "Like with Seith? Like with the mad god of the Humans?"
"Silence!" The voice of a reaper split the air and Zareth took his place between the gods. "Show some decorum. You will all be silent, we will distribute their belongings in the absense of heirs and then you will all leave. The next person to raise their voice or speak in any kind of agression willo answer to me." If they were determined to bicker like children then that was how he would treat them.
"And how do you propose to divide them?" Vantric asked.
Cassiel looked around. This wasn't the place to discuss. He had seen a hall seemingly desingned for this around the court. "I know of a better place to discuss this when we are in better moods. Can we all agree to delay this for a few days? I saw everyone who participated eyeing certain objects. One of us already has something. Melanthios eyed the guitar, the shade eyed the armor and I was looking at the mask."
Melanthios looked at Cassiel. It seemed he had been given all of his father's annoying traits, he would be dealt with later though. "I am indeed interested in the guitar sword." He admitted.
"The items should be left in the care of Zareth then." Aen said. "He will be the most impartial keeper." He glared when Melanthios announced his desire to posess an item. You will not profit from your crimes. He thought.
"My name is Zs'Wua'Itzala." She hissed, but then said in a more neutral tone, "The way it glitters in the light. Yes. The armour is my choice."
Cassiel smiled and said "Sorry Zs'Wua'Itzala. I will remember your name in the future. Unless Zareth is interested in gathering something, I think it has largely been settled then."
Melanthios nodded. He would agree with Cass for now, if it meant getting what he wanted.
Vantric looked around as everyone announced their intention to claim something. We'll see how that works out. He smiled. Perhaps he could make use of the current mood. "I see no problem with waiting a few days." After all, it just gave him more time to work and plan.
"Mark it well, for I have spent a lifetime and a half earning it." She replied with a cat-like smile, "I agree, we go through with the proposed plan."
"Then that settles it." Cassiel smiled, no more death was a good thing. "Melanthios, I hope I haven't offended you too much. Tensions are high and death has spread like a plague over these lands. If you move your forces from the planet and return them to where they were, I will seek no quarrel with you. I honestly am not sure who made the hall, but it has a seat for every one of us. We can discuss the matter in a calm enviroment, without weapons being drawn for once."
Melanthios nodded. "There is no need to worry yourself. Also there are no forces on the planet, like I said it was only a warning." The Goliath began to move in the background, it began moving away from the planet.
Aen looked up as the planetary golem began to turn. "Fine then. I will take my leave." He teleported away, anger still burning brightly in him.
Vantric watched as Aen departed. This opened up many possibilities. "If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. I will see everyone in a few days." With that, he dissolved into the darkness.
Cassiel reached and grabbed his mask. The voices were similar to his father's, but more feminine. They were impossible to make out, he would have to put it on soon. "I will follow him to ensure he is alright." Cassiel was half way through Aen's portal when he said. "Roe, you can come too if you would like." He then dissolved through the tear in reality.
Melanthios grabbed the guitar sword, as his childeren seemed to be ready to fight if needed. "Roe I am going home now, I take it you are coming with me?" He said extending his hand smiling.
Zs'Wua looked puzzled again, weren't they supposed to meet up somewhere and then be handed the items? Nevertheless, she carefully plucked the armour off the dead warrior and teleported back to report back to M'endar, as was expected of her.
Roe paused for a moment and then took Melanthio's hand with a faint smile. He called to Cassiel as the other god walked through the portal.
"I'll come see you later, I need to go tell Petal I'm okay!"
Vantric reappeared back in the fortress. His meeting had gone rather poorly, the battle afterward, however, had gone unexpectedly well. After things had been settled he needed to prepare his next move. He needed the right tool for the job. "Where is Isond?" He muttered, walking through the fortress.
A slight echo bounded through the halls, making its way to Vantric's ears. He picked up his pace. What is going on? He thought. Slowly, the sounds began becoming more distinct, and louder. Rattling metal. Ethereal powers. Grunts, screams. He shook his head. It seemed like Isond couldn't handle anything.
It didn't take long to make it to the room the noise was originating from. He turned in to find Isond charging an angel with black wings. Isond slashed at Aryx who flew out of his range. Aryx responded by throwing dark energy at Isond, who deflected it. Vantric waited for a few minutes, admiring the battle before finally intervening. "Alright, that's enough." He announced, marching into the room.
The pair turned in tandem to find the god entering the room. It was one of the smaller libraries he hadn't made much use of. Most of the books lining the walls were blank journals he hadn't found the time to begin working on. Interspersed were a few volumes he had copied and spread throughout the fortress. "Aryx." He said, standing before the angel who bowed her head respectfully. "I'm glad to see you took my offer."
"It was only natural that I should, Lord Vantric." She said, beaming. "My skills should not be bound by the limitations of mortality."
Vantric chuckled, Isond glared. "I certainly expect they should. I don't make such offers lightly."
"I appreciate this, Lord Vantric. However it seems that there are some who don't seem to meet expectations. I would suggest that perhaps it might be worthwhile to consider dismissing certain elements."
Vantric looked to Isond. To his surprise the war god seemed angrier now.
"I'll keep that in mind." He said, moving to Isond. "I see you've retrieved Aryx, Isond. That's worth something, I suppose."
"And I regret it wholeheartedly." He replied glumly.
"Oh, come now, certainly things aren't that bad?" Isond's look told him otherwise. Vantric smiled.
"Aryx, could you please excuse us for a moment. I have something I'd like to discuss with Isond." The angel frowned, but glided her way out of the room easily enough. Once she had gone, Vantric spoke again. "I take it you two don't like each other."
"Don't get along?" He shouted, "She's arrogant, bossy, and insane. What possessed you to make her a god?!...Alright, that's a stupid question in retrospect, but the point still stands. I can't stand her!"
"Good, then. I have a new assignment that will help take your mind off this, and your body away from her." Vantric reached into his cloak and produced an envelope with calligraphic writing on the front. "Deliver this to Aen with my regards."
Isond just stared dumbfounded. "I am not playing messenger. I'm a warrior, damnit! I'm-"
"My apprentice, Isond." Vantric cut him off. "And you will do as I order. If I tell you to mop the floors of the fortress, then you'll do so. All of them. So which will it be?"
There was a pause where Vantric could actually hear Isond's teeth grinding before snatching the letter and storming off.
With Isond gone, he walked out to the hallway to find Aryx leaning against the wall, arms folded. She stood up once he arrived. "Good to see you're still here, Aryx."
"I thought it might be worthwhile to listen to what was going on. Also, there's something I wanted to ask."
"What?"
She opened the book in her arms, flipping through the pages. "This book you gave me, it's blank."
"And?"
"Well, it's just..." She seemed a bit flustered, "I had thought when you said that this book would open my potential-"
"I said the book was a contract." Vantric interrupted. "Opening it was the act of accepting the contract. This," He tapped the book, "Is a book of curses. And it needs to be filled. I've given you the power to fill it, but you will need to do the work from here. Or do you need help?"
Aryx snorted, "I need no one." She shut the book, "Though, Isond mentioned some things. He said I was bound to you, for eternity. I take it this is true?"
"Of course."
She nodded slowly, methodically, looking back to the book. "Well then, at least I've been chosen by someone who values my talents."
"Good. Now, I have an assignment for you." Vantric snapped his fingers and a thick contract appeared in his hands, along with a note. "Follow these instructions, and do not fail me."
She smiled, "I won't."
"Well, let's be safe about that." He reached into his pocket and handed her a coin. "Take this, for luck, and this." He produced the small jar.
Aryx accepted both gifts. "What are they?"
"Items of power. The coin can manipulate luck and the jar...I'm not quite sure." He admitted, "Presumably it has some powers. Find out what they are, if you can."
"I will." With that his second protege left. Vantric turned back to the library and pulled up a chair, summoning a glass of cold water as he did so. It was times like these that keeping Isond around made sense.
Aryx teleported to the location Vantric had specified. It was a large obsidian building. She looked over her instructions once more. Yes, this was the place. Dark fire began to consume the note as she let it leave her hand.
She marched into the building carrying her book in one arm and the contract Vantric had provided her. Hundreds of eyes immediately looked at her. Strange horned creatures filled the building, many behind desks writing on pieces of paper, others were handing documents to their neighbors. From what she saw, it was a very bureaucratic affair, reminding her a bit too much of governmental work back on Coelus.
One of the creatures approached her. "Hello, and who are you?"
Aryx let her wings extend to their fullest extent. "I am Aryx, and I would speak with your leader, Calath." A quiet began running through the building. The creature gestured toward her.
"Follow me then."
It didn't take long to find Calath. He was in a back office at a large desk organizing paper work. He stopped immediately when the devil and Aryx entered. The lesser devil bowed quickly and left. Calath, got off his seat and approached Aryx.
"Welcome." He began, extending his hand, "I am Calath the High Speaker of this court. I must admit, I'm rather shocked that we have a visitor. No one has come to this court, for a very long time. What brings one such as you here?"
Aryx refused the devil's hand. "I am Aryx, here on behalf of Lord Vantric. He wishes to treat with you."
"Lord Vantric?" The devil said with intense interest, "Yes, I remember him. He came by briefly once, very long ago. Quite an interesting figure, if I recall. What does he wish to deal with us about?"
She unfurled the contract on the devil's desk. Calath immediately began to read through it. "Let me see...for the party here referred to as 'devils'...do hereby knowingly enter into a contract with party here referred to as 'Vantric'...would owe certain services to party Vantric should this deal be accepted...would provide service of emancipation and certain other unspecified benefits at need..." After a few minutes, the devil finished. "Well, everything seems to be in order." He flipped through the papers once more. "And I can't say I'm in much of a situation to refuse this offer." He signed the contract. "We accept."
Aryx blinked, "Accept what?"
The devil sighed, opening up the contract. "'In so signing the party known as 'devils' will be knowingly accepting all terms and conditions herein, and, upon signing, will be given emancipation from the location known as 'Hell's Court' by the party bearing this contract.' That would be you."
"Ah, I see."
"Is there some complication? Is this something beyond your skills?"
"Of course not!" Aryx snapped. "Just give me a moment." She looked down at the book, then looked to her other hand. She still had the coin and the jar. They were supposed to be items of power, but Aryx didn't know how they worked. Still, she wasn't about to leave without accomplishing her goal.
She set the items down on the table. "What's this?" Calath asked, opening the jar. He reached in and took a bit of the dark substance from it out.
"Wait, don't-" She shouted as the devil licked it.
"Mmm. That's quite good, actually." He commented, closing the jar. He then grabbed at his head, "But I...feel a bit funny. What was that?"
Aryx grabbed the coin. She didn't know whatever was in that jar would do, but she'd deal with that later. Focusing her power, Aryx attempted to alter the devils.
Creating or altering a sentient species- DC 11: (+4 Curses) (+2 Luck) (+ 2 Honey)
Alterations: Flaw- Devils cannot leave Hell's Court is replaced with Flaw- Unearthly presence: Devils find it difficult to deal with other races due to their very presence making people uneasy.
New Bonus: Dark Magic- Devils gain a working knowledge and ability to utilize dark powers.
New Flaw: White Magic- Devils cannot cast white magic and are incapable of accepting its power in any manner.
It was over. The others had claimed their carrion and left. The souls of the fallen had been laid to rest and sent to the other side. What will await these ones I wonder?
This part of Eld was a lonely place and was only made worse by Zareth turning it into a blackened graveyard. His power was getting out of control he had to reign it in or the whole forest would go the way of this glade. Zareth closed his eyes and breathed deep. He stood in silence for a while until he could get his emotions under control. Still it was no good, he couldn't clear his mind.
He growled in exasperation and paced the dead forest floor. Even now he felt a small echo of Eldarwen. You damn fool.
But something stood out among the darkness. A flicker of light, there were embers burning among the earth where he had laid the Ekiruru to rest. Zareth bent down and picked up the little ball of fire, tucking it away into his tunic. He would have to look into it later. She brave to the end and stupid. Where has their pride gotten them now? He shook his head as if he could scramble the thoughts vying for his attention and throw them out of his head. All the while the creeping death that radiated from him spread further and further.
Zareth roared in frustration and flung himself into the heavens. To any mortal looking up at the skythat nigh nothing would have seemed amiss but there were a few who saw. A collection of astronomers on Evalon claim to have witnessed a number of stars flicker and die out that night, leaving a streak of pure darkness on the night sky. Of course there is a lot of debate on the cause of this and some question whether it ever happened but if they were to consult the star charts they would see that several stars had disappeared completely.
Zareth could find no peace in the darkness. He felt no warmth from the burning sun. He wandered creation like a lost shadow until he came to Salustutis' icy north continent. With nothing but the howling wind and the occasional mountain of ice or pine forest to break up the barren tundra. There wasn't a living thing for miles... here he could let it all out.
Zareth screamed and howled for all he was worth. He slashed into the earth and ice with his sword, demolishing glaciers and carving into the continent like a piece of meat. His power washed out of him like a flood, bringing with it a new deathly cold that sank down deep beneath the planet surface.
To the mortals in the south of Salustutis it sounded as if a great storm was raging over the ice barrens, a blizzard that might threaten to spread south and cover them in frost. Across the northernmost cites emergency services were put on high alert, houses were boarded up and the golems stood to attention, ready to serve.
And all the while Zareth's fury grew and the storm raged on... and the ice spread.
At the coast of this cold continent a Deus Filli expedition watched in awe as the great blizzard threatened to consume the whole mountain range in the distance. They huddled among the clustered pine trees for any bit of cover they could find. "And you're sure this is a good place to set up a settlement?" One said to their team leader.
"With the right magic any area can become habitable." He tried to make himself sound certain. "This is proof life can survive here." He knocked the trunk of one of the trees to enforce his point. Still his eye wandered back to the roaring storm, it was only getting louder. At this rate it might deafen his team, never mind freeze them. "Let's just stick to the more docile areas for now." He did the best to hide the quiver in his voice... why couldn't he shake the feeling that that storm wanted him dead?
Claim +2 domain from Venator, Effortless.
Travel to Salustutis, Effortless
Enchant the surrounding area: Create an ice waste at the center of Salustutis' coldest continent the size of a large city. DC - 11 AP 4. +6 Death +2 Combat.
She entered her master's sanctum to present her findings. Master... The Deceiver had made it clear that it didn't want to waste time with her, so why did she waste time with it? Gratitude was the only possibility. Gratitude that only came begrudgingly from the proud Phantom. But now, with the armour, she had more power. She was climbing the ladder of divinity, but Zs'Wua was only halfway up to the top. Nevertheless, as a Phantom, she had learned patience, how to live the life of another at cost to her own and more. Zs'Wua had already slipped into the role of the agent of the Whispering Wyrm, now she had slipped into the Armour of Hatred and into the role of champion of her god. However, there were different thoughts going on inside it... Sadly, those thoughts died down to the bottom of her mind when she reached the injured god.
"Greetings. Report. Events."
The god rose from its seat and offered her one. Zs'Wua immediately took the one by the end of the table, directly opposite M'endar and began her report. As the conversation had began in the mind, she continued it that way, "There was a meeting between the gods there." Soon images of those that had assembled after the meetings were transmitted. M'endar nodded - a cue for her to continue. She did, "First they debated about Ailish's and her servant's deaths. Afterward the matter of the items of power was debated. The dark god of magic got the guitar sword, the ambitious one left with a jar of dark honey, the bright one got the mask, and I got this armour." The robed god nodded again, as the fresh memories behind the words showed themselves to it. "There is to be another meeting, by the order of the bright one. And that, to my recollection, is all that occurred."
"Acknowledged. Interesting. Dismissed."
And with that, the demigod left the hollow moon for the Hallowed Court. As a mortal she had heard only stories of that divine realm...
Back in Oculus Obscuritatis, it was a few minutes before Roe was finally able to unattach himself from Petal and finish explaining what had happened.
"I told you I'd be okay," he said ruefully before adding, "I need your help Pets, look at this," he held up the domain for his friend to see. Her eyes widened at the sight of the glowing orb.
"What is it?" she asked curiously, "Can I touch it?"
"Sure," Roe replied and passed it to her, "It came from Ailish after I beat her, I think it's the last part of her godhood left in the whole universe."
"Pretty!" the little girl cooed as she lifted the sphere close to a nearby torch, sparkling colours glinting off it's smooth surface. "Why do you need my help?"
"I'm going to do what Ailish would have wanted, before she turned bad that is. I'm going to put it into my sword to make something I can fight with to be a great hero! Here, hold my sword down."
Roe passed Petal the diamond sword that Cassiel had given him and then instructed her how to hold it against a wide smooth rock in the centre of the chamber. He summoned a large hammer out of thin air and then placed the domain gently down on the sword. Finally he heaved the hammer up high with a grunt and quickly sent out a message to his allies and friends.
"I am making something very hard, please send help, Roe"
"CRASH!"
DC19 (4AP, 1MP) - Use Ailish's domain (+2 Love) to create +4 magical item: a weapon that can change form if the bearer wills it to, using +6 Childhood and +6 Chaos.
Effortless - Send message to Melanthios, Vantric, Zareth, M'endar, Cassiel and Aen
He was happy to see that, Roe followed him instead of Aen. He had admit, it amused him how foolish Aen was. Using whatever stupid 'honor' and rules he had, to justify himself. Melanthios had decided that he had waited long enough, it was time for his plan to be executed.
Melanthios walked towards M'endar. His wound was obvious, he was using his staff to help him stand. "Greetings brother. The attack was a success, Ven and Allish are both dead. Though at a price.." He said moving his hand to his wounded side, he placed the guitar sword on the table.
"There is always a price, brother." M'endar muttered in a mixture of hate for the ones who had injured them and sadness in seeing a brother wounded. Then it moved onto the topic at hand, "I know. Shame, she was amusing, in her own special way..."
He nodded. "Though I do not feel sad for her passing, we are finally able to go on to more pressing matters. I have two in fact, both are request." He looked up at his ally. "Are you willing to hear me out brother?"
M'endar silently cursed again. In this state, it couldn't even help itself, let alone its allies. It sighed and waved a limp hand, "Fine then... But unfortunately I cannot assist you, currently."
He smiled and then shook his head. "I did not want to ask that kind of help brother, though thank you for the offer. I wanted to ask your permission, to host a party. The party will be held in this base, and it will be held to celebrate our new member and strengthen bonds. What do you think?"
While M'endar wanted to just sleep in secret, away from the hostility that had gripped the gods lately, it saw the benefits of this plan. M'endar and those in the alliance could take some time to relax, instead of constantly picking fights. It would be foolish to ask Melanthios why the party was going to be held here and not in the abandoned Entertainment Hall. The reason was starkly obvious. With its mind made up, it replied, "Yesss... I would allow that, but only those that have thrown their ours in with us will be welcome, yes?"
He nodded. "Though I wish to invite one person from outside of the alliance, Nivix. You see I think he could become an valuable ally. Or at least we could turn him away, from the ones that oppose us."
M'endar thought that one over. Two wildcards in the pack? It would either be a royal flush or bust. That would make things interesting at least and perhaps Nivix would provide the entertainment for the celebration? It concluded on this, "Fine then. But I hope that that god won't do to my moon what he tried to do to the Maroe Archipelago."
"I hope not.. and if he does we will stop him. Still thank you very much M'endar for trusting me with this. I know this isn't easy for you. Also there was something else I wanted to talk to you about...Aen." He said the last word like he was talking about something revolting.
"My pleasure." M'endar responded, giving a mock bow, indicating how much of a stretch this favor was. The Deceiver then returned to being seated. M'endar smiled and said, "I see you have spoken with the god that clings to honor but falls to the depths of bloodlust." It remembered the eagerness the god had to attack Seith, to teach him a lesson in blood...
Melanthios face turned very cold. "Yes I have, he said this to me." He coughed and then said with Aen's voice "You twist words and care for nothing beyond Melanthios. You disgust me. You order those below you to fight for your own advancement, and manipulate those whom you cannot." He then coughed again and looked at M'endar. "That is pretty petty thing of him to say, wouldn't you agree?" He grinned now, showing his amusement.
M'endar scoffed, "The boy is looking in the wrong direction for somebody like that." Though it was amusing to see Melanthios's acting skills, the young god was already picking fights again. Which was a disappointment, to say the least. M'endar leaned in closer and whispered a question, a dangerous question, "Is he next?"
He smiled dangerously, while he placed a hand on M'endar's shoulder. "Now this is why we are brothers, it is because we think alike." He looked around the room, luckily nobody would be able to hear them here. "It all depends, but I fear he will be. Though I saw you talking to him earlier, I won't move until you are fine with it."
M'endar's face took on a serious look. Aen had helped it, but Aen had also threatened a brother. Who to chose? Was there even a choice? M'endar responded, with a stern but almost playful voice, "But Melanthios, how will he rest, being ended before paying debts to those he owes?"
Melanthios expression turned into an evil smile. "He owes you a debt? How wonderful. Well I won't get in the way of his debt brother, I just wanted to know if you were on my side. Though with you I never really have to ask, do I?" He asked while he sat down. "I mean if I can't trust you, then who can I trust?" He smiled at his brother.
"Completely no one." M'endar replied, grinning, "Indefinitely everyone." The answer was a paradox, but that was the point. After all, what was the point of trust when no one - apart from a few - trusted you? Nevertheless, the conversation was drawing to a close and soon this space would be filled with the other few gods who trusted them. M'endar sighed, would one last moment of quiet be too much to ask, "Is that all, brother? The party will be starting soon, yes? Best to steal all the quiet we can."
Melanthios nodded. "They will be here soon indeed, that is if they want to attend. Though I hope you don't mind if I play some music, I used to be quite good with a violin once upon a time." He said as he smiled bitterly.
"Of course." M'endar said, ending the conversation to leave room for the music to fill.
Melanthios watched as his brother left the room, he was one of his true friends. No matter when, how or why he called. He would help him, because that is what true friends do for one another.
Melanthios looked around the main hall, it still needed quite a few things before the party was ready, he grabbed the guitar sword and looked at it. "You belong to me now, you need a more worthy shape." He used what little power he had, left to change its appearance. The sword turned white, and began to hover in mid air. After a couple of seconds the process was done, he grabbed it and revealed an instrument which suited him more.
Melanthios smiled as he tried it out. "This is much better, and now to prepare for the party." He began to play a song. The room began to change, new tables appeared and food began to appear. He kept playing until the whole hall had changed, it was now worthy of a party for the gods. Melanthios took a seat on one of the chairs, satisfied with his work.
He then heard Roe's call for help, he grabbed his new violin and began to play a new tune. He combined the orbs power and his knowledge to make a song able to aid his new ally. After it was done he sat back down again. He then focused and send a message to his allies, and Nivix. He hoped to recruit him into the alliance, and this might be the perfect change.
"Greetings friends. I wish to invite all of you to a party, one that will be held on Oculus Obscuritatis. It will be held to honor our new member, as well as to forge new friendships and honor old ones. I hope everyone will accept this invitation, the party will start as soon as you all arrive. Or at least the ones that are planning to attend."
He smiled, and now he would only have to wait for his guest to arrive. In the meantime he began to play again, music began to fill the room.
Assist Roe with his item creation.
Domains: +2 Wisdom + 2 Arcane magic + 2 Music
Send a message to M'endar, Roe, Zareth, Vantric, Nivix.
Difficulty: Effortless
The night sky looked rather pleasant tonight, Ven had to admit. There were no clouds to block his view of the stars, and he looked up at them with unabashed awe. Hundreds upon thousands of tiny specks of light, sprinkled throughout the immeasurable heavens and bringing light to the vast darkness. True, when they were compared to the massive, brilliant beauty of Niv they were hardly worth mentioning. But now, with no sign of the plane's central star, they were the only noticeable source of light. And damn if they didn't put on a fine show.
"I didn't know you liked to stargaze."
There was a grunt somewhere to his right, and the sound of someone begrudgingly sitting up. Ven didn't have to turn his head to know that Nivix was slowly rising back to his feet; the sounds of cracking joints and half-mumbled complaints were evidence enough of that.
"Eh, what can I say?" the god replied, his words ringing with a slightly wistful undertone. "Some nights, when everything just gets to be too much, it feels like the stars are the only thing keeping me sane. Failed projects, fights and arguments, my own reckless stupidity, it all just seems so... unimportant, at least when I'm looking up there, ya know."
"Mmmmmm."
There was a moment of silence, broken only by the scurrying of a few Clankers, as god and immortal stared upwards, lost in the endless expanse that surrounded them.
"So... Any idea why I brought you out here?"
Ven barely managed to repress an annoyed huff; what business did a god have playing around like this. "Nope, not a clue. I stopped trying to understand your madness a long time ago."
"Fair enough," Nivix replied, giving the Mizzen a solid clunk to the head. Ignoring Ven's indignant grumbles, he continued. "Look... I guess I should probably say something about this whole fiasco, shouldn't I?"
"What, you mean the thing were you almost wiped out an entire continent? Yeah, an apology would be nice. Not sure if I'm the one you should be saying sorry to, though."
Now it was the god's turn to be annoyed. "Oi, who said anything about apologizing? 'Sides, you should know well enough by now that I'm effectively immune to feeling guilty."
"It'd still be nice..."
Dismissing Ven with a wave of his hand, Nivix turned back towards the sky. "Yeah, well don't hold your breath. ...If you could breathe anyway, that is."
"Low blow there."
"Is it though?"
Grunting, Ven pushed himself up from the ground as well. He was getting tired of this roundabout conversation; Nivix must have a reason for bringing him all the way out here to Coleus, and he was going to figure out exactly what it was. "Look, will you just stop playing with me and tell me what this is all about? Seriously, is it that hard for you to just be straightforward here?"
"Fair enough." Nivix stared at his companion with, for once, utter and complete seriousness. "I want to turn you into a demigod."
"What."
Sighing, the god awkwardly scratched at the back of his head with his good hand, taking the opportunity to find the right words. "Look, I realize what almost happened today, alright? If it hadn't been for some good timing on Roe's part, a lot of people would have died. Now, to be clear, I don't care about that; I'd be more than happy to sacrifice all of Evalon if I thought the ends were worth it. But still..."
The chemister dropped back to the ground, staring bleakly at his mechanical limb. "The fact remains that I did something incredibly stupid. I ended up hurting myself, and would have done so much more damage if I'd been left unchecked. Wiping out all those people and wasting all that steel, just for a toy?" Nivix snorted derisively. "Hardly a fair price. But let's face it, I didn't learn anything from that. I've done crap like this before, and I know that I'll do it again. Maybe on a much larger scale."
The madman lapsed into a fitful silence, fiddling with his new fingers. Ven, meanwhile, stared at the god as if he'd just grown another head; this wasn't a side of Nivix he'd ever seen before. "So... What does any of that have to do with me turning into a demigod?"
"Simple enough answer. I need somebody to keep me in check, somebody to stop me if I go too far again. If I'm about to do something that endangers all of existence before its proper end, then somebody needs to have enough power to make me stop, by force if necessary."
"So why me?! Why not one of the other gods?! You know, the beings that you created reality with!"
Another snort. "The other gods? Don't make me laugh. I may be an idiot, but the day I trust any of them with this is the day I sell my soul. Mel, Van, M'ender, they've all got their little plans and schemes, regardless of how much they pretend to be my friend. Roe, Ail, and Aen, I like 'em but they can't be trusted with something like this; they wouldn't be able to understand what I need them to do. Pen's just plain boring, Zareth's got his head in the clouds. Seith and Eldar are dead, if not worse. And don't even get me started on any of their demigods; they're just mortals whose minds have been twisted around their 'parents'' fingers."
Nivix looked up into Ven's eyes, his face devoid of emotion. "I need to give this power to someone I can trust, someone who won't automatically look for my or their own best interests, but for the best course for all of reality. I need someone who doesn't give a crap about politics and other sources of power, someone who'll stand on their own with complete impunity."
The madman's lips curled up in a half smile. "And I'm pretty sure that's you, Ven."
The Mizzen was silent for a moment, as he struggled to come to terms with what he was hearing. "...Wait, are you actually asking me if I want to be a demigod? You're not just doing it and telling me what to do?"
"Yep. If you don't want to, then whatever. I'll figure something else out."
"Huh... that's new."
"Well, this is kind of a big deal and all that. There's a bit of a difference between making you ageless and giving you ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER!" Nivix allowed himself a small chuckle. "Besides," he muttered, "it's not like you actually resent me for giving you immortality, if you can even call it that. Right?"
"I don't know. Maybe?" Ven admitted. "Look, just try to understand my perspective, okay? Alive for a matter of days, barely scrapping out a living, and then everyone I know dies. I almost die. Then you show up, out of the blue, and decide to make me into your... your what? Personal plaything? It was a little degrading, even if it's something I'd normally love."
"Eh. Fair enough." Nivix replied vaguely.
The two rested in uneasy quiet, each waiting for the other to speak first. Seconds dragged into minutes, each tick of the metaphorical clock making the tension just a little thicker. Finally, when he could bear it no longer, Nivix cleared his throat. "Look, if you're looking for some great big feelings jam about how I consider you to be my first born son, and how I honestly love you, then you can just forget it; it ain't going to happen. But the offer still stands. If you want it, then go ahead and accept. If not, then I'll get you back home and figure something else out."
"Great... You really love putting me in tough spots, don't you?"
"I don't try to, no, but when it happens it's certainly entertaining enough."
"Tch. Alright, so let me get this straight: the entire point of this is to give someone the strength to just make you stop if you go over some limit? You just want a babysitter to make sure you don't break everything around you?"
"Well, when you put it like that it's a little demeaning... But yeah, that about sums it up."
If his visage could have moved, odds were Ven would've cracked a grin wrought with malice and mischief. "Heh, how the hell could I possibly turn something like that down?"
"And that," Nivix replied cheerily, "is about the best answer I could have hoped for."
Turn Ven into a demigod: DC 15, 6AP
+6 Knowledge (Exploiting his knowledge of the Mizzen Spark), +4 Destruction (Remember that miniature star that was powering Ven's body? That's getting a bit of an upgrade), +2 Magical Artifice (Ven's still a Mizzen, after all) = +12
Aen was still steaming when he entered the Battlegrounds, and Grix's own anger bouncing back at him did little to help. Only the new one had seemed disinterested in what happened. Maybe she didn't know. He still needed to get her name, but it never seemed like a good time. Maybe she didn't have one...
Cassiel phased through the portal following the raging god. "Aen! I need to talk to you." He had the mask in his left hand, it was shining in the light. "Are you alright? You almost started another fight."
Being followed was almost a pleasant surprise. Almost. "Melanthios' actions led to the death of two gods and everyone acts li--" That was when he noticed the mask in Cassiel's hand. Before he knew what he was doing, he'd grabbed the angel and slammed him into a wall. "What. Have. You. Done."
Cassiel was surprised, his shield blocked any damage but he was shocked none the less. "The items werent' a source of contention. Melanthios's punishment for his crimes is evident. His injuries are severe, worse than mine. I did not want to risk a war. We are having a meeting soon."
Aen loosened his grip, slowly. It wouldn't do to get angry at Cassiel. Finally, he let go of the angel completely. "My apologies, I... I have been out of sorts lately. It's not you I am truly mad at. I simply didn't want Melanthios to profit from this..." Aen sighed. "I'm assuming none of the items went to Zareth then."
Cassiel sighed and loosened his grip on his shield. "Zareth took Venator's life force as I was leaving. I imagine he plans to do something with it. Melanthios has lost more than he has gained, his true colors are evident now. I could see them plain as can be. Still, I hope that we can broker a kind of peace with him." Cassiel lifted the mask. "Do you know anything about this? I reached for it because it felt familiar to me but I don't know why. I can still hear a voice swirling in my head from it."
"I guess now is as good a time as any... Hey! I still need your name!" Aen shouted. He cringed when he saw how close she actually was. He had thought she'd leave, but yet... interesting. Perhaps she felt what Cassiel did. The draw to the mask.
She didn't respond right away. Then, speaking slowly, she did. "I would like it if you called me Ren."
"Right then, Ren. Well, that's a piece of Ren's power from a previous life. You knew her back then as well. Before you became... this."
Kyle: Cassiel looked at Ren but felt nothing. It was strange. "I see. That might explain things a bit." Cassiel looked around at the landscape, it was different, enchanted even. He could feel it had a purpose past simply looking nice.
"Where...where exactly are we?"
"The Battlegrounds, my home. A place for training."
"Training? Please, go on."
"Well, there are places to hunt, train on dummies, and even an arena where you can go all out without doing any permanent damage." Aen had never though anyone would actually be interested in what was in the Battlegrounds, so he'd never prepared a welcoming speech.
Cassiel thought for a moment, what did Aen hunt? The only creatures he had seen were child's play to destroy. It still bothered him that he couldn't take down the green plant people without killing them. "So, a place for gods to spar then? Sounds interesting."
He laughed. "Not that we seem interested in fighting unless it ends in death." He felt something off far away. Felt like the boy was using what he'd taken from Ailish. He was sad to remember, but if a piece of her were to carry on, he supposed the child made the most sense. He sent a bit of his power to help him. Suddenly, Nivix's power flared up, but he wasn't sure he could help the god at this range, especially at that range. Finally, he felt Grix warn him that he had a visitor, though who it was he kept a secret with a laugh. It seemed all the gods were busy now.
"You feel that about Roe too? He can't see through Melanthios...you know I was trying to save Ailish right?" Cassiel was still dismayed the two had to die. Power wasn't worth such a small universe. "How many were there originally? How many are there now? Our visitor won't be here for a little bit. Perhaps he wants to spar too?" Cassiel chuckled.
"I don't know about originally. I came after. But many have died since I came. Too many." He seemed like he was about to say more for a moment, then stopped himself. After a pause, he continued, but with a change of subject. "Feel free to use the Battlegrounds as you see fit, and should you require cheering up, there is a hall nearby that is supposed to do such a thing. How effective it might be... well, I don't know about that. I must see who has come, and I'm sure Grix won't mind sparring with you. Ren might be willing too as well, but you'd have to ask. I don't know her as well." With a bow, Aen walked away to see to whoever had come knocking.
Cassiel raised stardust in the air and donated a bit of fire energy to help keep everything together. Not much, but enough to help the process along. Cassiel sent a message to Roe. "Be careful with that weapon my friend, when you draw that sword, use it to protect those you care about." He then followed Aen to the door.
Cassiel assists Roe with +1 Flames.
Aen assists Roe with combat (I don't know how much)
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