---

Celestine stood atop the high tower of the divine palace, looking towards the horizon of the mainland. She did this often these days, seeming to shut herself away from the hustle and bustle of the daily city duties for hours at a time. It was somewhat unbecoming of her, but for the generosity that she had been giving to Earthwall, it was entirely fair that she might take some time to herself to dwell upon things.

And the things that she dwelled upon caused her a great deal of concern.

The near attack of Wyn upon her city and the creations and actions of other deities yet unmet spelled an almost certain future for Earthwall and its people: Conflict was coming, and like it or not Earthwall, the first city, was going to end up being wrapped up in things beyond her control even if she wanted little more than peace and prosperity for her people. Something would need to be done, then.

For that, Celestine figured that perhaps it was time to arm herself a bit better. It was unbecoming of a war goddess to be unprepared for battle. Thus, she set out to finalize the armament that she had started on by restoring duty to its unbroken form. Returning to her quarters, Celestine stepped over to a stone desk and began to weave together raw divine energy into something new.

The basic shape came quickly, a simple heater shield design with little in the way of frills. But Celestine began to iterate upon this, adding in some decorative heraldry and changing its color palette to resemble her current cloak and armor combination with a deep red base color and silver accents. Sizing up the shield a bit, Celestine adjusted the grip of the shield to make it more comfortable upon her right arm before finalizing the shield's physical form. Nodding to herself, she dubbed the shield Loyalty. It would do just fine.

But then she almost immediately grew dissatisfied with it. To defend Earthwall would likely mean inevitably going blow to blow with other divines, and as such such a simple shield would likely not last more than a blow or two. Setting the shield back down upon the desk, Celestine began to iterate upon her designs for it.

Firstly, she made the shield unbreakable. At least by most physical means. It could still simply be unmade by the will of another divine, but in a conflict less decided by the expenditure of divine energy it wouldn’t do to have the shield fail before she did. Secondly, she decided to make the shield a great deal more practical to carry around and equip. Setting the shield into its best position upon her right arm, Celestine then began to merge it with the gauntlet upon her right hand.

The process took only a moment, but once that moment was up the shield was gone. Turning and stepping into the main space of the room, Celestine brought her arm up as if to block a blow, and in that moment Loyalty manifested in her hand. Lowering her arm, the shield remained. Willing the shield away, Celestine repeated the motion, but willed for the shield to not appear. Thus, it didn’t. Excellent. All had gone according to plan.

But then more thoughts came to Celestine’s mind, and she manifested the shield once more. Focusing upon the heraldry that she had added, she infused the ability to manifest a barrier into the shield, one that would serve to be quite potent, even in the face of divine fury. Summoning and dismissing the barrier a few times, Celestine adjusted it until it was two meters around her, and was then satisfied. In the event that she needed to protect a few people, it would do quite nicely.

But a shield alone would not save Earthwall from what troubles might assail it. For Earthwall to be truly safe, Celestine would need to return what fury was given to her in equal and perhaps greater force. Drawing her sword, Duty, Celestine began to focus energy into it as well. First, the edge of the blade was sharpened. Then more. Then more than that. Celestine kept going until the blade was almost sharp enough to cut the air around it while idle. Then, much like Loyalty, she reached into its heart and strengthened the core of the blade until it was unbreakable. She recalled the state that it had been in when she awoke from her long slumber, broken and useless. No more. Not if she could help it. As a precaution in the event that it would be needed, she also poured a small ember of her fury into the blade, enabling it to cut through even divine defenses as needed. She had no longing to become a murderer of deities, but if they threatened her city and her people, she would do what she must.

Stowing her enhanced equipment and returning to the top of the divine palace, Celestine once more looked out to the horizon. But her gaze did not linger there for long. Instead it trailed downward to Earthwall itself, and soon Celestine began to pace around the top of the divine palace, watching the elves go about their lives within its protective walls. They were her people, and she would defend them. So long as they were within her walls and gave her their fealty, she would be their armor against whatever the harsh world would bring to bear against them, and she would not restrain her wrath against those who sought to take them from her. Their shield, and their sword.

With this thought came a deepening of understanding. Armor and its components started to have their details manifest within Celestine’s mind almost as if it was second nature. She began to tweak and tune at her own armor set, making it a bit less bulky and a bit better of a fit, enhancing her mobility slightly while retaining all of the protection that it offered. Which, while a bit meager against other deities, was still more than nothing. Perhaps it too would need enhancing.

Following this, Celestine began to have various weapon plans pour into her head. Longswords, shortswords, spears, halberds, longbows, shortbows, recurve bows, crossbows, and even things like ballista, catapults, and trebuchet. Everything one would need to defend a city, or take it from someone else. All she needed to do was contemplate what the role of a group of soldiers would be, and the best weapons and armor to give to them filled themselves out almost instantly. Cavalry would do best with heavy armor and long lances, while supporting archers would do fine with longbows and light armor in order to stay mobile.

Then in order to take a city, catapults and ballista would be needed. She would have to teach the elves on their use, but even now she could see where these weapons would be best placed upon Earthwalls defenses. She would have to see about training the elves in their use. For now, she was tired and needed rest. Returning to her chambers, Celestine found herself once more gazing longingly at the ring she had.

What would she think, Celestine pondered…

The mission was not so much to simply make it to the fabled godly gift that was Impyra, but to also fully establish a working route for wood elves to tame the underworld beneath their very feet. Their entrance was made throughout the lake region that had initially stopped Pieapple and co from heading deeper, and where the whole series of events leading up to the [monarch]’s crowning and quest had begun. They had been prepared for this even before acquiring Pumkin’s help, the elves having slipped into the water in large wide leaves grown into the shapes of canoes and then paddling across the waters, the trip unremarkable sans making official contact with the Umbra that had made the watery cave their home, and negotiating a deal to set up a pair of ports on each side of the lake to facilitate future travel.

After reaching the other side, the path split, with one that went the way they intended to go, while the other led to a cave system that traveled much of the central area of the woods. Two issues however kept this underground forest disconnected from the elven society, first it was its depth, too far below the world with only ravines and sinkholes leading to it, second was its jungle like constitution, creeping roots and branches inhabited by nastier sorts of plant creatures, including the somewhat nasty Barkobra, which had poisoned, strangled and devoured a fair share of unprepared explorers.

The queen’s group avoided such a region, but they did accompany a few [druids] who would start to create a forward post of the adventurers guild to tame the area. Similarly, they had been connecting the many underground bases and camps of the elves with a single road system, ‘Pathroot’ was a plant created specifically for the task, its foliage spread evenly on the ground first, creating a stable path, then it created a half wall of bark and leaves to its side and finally branches would ground up in a C shape, with light giving leaves to illuminate the path.

All of this made the initial path very easy for everyone, enjoyable even, outside of the boar brothers almost losing their animals after they became infatuated with one of the giant tubbers that had started to grow in the area, no major incidents happened.

Such joys were quickly dashed as they made their way to the abyssal area, Pumpkin had described it before, yet the group had always had the somewhat implicit belief she was perhaps going a bit overboard, she was not.

The mossy growths, the creeping plants, the curious creatures, it all ended quite suddenly as the cave opened up into pure darkness. Most of the rocky floor was left behind as if it had been cut by a sword, a perfectly 90° degree cut downward, with the exception of a jagged path forward, going endlessly forward into the void until the elves could no longer see them.

The ceiling was somewhat visible, far up, with a luminous growth on it, dark masses passing by, hopefully just gentle manta rays instead of the eventual school of void piranhas.

“Alright, lights off everybody, no torches, no magiks.” Pumpkin announced. “We don’t want to go about announcing ourselves for the creatures that live here. I have a plan to make a safe path… Hmm. Sleeky, come with me, you are gonna be my pal on this!” she grabbed Sleektooth by the arm and moved to a nearby rock infested with glowing worms.

The plan was quite simple, she filled a bag with them, grabbed up a handful, gently placed them on the ground, then stomped them. This gave her boots a nice, mushy, glowing coat, each step forward leaving a footprint that could be seen in the dark but still had that buggy stink most void creatures wouldn’t bother with.

“Oh this is so gross” Sleektooth said as she followed suit, though the fact that the way she said gross was with the same tone someone might call something cool. The rest of the elves were less enamored with the whole thing, but they pinched their noses and carefully followed after the glowing trail, stalking low and using their ubiquitous forest material cloaks to mask their shape and movement.

---

The path had gone for hours without much trouble, outside of the psychological pressure of traveling into the deep dark. It had been carefully set to be the shortest path possible, and even so the leading duo found themselves tired. The [vagabond] called it a day and using her [find shelter] skill she was able to locate a nearby cave for the group to rest for the night. For a given value of night.

The elves of the darkwoods might be used to a perpetual gloom, but the lack of any shifting in the light had started to disconcert some, as had the unfortunate mexi of claustrophobia and agoraphobia that the void bottomed cavern induced.

“I almost wish we could keep moving. It feels like standing teetering above a great maw of darkness, and that at any moment the ground below will drop away and leave us all to plunge into whatever lies below. If anything even does” Pineapple murmured quietly, confiding in only her confidants and not wishing to spread her worry to those beyond.

The fact that they had to go down to find a cave, creeping along a thin sheer cliffway path that led to a cavern overlooking the nothingness certainly did not help. Fortunately everyone was skillfully footed enough that there were no falls, merely a close call or two where an elf foot slipped, sending shards of stones falling into the nothingness while the mortal’s own life was saved by their alert comrades.

Even the cave dwellers were increasingly weary, including Pumpkin, when she sat down to rest she let out a deep sigh with uncharacteristic weariness. “I hope the tree warping dudes can find a way to make this place more palatable. Or make a tree that digs a route to elsewhere!” she confessed to Sleektooth.

“Around would be best. This place is exiting, it’d be really boring if we just made a road right through it” she replied, entirely missing the point

“Making a new cave path would require a lot of boring as well~” Pumpkin jested, to which Sleektooth gave a snort of a laugh, “yeah, i guess”

Then she taught for a bit and thought “well I mean, I don’t know if we can really dig through rock? But maybe we could, I dunno, grow a road along the wall maybe?” a suggestion that made Pieapple’s cheeks blow up, close the vomiting at the thought, before recovering and exclaiming “no thanks”

Pumpkin gave a resigned look at that topic. “I don’t know, the entire point of my class is not really building much stuff. But I also think the path across the foul lake and the green glowing cave will also become more viable once the lava lake is settled. It's just that right now the stuff there is a bit scary and poorly understood, but it is a less tiring place than crossing the void. Plus the green rocks are so pretty, they say to put one under your pillow for good luck.” the girl who didn’t understand radiation very well said.

As she started to take a half-meditative stance, part of her skillset, [light sleep], she turned to Sleek with a slower and more chill voice, only one eye open. “So… What do you intend to do in the Berrypie Kingdom once it's settled?”

“If you mean after we’ve carved it out of whatever wilds there are?” she asked rhetorically, “I dunno, seeing as queeny here’s planning to settle down, I’ll probably try and make my own adventuring party, go out, see the rest of the caves. Head to the surface, that kinda thing. Had to settle down when I lost my hand, didn’t like it one bit”

“Mmm.” Pumpkin nodded. “Well, I’d be up to join some adventures with ya later. Though I don’t really plan to live in the city, or uh, anywhere in particular, I should always be around the overall area, especially once they get their markets and guilds going.”

“Eyy yeah that’d be fun, I’d be more than happy to have you party around with me. Plus I bet we could make stacks of coins from doing that whole ‘find news stuff’ quest that the guild has on, seeing as you’ve been all over. I head the discounts you can rack up are nothing to be sniffed at” Sleektooth said, the goddess Ashe’s idea having worked quite perfectly in incentivising the acquisition of any and all newly discovered plants and animals.

“Can’t say I very much understood what happened over that, since it happened in moons I was very far away. But if it is nice it is nice.” she stretched and started to focus more on her meditation and recovery.

All was going fine, until the more sensible elves, such as [rangers] would feel something stirring, the air started to flow oddly, as if something was rushing towards them, yet no sound. Tensions rose up, some started to wake up and other elves continued to sleep unaware of trouble, then, all of the sudden, a massive humanoid creature that could be best described as some sort of cave gorilla dove towards the group, slapping at the two nearest elves, the lucky one being hurt as he hit the wall, the other ending up going out of the cave, into the abyss.

Pieapple, who’s [danger sense] had started going off just a few heartbeats before the creature was on them, was first to move among the lead group, the [adventurous thrower] grabbing a large dart from a belt of them she was carrying and hurling it at the gorilla, before shouting [rapid reload] which caused a second dart to jump from her belt to hand without her having to reach for it, an allowing her to get another toss in far faster than she should.

The two poison darts were joined by a few knives, javelins, and one spiky plant of some kind from a small number of other elves who had been woken by their own [danger sense] or had been on guard and alert enough to act. The yelling of skills and the rapidly vanishing screams of the pit tossed elf then woke everyone else up, [adventurers] scrambling to get into the fight while the small number of [druids], [settlers] and other civilian classes scrambled in the opposite direction trying to get away.

The beast had no greater ill intent than just being extremely violent and territorial, it found itself hurt and cornered, though with a large muscular body it was still an immediate threat to all, it was not going to win, but everyone was at risk of being hurt. That risk only increased as it, as if to try to scare the elves alway, started to pound at the ground, causing the whole of the small cave to shake, gravel and rocks starting to fall from the roof.

“[stand behind me!], or, uh, beneath me” Barkbear called out as he raised his tree bark shield up above the 3 ladies, which protected them from concussion from falling rocks, but wasn’t going to do anything if the whole place fell down. That still put them in the best position, as the others where pelted with stones and the fear that there would be more coming.

Sleektooth was last to get up and she was, unfortunately for her, a bit useless at this distance, an issue shared by many as the cramped confines of the cave limited everyone but those closest to the beast from really doing anything, and totally fowling up the maneuverable hunter style of combat they preferred.

“Form up, spears to the front, everyone else to the back, and give it an opening to get away before it brings the roof down on our heads!” Pieapple attempted to command, but unfortunately, [adventurers] were not disciplined [soldiers], and the companions of the dead and injured elves were out for blood and vengeance.

“Die monster!” cried out one holding an oversized axe and wearing a rather grisly assortment of bandit skulls on his belt. “I’ll [take your head!] for what you’ve done to Ghostpear!” he yelled, becoming engulfed in some red aura before leaping, kicking off the cave wall, and launching himself at the ape, aiming to swing his axe at its neck

The ape could not hold back against the attack, but the adventurer also did overestimate his ability to kill the beast with one swoop. Red splashed against the floor as blood started to flow down from its neck, and yet, the creature found itself with enough stamina to still grab the two nearest elves, one being obviously the head taker elf. The crash of the two to the floor as well as the use of the roof of the cave further compromised the structure of the location, which now would not stop shaking, risking not only collapsing itself, but also bringing down a whole sweep of the cliff-face path along with it.

“[Druids] reinforce the cave! Everyone else not fighting, get to the surface” Pieapple commanded, and this had better results for sure. As plant mater shot up to act as support pillars the rest of the civilians immediately making a run for it, which was its own problem that she solved by ordering “Leaf sharks, jump up to the top and make sure the surface is clear”

The fish scaled elves did as they were ordered, darting out of the cave and then using their Tonnikala mutation to defy gravity just enough that they could jump or climb up the top side. That at least ment the noncombatants weren't going to get slaughtered if there were more of these things out there.

It did not, however, solve the problem of the one in here, but a kind of impromptu sorting algorithm of people who did not think they could take the beast backing off and those that could push forwards had haphazardly brought the Titan blades to the front of the pack. Greatswords did those towering elves wield, and acting in tandem they drove them forward, point first with greater range than a [hunter]’s spear could reach, aiming for the beast’s arm muscles in an attempt to release their comrades before they were crushed or tossed.

Finally, the beast gave away, its muscles torn it laid limply, allowing the two to start their escape, at the same time, the sound of loud crashes started to resonate, as the cave started to crumble into itself, center first, while the vines of the druids held up the sides for a brief moment, though that would clearly be short lived.

“Oh no no no. Everyone move!” Pieapple gave one last command before she was grabbed rapidly hauled forwards by Barkbear and Sleektooth who both shouted a variation of “you too, you idiot!”

The elves fled as best they could, but it was a narrow pathway up the cliff back to the surface, and even with the Leafsharks having chucked ropes down to create additional ways up, there were bound to be losses.

The community tried its best, and for that effort most had made it to the end, to the safer ground above the cliff, but at one time an entire rock platform collapsed, taking with it an elf [ranger] who despite their agility did not have the sheer ability to walk over falling stones. A brother tried to help their sister, all others trying to give him a rope, but all hope was dashed as the rock gave away, sending both to the endless dark. One more careless elf found themselves sitting too close to the action, they were supposed to be safe, but a simple shaking of the edge sent them tumbling forward and down.

It was a terrible death, the screams of desperate elves ever stopped, there was no thud, no end in sight, it continued and continued getting increasingly faint, until it was impossible to distinguish it from the howling and bemoaning winds.

And yet the trouble wasn’t over yet, the dread continued strong, but some people’s danger instincts were flaring up like never before.

Pumpkin, who had been distant during the whole ape battle, found herself standing and listening to the wind. “Blast. It's the piranhas.” she tsked her tongue, took a stance, readied her wine. An idiotic elf readied his bow, trying either to show off or merely mad with rage at the recent losses, he rushed ahead past Pumpkin, despite her protest, and fired an arrow with some sort of aura forward, it seemed venomous.

It flew with a green glow and then vanished, as if it had taken a dive into a dark cloud. There was but a moment to contemplate before the same cloud engulfed the elf, taking off again, leaving behind a trail of bones and blood. As it approached, the [vagabond] went “Poh!” and spat her wine, turning it into a wave of flames, wide and intense enough to break the cloud, the smell of cooked fish filling the area.

“We have been too noisy, and some of y’all are bleeding too. They won’t stop coming.” she said with an absurdly casual tone, matching her half-smile. “Guess I will have to be the bait!” she carelessly cut at her shoulder, letting the blood flow down her arm. “I hope Queen Pie remembers what my plan was, cause this will take a while to fix, if I even fix it, yeah?”

“Hey, no, you are not going off on your own” Sleektooth, who had been next to useless throat this whole ordeal, stepped beside Pumpkin to insist, before copying the shoulder cut and informing her “Because I’m coming with you”

Pumpkin looked at her with a very concerned look “Are you an idiot? You don’t have the means to help, you will just be putting yourself in harm’s way.” Yet seeing how serious she seemed… and that she had made herself into piranha bait already, the [vagabond] was forced to give up. “Oh well. I guess you never know what may show up later. Let’s go then.”

She rushed ahead and spat the flames once again, breaking a smaller wave of the deadly fishes, waving at the main group to continue on their way before they ended up flanked by something lured by the noise, blood and flames.

“They better come back,” Pieapple swore as she watched Sleektooth flipping over the top of a wave of deadly fish and dart after Pumpkin, the [rouge] leaving a puff of poisonous smoke in her wake, before she turned her focus back to the people, urging them forwards into the dark once more.

It looked like she was getting her wish after all, there would be no stopping till they cleared the cave.

---

Before even thinking of leaving once more to find special objects, mortals etc. to sell at her bazaar, Ashevelen decided it was time to pay a visit to a divine she considered a friend. Not only because their knowledge seemed to encompass everything there was but also because of their behaviour, friendly and well mannered. Luckly, this trip wasn’t something that would take too long as they chose to make their own realm very close to the Umbral Forest.

Taking flight, Ashevelen sped across the forest at an inhuman speed and reached the Grand Library in mere minutes. Letting out a blast of divine energy to announce her presence, she landed at the base of it. Looking at its magnificent doors, she shouted out loud.

“ Kathe’! You around? Ashevelen’s here. ”

The doors opened themselves for Ashevelen the moment she stepped before them, seamlessly gliding forth as they revealed an enormous complex of disparate buildings, each connected by bridges of fabricated material and gentle currents of wind. The gate she had landed at was merely an entryway, and the view that awaited her beyond it was spectacularly breathtaking: buildings of iridescent marble cluttered themselves around spiralling towers of glass and gemstone, dotted atop the many peaks of the mountains like the many jewels in a great coronet. The tower nearest to her, some distance away to the north-west, appeared to be a stained glass depiction of a stately woman presiding over an ornate scroll, dictating its contents to mortals below who exchanged goods at her command. As the rays of sunlight filtered through the glass it began to shift and warp, the individual panes shifting in size and colour, until Ashevelen’s face was clearly visible within it. The light began to refract and split, projecting the image contained within onto the very sky above, and the image of Ashe began to sweep its hand across the way towards the building atop the very highest peak. As it moved, a shadowy bridge was left from her trailing movements, and the shadow began to consume the brilliantly sparkling image in the sky until it was all that remained and it began to fade away into nothingness.

The path of shadow was real enough, and led directly up into the great vault where the Kathetikon resided–as Ashe began to make her way up towards it the sleek obsidian doors silently dissolved into nothingness to reveal the vault’s interior where the Kathetikon eagerly awaited her.

“Ah, Ashevelen, welcome to the Grand Library! Is this a visit for business or for pleasure?” the sentient tome asked, its words vibrating through the air as it swivelled to look down at Ashe as she ascended.

The Lady of the Trade watched with wonder the image of herself and the buildings. Amazing place, she thought and smiled. Her own realm would soon look like this or maybe even better when it would be filled with valuables.

She lifted herself up to Kathe’s height and gave them a friendly bow, throwing a coin towards them in respect. “ Greetings, Kathe’! I would say it’s a bit of both and to add to that, some curiosity. I’ve recently created my own realm and I’m curious how other divine’s realms look like. Maybe get some ideas of my own or trade some ideas that I’ve incorporated in mine. Have a look for yourself. ” replied Ashevelen and with a wave of her hand, a portal opened in a nearby shadow.

On the other side of the portal, clear as daylight, the Shadow Bazaar could be seen. Souls of Umbras were moving cargo around, setting up their respective stalls. Shadowy towers, taller than mountains littered the background and in the center…a tower taller than all. Ashevelen’s own seat of power.

”Oh, how curious! I would be more than happy to take a brief sojourn to your own demesne–and I have many collections of knowledge from other worlds to share with you should you desire inspiration. If you are curious, it is my calling to help you find the answers you seek!” the Kathetikon began, its pages making a pleasing sound almost like rumbling laughter as it happily manoeuvred its way through the portal of shadow that Ashe had created and observed the realm in all its glory.

“ My curiosity is curious, sibling? ” replied Ashe with a wink before adding “ Indeed, I do require some inspiration and something to sell. Mundane things, I’ve got but nothing truly special. That’s why I’ve sent my champion, Penumbra, to visit the world. Maybe their mortal eyes can see something that we, divines, cannot. ”

”Oh, how could I forget? Anagnostis!” the Kathetikon began, and the air began to shimmer and distort around them as globules of pitch-dark ink formed and coalesced together rapidly, taking the form of a humanoid silhouette and solidifying rapidly. A great quill emerged from it in the next moment, and then suddenly the God of Curiosity and Knowledge’s avatar was there with them. It eagerly took the Kathetikon in its hands and began to write rapidly, at a pace far outspeeding anything a mortal could even comprehend, and it looked up at Ashevelen with deferent and awestruck eyes.

“The Master has much to observe and learn about your realm, Lady Ashevelen, so they will be communicating through me for the rest of the journey–the Master hopes you understand, as communicating directly is quite a taxing endeavour for a book and the space you have crafted is so intriguing that the Master does not wish to divide its attention…” Anagnostis began, perusing the surroundings eagerly and snapping its eyes back to the goddess every few seconds to ensure it missed nothing she might say or do.

Ashevelen looked with interest as Anagnostis appeared next to them. She approached him and looked at him similar to how a jeweller checks a prized gem for quality. “ An avatar, Kathe’? Interesting way of bypassing the “limits” of your own form. I never considered making one to be honest. Is this one sentient or just an extension of your own will? ” asked Ashevelen, Kathe’, before listening to Anagnostis and replying to him in kind.

“ I understand their reasoning, avatar. I thank you, Anagnostis, for helping your creator out. Here, this is on me. They’ll allow you to purchase goods or services in my realm.” Ashevelen took out the self-printing coin and threw a few coins at Anagnostis.

”Ask her to show us around, Anagnostis! I sense that the shadows of this place have secrets, and we simply must record them!” “The Master wishes for you to lead us on a tour, if that is amenable to you?” Anagnostis began, barely suppressing a cheeky grin as it read the will of its Master through its pages and continued to scrawl eagerly across the Kathetikon.

” Not sure if you can fly but it’ll be easier for both of you to see and for my servants to go along with their business without us blocking their ways. ” said Ashevelen before lifting Anagnostis in the air, giving him the power of flight while in her realm.

Umbras and Satyrs roamed the bazaar, going from stall to stall and purchasing whatever they found interesting. Sure enough, some elves could be seen milling around, looking for whatever they found most interesting.

“ It seems that some elves have found their way here as well. I wish that one day, all mortals will. ” said Ashe absent-mindedly as she pointed out different places in the bazaar. The Shadow Bazaar looked as one would imagine a bazaar to look like, market stalls in every direction. Some filled to the brim with mundane objects, others sporting cages for the different animals of the world that were showcased in a non-coin form.

The architecture was something of a wonder itself, as it was a mix and match of different architectures from every place Ashevelen travelled to. Some buildings were alive and in constant motion, some inert, while others would just appear and disappear from view if one didn’t look at them for longer than a few seconds.

“Ah, thank you, lady Ashevelen–though I am capable of flight myself–” Anagnostis began, before causing wings crafted from scrolls and books and manuscripts to emerge from its shoulder blades, “it is an honour to receive such a boon from you, and I shall embrace the umbral power you have given me eagerly.” Anagnostis smiled, quickly taking a peek down at the Kathetikon as it spoke. ”Ah, inform her that you are a being of variable knowledge created to be able to authentically experience all facets of reality with as much or as little of my information as is necessary to produce the desired results. Make sure that you survey the architecture of those stalls too, as I’m quite sure I’ve seen something like them before…”

“The Master wishes you to understand my nature as an avatar: I am a consciousness innately linked to the vast realms of knowledge contained within the Kathetikon’s pages, and by the Kathetikon’s will I am either imbued with or divested of knowledge as appropriate. I am a vessel meant to experience the world from various perspectives, so as to enable the Master to accurately record all living experiences within itself. One day the Master will give me the noetic profile of a mortal that might end up in your bazaar, so I may experience it as they do… but for now I am possessed of the entirety of the Master’s knowledge, so as to better facilitate conversation with such a worthy partner! As one of the Master’s siblings, you are entitled only to the very best they can offer, after all.” Anagnostis spoke, its attention split between talking to Ashevelen and surveying the various delights of the Bazaar. It took only seconds for it to become utterly focused on some particular configuration of stalls and begin subconsciously drifting towards it, rapidly transcribing notes as it did so.

" Intriguing. Very much so. I'm assuming he's not for sale, Kathetikon?" asked Ashe in a joking manner before turning her attention to Anagnostis.

”Oh, she knows that you aren’t for sale, Anagnostis. Laugh at her joke and check out the stalls over there nearest to Ashevelen’s tower–they remind me of something I’ve seen before, a… hm, check it out while I think!” the Kathetikon wrote upon itself, causing Anagnostis to flush a little red in the cheeks before politely laughing at Ashe’s little joke.

" These powers will last while you're in my realm. A boon for a friend. Now, what do you wish to see? The architecture of my realm is inspired from everywhere I've travelled but the most important parts are still inspired from this world. I don't wanna scare any of the mortals that will come here, pretty sure you understand how they would react if they'd see some of the more…weird places of the cosmos. " replied Ashe with a grin.

“Ah, the Master had some recollection of those stalls closest to your tower–what are they selling, to have earned such a position of prestige? What is the system one uses to decide who may sell their wares in this space most aligned with your will?” Anagnostis began, but quickly looked down at the Book to find that it had written another sentence to direct it. ”Ah, yes, that sector over there is very reminiscent of the Thymesian Price, a wondrous market contained within the eternal dream of a powerful psychic–it was commonplace there to trade one’s memories of rare and powerful events for other bits of equally esoteric and difficult to come by knowledge. Ashevelen has made it her own, though, and allowed them to imprint their memories upon her coins for ease of trading… but note the crystalline glint to its edge!”

“Oh, the Master thinks your designs are very inspired. They think they recognise some of the influences you might have adapted, and we would very much like to see what else you’ve come up with! Shall we, Lady Ashe?” Anagnostis smiled, its featureless face pointed down towards the buildings at the base of the Goddess’ tower. It could not help but tilt its face back up towards the tower, occasionally scanning it as it looked, and after only a moment of this the pair soared down towards their destination.

“ You’ve got a good eye , Kathe’. They are indeed from the Thymesian Price, albeit with a tiny modification from yours truly. With a knowledge as yours, I’m sure you’ll recognize more places…deeper as we go. ” replied Ashe before going down towards their destination. The stalls closest to the tower. Just a few of them, in comparison to everywhere else. Five stalls of the eight that surrounded Ashe’s tower were unfortunately empty at the moment.

“ Apologies for those five. They are currently empty but I’ll have them filled up in no time but to answer your question…” replied Ashe as they approached one of the stalls that was manned by an Umbra that trembled in fear and exaltation at the same time.

“ Be at ease, Galxus. You are not to be replaced. Now, show us your goods. ” and as if on cue, Galxus spread open their hands and coins appeared on the table. Each of the coins was made out of a black material but if touched, they would offer the one that touched them an image of what was being sold.

Ashevelen picked one at random and gently flipped it over to Anagnostis. “ Hold it in your hand and you’ll see what this one sells. ” said Ashe and true enough, as soon as Anagnostis would hold the coin, an image of a Tarsk would appear in his mind. The image would then change slightly, highlighting different body parts of the Tarsk, their usage, what they eat etc.

Anagnostis found itself enthralled by the mixture of familiarity and discovery presented to it: knowing just enough to have an idea of the outline of things only to discover that the details were new and unique was a joy beyond words. It happily perused the wares eagerly, even going so far as to smile sheepishly at the Umbra’s reaction to Ashe’s approach. It found it very interesting that one of Ashe’s own creations and subjects who had been called to serve in her very realm could possibly still be scared of the Goddess, but the Kathetikon quickly scrawled on its pages various theories and Anagnostis pondered them as it looked down at the coins and took one in its hand. The metal was cool to the touch and close to intangible, as if it were the shadow of a coin rather than something concrete and real; but that was simply to be expected of the Lady of Trade and Shadow, and Anagnostis thoroughly enjoyed mentally comparing it to the other coins it had received from her earlier–at least it did until the concepts of a Tarsk began to flood its mind from having touched the coin.

Anagnostis giggled in delight as it began to examine the strange and new lifeform in its mental landscape, quickly taking up its quill and beginning to draw an image in full colour within the Kathetikon’s pages. It opened its mouth as if to ask questions before suddenly stopping as the image shifted and morphed, each of its nascent inquiries answered before it could even vocalise them. A few moments of rapid scribbling passed before Anagnostis actually thought to speak up to Galxus.

“I don’t suppose you offer a ‘try before you buy’ scheme, Galxus? While I would love to engage in a trade with you, I am not sure that there is much place for a Tarsk in the Grand Library…” Anagnostis queried, its head tilted slightly to the side so as to suggest a certain whimsical curiosity to its words. It quickly looked down at the tome to divine the Kathetikon’s will, only to find the book in the middle of writing something new for it to look at: ”I could make a space for it, but then I’d have to create some beings to care for it and look after it… perhaps when the mortals I have revealed myself to come searching for my halls we will have the capacity to care for these creatures as they deserve. Check what else it sells, Anagnostis!”

Anagnostis eagerly picked up the second coin, awaiting the new and interesting wares that would be shown to it.

Galxus watched the divines with wonder and a bit of fear. They enjoyed trading in this spot, buyers missing as it was. They recently died and barely managed to convince the Goddess to buy their most prized-possession, a small rock that shined in brilliant colours if light was shined on it. A diamond, the Goddess called it, they remembered with pride. But, now, the Goddess is back with someone else? Maybe it was their time to be removed, maybe the Goddess changed her decision…but their feeling was replaced by the innate one that all Umbra had. Trading or greed, whatever one may call it. They didn’t know but it was what they knew since creation.

“ We don’t do that in the Shadow Bazaar of the Lady of the Trade, dear customer. You can pay only a bigger price now and take whatever you may wish and if you don’t find the goods up to your standards, you may bring it back and receive the difference. ” replied Galxus while throwing a look at Ashevelen. Their proposed scheme was not something that the Goddess taught them which means it was a creation of their own and for a split-second doubt was seen in their eyes but with a tiny nod from Ashevelen, it disappeared from their eyes as they finished talking.

”Hah, what was that saying… Caveat Emptor, dear Anagnostis! Though we can be quite certain Ashevelen and her subjects would never try to swindle us, the law of trade is quite clear: deals struck are final. It is generous indeed for her to offer any means by which one may be even partially refunded their investment–thank her, Anagnostis!” wrote itself upon the Kathetikon’s pages, and Anagnostis made certain to give Ashe a profoundly deep bow and offer up its thanks for the generosity of the system she’d created.

Offering another coin to Anagnostis, this one when touched would show an Umbra in their prime. It would do different actions like walking or changing their form then the image would shift showing the same Umbra but older and it gradually worked its way up until it hardened into a pool of goop. The image would start again from the same Umbra but as a young one and like before, each body part was analysed in detail with all the abilities a Umbra had or could develop naturally. The image shifted again and showed how Umbras multiplied, their speed of doing so and a projected number of current existing Umbras in the world.

Ashevelen interjected with her own words after Anagnostis was busy with the coin. “ Why make your own mortals? I’ve got loads to spare. Just wait for Anagnostis to check that coin he’s holding. ”

Anagnostis took the second coin just as eagerly as the first, feeling its textures in its ink-spun hands as it closed its eyes to focus on the images that would soon come to it. It observed the Umbra’s lifecycle with especially keen interest, fervently writing down its experiences in the Kathetikon even with its eyes closed. It would occasionally flick a couple of pages back to view its notes on the Umbra that had taken refuge within Logiopolis, and noted that the Umbra there were different from these purer ones with their gradients of extreme colouration. It quickly drew a shockingly realistic image of the two side-by-side and held the Tome of All Things up to Ashe (making absolutely sure that Galxus or any passers-by would not gaze upon the fabled tome’s pages) and showed her the difference between the two.

“Ah, were you aware that a separate species of your Umbra have been created? They seem to possess unique pigmentation not ordinarily possible within their physiology and are free to adapt to their environments at shockingly rapid paces–Pyonexos and I did a study to try and quantify some of these changes, but not enough time has passed yet for us to know precisely–” Anagnostis began, only to blush once more and quickly turn the tome back to itself as it felt its Master’s will being expressed through the pages once more.

”I believe it was the work of the god known as Myrtu, explained to us as the ‘God-Star’. None of the other names I was given matched its description from the writings I have been able to observe, so by process of elimination I have determined this must be the correct sibling. I am eager to meet them, though circumstance has not yet seen fit to bring them to our doors. Stop getting distracted, Anagnostis! You’re supposed to be reading me to Ashe!” the tome displayed, and Anagnostis yelped loudly as it almost dropped the Kathetikon and scrambled to keep it within its hands. “A-ah! Sorry, Master, I was just thinking of the time that Pyonexos and I had to adjudicate a trade between the Umbra and the–forgive me my clumsiness, Lady Ashe, this coin simply brought back some very happy memories for me…” Anagnostis began, stuttering slightly as it took a quick moment to regain its composure and place the coin back down on Galxus’ stall.

“How much would you like for it, Galxus?”

Ashevelen looked at the image of the other Umbra that Myrtu created with an expression of wonder. Their colours were very interesting and something that Ashe might adopt in the next upgrade of the Umbra which would be soon. Intriguing abilities as well, good to remember, they might be useful in the future.

“ Amazing and they don’t even have hooves. I do agree with you, Kathe’. These are for sure modifications done by our brother, Myrtu. I’ve met him once, I’ve bought some humans from him and then modified them into the ones you know as Satyrs. They will eventually end up here as all the Umbras and I’ll find out more, they just need to die first. ” replied Ashe, her eyes shining.

As soon as Anagnostis almost dropped his charge, a small shadow pillar rose from the ground to catch Kathe’ but as Anagnostis caught them back, it dissipated into nothingness.
“ Easy there Anagnostis, if Kathe’ touches the ground they’re mine and I haven’t yet sold a divine to anyone. ” said Ashe with a friendly chuckle.

”Oho, you should be so lucky Ashe! I am more than capable of arresting my own movement, but I did create an avatar precisely so I would not have to exert myself… Be more careful, Anagnostis! You have one job! I know that job is ‘help me discover and record everything’, but it’s only one job and you’re a shard of a divine!” the Kathetikon displayed, the writing on its pages starting off keenly focused and sharp-edged, but softening considerably at the end. Anagnostis permitted itself a slight chuckle at its Master’s jibe before returning Ashe’s smile.

Galxus looked at Ashevelen, then at Anagnostis and smiled.

“ Depends. What can you offer the Goddess? It will be five-hundred coins if you wish to buy the Umbra, adding to that you might not wish to have one and return later with them, it’ll be eight-hundred coins. ” said Galxus. The price was more than it should’ve been by a lot but that’s how a cunning Umbra acted.

“Ah, 500 coins you say? Let’s see…” Anagnostis began in response, rifling through the book’s pages. Ashe would catch occasional glimpses of the various chapters and appendices that the book contained, most notably amongst them a section amongst the trading of sapient beings. Anagnostis skimmed down the page, occasionally taking a second to look up at Galxus with its featureless face, before it made a small noise of pleasant surprise and its feather-like finger tapped the Kathetikon’s pages gently.

“I believe that is an incorrect estimate by approximately 400 of these coins. Surely such an esteemed trader as yourself to have earned a spot so close to Lady Ashevelen’s tower would not have appraised the value of an object so poorly, hmm?” Anagnostis began, the timbre of its voice light and buzzing with a sly sense of having caught someone in the act. Though it had no eyebrows to raise, it did focus its blank face more intensely upon the shopkeep than it had previously, still pressing its finger against the page pointedly. ”There’s no need to be so rough, even when you’re correcting a mortal! Have some respect, Anagnostis!” the Kathetikon printed, and Anagnostis quickly leaned down and whispered a hushed “Sorry!” to the book while attempting to keep its gaze as intensely focused on Galxus as possible.

Galxus smiled and winked at the Goddess then realised their mistake and looked right at Anagnostis.

“ Ah’ but see, you’ve got it wrong. I did ask for 500 coins but that’s because the Tarsk you’ve chosen is from a pure breed. Stronger than most other Tarsks, bigger too and at the same time, I did say you are allowed to bring back your Tarsk if they are not what you’re looking for but you’re receiving a Tarsk pup, what if you decide in a month you’re not happy? You’ll no longer bring me a Tarsk pup but a Tarsk teen. What if you didn’t feed it what you should? What if in their time with you, they got an yet-undetectable disease or injury? These are all risks that one has to take. You are theoretically correct, the price for one Tarsk is 125 coins but adding all the risks, it raises the price to 500. ” eloquently explained Galxus.

”I find it so very curious how mortals find the tenacity to attempt to correct the divine–sometimes it is that they simply lack the tools to evaluate their lack of perspective, sometimes it is hubris, sometimes it is solely for the point of contention. This one is at least uncommon in that it is both charming and forgivable–Anagnostis, please inform them of the issues in their logic… but be gentle.” ”Your points are not without merit, Galxus, with the sole exception that you are currently proposing a trade with a Divine. Those factors you’ve mentioned would, indeed, require a re-evaluation of the price you’ve set should any of them change the inherent properties of the goods that are being exchanged! I’m very impressed with your acumen, though you have chosen a rather poor individual to test this gambit on, given that I possess all knowledge in my hands. Perhaps there ought to be a more robust system by which one places a value on knowledge in relation to material goods? You’ve come so far, Galxus, what do you think could be done?” Anagnostis laughed, its voice pleasantly melodic without being condescending. It gave Ashe a demure grin as it spoke, making sure to not orient the Kathetikon towards Galxus, and awaited the Umbra’s response pensively.

Galxus looked at the beings and then at Ashe who winked at them, only to cause Galxus to shake their head.

“ The Goddess taught us it doesn’t matter whom we trade with. Always keep to the rules of the trade. Divine or not divine. In life, I used to trade with the Goddess every single time she was in Shadowton. I would wait for days in the queue. ” explained Galxus before Ashevelen took over.

“ There, there. Don’t be too hard on them, Anagnostis. They had no idea you’re a divine being, even though they might have suspected it. If it would’ve been a mortal this exchange would’ve lasted hours, if one would be as knowledgeable as you. As much as a mortal could I mean. Galxus did a good job but as you mentioned, there were mistakes in there. They’ll learn. ” said Ashevelen as she defended her creation.

”Your creator is very wise, and some of that wisdom has been passed on to you–you should be proud of yourself for its application! Tell me, Galxus… are you ever curious? Are there things you simply do not know that you just know would improve your existence, make you a better trader? If you wish to find the answers to those questions, all answers may be found in the Grand Library–in exchange for the Umbra you’ve got there, I will extend an indefinite invitation to my Master’s realm. We know how to anchor you to Lady Ashevelen’s realm while you travel to the demesne of another divine, so nothing unpleasant will happen to you or to your stall!” Anagnostis offered, not even bothering to look down at the Kathetikon as it spoke. It turned its head towards Ashe and tilted it gently to the side, appraising her with its blank face as its hands continued to write marginalia in the Kathetikon–Anagnostis had been created to be ever-curious, after all, and it wondered just how Ashe would react to such an offer. No deals had been discussed with her at this point, after all, but even in the short time they’d been together Anagnostis understood well enough that its Master and the Lady of the Trade had much to offer one another, and that any excuse for a deal to be struck between them was likely to at least pique Ashe’s interest.

Galxus looked between Anagnostis and the Lady of the Trade. They considered the proposal for about 2 seconds before starting to talk about their wares again.

“ That’s enough, Galxus. You won’t anger me if you speak what you wish to speak. I’m curious about your answer as well. ” replied Ashe calmly.

“ I was curious before I died. The first command we’ve received from the Lady of the Trade was to evolve, I remember it well. I’ve tried my best while alive to explore the immediate area around the Umbral Forest, looking for new objects to trade with. That’s how I found the diamond which the Lady found worthy enough for me to be selling here. ” said Galxus while Ashevelen watched with interest, until the end of sentence.

Shaking her head, Ashevelen interjected. “ And that’s where you’re wrong. I haven’t awarded you for what you’ve found but the passion you’ve tried to sell it with. Passion, the same sort of intelligence that you’ve displayed trying to sell the Tarsk to Anagnostis here. I care not for what Umbra bring me, anything can be sold. I care if you’ve learned something in your time spent alive. Tell them how you died, Galxus. ”

Galxus shrinked in size. Their fear was clear on their usually expressionless face but then it changed as Ashevelen started to praise them.

“ I died in the mountains, north of Shadowton. I found a cave and there were loads of shining rocks there but something attacked me and took me unaware. Grabbed one of the shiny rocks and that’s the last thing I knew while being alive. Next thing I was aware of was me being in the Long Queue , waiting my turn to trade with the Goddess. ”

This time it was the Kathetikon itself that spoke, choosing to project its words directly through the air that Galxus might feel them. ”I died alone in the cold and lonely mountains too, surrounded by the biggest library that I have ever seen. I had learned everything I thought there was to learn, but still it was not enough. Even death could not take me while the fire of curiosity burned in my mind, and that passion is what led me down the long path to divinity. I am sure that standing before your creator, by whose grace you still exist, is difficult. I am looking for those with the passion to carry on even past the threshold of life and death, for those whose stories are still unwritten through sheer force of will–perhaps you do not have what I seek.” the Kathetikon rumbled, its words soundless but filled with all of the curiosity and passion of one whose obsession ran so deep it had chased away the spectre of death.

“... the Master is sympathetic to your situation, Galxus. This is not an interrogation, but a question. Do you have the answer we seek?” Anagnostis asked, placing the coin down on the stall once more as it cocked its head slightly towards the Umbra. Though its face was featureless its voice was soft and kind, filled with eagerness and not a hint of disapproval.

Galxus bowed their head as the divine spoke to them. It was the first time in their life/unlife when they met a different divine and for them to speak directly to them, it was an honour.

“ If the Lady of the Trade permits it, I wouldn’t be opposed, your highness. If I could learn how to be a better trader of goods or maybe even a trader of knowledge, I would be grateful for the chance. Learning to be better is what the Lady wanted us from the beginning as I said before and if I could do it forever, maybe…just maybe, one day I will be able to out-trade the Lady ” said Galxus with a smile.

Ashevelen just smiled as she listened to them. This was, after all, what she intended from the beginning. The Umbra to evolve past her teachings, to surpass her and the others. Maybe one day become divine beings in their own right.

“ Out-trade me? More than happy to give you the chance, Galxus. Let’s say…in ten thousand years? ”

“‘Tis your prerogative to decide whether or not an open invitation to another Divine’s realm is commensurate with the value of these Umbra, Galxus–is that not your job as a trader? It would please the Master for you to decide not based on the permission of Lady Ashevelen but your own earnest desire. We cannot simply lead you to the destination, we merely reveal the path that you might travel it yourself–if you do not desire this knowledge without external influence, then it is not something we are willing to offer.” Anagnostis replied, before allowing itself a little chuckle at the prospect of the Umbra being able to out-trade its creator. It turned towards the goddess and offered her a brief nod of its head before it turned back to Galxus, expectantly awaiting their response.

”Now that I have created the Grand Library, we must ensure its influence can be felt across the entirety of Galbar. But perhaps it is better for us to travel to them than vice versa–the trek up the mountains is only for the most determined of pilgrims. Perhaps it would be in our interests to gather those mortals who wish to acquire their knowledge outside of a more… studious setting and let them loose upon the world with our blessings. Perhaps if an element of trade is incorporated, they might further Lady Ashevelen’s agenda in addition to our own. Propose it to her, Anagnostis, just as soon as I’ve worked out the finer details…”

“Their answer is yes, Anagnostis. Haven’t you heard them? They are asking for my permission for the simple reason that I’m the only reason their soul is attached to this realm. If they’d said yes but I wouldn’t have agreed, I could’ve simply obliterated their soul. They’re curious and they are cautious. You cannot blame them for being so. Am I correct, Galxus? ” explained Ashe to which Galxus just nodded gently.

“ That is indeed true, my Goddess. To answer properly, divine brother of the Lady…Yes I do wish to join you up in the Grand Library. I am curious about what's going to happen there. I am curious about finding out more about our world and not only. I want to learn more and more until one day I will be able to out-trade the Goddess. That is a promise, I will do it. ” their voice was strong and full of passion. Eyes shining at the thought of new knowledge.

“Forgive me my caution, esteemed friends–’tis a matter of course for us to be certain when trades such as these are proposed, for a single misstep can lead a soul to ruin. On behalf of the Master, I formally extend to you an invitation to the Grand Library in perpetuity.” Anagnostis stated, taking the coin containing the Umbra from the table and gently rolling it around in its free hand as it focused its attention upon Galxus. It took a brief second to consider something before drawing an intricate series of lines and whorls upon the Umbra’s stall, creating a sigil that thrummed with divine energy. Anagnostis gestured towards Galxus and prompted the Umbra to place their hand upon it in order to transfer the sigil to themselves.

“The rune placed before you is covenant and permission both: it serves as a record of the trade between us, and it will afford you entry to the Grand Library.” Anagnostis began, but a little jolt of energy quickly caused it to look down. ”I have finished considering my proposition for Ashe, Anagnostis. I wish for us to create a nomadic monastic order that will travel the length and breadth of Galbar, spreading the knowledge of the Grand Library and the Shadow Bazaar–and their patrons, of course–to all. They will use our vast reserves of knowledge and Lady Ashevelen’s trading acumen to transport goods across the entirety of Galbar while recording everything, thus advancing our agendas simultaneously. They may also encounter the followers of other gods, and be able to provide them with whatever goods, services, or knowledge they require in exchange for the unique things only they may provide, and ere long we will possess a consortium that has gripped this world by the throat and will never let go! Perhaps don’t read that last part out loud.” the Kathetikon wrote, and Anagnostis faithfully relayed the pertinent information to Ashe, adding in an occasional glance towards Galxus and scribbling observations about the Umbra down.

With a bit of trepidation, Galxus looked at the divines and smiled before putting their hand on the rune. Divine energy flowed briefly into Galxus but then it stopped. Nothing truly changed physically to them but they knew in their heart that they are now allowed to enter the Grand Library without disappearing into nothingness.

“ Thank you. ” was all that Galxus could say, such was their wonder at what just happened.

Ashevelen on the other hand listened to what Kathe’ had to say and she was quite intrigued by their proposal.

“ That does sound interesting, Kathe’ and it’s something similar to what I had in mind too. In part, I came to you as I said for inspiration and a bit of curiosity. The whole truth was that I wished to provide you my Umbra, seeing as you don’t have any mortals of your own yet, in exchange for knowledge. But, a nomadic order sounds better. I gifted the Umbra with a great capacity to learn and evolve. I only have one condition to the whole affair, if I may. Whatever knowledge the Umbra gain, I will have access to it. Whatever secrets they learn, they will be available to me to share…for a price if I consider them worthy enough. ” said Ashevelen.

Then, with a clap of her hands, 50 coins that contained Umbras appeared in a shadowy-bag. Upon being taken out of the Shadow Bazaar, these coins would be transformed into Umbras. While the same as the other Umbras in most regards, these had a sigil on their chest with a book that was in Kathe’s design with swirling coins around it. To better separate the members of the order from non-members.

”What a thoughtful gift! I do not find within myself much in the way of desire to create life, so this is an elegant solution to a little problem I have found myself with–of course, you may partake of this knowledge freely. I would consider it an honest trade for the service your acumen has done us on this day–I believe it stands as the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership! With all the knowledge at my disposal and your ability to put it into practice, I dare say we will find ourselves both very prosperous indeed–which can only be good for Galbar as a whole, yes?” the Kathetikon rumbled, this time actually addressing the goddess directly. Such a proclamation was one best delivered personally, after all, a sign of honest respect for the gift of a friend. Anagnostis nodded eagerly, but quickly became distracted with the task of handling the coins, making sure to capture them in little globules of ink and draw them into the Kathetikon’s pages for safekeeping.

“The Master thinks perhaps we could leave a link between our two realms in here, Lady Ashevelen?” Anagnostis mentioned quickly, looking down at the book in a rather curious angle as it eagerly read the book’s text. ”What? Why would that be necessary? I’m quite sure they will be able to find a way here should they desire it. Oh… you’re trying to get back here quickly because you want to practice trading. You could have simply asked, Anagnostis, no need to…” the Kathetikon wrote to Anagnostis, who simply neglected to read it out loud and looked at Ashe expectantly.

" Good for Galbar, good for knowledge and very prosperous for me. Sounds like a very good deal. But, please, Kathe' don't call it a gift in front of anyone else, think about my reputation. It's an investment. " replied Ashe with a smile and a sly wink before laughing out loud.

Turning towards Anagnostis, Ashe shook her head in a friendly manner. " I dare to say, Anagnostis, you're a cute creature. We can link our realms, of course, but of course we'll link our realm if you want to learn how to trade. Just, leave something for the mortals too. " said Ashe with a chuckle before placing materialising a small shadow sword in the air and drawing upon Anagnostis's hand, which she took, a tiny coin with it which would fade in time but will stay there for as long as Anagnostis existed.
" There. Make sure you've got a shadowy place in the Great Library and place your hand upon it. You'll have access, for free, to the Shadow Bazaar at any time. It will also act as a gate for anyone here…if they pay for it. "

The Penumbral party, now armed with new weapons and clad in armour, were more than ready to protect the village or so they thought.

Or so they thought.

The situation in the village was worse than they thought it would be. Way worse. Most of the buildings were overrun by the vegetation that seemed to have grown as if by magic and while some effort to clear them out was initially made, it was obvious that the work was never finished.

The "guards'', if one could even call them like that, were a ragtag group of villagers armed with sharpened sticks and stones. Clearly over exhausted, little hope in their eyes. Some hasty barricades were built from the corpses of different creatures they've managed to kill and wood they've cut but that wouldn't help them against the flying plant monsters. Not for long…

As soon as the group approached, the guards were suspicious, never having seen an Umbra but after a few conversations back and forth, they let the group pass on.

The situation in the village was worse than it looked from a distance. Piles of dead bodies were thrown unceremoniously in a hole, most of them stripped to the skin. The villagers looked like corpses themselves. Exhausted, starving and they barely had any water left. Truly a scene which would haunt Penumbra’s dreams for the next few months.

The leader of the village was of an unknown mortal species for the group, same like the guards and everyone else in the village. Looking similar to the Satyrs, but with no excess hair, no hooves and especially, white skin. Custosa and Dahm stayed behind to help the villagers, as Penumbra went forward to speak with the leader.

" Greetings! We are…" started to say Penumbra as the human turned towards them and said
" No offence, stranger but if you're not here to help, then know I've got no time for you. We need to finish packing by sunrise and you're in the way. " before lifting up two bags that looked quite heavy.

Penumbra looked at the leader once more as they formulated their reply. He was tall, taller than most Umbra and his big muscles shined in the light of the touches and short white hair and face with quite a few wrinkles made them seem too old to be able to lift so much and with such ease.

" My name is Penumbra and we are here to help. What are you called and what are you? "

The leader turned towards Penumbra with a glint of hope in his eyes. " I'm George, leader of this poor rabble. I am a human or at least that's what we call ourselves. I'm assuming you're an Umbra, an elf and I don't know what your companion is. Help me here. " George said before taking a dead body by the legs as Penumbra took its arms and then guided it to the pit.

" A Satyr. I'm assuming they're something like you are but the Goddess Ashevelen modified them for her own uses, shortly after she made us. " explained Umbra.

" Whatever, I honestly don’t care. The plants have gone crazy and we’re about to be overrun, very soon. We’re hoping to gather everyone in a hole in the ground we’ve dug, some will stay to fill it up and lat–” started George before stopping mid-sentence as a howl could be heard. Putting everyone on edge.

“ Look, I’ve got a way to take everyone out of the village until it will be safe or something else happens but it’ll cost you. ”

George turned towards Penumbra and for the first time since they met, looked them into the eye.

“ Anything. Name it and if we can give it, we will. ”

“ There isn’t much you can offer, as I can see. Offer a year of service in my village, Shadowton. Whatever needs doing, you and your people will do. Swear to me and we’ll make it happen. ”

George shook his head and told Penumbra to wait, this was a decision which all should take. Quickly gathering the villagers, bar the guards, George explained to them the offer and after a few grumblings, shouts and howls from the forest, they all agreed.

Taking a torch and asking Custosa to climb on the building and hold it high. A massive shadow was formed. Uttering the words of the Goddess, Penumbra instructed each human on what they had to say and that was it. In a matter of minutes, the whole village, around 33 humans including children, appeared in the Shadow Bazaar. Penumbra soon followed them and made sure they’ve got somewhere to sleep in the Bazaar before going back.

Only to find George appearing next to them a few minutes later.

“ I cannot let you go alone. I've said I'll offer a year of service, let it be with you and if I die fighting the Mind Pod…then let it be. Don't worry about my age, I've still got a lot of strength in this old body. "

" If you're sure, then you're welcome and by the power invested in me by the Goddess Ashevelen, I name thee a [Strongman] Class. "

Sure enough, the notification rang in George's head.



And so, with a new companion in tow, the group went to fight the Mind Pod.

Seele sat quietly as her creations below her scuttled about the rainforest, beginning the slow process of building a civilization. They moved in harmony, their minds touching one another as they built in a way that only perfect understanding can bring. They wove spider webs and silk to use as building material alongside the stone they cut from the mountains. Dwellings fit for arachnids rose one after another, and they were filled with an ambitious, alien race that debated within their joined collective mind their purpose even as they worked.

Periodic pauses occurred as they always gave time to listen for input from their Queen. She rarely spoke to them, but when she did, they listened with rapt attention. For now, Seele wished to see how they would build themselves up without her direct guidance.

Lyra served as the nearly silent guardian of the people of Heavenfall. She occasionally assisted in tasks that her great might could aid in, but most commonly, she patrolled the entrances to the domain of her Goddess.

Seele stared down at her people, and within her she felt a possessiveness grow. She knew that other gods were preparing to gather souls as they passed and she... had no wish to share. Not her people. They were hers, mind, body, and soul. And they would not be taken from her. No beings would be permitted to act as petty thieves of what belonged to the Sovereign of Pride.

But neither would she attempt to steal from them.

Seele raised her hand, focusing her divine power within the Hive Mind that connected them all, shaping and growing it to serve even greater purposes. Within she built a cycle, one that passed through her and her Realm, and the Hive Mind pulsed with a sense of warm comfort- Those within knew their Goddess watched over them and would protect them through life and death.

They would stay together, standing tall and proud, forevermore.

---

---

He traveled ‘cross roads and plains, over hills, and through valleys, avoiding notice as he pondered future plans. His designs were many, his machinations both intricate and vast in equal measure. Yet, though the road was easy, his path was dark and full of terrors, unseen, unknown, and impossible to predict. So it was that after many musing thoughts, a multitude of manifold reflections on his past, Kaelhmor came to a conclusion.

“It is an agent I require now to do my works while others have turned their gaze to me.”

At the thought spoken into the empty open-air, Kaelhmor felt a dark amusement overtake him, then laughter spilled joyously from his throat. As his jubilation filled his surroundings, the burning moon shining upon his visage, Kaelhmor reached deep within himself and grasped the power at his core. Yet, as he drew upon that power, the new strength he had wrought from his work upon the heavens, and the artifice of his pendant, finally bore fruit. Unexpectedly, as he drew his hand up and outwards from his chest, a blinding burst of light erupted, followed by a tail of inky black and iridescent darkness. Welling up from within him beyond his expectation, this power blossomed outwards and overtook his visage, limning him in golden light that hid entirely the truest Aspect of his nature.

Smiling and struck silent by the revelation of this new power, Kaelh nonetheless turned his mind back upon his goal. Considering his needs, the Lord of Light and Lies, the God of Deception, and Illumination both drew further upon his essence and began to weave it before his form. Shadow and Light–two sides to the same coin–often opposed, now he would unite them. First, the veil of Illumination, a cloak of effervescent brilliance, light so intense that it touched the soul as much as it did the eyes.

Gradually, that veil of light parted to reveal the dark beauty that was his first sapient creation, his agent, his confidante: His avatar.

“Lhumina,” he said, her name a blessing, a gift, and a proclamation too. Blinking, Lhumina’s molten gold gaze, glowing with a light more intense than the sun, or moon, or stars, focused upon his form. Slowly, a gentle smile spread across her features fair, and she bowed her head in thanks to her Lord.

Gently stroking her cheek with the back of his outstretched hand, Kaelh nodded, then turned away and continued on his trek, assuming she would follow. As sure as the sun would rise, she did, following in his footsteps as the moon did to the sun.

“Will you help me, dear child, favored sister, my Lady of Bright Skies and Shadows Darker still?”

Lhumina did not answer, but her visage brightened, her expression growing eager even as the light that limned her form lit the night such that almost it seemed twas dawn. Kaelhmor simply smiled.

“Very good, my starling. Soon, I shall make you a brother, but for now you must work alone. So to you this task I shall give. Work in the light as I would to hide our truer nature. Work in the shadows as I might, to sow the seeds for many better futures far and wide. You will be my beacon in the dark, my Shadow in plain sight, hidden by the bright brilliance of the dawn. Can you do this, avatar, is this your desire, dear Lhumina, first and only child of my soul?”

Stopping in place, half turning to his youngest creation, the only sapience wrought from his essence most divine, Kaelhmor regarded her with a graveness to his bearing, his eyes calculating and cold, yet lit with the warmth of love for what one has most carefully borne unto the world. The love of a father, of a brother, of a craftsman for his craft, of an artist for his art, yet at once the harsh eye of such folk, the judgment of those who care so much as to crush, as to mete out discipline or destruction.

Yet, before that twofold gaze, his avatar did not falter. Lhumina did not blink; she shone only brighter, her shadow growing deeper and longer and fuller all at once. “There is nothing I desire more, my lord. Nothing a yearn for beyond these things. I would be honored, it would bring me joy beyond measure to do this for you. After all, your joy is mine, and I do hope mine is yours,” she bowed her head as she said it, then met his gaze with her own glittering golden eyes.

“I will go now and be a burden no longer, oh Lord of Light, Master of the Blinds, ye Seer of Masked Light.” So it was that Kaelhmor’s judgment melted away into relief and adoration, and so too did Lhumina beam back to her master, her father, her brother, and her lord.

Then, without further words between them, with nary but a glance, Lhumina nodded once and lept into the heavens, her veil flaring out into wings with bones of shade and feathers of purest Illumination. In the next instant, she was gone, flying buoyed by the rays of ruined moonlight. Kaelh smiled fondly after her and then returned to his journey into nowhere, almost content. Yet, inspired by the sight of his avatar’s departure and gladdened by the brilliance of her mind and heart, Kaelh drew out the pendant from his garments and unclasped it from his neck.

As he walked effortlessly over a hilltop, the Lord of Lies and Light regarded his creation and decided that it was time to make it more. So it was that, like a flare, the Lens flashed and sparked beneath the starlight and the ruined, burning moon. At first nothing changed, and then all at once, the pendant’s centerpiece warped into liquid light as if the light had somehow taken on the form of matter. Indeed it had. Within that swirling abyss of brilliance at the pendant’s center, a single bead of darkness shone, all the more empty for the brightness all around it. Smiling, Kaelh etched sigils upon the outer holding of the necklace, each symbol impossible to decipher yet clearly filled to brimming with power and meaning both.

Still smiling and now truly satisfied, Kaelh once more drew his cloak close around his figure and vanished into the night, continuing his travels to a yet undecided destination.

Soon, he knew, soon the Great Game would begin. It was only a matter of time.

---

Wings beat like a hurricane. Claws rent earth with every step. Teeth sundered flesh and dripped with rank. A torrent of fire and brimstone spewed forth, bathing her in blazing hatred. A roar of true defiance, like thunder.

But hers was the hunter's howl. The promise of true slaughter. Her old enemy, born anew.

Drakhorey

Wings snapped. Claws broke. Teeth shattered.

She peeled the scales, she broke the spikes, she mauled and slaughtered and defaced and defiled until naught remained but gore and corpses.

For it was Drakhorey.

The hated spawn.

---

Wyn stood and overlooked the blood stained land. It was not the Mire she walked through but it had been a hatching ground for that flying scourge she loathed so. She glowered at the memories. Bloody diamonds, defacements, challenges…Love. No. She laughed. That had only been lust for life.

Something cracked underfoot. Warmth flooded her senses and she became aware that it had not been a drak’s blood but an egg. Even now, she could see them growing and beating with blood in their small fragile hearts. Fragility in such a state, curled up and asleep as they grew unmolested by the world. What did they dream?

She hated them but that hate could serve a useful purpose. She picked up an egg and studied it, divining what little she could. She held it close to her mouth and licked the shell. The taste of eggshell was unsavory. Coarse, riddled with pockets and dirt. So warm though. She flung it on the ground and watched as the small thing, now a hatchling, struggled before it passed. So feeble were their young that Wyn could hardly believe just how dangerous they would become. Even as the wind whipped through her hair and the smell of brimstone permeated her senses, Wyn’s laugh cut through all.

She would make them strong. She would make them infallible. She would make them worthy.

Thus the Goddess cut herself with a long fingernail, spewing forth the vivacious liquid of her divine blood. It was as ebony coals, black as night upon her pale skin. She drippled it upon unhatched eggs to instant effects. It seeped in, permeating the membrane, corrupting the fluids and the yokes, seething itself into their veins. There came a vicious ripping and tearing sound as they exploded in growth whilst her blood worked deep. Eggs hatched with vigor, spewing forth beasts of charcoal scales and jagged spikes. They grew further, wings shriveling and falling off, claws expanding, tails flooding with spikes. Teeth became a dark red, whilst their eyes became small and diminutive. Malice took root in their hearts, a lust for only instinct and misery.

They would have turned upon her in an instant but Wyn was already gone. Her work had been completed. She had fixed any future drakhorey problem by creating a natural rival. Creature’s fit only for the fun they might bring them. Why fly when you could climb? Why run when you would be hunted? Why exist when your cousins would supplant you?

She snickered.

For the Drak Beast would see her work continued for all time.

---

Jeon wiped his brow and clipped the hammer and chisel he had been using to a little work belt he’d made

“Phew. You know, I think maybe the Kitty had a better way of doing this, because stars above, I am beat” he said, sitting himself down to take a rest. He reached for the other thing on his belt, a flask, and took a swig, only to find it empty. He lifted it up to his eye, then up turned it and shook it. A tiny drop of cider dripped out and fell down, down, down into the abyss he was sitting on the edge of, the drip vanishing into the bottomless pit the bridge the god was sitting on crossed over.



“Drat” the god cursed, before hurling the flask into the abuse as well before delcating “I can't work under these conditions! Pausing for a few moments, and then hoping to his feet and deciding simply “so I won’t”

Then he pulled out a crude map he’d been drawing as he worked and examined it. The labyrinth of tunnels interspersed with large rectangular chambers and massive perfectly circular ones did not do what he had done justice, for while the scale seemed to show just your typical maze, it was anything but that.

No after exploring some of Lekto’s underground, he had concluded that what it was missing was some ancient ruins to explore, and then he had gone completely overboard. Sprawling beneath the darwood was now a massive, sprawling necropolis made of architecture that had started to lose much of the rationality it might have had the further down his booze supply. At this point there was only a bare semblance that the environment had been built with people in mind, architecture sprawling out endlessly for actitectures sake with little rhyme or reason.
Staircases of jutting stone steps hung railingless over massive pits, had highly irregular exits, spiraled down into nothing or up to just below the surface. Tunnels bored deep into the earth and stopped for no reason, spiraled in on themselves, suddenly dropped away and then continued on as if nothing had happened. Buildings carved into the tunnel walls, where laid out in ways no sane person would build them, to big, to small, to long, to high ceilinged.

The centerpieces of these were the sets of perfectly round rooms that continued within themselves equally perfectly round walled cities within themselves, who’s structures within their walls piled up ontop of eachother till they reached the domed cavern ceilings.

Scattered through this labyrinth were mineral treasures. Store rooms holding piles of ores, crystals and other treasures of the earth all neatly laid out for the taking, no mining needed, if you could find them that was.

In contrast to this mineral wealth, the labyrinth was dead when it came to life. Jeon had intended to do that next, but, well, in his own words, he was going on break. The only issue was, of course, that even he had no idea where he was.

“Bah, this is worthless” he declared, tossing the map aside before pulling his tools out again and announcing to the void “ you know what, one last bit of work it is then” before taking hammer and chisel and carving out a quite important part of a labyrinth: an exit.

A few dozen heartbeats later and a decrepit castle burst from the earth in the outskirts of the darkwoods, sending the wildlife running. Its decrepit drawbridge slammed down, and the gor matched out, dusting off his hands. “Ahhh, fresh forest air. Now that’s more like it” he said to the trees, before leaping up into them.

It was ever so convenient that Sanctuary towered over everything else, because it made navigating the forest a lot easier. Especially if Sanctuary was your destination. With a gust of wind, Jeon was picked up by his glider and was racing away to raid their brewery for more sweet sweet apple cider.

Oa’qeisskesi wandered through the forest of the southeast; she noticed activity around the region via magic; she made sure to mask herself, while wandering but also keeping a bigger eye around for any inconvenience. A dark sun followed her saying “So several deities are around us if our feelings of energy are correct… and we are forced to move slowly and hide ourselves ah how life is we meet only one and forever haunt ourselves.” “Not a good time for philosophy” she replied quickly jumping to the top of a tree to oversee the area around from the tallest place possible her vision soon picked something quickly jumping in its direction. Her shadow whispered to her she gave a nod, going careful in her steps approaching the tower of stone in the distance.

As she approached she saw a tower or an abandoned fortress of sorts, when close enough at the gates, she soon stopped looking at the structure. Staring for a moment analysing her senses and feelings she quickly moved in. Her senses soon noticed an entrance to the underground with a quick thought she proceeded down below her eyes being able to see in the dark she traveled through she quickly faced many dead ends before turning back and continuing soon arriving in a ravine of many bridges over what seemed like the void continuing her exploration with a curious mind.

She soon found staircases leading to the mass labyrinth below, expending months if not years underground wandering passing through bridges, dead ends being found and places close to the surface. As she counted the seconds once inside as she found herself walking over another bridge the dark sun said “We've been here for years, what are we trying to find?” “well… just something, the place is mostly an empty castle… with this being occasional stuff.” She said pointing to a chest filled with precious ores the dark sun soon said. “A deity built this place that I can guess obviously…” She gave a nod she used most of the time underground to ponder for the most part. Sighing she kneeled on the bridge and gave a large punch to the floor. It barely cracked, indicating fine architecture, it could resist a lot but it was not her goal to break it. Instead, she kept her hand on feeling the echo of the vibrations, she could feel a large structure covering the southeast surrounded by just a few caves she fixed her eyes to bellow in the void beneath the new ravine saying. “A large monumental labyrinth many times the size of a regular castle or fortress with just a few exits.” The dark sun beside her soon said “Oh great a prison for a mortal to go mad.” “But also a hiding spot…” She added thinking for a second.

Both stood in silence as the sun soon said “same idea as me?” Oa sighed saying “we both think the same.” She soon looked down, kicking a small rock down. She then said “create an abyssal spawn here…” “With the full layout of the maze in their brains.” He added to her, giving a quick turn she then said “giving us also a place for them to rule and be easily hidden” she quickly stopped as the sun said “and for them to raid the surface…” Oa stopped thinking before saying “Ashvelen asked us not too…” the sun quickly approached saying “True… a truce exists between them and her people… for now… for we know what is the main problem…” She gave a nod with a sigh the room was empty turning to the void she soon jumped, squeezing her hands liquid began to fall faster than her and what seemed like a pond formed at the bottom of the pit as she fell in a tar lake as the lake grown in it there were white eyes glowing through. But soon many others began to appear and as the lake grew until reaching a limit, many hundreds of thousands of eyes could be seen.

Emerging from the pond there were several tentacles emerging more roofs hit the soil as they arose they began to wander around they, had tentacles in their head, four legs and three sets of mouths around them their tentacles made up most of their body moving, twisting and twitching Oa soon floated up from the lake as the kin arose once in a bridge she soon shouted “Arise Rirakuri’s.” They soon turned to her and she soon said “This city is yours to rule and govern it now go….” She waved her hand as the creatures started to shapeshift into other horrors or disguise into parts of the wall and to move across the walls into the maze spawning from the spawning pool quickly turning to other areas of the maze she created other spawning pools where more could appear.

After done she walked to the closest part to the surface, breaking a hole through the maze leading to the surface after the smoke settled. She sighed seeing the night sky almost made her feel happy she soon said “well… this was an interesting experience.” She soon moved under the cover of darkness and the sun appeared again, soon saying “Down below we also felt more than just the maze…” “Several hundred thousand kilometres of caves I noticed… seems like an interesting point for the future…” She said moving away in the direction of the mountains. “Indeed…” he replied as the sun rose again in the left-out crater howls could be partially heard in the.

Dueling in the daylight, gazing at the stars, an infinity within a finite place. Rules built on whims, fiefs and feuds as stories.

---

She was less than happy, not sad or upset, bored surely, but best described as less than happy. She wondered where Po was, was she doing okay? Getting along? What of Asar Sen? Her daughter prayed for guidance rarely even if Ia’Akhul knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

And for another she had hoped to meet more divines but she had to get going. Her wings fluttered, shaking off spores and dust as she took flight out from the underground.

As Ia’Akhul flew out once again, spotting distant schools of and a few Iava’Oge even in the distance. She flapped her wings mightily, sending out winds imbued with divine powers of creations- shaping the world to her plans, her whims, her ideas…

Roughly the size of large dogs or deer, they were like long rats, except they had long spindley legs similar to deer, long snake like necks while other features mostly similar to other rat species. Their young seem mostly similar to other rat adults but they quickly grow to their full size in a few months, living years afterwards. They are very social animals and generally could give canines a run for their eusocial currency as it were, but in the wild the species would no doubt be quite vicious and determined hunters and fighters, willing to take much punishment for a prize. Their main extraordinary feature- their quick growth and maturation periods allowing for concerningly rapid population growth as food lasts, with a greater concern for others when their normal sources of food run out… regardless- they were Suki’awad, like the mundane rat but larger, elongated to proportions unknown to their kind.

After the first creation the winds did not stop, soaring outwards again and again.

Extremely friendly to most other creatures they would encounter, often seeming fearless. No doubt in some part due to their immensely tough and hard carapace, even if it lacks full body coverage for adults. Primarily herbivores they do operate in small packs or herds, often utilizing numbers to defeat or expel predators. Their six legs would serve a unique purpose as the middle pair can either stretch along their belly to give a semblance of armored cover or support their weight when needing to raise their forelimbs to combat a foe head on. Asu’epit, loyal crustaceans and no doubt friend to many seeking refuge or companionship.

The winds of the divine creatrix swirled and turned a new spin and storm.

Small animalistic dragons of various shapes and sizes, colors and dispositions. They spread across the land as insectivores and eaters of their colored fruits and berries to which they are associated. They would often live quite symbolically with the bushes, trees, and plants that they feed and live in. Most extraordinary however is their limited magical abilities, from small bouts of flame to water to other means entirely of manifesting- providing both a means of assisting the plants they thrive with but also a defense against predators. Not to mention their desire to hoard various objects of shiny stature. Aganhow, berry dragons of the smallest state.

The winds of creation moved once more-

Full adults stand roughly as tall as a tree, their young would appear similar to other apes but as they age they’d grow out back and lower tentacles as their arms continue to grow in a similar manner. Their legs become more capable of supporting their great weight and they gain many more toes in many more directions. Often growing more meat hungry although they would keep their omnivorous capabilities and needs. Their jaws expanding and split- as well as their face elongating and growing more eyes and complications as their skulls thicken with the rest of their skeletons. Finally as they enter adulthood they become much more solitary and hostile, perhaps even devouring adopted ape families they may have been implanted in. Halaskera, apes beyond what mortals would consider wrong no doubt.

The waves of creation focused on the land as the last of the beasts spread out across the regions far and wide.

Not enormous but not small either, a landscape to itself that changed rapidly, creating and merging, destroying and creating again. Endless change and development to new conditions, even as some inhabitants would remain the same…

She turned her attention away as her realm, Ia’Ouamae, shifted to a forest clearing. Her son was made flesh- of a sort. Fourteen foot tall, armored and golden faced- nigh unmoving except for his eyes in normal conditions. His form twisted and turned, far less like the mortals she had thus far seen but still similar enough. It was his mind that was more akin to the world of monsters than the totality of his body. Ia’Akhul preened her antennae, he would be hard to teach, and probably not well liked, but he was as he was meant to be. Kusargna’itsug.

Yes yes, everything in the WORLD was interesting and worth investigating, but there was one tiny thing to complete first...

Somehow managing to keep their attention focused on their "goal" for once, Myrtu sprinted North in an instant before descending back into the depths of the ice. Hoves placed upon the fallow ground of the glowing and barren cave... Barren? How terrible and awful this place looked! All this bare dirt with nothing of note. If this place was to house the eventual monument to Glorious Equine Reincarnation, then the place at least needed to look idyllic, even if it was thousands of measurements beneath nothing but glacial ice.

And the Umbra here needed another food source.

Right. Those Umbra.

They'd turned powdery pale blue with the passage of time. Their bodies had taken on angular forms that Myrtu found to be quite beautiful. Angles, edges, and points all similar to the snowflakes of these distant glacial lands themselves. For some unknown reason, they'd even decided to crown their heads with a singular horn, quite similar in appearance to Myrtu's own. It was all very flattering, of course, and definitely helped Myrtu remember to feed them.

Yes, feeding them- growing things- right, back on track-

They'd survived solely on whatever Myrtu was able to drag back into the cave, so the place was quite the boneyard in its current state. Perhaps something that wouldn't kill the Umbra was needed, since Myrtu would always get distracted above, and end up coming back accidentally years later than intended.

She often came back to a significantly smaller population of Umbra and the goop piles were also beginning to clutter the place. This barren place.

Okay okay, right. Back on tack.

Myrtu whinnied gently as one of the fancy Umbra came over, glittering in a multitude of rainbow colors- that was new and very nice- and she asked Myrtu:

"Are you thinking of what we shall make into story and song?"

She- because she liked to be called she and her- spoke with a sing-song voice, as all the Umbra here did, and it was very pleasing to Myrtu's ears.

"Just now? Ah, mine contemplations skew toward that of creation! But lo, I've not the knowledge for that which I wish to create for thee- succor and sustenance of a kind- flora and fauna, aye! Tis not that I've lack of knowledge but lack... of... ah," Myrtu even found himself lacking then. In truth, this was all becoming so foreign- this 'being a divine' thing. Weren't Divinities supposed to know everything all the time at once? Tensing up rather unconsciously, Myrtu huffed and stepped backward, as their discomfort increased.

Why didn't they have all the answers?
ALL the ideas?

It was a common point of their solitary thoughts here- their deepest fear and fascination both.
What if they were not-
What were they before hearing-

"Apples and berries."

"Hm?"
The gentle pull of her voice caught Myrtu's attention. He looked at the Umbra, ears perked toward her, and silently awaited her elaboration.

Bowing slightly, she continued, "Before we were here, there was a forest we lived in- apples and berries were common for us to scavenge." Turning her head slightly to gaze across the shimmering cavern, with its dirt floor, she concluded, "With a God's power, I'm sure they can be made to grow here and- Oooh- we'll make a song for them!" She gasped gently, looking back to Myrtu, "And perhaps another play."

"Excellent Baan," Myrtu replied, lifting their hooves and dancing in place, turning about joyfully, "Skill and wisdom doth dance within thine spirit!" And without another moment of delay, Myrtu danced joyfully, completing their exchange: ideas for rhythm and inspiration.

Whooping, Baan joined in the dance, as several of the other Umbra ran forward to do so as well.

And as Myrtu danced, the plants and fauna sprang fourth from the glacial cavern floor, blessed to survive, endure, and grow in this cold place- this dimly lit place- for this was the potential which lay deep in any living thing. Berry bushes emerged fully grown from the cavern floor as stocky trees, thick of trunk and branch but stout in height, emerged from the subzero ground, their roots sinking deeply. Flowers of colors unnamed bloomed as grasses and vines snaked across the once barren floor. Beneath the ground, strange and unnamed organisms came into being, confused but, eventually figuring it was probably time to do some curating and fertilizing, swiftly got to work. Insects chimed and leapt about the hooves and feet of the dancing line of Umbra.

A good time was had by all.

(Turn 3)

Aveira stood on the balcony landing of her tower chamber and surveyed the desert with a brooding frustration. In her hand rested a single coin from the countless ones left behind after the lady of trade, and she rolled the piece between her knuckles idly, staring out over the dunes. Beneath her, the temple city was full of life. Her order of soldiers were in full swing with the preparations for the next phase - each day their ranks swelled, though not as quickly as Aveira had hoped. The arrival of the Umbra had seemed to make the settlement outside the walls just a little more complacent and less reliant on giving up their old selves. That didn't worry her too much; in the end most of them would not be suitable for the tasks required either way.

“Trade," she scoffed and closed her fist around the coin. Her pale fingers kneaded and mangled it until it was unrecognisable, flecks and shards in her shifting grip. Opalescent tendrils of energy rose from her skin and wormed their way over and through the metal, infusing the shattered shards with new essences. The metal pieces shone with a pulsing glow, thoroughly charged with energy. With another sharp breath Aveira threw the pieces out into the air, scattering them to the desert wind. The discarded metal shifted and distorted in the air, and before they had flown past the courtyard below each fragment had warped into a metallic raven with opalescent eyes. The new conspiracy of ravens scattered in each direction away from the temple fortress as they took on new life. One returned to the vantage point that was Aveira's balcony and settled there, watching its creator with shining eyes.

Yet one fragment had remained in the deity's hand. She opened her palm and the metal stretched and flattened under the caress of wispy tendrils until it was a thin blank sheet of gilded metal. She ran her finger along it, then grabbed it with both hands and stretched it out further, before finally shaking it as though it were a blanket. It rippled in the sunlight and shifted from stale metal to a golden hooded robe.

“Kyra." she called, and one of her elven handmaidens shot up from her seat inside the opulent chamber just beyond the balcony. The handmaid wrapped her arms around her simple purple silk gown as she stepped out on the open landing, warily stepping so as to not risk the wind blowing her off the railing-free balcony and hurtle to her death and the courtyard below.

"You called, Shaeska?" The woman mustered with enough courage to appear unfazed by the locale. Aveira, who stood near the front edge, simply lifted her left wing as if to invite the elf to walk under it. Kyra did just so, and the wing fell behind her and shifted to push her forward until she was next to both Aveira and the edge.

“You have made these shadow being's business your own, have you not? Trade, and all the frippery that comes with it?" Aveira turned her eyes on her handmaiden, and Kyra seemed to shrink in her presence.

"...Yes. Bu-But only to serve you to the utmost of my abilities, Shaeska!" Kyra assured swiftly, swallowing both air and fear. "I thought it good to lea-.."

A raised hand silenced the elf before she could explain. She closed her eyes as the hand drew closer, but opened them again as no admonition seemed to come. No, instead Aveira had lifted her hand to hover over Kyra's head, where now wispy tendrils of essence lingered in the air. Kyra breathed softly and looked up at her pale ruler, only to find her staring right back at her.

“Once you changed your fate by showing your devotion to me. Now I change your fate to serve me better. If you are truly as devoted as you claim, you may even remember your old self." Aveira explained with unyielding condescension that implied all responsibility fell on her subject. Kyra opened her mouth to ask, to protest, to profess her loyalty; what she wanted to say would forever be unknown as before she could form a single word, Aveira touched her head and sent cascades of divine essence through Kyra's body. The change was immediate. Her skin rapidly desaturated until it was almost as pale as Aveira's, but remained a crisp light grey instead of the truly white of the angel's complexion. Likewise her hair drained of color until it was a matte shadow of her old brown hair, though clearly not inflicted by age. The only color that truly remained were her eyes, which were sky blue. Aveira lowered her thumb to press against Kyra's forehead, and the same sharp rune-shapes that littered the temple were inlaid with an ink-like stain.

Kyra's eyes rolled upwards as the divine energy took her and truly dissolved all that she was. New information streamed into her mind at a dangerous and maddening pace. Concepts of negotiation, etiquette, leadership and advanced technological tools and weapons she could never have dreamed of rushed into her, overtook all that she was. Soon, she felt as though she had always known these things, and never known anything else. Deep down were memories of a life of leisure, attractions to her kin, laughs and aspirations. Those seemed both far away and pointless now. Like a lesser life she'd read about - because she could read now, and somehow both knew that she could and what reading was. When the storm of knowledge abated, she looked up at Aveira with an expectant gaze.

The goddess lowered her hand and grasped the gown Kyra wore. A single touch was all it took to incinerate it, with flames that seemed not to harm the desatured elf underneath. Aveira reached out her other hand and offered out the golden robe she'd held all this time. Kyra instinctively accepted this gift and swiftly dressed herself in the vestments of her new position. She took a few moments to gather herself and the whirlwind in her mind before speaking. "I see now, your vision for our world. I will bring it to all the corners of the land and unite them.”

Aveira stretched her arm out over the temple grounds, and a deep rumble erupted from the buildings surrounding the courtyard below. Within moments, one of the majestic buildings of the temple grounds began to rip from the earth, and lifted into the air slowly but surely, stirring up a hornet’s nest of activity among the Heralds milling around the realm. The building warped under divine ministration, and old windows and archways turned to landings and walls turned to golden metals. With a second flick of her wrist, Aveira sent a pulse of divine command out over her temple grounds as they watched the creation of the new flying building - extending to her loyalists not only the purpose of this vessel, but the concepts and ideas required to crew and operate such an envisioned tool of the sky.

Aveira lowered her hand and nodded to Kyra, who nodded in turn. Wordlessly, the pale elf excused herself, and left to carry out the deity’s plans for the world. Below, the stir had settled, and the Heralds had begun to load their flying new fortress with supplies.

---

---

A deep exhale followed the wiping of sweat from his brow. The elven man looked over his shoulder, down into the cavern below. He was always rather captivated by how high up the climb to Yalisith's roost was. Sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to jump...

Swallowing hard, swallowing the thought, he lowered his head as he walked into the only path forward. This was a steep upward climb and a path he'd walked before. The path was but a split in the rock, wide enough for Yalisith to soar through unhindered, and only just tall enough that the dragon's talons did not scrape the stone below him during such a flight.

Like many tunnels here in the Treasure Goblet, this one was but a dead end.

Squelching noises echoed on the edge of hearing from the far end of the path. Though it was dark here, for the light of the Treasured Goblet did not reach this far, the walls were illuminated by those bio-luminescent fungi and plants that the Dragon had brought in. A soft and sickly green hue illuminated the dark and the elven man walked slowly, so that his eyes could adjust, or so he told himself.

Once again, he bit his lip, and turned his mind away from that path of thought.

He was a mediator and he should be proud.
That was what he always told himself.

As the uphill climb leveled out, he finally lifted his gaze, and stared into the verdant darkness. He could see the golden scales of the dragon catching the light in an otherworldly greenish hue. The beast's massive jaws were moving as he was in the middle of a meal- that much the elf could deduce from the sounds before, yet it was always nauseous to witness-

For what separated him from the desiccated pile of limbs was nothing but a thought-

- one that he should not think-

Fear gripped him still, despite him digging his nails into his palms against it, but he needed to speak. He had no reason to fear Yalisith, for Yalisith was kind to him, yet...

- that damn thought again-

"Forgive me," began the elf, his voice cracking from stress as the Dragon crunched down upon half a centaur, "Ex-excuse me, can I speak with you?"

With blood gushing out of his mouth, Yalisith looked over slowly then, in a voice as deep and rumbling as the stones within which they were confined, he asked calmly, "What is it, Treasured one?"

"I- I believe there's-" he coughed to try and hide his dread "-there's a problem. Yalisith- we. We're in-"

Yalisith huffed a breath which caused the elf to take a step back. He asked, "Is it the Hobgoblins again?"

"No, no but-"

"They've a nasty habit of coming here- screaming about freeing the prisoners," Yalisith rolled one massive eye, his talons digging into the stone, "But you are not prisoners! You want for nothing! Do not believe their lies, Treasure. You're valuable to me- have I not been kind to you?"

Having heard it all before, the elf let out a deep sigh, because he knew there was no stopping it now-
-but at least it would serve as a distraction... from...

"All that I have given you- food! Glorious means to grow your own sources as well- clothing! The finest materials which you use to craft- the sharing of skills between you all and your different cultures- you've become more valuable, more treasured, as time has passed," Yalisith growled, "AND EVEN PRODUCED MORE TREASURE. Through your cultural melding and such you are unique- you have built a home here- we've built a wonderful city within which you do reside YET- those cretins- those fools-"

Letting out a deep sigh, the elf slowly settled down on the cobblestone floor, and knew he was in for the long haul with that particular line.

The depth of depraved pride that Yalisith held for keeping them here was entirely incomprehensible to the man, but the points were solid- here, they wanted for nothing.

Well, nothing but everything they had before.

But all of them had given up- how could they not? Here was a massive winged creature- a DRAGON- most of them had never heard of one until they'd been collected- and here it was. Impenetrable scales, godlike strength and endurance, and none had ever seen a dragon bleed.
None had ever seen one die.

What was there for these people if not to accept their fate which... honestly wasn't that bad. This, the elf knew, for he had come to accept this world- this new place of safety and security- with open arms and enthusiasm. When others needed to see this truth- that living with the dragon was better than living on the surface- he was the man that helped them understand that.

He didn't want some fool longing for a "better life" to ruin their peace- to test the temper of Yalisith for, though he had not harmed any of his Treasure, all knew he was capable of slaughtering them all in an instant.

The elf sighed as Yalisith rambled and ranted on, the floor shaking slightly at the volume of Yalisith's voice, and the elf wondered if they were blessed in a way well- He knew he was blessed.

Oh yes, this Elf had come from a land besieged by beasts.

Those that howled in the dark and tore themselves from the flesh of mortals. Horrors upon horrors had destroyed his village. Time and time again, they found them, transformed, then destroyed anything that could have been. Over and over his people fled- they fled until the land ran out- and were always pursued. Never resting.
Never growing.
Never living.

Fleeing... always fleeing...

And he'd been saved so many times, because he was special. So many put themselves in danger- to feed him and to save him- the "Harak's Song" they called him: Future leader to a people whose bones now fed the indifferent soil. Whose blood soaked into lands nameless and forgotten.

And he, like all here, had been treasured then.
Yalisith never let any of them forget that they were loved and treasured.

Comfort and complacency had given the Harak's Song years to think upon his new fate, as one of many in this collection of Treasured Beings, but he still held old instincts.

He knew when tensions rose, often between the Treasured Elves and Treasured Centaur pulled from the steppe.
He could count the moments before things turned violent between the Kinnaras from the coast and the brutish Northern Kinnaras, due to their cultural misunderstandings.
And the Harak's Song often felt the veritable electricity in the air that came from screams of pain, versus the warm screams of pleasure, or the cold screams of despair.

For these people, the Harak's Song had become a mediator, mentor, and something of a leader. The Song of a dead culture, of a people that would never speak the words again, had been continued by Treasured, now. To him they looked for guidance and platitudes. In him, they found whatever they sought. So often they sought someone to further push them deeper into the acceptance that, from here, there was no escape, but there could be joy.

And eagerly he gave them this. He helped them snuff out their foolish longing for "better" or their "hopes" of leaving- he snuffed it out and made them love their safety, because everything else was but pain and despair and fleeing and blood...
and... blood...

The Harak's Song, for his true name mattered to him no longer, kept the Treasured alive and docile.
And for this, he knew, that Yalisith was the last one alive that saw him as a Treasure now.

But there were his instincts still.
The instincts. Unforgettable. Those old feelings.
His gut writhed and wrenched now, his skin prickled and burned, and he knew that he had to do now, what he'd never done before. That he had to bring to the forefront the fear he'd pressed down-
He had to give it voice-

"Yalisith!"

Blinking, jolting slightly at the abrupt volume and terror laced within the piercing cry of his name, Yalisith was torn from his ranting, and didn't quite know how to react. He watched the Harak's Song carefully- he'd never been interrupted before-

Getting to his feet, the Harak's Song shouted, "You've brought someone vile to us- he is sick, Yalisith- he writhes in pain and his wailing has awakened half of us." A sudden wave of anxiety washed over the Harak's Song as Yalisith bared his wicked fangs. There was anger in Yalisith's eyes but the Dragon tilted his head, much to the Harak's Song's relief, directing that gaze down the tunnel connected to this chamber.

His voice rumbled low with brewing fury, "Sickness? There was none which was detected in his holding- how could that be? It is not possible. You lie."

The Harak's Song shook his head then pushed both of his palms toward the ground sharply, in a display of displeasure dead with his tribe, "This requires urgency, Yalisith- this back and fourth will not happen- you will see for yourself now- we cannot do this-" and turning on his heel, the Harak's Song started off at a brisk pace.

Despite the growl of anger- despite his want to run and beg forgiveness- the Harak's Song did not look over his shoulder as he kept his pace.

The Harak's Song strode down the descending tunnel, which was once but a sharp upward split in the rock, that had since been ornately carved and chiseled into an orderly geometric pattern by those Treasured years ago. This lead to the adjoining cavern, a massive chamber which was in truth, a pit the dragon had carved into the rock to house his Treasured.

This was the Treasured Goblet.

Over time and generations multitudes had worked the stone, carved it and created a series of dwellings within the sheer faces of the cavern. This had taken generations indeed, for none among the treasured truly knew much about carving the rock, and they had not the time to learn properly, after those that chiseled the decorations into the roost tunnel had grown old and died.

Yalisith was both smart and paranoid, so he let none of his treasured keep tools for very long- he'd let none of them learn the ways of working stone properly since then. He'd made his roost only accessible by flight and the entrance to the Treasured Goblet was but a tunnel hole in the ceiling far above, as well.

So they were all well and truly trapped here.

Without hesitation, he began his descent.

Despite the size of the massive place, even from the top of the stone ladder which lead to Yalisith's roost, the Harak's Song could hear the pained screams of the sick elven man far below. The Harak's Song always found it very fitting how easily screams echoed here. No amount of the soft orange fire light, which had been brought here by Treasured Porries only a few generations ago, could ever really warm the place either.

All those long dead stone-cutters had been right in carving angles and sharped edges into everything.

The Harak's Song glanced upward, from his position halfway down the long descent into the Treasured Goblet, as he heard Yalisith's claws scrape at the entry to his roost. A soft rumble left the dragon's voice. Thick leathery wings opened as he dove from his perch and the Harak's Song braced himself- a rush of air followed as the dragon swept him from the ladder.

---

A gentle thump followed as the Harak Son's rear touched the ground gently moments afterward.

They'd landed at the bottom of the Goblet, where a great bonfire burned, and several of the other Treasured stood, circled around a man that writhed and convulsed. Though he was covered in blankets, the convulsing Elf man had since torn himself from them, in his uncontrolled movements.

The Harak's Song knew they wouldn't matter anyway.
Not with how the man was sweating blood.

Several of the Treasured backed away in revulsion as the Harak's Song approached with Yalisith. Clenching his jaw, the Harak's Song said nothing, but moved closer to the man.

These people...
They always loved him when he kept them unaware of their fate, unaware of the Dragon,
but never when they were aware of what he... how he... cooperated-
How he enforced the way things were, kept the status quo, and stomped down any inklings of hope.
How he kept them safe- because that's what he was doing- The Harak's Song only wanted to keep them safe.

Yalisith was not a threat- not when they complied- and the dragon was benevolent in his treatment of them. They were Treasure to him. They were blessed. And the Harak's Song wanted to always keep them blessed, as so many had done before him- as so many had begged him to do.

And so when the convulsing elven man stopped moving- his body rigid and back arched- his arms so tense and bent inward toward his chest, eyes bulging and red, the Harak's Song raised his voice in alarm.
For he had his instincts still.

"Get back- GET BACK-" he yelled as the man's skin began to split.

The Harak's Song froze.

"What is this?" Yalisith rumbled in near-awe, watching the elf's rapid transformation-
^{(Mood Music)}
All stood in captivated horror to behold the elven man's flesh slough off, like wax warmed by candle flame. Wetly it slopped onto the ground, exposing the raw and bloody muscle beneath, the taunt tendons, and glistening entrails. Vessels thrummed and pulsed as flesh gave way, lurching with every strained beat of the elf's slowing pulse- violently pushing thickening blood. Veins bulged and enlarged as arteries coiled and twisted about as serpents, tearing through the organs and muscle, forcing their way to the bloody surface.

Spilled blood gathered and paled the discarded flesh, clinging to the rigid exposed form once more- blood which caused those arteries to boil and sizzle. They turned black as did the blood, as the flesh cooked and boiled in the viscous substance. Blackened bones began to peek as muscle peeled and flared away from them, the heat increasing to absurd levels, as the remaining muscle incinerated, the blood boiling black-
Boiling black-
Roiling darkness with scent of metal-

A piercing cry of abject horror left the Harak's Song, tearing him from his frozen fear, as the boiling black blood of the Mireborn's birth HOWLED in chorus, as the creature took form from the dissolved corpse- a beast of blood- a bloody beast-

Twisted and cursed, the blackened Mireborn LUNGED and the Harak's Song saw no more-

For he fled.

He fled toward the ladder-
He fled before anyone else knew to flee-
He fled without warning anyone-
He fled even as the screams began-

And when the roars picked up, he climbed and climbed, as the screams became a monstrous choir for the Harak's Song.

So he did not see...

---

He did not see Yalisith, fearing for the well-being of his Treasure, put himself between the twisted Mireborn of Beast Blood.

The Dragon had pushed those nearby Treasures away with his tail before he snaked his long neck to block the lunging creature. It took only one blow. Those liquid claws, blackened and burning absurdly hot, seared the scales of the dragon open. Boiling blood seeped into the tender flesh beneath, as vile and ravenous as acid, as the Blackened Mireborn perished in the next instant-
-becoming naught but a steaming puddle of inky murk upon the carvern floor-

Yet the scales of Yalisith continued to burn and melt away from the wound- as if he'd caught fire- as if the blood itself was seeking to consume him whole despite the Mireborn's death-

Yalisith was the one howling in monstrous agony now, as the acid spread from one scale to the next, bubbling black and cooking his flesh, as the greatest agony of all agonies seared his senses into madness. Those he'd protected were crushed as he lashed his tail about; others were crushed within their cavern homes, as he threw his weight against the stone, attepting to rid himself of the spreading pain- the fire- the blood-

All the commotion brought more of the Treasures from their carved cavern homes.
They too, froze in terror.

They stared down at Yalisith, as the Harak's Song had not, and bore witness to the snapping and elongating of bones in the dragon's body. How his spine tried to take another form- how his bones tried to change- and how his own body seemed to fight against it. Bones and spines sprouted in an unorganized and chaotic mess- his form shifting and breaking all at once. Treasures watched Yalisith's eyes turn black then boil from their sockets as runny yolks- his lustrous golden scales slough from his body as fur tried to force its way from his flesh- his wings rotting to naught but bone in an instant-

Sounds of pain- sounds of fear- the deep thunk of bone shifting against bone- and the splash of his boiling blood echoed within the cavern as the Treasures.
For the first time, they then witnessed Yalisith spill their blood.
Their Treasured and precious blood.

But anything to stop the pain.
Yalisith wanted anything to stop the pain and his mind told him that more blood, NEW BLOOD, was needed to stop the pain-
yes- this- that was needed-
he needed the blood-
the blood of anything and everything-
Precious and treasured blood-

To end his pain, Yalisith would drink their blood- remake his blood anew-
Make their blood HIS blood-

All thoughts ended as he stuck his claws deep into the walls, fighting wildly and madly to scramble up the cavern walls- sticking his claws and head into the caverns full of people, then gorging himself upon them- hundreds- nearing thousands-
and the Treasured Goblet filled with blood-

---

And this, The Harak's Song did not see, for he had crawled into a tunnel within the dragon's chamber.
One he'd dug himself.
One he'd hid from the others.
This, his escape route-
-incomplete.


The Harak's Song lay in the dark as the stone pressed against him, as the air grew hot with his breath, as he realized he had no way to go forward.
That he was trapped.
That there was nothing to do but accept his fate.
As he'd always had.

And as the Harak's Song felt the stone at his shoulders, felt the solid stone before himself, the muffled screams sang to him, as they had before. He closed his eyes. He heard them screaming across the plains.
Howls and elven screams.
His exhales were hot against his face in the confined space- hot against his face as he covered his head with a blanket, as his mother held him in her arms- as the stone cradled him with a cold embrace.

And when the screams did quiet, that silent song he'd heard so many times before, he gave them his tears.

The Harak's Song was weeping.

---

"My treasure

I need my treasure

More- I need BLOOD- "

A Howling roar filled with pain, misery, and ravenous longing echoed up through the cavern, as Yalisith stood deep in the blood of the Treasure Goblet, before his mind slipped away once more. In rage at his fate he clawed and lashed at the walls, thrashed about, destroying...
Longing....

Starving...



^{Yalisith was previously mentioned in this post...}

---

The rain drenched the Goddess, sending an all too familiar shiver down her spine. For one who could have so easily banished the rain and the chill that wracked her, Wyn was incapable in that moment to really act with the divine part of her body. At least with such simple tasks. A part of her wanted to scoff, another part only wanted laughter but right now, as she clutched the small body of a baby in her arms- She could only mingle her tears with the rain. Her weeping lost in the thunder and the wind. The world was dark already and she had never made it any lighter.

If anything, she was one of the reasons it kept losing its precious light. Bit by bit, body by body, soul by soul. She was the monster in the night, the terror that struck hearts, the poison that brought disdain. She could not control herself. She could not…

She shielded the babies’ face from the rain by clutching it tight to her chest. Was this what motherhood was supposed to feel like, she wondered? Had she failed her own offspring, so long ago? When she could see but was even more blind.

She had caused this, she had lost control. She hadn’t been in control. She remembered the babies’ crying. Could remember how she could smell and taste metal but could not see. She could not see that life had taken root even without blood. It had been an anomaly. One she had hated, one she had feared…

So she destroyed it.

But in the process, she had regained herself and only then, only then did the horror of herself become apparent once more. Only then had she thought to care for the little one. A girl of no winters, of no laughs nor smiles. Who smelled still fresh with life as newborns do. She had been crushed in the short fight. Choked of life before it had ever truly begun.

They had been so close to salvation. Earthwall did not linger far, a city where the baby would have grown up healthy and safe. Where her companion might have made a name for himself. Where he could have forged his own path. What would the baby have become? A servant? A baker? A merchant? Would she have fallen in love with an elfen boy and had a family that she could find happiness with? Would she have grown distant, wanting to see the world? Too restless to be locked away forever? Would Navari have taught her the ways of war? Would Celestine have noticed her? Wyn caressed one of her small ears, noticing how soft it was.

It was at that moment that Wyn knew a simple truth; she hated herself. She did, more than anything else in the cosmos. There was no other who would cause her such pain but herself. Such was the fate she had been given. But why then, did she still feel compelled to hope. Had it been Myrtu’s words that drove her to action? Had it been her own attempt to right a wrong. Even as she searched for the broken construct, even as she muddied herself upon that path. Lysander whistled in protest but she paid him no mind. She had to fix this. Not for herself but to give back life to one who had had it stolen. This was what she would do.

Her hand at last gripped something metallic and cold, discarded by her wrath, now tended to with a gentle hand. She felt it all over, from narrow ridges to low peaks. Modeled after an elf, made of bronze. Had it memories? Had it want? Her fingers found within the head a jewel, hard but cracked and within it she found the truth. Wyn divined from it all that she could, what it was, how it could be, what propelled it, its function and purpose. Memories of his maker and a name, Exordium. He had fought off elven vagabonds and had taken the child, the only survivor. With a breath, she knew what needed to be down and took within her hand the diamond of consciousness.

Wyn came to learn that there remained a workshop nearby. Exordium’s place of birth. She could replicate such a process. She could let such life walk again and be free to choose whatever they desired. Not remain a memory, only to be lost forevermore in the rain. With a flick of her wrist, she buried what remained of the construct and mounted Lysander, placing a memory within his mind. Then they were off.

---

It was a strange thing to be blind and working with metal. She was no craftsman, even when she could see… Not like her husband had been. Regardless, she was a God and her senses allowed her a great deal of purpose and thought. She did not need to work with tools when she could see so clearly the final product in her mind. Just being in that place was enough to leave a mark or an impression upon her soul. Memories she had never appreciated came flooding back. A roaring inferno. The clank of a hammer. The smell of salt and charcoal. A warm smile.

She felt ashamed knowing how she had used him so but if there was anything she could do to make up for it, it was this. First she crafted a hammer. A simple instrument for both overarching work and the finer details. The pommel of it had a small spike, that she used to draw blood, for there could be no finer work made unless a sacrifice was freely given. Next she conjured metal to form, great sheets of bronze and plates of steel. She would build it to last, while etching reliefs and other artistic flairs. The smallest subtleties did not escape her, for she worked as if she was being watched by the greatest craftsman she had ever known and it was in that work how lost she became with all time and thought.

A torso came to being, nimble and formed like that of a young woman. Whether this was necessary, perhaps the Goddess did not know. Next she formed sturdy legs and strong arms. Legs for running, walking, jumping… Fighting. Arms for working, for dexterity, for crafting and for gripping. She layered them with steel, hoping to form an even greater natural shield. Next she fashioned the head in immaculate detail. A skeleton formed the base and then weaved and hammered into place a face with steel skin. She gave it basic features, a facial expression that would denote a neutral expression. One that wouldn’t be seen as indifference but thoughtful.
It was the eyes she spent the longest upon, for she knew that they were the window to the self- the soul. When that was done Wyn could tell, just be feeling, that it looked as if the girl was sleeping. Wyn smirked.

Next she braided long strands of the finest steel into strips of hair and layered them upon her head so thick that it looked as if they were the real thing. Wyn only knew this when she swept her hands through it to feel the fine, cool strands against her fingers. When this was done Wyn moved over to another table in the workshop and held her hand over the small elven babe, who she had covered with a cloth. A blue light poured forth and from her hand there came a brilliant diamond as all that the baby was transformed. Within it was the infant consciousness of the born but dead. The Goddess held it to her lips and upon doing so, kissed it, placing forth knowledge and echoes of memory from those that had preceded it. Inscriptions poured forth upon the diamond and Wyn walked over to the construct.

Wyn made things ready for her awakening. She would gift the hammer to the girl, even without blood to sacrifice, it could still be used. Next she blessed her with the ability to create diamonds from her hands. All she needed to do was find something to press hard enough. Their original maker had not made it easier for them to procreate. After that was done, Wyn etched into her wrist the mark of a single rose. She pricked her thumb and etched her blood into it so that the rose would never lose its color.

Wyn knew it was not in hers or the girls interest to stay. She would only disappoint this one and herself if she lost control of herself. They would not understand that blood did not need to be the only thing in the world that could allow life to function. That reminded her…The Goddess went outside to Lysander and stole forth the bag of coins that held her purchases from Ashevelen. They would be better suited for the girl, not used as servants and slaves by Ivory, or prey by Ebony. They would hate her for this but she already hated herself, so what was the point? She placed the coin bag in the girl’s hand and then conjured up a hard leather garb with a long cloak of black and red that fit her snug.

Finally she phased the diamond into the girl’s head. As a blue light began to awaken within, Wyn whispered, “You may never know me. But in your heart you will search. For you are free to do anything and be anyone. I pray if you do find me, you never think terribly of me.” Wyn confessed despite it all. She let out a soft sigh as the blue light began to intensify. “Remember, do not hate yourself, ever. For doing so will only bring you great grief, my Ema. My Unseen Rose.”

As the light stirred forth and the girl became animated with movement, Wyn could not help but have a smile upon her lips. She hoped her husband would be proud.

---

The loins of the moon were hotter than any sun or star. Po had made it so. Such power and might, such grandeur and wonder, was held in the seething innards of that great virile thing that Wonder thought it a downright shame that all that beauty was hidden. Surely an inkling of the divine miracle that eternally veiled itself from the eyes of the unseeing could still fall earthward and make the world more wondrous still? Such burning loins declared - even if the ears of the world were unhearing: I AM COME TO CREATE!

And so wonder fell upon the moon with his sword, cleaving dust and flame, molding and making, mixing his sweat and hair and ichor, hammering and forging. Aye, it was to be a forge - a Wonderforge. But alas, alack! Such wonder could not be of the making of one god alone! Nay, such wonder was to be the work of the gods! And so he left it there half-made, half-done, ready, eager, vigorous, waiting. There would be such hammering here soon as to cause the earth below to swoon! There would be such a gushing of flame here soon as to cause the stars above to redden! There would be such a conflagration of wonder and life and making here soon as to cause the very empty spaces of the world to take up wanton fullness! Oh there would be such wonder!

Excitement felt the god and he tore through the flowing moon until he emerged, burning and aroused, a halo of fire, blackest metal flowing, writhing vines, and all-encompassing light - so blinding that the onlooker could but snatch a glance at the hallowed visage before the instinct to preserve sight forced them to look away. "I have come for no other reason than to be known." His voice of thunder was a pensive whisper. "But there are none who have broken the veil of blindness. There are none who seek the kernel within the kernel that I am. Oh! I am alone! Alone for all the fullness of the world! How is it that this hidden jewel remains hidden? Where are the seers that they may see me? Where are the seekers that they may seek me? Where is the one unblinded my crown of wonder and light? To that one alone shall I grant my love! Seek me, then, you who wonder! Seek me, then, who seek after completion! Seek me, then, who seek after the higher planes and higher states! Seek only me!"

• Summary [+]

  A quick post to offload LAST TURN'S might. T-T
  Wehi lays the foundations for the Wonderforge and makes himself a cool halo.
• MP and AP [+]

  Wehi Tama starting: 5 MP / 5 AP
  5 MP: lay the foundations of the Wonderforge, a monument founded on Po's establishment of a fiery moon. It is not yet complete. It's gonna be the bestest forge. With Po's contribution, it is now a 9 MP monument.
  5 AP: Create artifact, the Wonderhalo of Blinding Light and Searing Flame; the Thorn of the Unseeing Eye and the Lash of the Sightless.
  
  Ending Wehi: 0 MP / 0 AP

A Thousand Kingdoms, maybe more.

- 1 -

Life in the mesa had not been easy to the humans who had left early, lacking technology and wit many had found themselves in nothing but small communities living in clustered hovels or in caves. All that changed with the wave-like arrival of enlightened humans, their minds and bodies trained, with iron weapons and tools, clad in leather and pristine fabrics. Some arrived as conquerors, handily defeating the local strongman, and declaring themselves tyrants, others arrived with gentler approaches, as philosophers and friendly heroes, still, the result was the same, they became the leading force of the locals.

Soon the human civilization was advancing in great leaps, under the rule of great leaders. Blessed by the earth goddess, humans showed greater architectural ability than any of the races on the planet. Their cities were walled, their fortresses rose high and dug deep below the earth. Terraces were built, with aqueducts custom made to not only bring water, but to also nourish the plants with the nutrients within. Medicine was unparalleled, with virtuous martial artists knowing the paths to bring vitality not only to the body, but to the whole community, bringing sanitation through dogma.

The leading class of humans and chimeras enlightened by the arts was long lived and unparalleled in combat, another stabilizing factor. One too many in fact. With every little village being impossible to conquer, with monarchies and bureaucracies that were extremely stable, there was little room for political change, no consolidation of the holds. Hundreds of kingdoms spread out, set to rule for a long time.

Soon, they started to pour out of the Mesa, Humans and their associate, the Chimeras, becoming the leading force in the region around the Mesa. All through the land the fabled “Thousand Kingdoms” became a topic of much discussion, their influence even spreading into previously separate groups of humans, as in, humans who had not been woken up within Haven. As the art of boat building started to spread, human-walled villages crept around the coast and the channel.

- 2 -

12 great cliques were awarded their holds, most of them having many members among those who got to stay in Haven, in perpetual training. Merely being part of a clan granted one access to Haven and the permanent effect of the region’s life lengthening magic. Many would change name to better fit the stronghold granted to them, the list going as it follows:

1 – The Copper and White Wings. A Harpy Clique. Awarded a Stronghold in the craggy islands east of the Mesa and the Thousand Kingdoms. A tall building of raw rock, mimicking the area.

2 – The Carmine Overlook. Awarded a Stronghold of the same name, by the frontier between the blood mire and the Thousand Kingdoms.

3 – The Golden Visage. Human Clique. Awarded a fort of white stone in a natural harbour south of the great channel.

4 – The Higher Servants. A Clique of Crow Harpies. Related to Celestial Dog. Has been awarded a realm within the Mesa itself for being second place in the tournament.

5 – The Falling Star Sect. Granted a step pyramid like stronghold in the boundary between the mountains and the dark woods.

6 – The Lonesome Masters. Granted a stronghold in the far off reaches of the Stormbreaker Mountains. Overlooking the destroyed Steppes.

7 – The Silver Fang House. Lots of rabbit chimeras, but led by a tiger. Accessible Stronghold south of the Mesa, not too far from the channel. Made money making bets in the tournaments, wants to continue doing that.

8 – The Phantom Wings. Hills of Bountiful Harvests’ Clique, all female. Granted a location within the Mesa for ranking first in the tournament.

9 – The Guardians of the Divine Orchard. Spring Blossom’s Clique. Northwest of the Mesa, near the peninsula.

10 – Earth Breakers. A clique of burrowers chimeras, such as armadillos and moles, aims for the underground but their stronghold is on the surface, east of the mesa.

11 – Mossy Possy. A group of isolationist swamp dwellers. Mix of chimeras fit for the area, such as reptiles, fishes and some dragonflies. Asked their stronghold to be made half-ruined from the start for a better “vibe”

12 – Wind Chasers. Clique on the fields west of the Mesa. Mostly Human, with the only stronghold made of wood, not stone.



Their location was deliberately spread out as to cover most of the areas around the human kingdoms, putting the martial artists as a great barrier against equally great threats. Lektor’s last attempt at protecting the humans before she fully let them start to solve their own problems.

An elf was running through the woods. Behind him, several of his own kind were chasing him with clubs and slinging insults. So far the fugitive elf had been faster. His breathing was getting ragged though. He didn’t expect his pursuers to chase him so far into the nearby woods. Normally they were quite content to let him have a few apples and a bit of bread.

Then again perhaps he shouldn’t have stolen a full pie. Did a pie really warrant such a chase? It did not matter. The elf – Resin – had no intention of getting caught. Bad things would happen to him if he got caught. The fact that he was only 5’5”, strangely short for an elf, did not improve his chance of not getting beaten once caught. He was one thing though: fast. Very, very fast. Living in the woods had its perks too. He knew every branch. Every root. Every-

Resin tripped over a broken branch on the ground. The apples, the bread, the pie, it all went flying out of his hands as he fell headfirst into the mud. For a second he didn’t understand what happened. He knew this forest like the back of his hand! How did he miss that branch?

A moment after that he tried to get up. He couldn’t do so in time. The villagers were on him. The first swing of the club hit him straight on his head, dropping him again. After that they beat him all over his body. Resin balled up and cried out in pain. The villagers had no mercy though. Not for a filthy, useless thief like him. He couldn’t help out anywhere, and he was weird. Too short. After a while he started to stink as well. In the end he became a total outcast.

Only a few minutes passed when Resin’s punishers started to walk away. “Stay out of Hackem.” One of them, a baker, said as he spat on the small elf. Resin stayed on the muddy ground a little bit longer. One time, when they had caught him before, they had come back a little bit later after he got up. When he was confident they wouldn’t come back he finally pulled himself up slightly and sat against the tree.

Dark clouds were gathering overhead. The first few drops heralded the rain storm. Resin looked at the soiled pie and apples. A crow had already started to eat one of the apples despite Resin being so close by. He tried to shoo the bird away. It just looked inquisitively at him, then turned back to eat the apple. Resin let out a weary sigh. His stomach grumbled. It had been grumbling for the last three days. “Might as well.” He thought to himself, as he reached for the pie.

When you’re hungry enough, even the worst bit of food tastes delicious. Rain started falling. Resin felt like he should find a dry spot somewhere. The canopy here didn’t offer much cover. If he got too wet, he could die. Yet as he was being drenched while sitting in the mud against a tree that prospect felt almost enticing now.

“You seem tired.”

Resin looked around him. Where did that come from? He couldn’t hear branches breaking. Only the hunters of the village didn’t crack twigs in the forest. They wouldn’t be out now though. Not in the rain.

“Perhaps you would want some… help?”

“Who goes there?” Resin said. The voice was coming from in front of him, and it sounded close. So very close. Then the crow landed right in front of him and opened its beak: “Who I am matters little.” That same voice said. “What I can do… now that is important.” The voice spoke softly, yet its words were drenched in sweet honey.

“You must be tired of how they treat you.”

“I am.” Resin answered. Perhaps he was hallucinating. Certain mushrooms could do that. Though he hadn’t eaten any in the last few days. Maybe it was the exhaustion or the onset of sickness.

“Do you want revenge?”

The thought had never dawned on Resin before. He had always been too meek to do anything back. Even in his wildest fantasies he just ran away and never had to see Hackem again. But he had to stick around. Hackem had food, he needed food. As much as he lived in the forest, he couldn’t forage. He’d be dead from a poisonous berry in just a few months. “Yes.”

“Do you have a possession on you? Something… personal?”

A price? Why not. Resin pulled off the wooden ring he had on his finger. It was something he had stolen a long time ago. He had it on for so long, it almost felt like second nature to wear it. He offered it in an open palm to the crowd.

“I offer you… an accord, Resin of Hackem.” The voice said. “I offer you power and guidance. In return, I only ask you to fulfill some tasks for me. Do you accept?”

The voice hadn’t talked about tasks before. In fact, Resin realized he still didn’t know with what exactly he had been dealing so far. Yet it felt so enticing. There was something about the crow and the voice that made it seem real. As if the power truly was literally at his fingertips. “Might as well.” He muttered to himself. “I accept.”


This power was awesome!

I have another idea. A hissing voice said in Resin’s mind.

When he first heard it he was deadly afraid of the Shadow’s voice. Now – laying atop a thatch hut surrounded by fruit pies, cakes, and fresh loaves of bread – he was used to it. “I’m all ears, Shadow.” He said out loud while stuffing his stomach full with cake.

We take some rotten bread, grind it up and mix it with the flour.

Resin knew well enough it would make a ton of people sick. Not to mention the baker would probably get punished for selling bad bread. A massive grin formed on his face. Of course, he was going to do that. The baker had beaten him so often so far, it would be good payback.


The boss has a job for you Resin.

The elf was looking into the hearth fire when Shadow talked again. Hackem was quickly becoming too small. First, he had stolen food until he couldn’t eat anymore. Then he had stolen items until he didn’t want anything more. Now, really, there was nothing left to steal. So he was getting bored. “What is it?”

He needs you to steal something significant from the village’s chief, a letter. You should get it tonight.

Getting into the central hall at night was easy enough. Especially when you can step from one shadow to another. This ability to move through the darkest of shadows unnoticed and even displace oneself had been invaluable. So far things had been too easy though. There was no more challenge in stealing mundane items. Got upstairs fast. “Where is it?” He whispered, knowing Shadow could hear him.

In the bedroom. Second door to the right. It’s on the desk.

Resin moved quickly. Despite his powers, despite Shadow’s guidance, he still felt somewhat vulnerable here. Back in the beginning, when he only just got his powers, he had made the mistake of stealing stuff in broad daylight and got beaten up again. He got his revenge after that of course, but he was not invincible. Slowly he opened the door. There was one person in the bed. Resin peeked inside. There was no one else.

On the desk.

Resin moved quickly. There was a bunch of clutter there like ink, a letter opener and was. But also the letter. “This?” He asked.

Yes. Take it. Also, kill the big one.

“Kill the big one?”

Resin felt himself getting grabbed and tossed over the wooden floor. His eyes were wide in surprise. He sank through his own shadow on the floor. Just in time, as the leg of a large, muscular elf stamped down. A moment later he appeared from a closet and came face to face with the chief of the village. “Shadow, I need some help here. How do I get out of here?”

Shadow didn’t react. The large elf charged at him. Resin dodged just out of the way and ran towards the desk. “Shadow!?” He yelled again. No response. He scrambled over the desk. There was a bunch of clutter there. His eyes caught the letter. He grabbed it. “Shadow, I need to get-“

A chair slammed into Resin. Again he fell to the floor. His back hurt like hell. Again he sank through his own shadow to get away. A moment later he fell down from a shadow on the ceiling. “Not there!” He yelled out. “I need to get out.”

“You’re not getting out, Resin.” The village chief said. “I got you now. I don’t know how you do it but I’ve seen you. And when I’ve got you for sure, I’ll bring you to Earthwall for a good reward from Celestine.”

Earthwall was not a prospect Resin was looking forward to. He and the chief began to circle each other. Resin was still waiting for some miracle to save him. Shadow wasn’t responding though. The village chief moved swiftly. Resin was caught and slammed against the wall face first. The big man’s arm was wrapped around his throat and squeezed. The air was squeezed out of the smaller elf. He was being strangled. With growing desperation, he reached for whatever he could on the desk. Until he felt a dull pang across his fingers.

He stabbed the elf chief in his tight. He screamed out in pain and released his strangle hold. Resin turned around with a letter opener in hand, a trickle of blood was running from his own cut fingers. But he had no mercy in his eyes. In one smooth motion he pushed the forehead of the chief back and stabbed down at the larger elf's throat.


The sun would rise in a little bit. Its light would illuminate the entire forest, including a blood-stained Resin. With a grim expression, he watched the letter burn in the small fire. “I thought I could trust you.”

It was a test. Shadow said. A useful one. You’re capable enough Resin. The boss likes that. So now it’s time for your next step.

“What am I stealing now?” A rather unamused Resin asked as he observed his own bandaged fingers and the wooden ring that had given him all these powers.

Magic.

---

“...Ema. My Unseen Rose…”

It was that voice that compelled her to rise, not with slow trepidation but with determined might. She sat up with the ease her body lent her and took in her immediate surroundings. Though her body acted with haste, her mind flowed like a trickle. Questions assaulted her that came with answers in tow. Who was she? She was Ema. What was she? The Aelos, Ema. Who created her? The maker. What was her purpose? It was… There the answers seemed to stop.

She knew who she was. She knew what she was. She knew who created her. But she did not seem to know her purpose. Unless, her purpose needed further prodding? She turned and placed her feet upon the floor, wherein she wiggled them. The tap tap tap of metal on dry dirt was an odd sound. More of a low thumping. She moved her arms forward but as she did, Ema realized her hands were not as empty as she had believed. In one she carried a red shaft with a blunt object upon its head. It was a hammer.

She hefted it before her, gripping it tight, feeling it with her hand. Had her Maker left it for her? Her eyes peered upon her other hand, gripping a pouch of some weight to it. She placed the hammer down, carefully, before undoing the string that bound the pouch closed. She looked over the open bag to see something strange. With her hand she brought out one of the objects. Round, flat, with heavy weight. She flicked it and soft reverberation went up her fingers, which startled Ema and she almost dropped the circle. She was sure it was made of some sort of metal and upon a closer look she realized it had embossed upon it a strange shape. It looked like a little Aelos but who would make one so small? The Maker? No, that was silly. Furthermore, why would the maker give it horns? What was the purpose?

Perplexed by this newest development, Ema dropped the circle back into the sack and picked up a handful. More of the horned Aelos peered back up at her. Joined by strange shapes that weren’t shapes and creatures that had too many eyes. It was all very strange, so she placed them back into the bag and tied it shut.

Ema scanned the area. It was a workshop of sorts, plain and dusty that sat outside under the dim shadow of a roof. Outside yonder she could see white clouds hovering in a blue sky that stretched on forever. A field of flowers amid tall grass surrounded the place and the chorus of insects indicated that this was their domain. Other than that, it was seemingly abandoned, she stood for the first time and thus took her first steps. Wobbly feet almost made for a quick fall but she managed to steady herself upon the table and took it slow after. Ema used the table for a bit, getting a feeling for it. When she felt confident enough, she let go and walked about the forge. A large furnace sat empty, tools were hung from racks, firewood was stacked nearby, whilst water sat ready in a wooden tub. She knew these things instinctively, almost as if she could reach out and they’d be an extension of herself. The patterns, the ideas, the knowledge- It was all there. She could make more Aelos. All she needed was material and time.

Yet, try as Ema might, she hadn’t a clue on how to create anything else. Or if it was even possible. She looked over the tools and knew them to be that, tools, but what she did not know was how to recreate them. How to cast, how to hammer, how to forge. Was it as simple as looking at a hammer and fashioning a blunt head? How did one come up with such designs? How did she know how to use them but not make them?

This jostled the Aelos and long did she think upon her next move. She had a duty to create more Aelos, so that they in turn, could create more Aelos. So that the Maker would be pleased. Is that what she wanted? To please the Maker? To create more of her kind? Her brain told her to think upon it with cold reasoning but… Elsewhere, somewhere perhaps inside her chest, a small voice urged her to do as she wanted.

After some time with her thoughts running amok, she came to the conclusion that she should make more Aelos but only after making sure the immediate land was safe enough for them. Who would she be if they came under immediate threat? That wouldn't do anyone good in the slightest and she knew it would ease her itch to explore.

So, grabbing her meager things, Ema sat out from under the roof after much hesitation, she was welcomed by the sight of a world she had only seen from the shadows. It was brighter then she had anticipated, so she squinted as her eyes adjusted. Upon this newest inspection she could see distant trees and the smell of salt in the air. Strange things indeed. Furthermore, as she looked around her, she came to realize the workshop forge was attached to another building. One with a few windows and a door.

Her curiosity could not be contained as she went over to it and pushed the wooden door open with a creak. Inside it was dim again but her eyes spotted a bed for resting, a table like the one she awoken on, some stools and a chair and some more tools. Pots sat in a corner, whilst the smell of age wafted over her. Such a strange place. Had the Maker built it? Had the Maker used it? Did she have a right to enter such a place?

Ema nodded her head to no one and left the house, pulling shut the door on her way out. Perhaps in time she would have further use of it.

A strange whistling sound, followed by a THWAK right next to her head, alarmed Ema and she glanced upon something embedded in the house. She hadn’t a clue what it was, some narrow shaft with feathers at the end. It seemed to have penetrated the wood but with what? She had her answer as something struck her, glancing off her cheek and sticking into the wood. She pulled it out to see a sharpened stone, almost a triangle in shape, at the tip. But why had it struck her?

She looked out into the thick bramble of forest that sat close by. Another projectile whizzed past but it did not hit her. Figures began to emerge from the shadows of the trees and out of the corner of her eye she saw someone coming fast at her. She wasn’t able to dodge as they swung something hard into her stomach. Pain doubled her over, it was the strangest sensation, and hard to focus on anything else. She was then hit repeatedly in the back.

“That’s enough Hine!” Someone shouted, feet scuffled about her as another feeling set in; Fear.

“We need it alive!” The same voice barked.

“It killed my Erik! An eye for an eye Jokab, that’s rights!” a woman, Hine, snarled.

“You’ll have your rights but not know.” he retorted, “Jinsip, Yule, Ikihn- Search this place, find anything useful. Macab, Duro- Get this thing on its feet.” There was a flutter of movement and Ema felt herself being raised. She didn’t know them, no matter who they were, searching through the Maker’s creation.

She was lifted upright, head still drooping. Something warm grabbed her chin and lifted her head up. She was just as shocked to see them as they were shocked to see her.

‘That’s not the same one.” Hine, a woman with pointy ears hissed. “Where’s the other! Where!” She snarled, pushing forward with a long sharp stone. A man with pointed features, as well as pointed ears, punched her in the gut and shoved her back, knocking the wind out of her.

“Stay your anger, Hine.” Jokab snarled. “What are you?” he next asked Ema, “Where is the other one?”

Ema looked between them all, even to the two that held her. All had pointy ears and sharp features. Golden, brown, silver hair, wearing an assortment of furs, carrying many stone and wooden tools. Jokab had more of those pointed shafts and some sort of wooden object, strung with hair that he put over his arm and chest.

“It doesn’t speak, it’s stupid. Let us kill it and be done with it!” The woman rose, clutching her stomach. One look from Jokab was enough to silence her and she dipped her head to the ground.

“Speak.” he said, brandishing a long stone knife and holding it up to her throat. “Speak!” he shouted at her.

“I am Aelos.” Her voice came forth with startling clarity and with strength she did not really feel. “And I am alone. You should not be here. This place is the Maker’s!” she said with conviction.

Jokab furrowed his brow. “Aelos? Alone? You’re lying!” He pressed the stone dagger into her neck, oblivious that it did little to her. “Where is the one who killed Erik in cold blood?”
“I woke alone.” Ema reiterated then added, “I am sorry for your loss.”

Jokab frowned in anger and released the dagger. “Search it.”

She did not struggle against the searching hands, for the thought of more pain was almost unbearable. Eventually, after this violation was complete, Jokab both held the bag with the circles and her hammer. He and the Hine looked both over, starting first with the hammer. Both seemed amazed by it and a startling quarrel came over them, as both claimed it as theirs by right until Jokab won with a quick backhand to Hine’s face.

Ema winced at the violence, she did not care for it in the slightest. In fact, she felt another emotion added upon her fear and pain- Sadness. Why did this happen? Why was it happening? She was the only Aelos, so why did they think another had murdered one of their own? Why? What wasn’t she seeing?

“Jokab!” A new voice called out, bringing forth full arms of the Maker’s tools. Followed by the other two. They carried almost everything in the forge. Bits of metal, tools for working it, coal and scraps. “Look at all this!”

“Good, we’ll take it all back! Now search this!” he pointed at the door next to Ema. She was growing with a sense of agitation. They couldn’t take any of that! It was the Maker’s! How would she build more Aelos? She couldn’t disappoint the Maker! With a quick movement, she broke free with her left arm and elbowed her captor. He cursed as she used her free arm to punch the other man in the face. He dropped instantly but that was when Jokab pounced, slashing her with his knife. There was a scraping sound and Ema barely felt anything before leaping back into the building. She hit the wall and the blow knocked her off balance, so she fell. By that point, the other three, not yet in the house, dropped their stolen goods and leapt on her. She kicked briefly before they howled with pain.

Then pain struck her across the face, as sparks flew. Jokab stood over her, wielding her hammer. He had managed to strike a blow and pain swelled and rang out all across her body. Now thoroughly pinned down by the others, Jokab turned to Hine and snarled, “Burn it. Burn it all!” The woman, who had been peering into the bag with the embossed circles, looked up with a mischievous glee. She put the pouch into her furs and took out a small pot of some sort and one of the other men brought out some sticks. The two hurried into the house as Ema struggled against captivity, receiving another blow to her stomach as they rushed out, trailed by a cloud of smoke.

“Nothin’ of use in there.” The man grumbled as Hine stared into the glowering room.

“It’s all dry, quick blaze. We best be going before those horse-elf scum show up.” She said with a spit. “Curse them and their goddess.” She began to walk off, evidently no longer caring about her lust for death.

“What do we do with it?” One of them asked Jokab.

“Knife’s too dull to slice it’s throat and it would take to long to hammer it to death, the damn thing. Can’t bring it with us either, would cause too much trouble.” he stroked his chin.

“Seems like a waste to leave it, might come after us.” The man, who she had struck in the face, said. He rubbed his cheek, hate burning in his eyes as he looked at her with contempt.

“Throw her in the building. Fire burns everything, doesn’t it?” Jokab stated and their faces curled with sinister smiles.

“You cannot…” She groaned, being lifted by her arms. “You cannot!” she shouted but it was useless. They crowded over her, and someone grabbed her feet. She began to kick and the man cursed before Jokab smashed the hammer into her stomach again. This time she felt something dent and she gasped with pain.

“We can and we will. Don’t know what you or your friend was but we don’t want your kind around here anymore. Can’t be having you interfering with our survival, now can we?” Jokab sneered as they entered the building. Smoke billowed now as the fire crept up the walls. The men recoiled at the heat and quickly threw her in, where she landed in a heap. Her head spun to the door and she quickly scampered up as they shut it.

As she pounded on the door, she could hear them yelling and cursing before something heavy was brought to keep the door shut. Everytime she banged on it, the pain in her stomach could be felt. The roaring of the fire began to drone everything else out but she couldn’t stop. She had to get out!

She began to bang her fists into the door but when that wouldn’t give, she began to bang them into the wall. Ema learned quickly that her metal was far more durable and stronger than wood would ever be as she punched her fist clean through the boards. She began to try again but as soon as her fist struck the boards, the wall and ceiling began to cave and the world grew dark as something hard fell upon her.

---

---

Step-by-step through a new world with new possibilities. A village, a town, the smallest of settlements, barely a collection of tents. Each was touched by his invisible influence, by the subtle hand of deception, guiding their fates in new directions. Undetectable and far less intrusive than most deities. Those mortals whose lives were bettered by his whims would never know that he had helped them, and that was altogether fine. Yet, Kaelhmor knew, better than anything else perhaps, that oh so few would understand that they would not accept him for what he was but instead for what they thought him to be: a liar, a scoundrel, a cheat.

Near the end, before he'd been whisked to this place on thoughts of a better world, a more merciful existence, somewhere, he could eventually be accepted, even if only through another sort of lie, another veil of deception, he had embraced that role. He'd had little choice, for every other path had been denied him, and so to survive, he'd had to be genuinely vile, if only for the sake of his continued existence.

It had pained him, driven a wedge into the fabric of his soul that had almost split him asunder, almost driven him mad. When he'd been pulled away from it, summoned to this place--if by his own desires or those of another he did not know--it had been a blessing, a relief, a balm. Still, spite had nestled its roots into his soul, and the seeds of old resentment and deep-set rage had sunk in their claws and built a nest for their young so that they might one day wreck their will upon the world. Vengeance. He wanted it; he could not deny that fact, though it once would have been unthinkable, kind and forgiving as he was.

Yet, these gods...though he'd yet to meet them, they did not know him, they had not harmed him...yet. His mind screamed that single word whenever he had the thought, the intrusive worm in his divine skull insisting that though they had not...that they surely would. He wouldn't give them the chance.

Realizing that a dark look had come over his features and that a terrible pallor now rested in a veil across his person, Kaelh took a deep breath and set his mind on brighter things. He had a chance here and through him, so too did the future of oh so many mortals. He could bring about such things that he'd only dreamed of in his so-called 'home,' his birthplace. His once-prison.

So lost in thought as he was, however, Kaelh did not at first notice that he'd slipped onto a well-worn trail in the earth and that some distance away, he could swear he saw and sensed someone. Shrugging to himself, he continued forward. It was not as if they could sense his nature either way. There would be no threat to him, not with the veil he'd cast from darkness and deception. Not with the new power he'd come to master, the Illumination that now rested atop the foundation of his soul, wrapping the power of Deception in a blinding skein of Primordial Light.

Besides, what were the chances of coming across another god in such a place so far from anything important?

—

Once more on the road. This time with an actual purpose. The bazaar still needed exquisite merchandise, which was currently lacking. Artifacts of power, special animals, and the sorts were all in high demand. Her own merchandise was already being sold, but more was needed, if other divines created things that could be sold and that they don’t use, perfect. They can buy them later on if they do end up needing them.

Ashevelen’s form was of an old elf, carrying a bag in two extremely wrinkled hands. If one would look upon her face, they could swear she lived through the creation of the world and will live long after it’s destroyed. Whistling a tune almost as old as time, she walked a well-worn trail. Half-hoping she’ll find mortals that would simply wish to trade with such an old lady thinking it will be an easy trade and realizing way too late that they’re dealing with the Goddess of it.

As she walked, Ashevelen’s senses flared in danger. Raising her head, she looked further up the road. Using her divine eyesight to the fullest of her ability, nothing seemed amiss. Until something moved and kept moving, but then, there was nothing around. Curious. Thinking that whatever it must be, it would be something valuable, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her shadow-sense flared up to 100, and there was something there. Moving yet unseen. Lifting a hand in the air, a cage made of shadow appeared all around her immediate area, hoping that whatever she sensed would’ve been caught in it.

“ Whatever you are, make yourself visible if you understand me. ” shouted Ashevelen as her form changed in a tornado of shadows to reveal her true godly form.

It seemed that the chances were, ultimately, not in his favor as rather suddenly a divine presence flared into being and shadows spread out in a vast cage to trap him. While that fell power strayed far from his form, merely closing off escape, Kaelh nonetheless found himself frustrated that he’d allowed himself to relax. Sucking his teeth–though the sound went unheard–Kaelhmor sighed and as the goddess called out, he braced himself.

Though yet to reveal his presence, Kaelhmor raised his hands in a placating gesture as he removed the hood from his features and subtly flexed his power such that the cloak would release its hold on his presence and visage.

“My sincerest apologies, fair traveler; I didn't mean to startle you,” said the silver-tongued god, each word the truth.

While before, his visage had been one of green and gold, his newly acquired power had changed the truth of his being. So it was that as he unveiled himself, gentle gold-white light spilled off from his visage in shimmering rays that delighted the senses and pressed at the mind. There was something strange about that light as if it were more than mere physical illumination.

Furthermore, peeking from beneath the now shimmering jet-black fabric of his cloak could be seen circling sigils of light etched in his body. Though he was garbed, the illumination still somehow found a way to slip through the cracks. Thus he was limned and haloed in light, rays draping over him like a second veil, though this one did not obscure him.

Taking a step forward, Kaelhmor dipped into an elaborate bow before rising once more to his full height to meet the eyes of the goddess who stood now some distance away. “I mean you no harm and would be glad to converse, especially if you’d be so kind as to dismiss your cage of shadows.”

Smiling lightly, as if faintly amused rather than threatened or annoyed, Kaelh let the quiet hang waiting for her to fill it anew.

As soon as the hood went down, Ashevelen felt the presence of a new divine. Even more curious than before, a divine she couldn’t see was one thing but one that she couldn’t feel, see or hear? That was something interesting. Very interesting. Quickly looking at their form, she quickly realized why. The hood was some kind of artifact meant specifically to hide them from the sight of prying eyes, divine as they may be. A similar ability to her own to hide from mortals but a bit better.

With a flick of her wrist the cage disappeared, and with her right hand, she threw a coin in their direction. Gently.

“ Apologies brother. I took you for a monster. A sign of my deepest apologies, take the coin and throw it at any shadow. It will take you to my realm, feel free to choose anything in the Bazaar as your payment. Now, where are my manners? ” said Ashe with a nod and bow “ I am Ashevelen, Lady of the Trade and Shadows, and may I say, that is a very interesting cloak you’ve got. Haven’t seen something like that in eons. ”

A small smile and a nod from the cloak-clad deity as his hand effortlessly caught the coin. Briefly, Kaelh regarded the trinket with interest before he let his hand fall back to his side. Head tilted slightly as the goddess introduced herself, Kaelhmor found himself chuckling slightly. “It is of little matter, Ashevelen, sister if you prefer. My thanks for the coin. Perhaps sometime soon I will visit this bazaar of yours. As to my nature, I am Kaelhmor, and my domain is that of Illumination.”

Considering his cloak as he did her words, Kaelh raised some of the strange fabric with a hand, rubbing the folds between his fingertips for a brief moment as he thought aloud. “Your kind words are well appreciated, sister Ashe, I thought it might be helpful to sometimes move unseen. After all, don’t we all desire solitude from time to time?” His smile was gentle and bright as he looked up and met her gaze with his golden-green eyes.

Then, moving forward and to his right, almost pacing as he pondered, Kaelh continued. “Lady of Trade is it? I do love a bargain,” he chuckled lightly then, spinning her token back and forth across her fingers. “What do you say to this? My cloak for a favor.”

With a single deft motion, Kaelhmor somehow managed to shift the cloak from his form to a position elegantly draped over his arm where it lay dappled by the light of his visage.

“ Not at all. I enjoy mortals. Losing myself in a marketplace? Traders shouting their wares while trying to attract customers? That’s solitude for me. Alone surrounded by people ” replied Ashe with a wink.

“ The cloak does look interesting, not going to say otherwise but, what favor? What does it entail? For how long? What are the conditions? ” quickly replied Ashe and then started to enumerate all the different types of questions that one might have in a situation like this.

Laughing lightly, Kaelhmor fingered the pendant ‘round his neck as he responded in kind, “Ah, to each their own then, haha. Though I too enjoy some of these things. The activity, the bright minds of mortalkind moving about day-to-day. As to the favor,” he raised his eyes then, meeting hers, “Effective now, I would only ask to avail myself of your shadowcraft, for bright as I am I can only mimic such a thing.”

Stopping several feet from her, he stretched out his cloak-draped arm and flashed her a bright smile.

“A cloak for a cloak, one to move undetected, the other to traverse and hide among the shadows. In exchange of goods, if you will. A trade. What say you, Lady of Shadows; Mistress of Trades?”

“ Hmm, an exchange of goods but not normal goods, are they? I won’t offer you another cloak, that wouldn’t be fitting. I’ve got another offer. I’ll offer you free passage to and from my Shadow Bazaar to any and all locations that someone has used to get inside the bazaar from. I’d say that’s more than fair. ” replied Ashe with a smile.

In truth, earlier that day, she conjured her deep recesses of power and, using the already existing shadow teleportation system, enhanced it tenfold. No longer would one be contained to the location they came in from, but now, one only has to think of a location they wish to arrive at, and if a person has been there before and entered the bazaar through a shadow and that shadow still exists there, they would be teleported to that location…provided that they leave an offering to the Goddess behind in the Shadow Bazaar. The bigger the distance, the bigger the cost. One would be notified inside their mind of the cost, using the Trade Book to keep prices fair, and when they accept, they’ll be teleported.

“Hmm, free passage is it?” Kaelh queried in response, his tone rhetorical, an amused glimmer in his gaze. Pondering her offer, Kaelh slowly began to nod to himself.

“A realm of bargains and exchange. Connecting all and protecting anonymity. A free market, if you will,” Kaelhmor chuckled and then began to nod, “...I like this deal, though I’d ask of you one more thing. You’ve deemed to grant me access to your auspicious home, but I’d bid you grant me one more right in such a place. Though I am no god of craftsmen, surely you recognize the stellar make of this here cloak. So I ask of you this, give me leave to draw ‘pon the essence of your realm, so from such I may create wonders for the world.”

Pausing, he gave her an instant to take in the gravity of his meaning before he flourished one arm, his cloak billowing slightly in the air, catching light, reflecting it, bending and twisting space as it moved. “For this cloak of utter Absence, I ask only for free passage and the material to supply yet greater works to those who will one day be our adherents. What say you to this beneficial bargain, oh Lady of Trade?”

“ ‘Draw upon the essence of your realm,’ you say? Well, that doesn’t sound like something I’m inclined to allow. I can offer you something else, maybe? You’ll get a special offer on the shadow strings that my Umbra produce which would, in other words, mean the exact same thing as the essence of my realm or maybe you want some servants? Say…50 Umbras to change as you see fit? Or some guardians, 20 Satyrs. ” replied Ashe while summoning from her realm one of each mortal species to show exactly what an Umbra/Satyr is.

After a few moments, another creature appeared. A Tarsk, a very big one. A prime specimen. “ Or maybe you would like a steed. These are one of my finest creations, Tarsks, they’re called. Loyal, strong and fast. ”

A counteroffer then, thought the hidden Lord of Lies, veiled by his guise of effervescent Light, illuminating only what he desired. “Perhaps these Umbra might interest me, but riddle me this, fair lady, who’s to say that I cannot garner followers myself? Surely, this saves me some paltry stretch of time, but as you know, we are immortal, rendering such things of little consequence.” Having paused in place to observe the mortal trade that she had offered, an idea struck his mind.

Nonetheless, he did not let such show upon his face as he approached and idly ran a hand over the back of the Tarsk that she had summoned. “I shall endow thee with the cloak, while I acquire free transit to your realm and all places it might be linked. However, as we’ve come to understand, this is an unfair trade, so I will ask of you two small things. The first is this, I would accept only three of your Umbra. These I will teach in my ways and yours as well so that they might spread the gospel of both our doings. Second, I will ask of you this simple thing,” with these words, he met her gaze, his own expression bereft of meaning as he finished.

“I value greatly discretion so that the world may be illuminated only at the proper time. So it is that I request your silence. Speak not, nor record our meeting, my person, or our trade. Should others already know of me or these doings between you and I, you may be free of this oath. In exchange, I will hold you in the same regard, and you may even ask of me a secondary boon.”

Ashevelen smiled at his first argument before replying, " You're saying that you can garner followers yourself but that takes time, resources, and all that. While time ain't nothing to us…it is for certain plans quite important, as you well know. So, why spend time and power to make followers when you can use some already created? "

" I know better than most what the breaking of discretion can do to a business and I usually protect my sources, so, rest assured…this will be between us. And a second boon. Hmm, let's see. I've got this coin, here. " said Ashe while lifting the Self-Printing coin.

" Imbue it with the power to sense if one is being lied to, but this ability should only be available if one of my Umbra has a coin. Can you do that? "

“Certainly,” Kaelhmor replied in regards to her request. As easily as his every movement seemed, he crossed the distance between them and held out his hand to shake. “We shall bind our oath with this coin in hand, and through its power I will endow you with your boon as you have requested.”

As he spoke, a subtle tension gathered upon the surface of his hand, but there was no threat, no danger, no hint of violence, only power gathered and laid bare. Though she could not know it, to shake his hand was a threefold deal, truly a bargain, a trade, a contract greater than any she’d yet to make. After all, it held within it the potential for an Aspect, and the power of two others–one dark and hidden, the other a veil of illuminating light.

Ashevelen, well versed in pacts and the sorts, felt herself being binded to a pact of silence but nothing more. Something felt different but still, a pact was a pact. She wouldn't break it…lest there was a need.

As soon as the pact was done, the Trademaster’s coin shone with light and shifted subtly in appearance. Lifting the coin in the air, Ashevelen looked at it and made a few more to fall on the ground. A gift for whomever might find them.

" Pleasure doing business with you, divine brother. " she replied as three Umbra appeared next to her. Blank versions with no knowledge whatsoever.

" You may need to teach them a thing or two but they're all yours. "

So it was at the moment that their hands were clasped together, with the coin held between their palms that his power blossomed. His eyes widening fractionally, Kaelh nonetheless recovered with a smile, guiding his essence deftly to forge the pact and to infuse the coin with his subtle might.

Thus, as the mistress of trade and shadows lifted the coin into the light she would find it changed, but not only in appearance. Now, any who held the coin could not only detect lies and deception both, but so too could they shine truth upon the matter. With this power, the very essence of Illumination could lead them to the facts and so bring yet more mortals into the light. Likewise, their oath had been bound in a power that Kaelh himself did not yet understand. Still…somehow it felt familiar.

For now, he would put that aside, after all there were proceedings with which he ought to interact. Smiling at Ashevelen, Kaelh then turned his gaze upon the Umbra, heeding her words as he observed them.

At the same time, his mind played across the binding power of their oath. There would be one thing about his work that would likely remain hidden for a time. It turned out that the oath itself was not a thing separate from the coin he’d blessed. For, beyond its capacity for truth, its duplication, and its unveiling of mortal deceptions, so too did the coin hold within it a fourth gift. Bound up as the core of their binding vow, within the heart of the coin’s essential essence, was the power for the wielder to better keep any secrets that they chose to hold within their breast.

For the time that Kaelh had held the coin, aware of the powers he’d bestowed, he’d wished to hold that secret in his heart, and so…even now, after contact had been relinquished, that Secret remained unseen. So it was that for Ashe to break her oath, so too would she break the coin ‘pon which it had been sealed. A fitting punishment for such a thing, he thought, though he hoped it would never be revealed.

“Very good,” Kaelhmor replied, “...I will teach them of us both and send them unto the world to spread the word of our works so that all may know their glory.” Bowing his head respectfully Kaelh then slipped past her and in a flourish, draped his cloak across her shoulders.

“Cherish these gifts as I shall cherish your creations and foster in them greater things. The cloak is Masquerade, the Shadewalker’s Skein. Use it well, fair mistress.” As he began to tread the path once more, gradually growing further, he found a second thought came upon him.

“Ah and do be delicate with the Trademaster’s Coin. It is a precious thing and anyone who comes to possess it ought to be careful with its use.” There was a smile in his tone, though his cautionary words were clearly full with honesty and meaning. That said, he continued onwards, gradually drawing further from their meeting with every step.

It had been fruitful, he admitted, glad that he’d come upon the goddess. Still…now he’d have to find a new cloak. How troublesome.

“The situation is… dire, my lord.”

The throne room was covered in dark and foreboding shadows. The Kingdom of Shen Chi was under siege by its neighbor, the Kingdom of Zhingha. Neither were particularly notable amongst the thousands of their kin in the region. Yet in this throne room they were the only ones that mattered. The brooding king sat on his jade-carved throne overlooking a carved map atop a table showing the local lands. Wooden figurines showed the armies of his enemies and his own.

“The river did not stop them.” Continued general Gonsun Yen. The grim, sweat, and blood - his own and that of his enemy - still clung to him. He had killed many but not enough. “They will be upon us within a few days.” Nothing more needed to be said. Their own armies were weakened by recent battles. Even if they held in the city of Shensing, they would eventually lose.

“Make the archers man the wall.” The king commanded as he sat back on his throne. He rang a bell and servants began to move plates up the dais.

“My lord, we must surrender!” General Gonsun exclaimed. “We cannot hold Shensing! We barely have the stores to survive the next winter. A siege would starve the people.”

The fat king looked upon his general for a moment as he chewed a piece of duck. “Seize him.” He finally said.

The guards looked around as they heard the order. None of them dared to move from their post though. Most of them had trained under Gonsun Yen. The general eyed all of them. None grabbed him. For a second he thought about ordering them to detain the king instead. Though he discarded that idea as well when he turned around and walked away. Shen Chi had lost. He had lost.

Outside the night time aurora was illuminating the world slightly. But then, before his eyes, every aurora started to coalesce. As if some unfeelable wind was pushing it together. It was a wondrous sight to behold as the colors came together, taking the shape of a great and powerful bird.

“Fear not mortal.” A voice said in the general’s mind. “Shen Chi is favored. Offer to me your bow and I shall grant you more than salvation.”

The general looked on wide-eyed and immediately rushed down towards the barracks. People were waking up and pointing at the skies with increasing awe. General Gonsun pushed his way through the growing crowd. The barracks were empty. Of course, everyone was outside. Staring at the wonder. He grabbed his bow, it was a sparse thing. His father gave it to him when he came of age and he had never used another bow.

“I offer you my bow! Please, I beg of you, help us.” The general proclaimed as he rushed outside and then fell to one knee, holding up the weapon. The aurora above shifted again. The bird’s flight changed. At first people did not know what was happening or where it was going. Until it became brighter, and brighter, and they realized it was coming down upon the city.



The Zhinghan army was approaching. Its conscripts were in an unusually good mood. Recent victories have come with a lot of loot. The war was also almost over. All they had to do was besieging the city of Shen Chi for just a few weeks. Their king was weak, and the feared general Gonsun had been defeated. So the army marched with a whistle across the hill. Beyond it was Shen Chi, basking in the dawn light. “Spread out. Setup camp.” The Zhinghan strategist ordered. The moves of his fan gave the order to officers further away, who could not hear his voice.

The army moved out. The conscripts knew their tasks. Some began to dig trenches or cut trees. Others were setting up tents. Oxen-drawn carts were being unloaded of their goods. And the siege began.

Halfway through its preparations the Zhinghan army suddenly heard a whistle.

Many of them looked up to see where it came from. They were well beyond the range of Shen Chi’s archers. So what could it be.

The entire army in the half-made camp got silent.

First the conscripts saw it: a rapidly expanding orb of just pure white. Then they felt the gale wind rushing over them, knocking some people against the ground. Finally they heard it: a thunder-like crack. It all happened in moments. A part of the growing camp was not just broken, it was erased. Vaporized in a mighty blast that seemed to have come out of nowhere. Then the whistle could be heard again.



“For Shen Chi!” Bellowed the general before he rushed through the gates with his bow in hand. It was no longer the sparse, wood-brown thing that he got from his father. It was fiery red with streaks of yellow. At its tips were burning feathers. His soldiers had the same red and yellow colors painted over their shields and faces. “For Fenghin! We shall erase these Zhingan bastards!” After his speech he stopped and fell to one knee again. His soldiers rushed beside him towards the enemy in a frenzy.

The general knocked his arrow, pulled back the string, and felt that heavenly power fill him. He said a small prayer to the great god Fenghin and released the arrow. With an unnatural whistle the arrow flew forward. Moments later the general saw the blast erupt a the enemy’s camp.



It wasn’t a battle. Not really. The Zhingan conscripts were already shattered before the Shen Chi soldiers arrived at their camp. That didn’t spare them though. With rage and hatred, the Shen Chians tore through the camp. They spared very few. Not even those who were already on the ground, coughing blood.

Those that were taken had their wrists roped.

That night the aurora showed again in its wonderful multicolored splendor and the general realized what he had to do. The exhausted, sleeping prisoners were rudely awakened as they were grabbed one by one. None of them knew what was happening as they were dragged through the city streets. The abuse was hurled from the streets, together with rocks. Most of them arrived at the central plaza in front of the gate already bleeding. They were put on rows and then, with a kick to the back of their knee, were forced to kneel.

“Zhingans!” The general bellowed. His voice silenced the mass of citizens. “Rejoice. You will released to the grace and the honor of Fenghin, the phoenix-god!”

For a second hope bloomed in the prisoner’s hearts before the first row felt the sharp sting of knives to their throat. Hope turned to horror and desperation as the first row fell down forward with their throat slit and their blood pouring. Then their executioners worked their way backward.



“I knew you could do it!” The fat king of Shen Chi said from atop his throne as more servants brought more food. “I had always known of Fenghin you see. He came to me in my dreams and told me he would deliver us from our enemies. It is why Î demanded the archers on the walls you see. Alas, your lack of faith is forgiven general. All is forgiven.”

General Gonsun stood before the throne with his bow in hand. It took an exceptional amount of self-control not to shoot the bastard through his throat right now. Yet he remained calm. The king was now nothing more than a useful idiot. A puppet, who would give legitimacy to the general’s next desire.

“But it is now time that Shen Chi’s, and Fenghin’s, influence is spread further out general.” Gonsun smirked as the king spoke. Conquest had never been on the royal’s mind until today. “There are hundreds, even thousands of kingdoms all around us Gonsun. And they are ripe for the taking. I hereby proclaim you [Warlord]. Now go forth! And make me Emperor!”

The general bowed but only to hide his own smirk. Conquest had never been on the king’s mind. But it had been the general’s dream. Without a word said he turned around and moved out of the throne room. The Thousand Conquests would begin!

---

Anath Homura began to contemplate a myriad of cosmic events happening across the world while she waited within the majestic interior of the citadel that occupied the center of the flying fortress known as Keltra, her brows were slightly furrowed as she mused upon what she had seen, and the numerous archai that currently attended to her did not know whether they should intervene or simply remain quiet - lest they should incur the wrath of the Creatrix.

“I am curious…” She muttered to herself, and then held up her hand as she summoned her immense sacred strength to speak aloud and be heard from afar. Her voice and visage echoed throughout the confines of the resplendent chamber, and weaved through the threads of the Tapestry, magically traveling directly to the site of the one she sought. She gestured with her upraised hand, and opened a portal before the deity that had garnered her attention… then she spoke through the otherworldly gateway, to softly intone:

“I am Anath Homura, and I would speak with you, Ravdur.”

Ravdur was in the middle of traveling to the Darkwoods when the portal appeared and he heard the godly call. Stopping dead in his tracks and looked curiously at the portal. “Anath Homura?” He said in a low tone, the one that called them here to this world wants to talk to him? He had to admit he was surprised that she of all wanted to see him.

Well, better not to keep her waiting , he thought, what does he want with her? Without a word, he stepped through the portal and appeared on the other side. Ravdur made a short bow to Anath Homura before speaking respectively to her. “Hello Anath Homura, and what is it that you wish to talk about?”

The interior was illuminated via columns of celestial light that cascaded softly through an oculus high above the two deities, though the sky beyond the opening was obscured by an intricate latticework of shifting symbols humming with a strange animation. There was a prevalent lack of furnishings, though the overwhelming ornate and vibrant designs all along the walls, the floor, and the ceiling, certainly compensated for the absence of standard decoration. The interior was profusely adorned with a myriad of architectural flourishes; complex colonnades depicting abstract concepts through enchanting patterns and ornamented alcoves that awaited something significant to sit in the center of the empty space they created - yet all of the artistic beauty in its entirety was arranged to present a noun that did not yet exist, it seemed.

The elaborate central hall was also populated by many angelic spirits that hovered along the curved edges of the colossal chamber; they were serene and silent sentinels that did not allow their ethereal presence to intrude upon the conversation between the Creatrix and her guest. Anath Homura herself simply stood closeby, carefully examining Ravdur with her one red eye, her other eye replaced with a softly shimmering white rose. Though she donned the visage of a small mortal, she still emanated an exorbitant amount of primordial power that suffused the complete sum of their surroundings.

“My curiosity has been aroused, and so I wish to speak with you regarding your intentions for mortalkind. I shall not leave my realm until it is required, so I would have you regale me with your view of the world and your beliefs.” Anath Homura proclaimed, as she approached Ravdur and slowly tilted her head with bemusement.

“My intentions for mortalkind and my beliefs? Okay I see,” Ravdur was curious that Anath Homura wished to speak to him about this and showing herself as a small mortal? Interestingly, he is not going to ask and took a moment to look around. Anath Homura’s realm was quite the sight and yet to Ravdur it was all too much for him. It was too… elegant for someone like him. Too fancy for a warrior like him but he can tolerate it.

Ravdur looking back at Anath Hormura and looking square at her red eye. “My intentions for mortalkind is to watch them survive and thrive in this world. To grow strong despite the hardships this world has to offer and to guide if needed.” Ravdur’s tone started to become somewhat cold. “Especially since some of the other gods have added their own hardships to this world and so these mortals need to be stronger than before. More so with the small aid I have given.”

“Could you describe this small aid that you grant unto them? How would you instill strength in them so that they may survive? Hmm… perhaps I am being presumptuous, but I imagine you are preparing for the inevitable arrival of war?” The Creatrix inquired, stepping backwards with swift grace - yet her adagio motion contrasted with her agility, and conveyed a sense of everlasting serenity. The tyrannical touch of time did not dictate the rhythm of the red goddess, as the tempo that she had chosen to set was shifting at her leisure.

“Golems, Ice golems is what I granted them, protectors made of a special ice I created called Regice. A ice that nevers melts and can regenerate when damaged. I have sent them into the wilds to guard what settlements they can find. A small aid to the mortals of this world but, the inevitable of war.” Ravdur has not thought of war, suviving what the gods throw at the mortals was his main concern but, war. Ravdur took a deep breath, war is bound to happen or later.

“I have not thought of war to be honest, mainly the dangers of this world and true, war is bound to happen sooner or later. I have not prepared them for war. I am simply waiting for time to pass to see if these mortals need guidance or not. If they are strong then no need but if they are weak then I will nudge them in the right direction. Maybe if they are lacking I will prepare them for war for it is on them if they are ready for it. All I will do is to give them guidance if they need it.”

“Have you prepared yourself for war? Creating mortals to preserve mortals is redundant. What will you do when those amongst the pantheon seek to enact war? Would you be willing to clash with other deities?”

“Are you expecting this war between the gods to happen soon?” Ravdur tone sounding annoyed. “In ways I have and I know how to fight. But to pick a side I must know what I am fighting for and who is on my side. I have only met two gods, you and the one called Myrtu. So I have little knowledge of who will be on my side if a war were to happen between the gods. Though I have heard the deeds of the other gods and I can guess their natures there. If war happens between the gods then I must know more information and I will not blindly go into the fray or blindly follow someone. I must know my possible allies and enemies and see where I will stand.” Ravdur looked at Anath Homura straight in the eye. “I will fight if I must and have you prepared for this war between the gods?”

“I will solely act as the Arbiter for such divine disputes - should my intervention truly become necessary, but perhaps peace will persist, and I will perish before I am ever called upon…” She replied with the shadow of a smile forming upon her lips, and hiding her single eye behind a small raised hand. Fierce conviction and pessimism simmered together as her voice resonated throughout the interior of the citadel, the lingering manifestation of contradictory sentiments: Though she wished for peace, she still perceived war as unavoidable.

She lowered her hand and began to walk in a circle around Ravdur, as she wore an expression of contemplation while murmuring. “As a deity yourself, do you demand extensive worship? I wonder whether you would prefer gratitude and faith, praise, or fanaticism, or other rewards?” Anath Homura mused aloud, her short yet nimble strides seemingly on the verge of dignified dance, as she occasionally swirled and slid similarly exuding elegance akin to those untethered by the weight of the world soaring and swimming with utmost freedom. Her movements remained simultaneously ethereal and ephemeral, as every motion was accompanied by the subtle song that originated from somewhere unseen within the immense chamber. There was a paradoxical combination of patience and agitation as she awaited an answer and continued her solo waltz.

Ravdur took a moment to watch Anath Hormura and was confused. Why is she almost dancing around me? He thought as he tried to make sense of it and get a feel of her. Failing that, he chose to speak, “I demand only that those that seek to follow me, follow or honor my ways, act with honor, do not blindly follow me and I will not hold your hand. Only follow me if you wish it and for those worthy of it may be granted a boon. But for the most part rely on yourself to survive, not me though to those worthy I will help to guide them. Faith and thanks is fine and does that satisfy you Anath Hormura?” His tone starting to relax a bit.

The red goddess came to a halt, and studied him with an enigmatic expression. “Are you familiar with ceremonial rites and religious festivities? Holidays and votive offerings? Should those amongst the pantheon receive veneration? Do the Divine deserve cults? You speak of honor, and I wish to honor those that have answered my summons.” She said after adopting a still stance, unfazed and unmoving like a stone statue, aside from the smooth sway of her hair similar to fiery silk trailing behind her. Her solitary eye glittered with an amused animated fascination, contrasting with her curious words uttered without emotion, as she surrounded herself with an aura of ambivalence.

Ravdur raised an eyebrow, “I am familiar to ceremonial rites and religious festivities somewhat. Not sure when was the last time I been or known one. The others and should we? I think that only if we are worthy of it that we should receive such veneration or cults.” He stopped talking to once again to try to get a sense of her and yet he can not. And it is starting to annoy him, but he is not showing it.

“If you wish to honor me for coming then do it if you wish.”

“Do you have specific preferences? Would you be opposed or approving of iconography meant to depict you and your ideology? Are there particular symbols and traditions you would favor? I would have a temple and numerous shrines erected at least, but I would appreciate you providing me with information regarding how to properly honor you.” Anath Homura asked, and she gestured towards the empty sections in the ambient architecture, evidently indicating her intentions of eventually filling them. It seemed she sought to transform the interior of the citadel into a grand temple devoted to revering the various deities that had come from afar to cultivate the nascent cosmos.

Ravdur walked a bit closer to an empty section and took a minute to look at the empty sections. Then looking back at Anath Hormura, “I would be fine with being depicted by a icon and that icon.” He thought for a bit before speaking again, “One image comes to mind, three triangles interlocking with each other. That symbol would suit me and and for a statute, me holding two handed hammer and the three triangle symbol on my hammer.” Ravdur said with a smile, “yeah that would do it for me and is that enough?”

“It shall be enough. Hmm, perhaps I will merely improvise the remainder... then when the structures and systems are all complete, I shall summon you again - so that you may examine such and ascertain whether it will all suffice.” She responded, and almost audible were the sounds of her internally calculating and evaluating within her mind what she would do in addition to that which he had explained as well. She moved to stand beside him once again, and then peered at him with her cryptic yet considerate gaze as she inquired. “As I have invited you to my home and attained what I sought from you. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Ravdur thought for a moment as he looked around the area. “I do not think so, I think I have spent enough time here and I wish to venture back to the world. It is time I see how the mortals are doing, mainly the Eosin, the mortals I have created.” Ravdur had at this point stopped to figure Anath Hormura out, perhaps another time he thought. “To see their progress and hopefully they are thriving and if not well. To see if they are in needing of my guidance.”

So looking back at Anath Hormura, Ravdur made a respectful bow to her, “goodbye Anath Hormura and may we meet again.” Was all he said before leaving through the opened portal and walking back into the world.