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[color=9B9F94]Silence. Not even a gust of wind. Everything had died in what was once called Viiqii. All that remained was a crater of salted land and rapidly decaying matter. Matter that was once the men and women of this village, now gone without a trace. Cawiuo Zast, Selena Creighton and Qelen the elder were among them too. But what had claimed the very last morsel of this land’s soul was not the horror that had made it its nest. An amalgamation of the worst things in the Hells had baptized it with his arrival. Now, it is permanently scarred.

Arcaan’toras’aamii had witnessed it all and managed to keep his head. He would never know whether Belthagor allowed it or if he was insignificant enough to not even be noticed. The once promising land he had hoped to leverage for his clan’s long term prosperity became ground zero for the most repulsive and monstrous thing he had ever seen. His eyes were hollow and his gait reduced to a limp despite being physically fine. 

He found his tent an hour later, partially destroyed. Inside was Yamo’nabal’fiin, kneeling before a body wrapped in blankets. His eyes were red from tears he could not hold back anymore as they met Arcaan’s. The Aamii did not have to see what was in the wrappings to know, but he still endeavoured to see. Suulii was in it, many veins bulging all over her body with her severed leg infested with now decaying plant life. Her eyes were closed, her chest did not move with a stab wound in its centre and she looked cold.

In a land where all distinguishing factors were devoured and brought to death, where it was neither hot nor cold, where nothing lived or died, the world had never felt colder for these two men. 

Esmii’nesta’tawar had vanished without a trace while Niallus Saberhagen fought off the Smiler until the bitter end to save his friend. Both were considered dead, leaving many friends and family to grieve without bodies to bury or cremate. 

Few, if any, would know what truly happened in Viiqii. History would sooner forget it over the grander war that was to come and the inevitable calamities the Grand Demon Belthagor was preparing for Sipenta. But those that survived, the precious few with still their bodies and minds, will remember this day. Where the beginning of the end was birthed.

It came from the Bog.

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Until last year, the world’s balance was held and controlled by a select few people. Some held more weight than others, but their roles in world events were undeniably above any other formal ruler of the world. Some called them the Gods of the mortal plain, others thought of them as none other than mere tyrants playing the role of a God. But now the biggest players were off the board. 

[b][i]Hugo Hunghorasz - Slain by everyone that mattered.

The Emperor of Nikan - Slain by his own brother.

The Silent Monk - Slain by his own hand. 

Optimate Pious XIII & Optimate Justine III - Alive and poised for replacement if the need arises.

President Sanfor - Allegedly still presiding in Missai.[/i][/b]

Half were gone, the other half nubiles compared to the ‘big three’. She bit her thumb’s nail as recalled some of these events unfolding. Exhilarating. There were now the ‘New Powers’, some already near their peaks, others budding at an alarming rate.

[b][i]Emperor Cascal’umi’anthan - Emperor of Tarlon and Supreme commander of the Grey Fleet.

Empress Esuul of Tantiac - New head of the Sanguine council, allying it with Tarlon.

Karim Harrachora - Hugo’s replacement in all but raw skill and power.

The Twin Emperors - Heads of the new Sanguine Council. 

Volto Dorado - The head of the Volti, now making their move.

The Mad Avatar - High Priestess of Viisan.[/i][/b]

Juulet smirked in satisfaction as she carefully noted that particular one down. The best was saved for last, though in spite of her megalomania, she knew something was missing in this picture. It quickly broke that infantile smile of her’s. 

[b][i]The Traveler - The true wildcard.[/i][/b]

She tapped her pen against her chin. Surely there was someone else of that calibre. Surely there was another extraordinary being to consider. 

Of course, there was one that had been there all along. As she was about to jot it down above even the fallen ‘Gods’, the sound of a door opened prompted the one-legged Yasoi to perk up. None of the guests whom she could hear the footsteps could actually see her, instead they saw a dark chair turned opposite to them. It was one of those spinning chairs she was incredibly fond of.

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The rugged man content with merely a tunic and other inconspicuous clothing spoke up. [color=36AE36]“Are you about to make a dramatic turn-”[/color]

Juulet spun her chair to dramatically reveal herself to the group of guests.

[color=6495ED]“Greetings! I’ve had shrimp prepared for this early supper.”[/color] the Yasoi opened her arms to display the long dining table before her. There was a silver bell over each plate where the guests were invited to take seats. [color=6495ED]“I was real hungry, so I figured this big meet would go well with the yums.”[/color]

Viktor, briefly known as Felix, shrugged as if this was routine and took a seat to Juulet’s right. To her left sat a Yasoi of about her age. Facial features suggested more masculine traits, but the build and long brown hair leaned feminine. They grimaced the moment Juulet opened her mouth and sighed in exasperation when offered a seat. They were also the first to remove the bell, revealing large, roasted prawns with a healthy amount of spicy sauce on them.

[color=#644a91]“Where’s Merit?”[/color] inquired the androgynous individual, the voice revealing without a doubt that he was, in fact, male. His voice was dry and demanding, but he didn’t raise it nor come off as downright aggressive.

[color=8B008B]“Busy.”[/color] replied Juulet. With a bell removed, she had given herself permission to indulge after setting her notepad to the side. [color=8B008B]“She’s met with our special guests already. We’re here to discuss business with ‘em.”[/color] she munched away with little regard for manners. She was a goddess, such petty worries were beneath her.

[color=#644a91]“That way you can burn away all our credibility again after all the work she’s done? You never cease to amaze me, babe.”[/color] 

[color=FF8C00]“Shuuuut the fuck uuuupppp Calion.”[/color] whined Juulet, surprisingly composed for how she was being talked to. It looked more like siblings bickering than animosity, at least from her. Calion, on the other hand, had a hint of venomous animosity in his eyes.

Viktor completely zoned them out and indulged in his meal as would any man used to the outdoors - mostly using his hands to peel the shrimp.

There was another participant that had entered last. A man adorned in fine Rettanese silks with the attire itself reserved only for the highest class within the capital - The Exemplars. Clad in a mixture of gold, green and brown, this round-faced, clean shaven man looking to be in his forties employed proper etiquette from his region, from using gloves for his hands when needing to touch the foods to expert use of chopsticks. 

[color=DA70D6]“Anyway,”[/color] Juulet took a bite from her grub without even bothering to decorticate. [color=DA70D6]“I wanted to lube us up before the big welcome. Namely with discussing dear Viktor’s report. And also I’ve had the best fookin’ idea ever.”[/color] the accent slipped there, just a little bit.

All three raised a collective brow to that.

Juulet cleared her throat.

[color=DA70D6]“Viktor, I see here [i]our guy[/i] Don Balls kind of had it coming. That kind of leaves us in a pickle, don’it?”[/color] she cocked her head like an overly naggy teacher reprimanding a young student.

Viktor shrugged one shoulder, his interest clearly geared more toward the tricky shell of the prawn he had in his hands. [color=36AE36]“He was dead before I had arrived.”[/color]

[color=8B008B]“Yeaaaaaah, but you fucked up with controlling that thing. It slipped and screwed around and now here we are.”[/color] her wide and crazy eyes peered deep into Viktor’s hollow soul.

[color=36AE36]“It did.”[/color] he answered, staring her down without a change in his demeanour.

A silence reigned briefly, only for it to be broken by Calion.

[color=#644a91]“Wasn’t that what we wanted?”[/color]

[color=6495ED]“... Yeah, but the results aren’t to me liking. I gotta blame someone.”[/color]

Calion rolled his eyes. [color=#644a91]“If it’s such a big issue, find someone else to hold your hand in that adventure down south.”[/color] Juulet glared his way, he returned the favour. [color=#644a91]“That isn’t me.”[/color]

Juulet huffed and crossed her arms. [color=6495ED]“I’ve had another job for you anyway.”[/color]

[color=#644a91]“You’re not my boss.”[/color]

[color=6495ED]“Kind of am. Anywho- Now we’ve got all this nice info on our green pet project, but a new [b]actual[/b] issue arises.”[/color] there was a shift in tone in the mad avatar’s voice. All eyes were on her now, including the mysterious Rettanese man who seemed frankly out of place. [color=8B008B]“The Big B is out early. We’re going to adapt.”[/color]

A new voice spoke. [color=#b0a158]“If the Arrogant One’s presence is a true concern, then we would have been mobilized to silence him.”[/color] the regally dressed man spoke with perfect Avincian. [color=#b0a158]“If no such thing has been ordained, then the matter must be settled. I believe Mister Strauss has performed his duty and retrieved the essential information we had been seeking.”[/color]

Juulet kept quiet and had nothing witty to add. [color=DA70D6]“Hmmm. Sure.”[/color] she reached out to pat the Magusjaeger’s forearm. [color=DA70D6]“You did good. For a guy that’s died like four times.”[/color] she snorted and Viktor chuckled. 

[color=#644a91]“Let’s get the other part done hastily, please.”[/color] complained Calion.

Juulet clapped her hands. [color=6495ED]“Oh right! Thanks Cally!”[/color] 

Calion groaned and rolled his eyes. He detested that name, and her.

[color=6495ED]“So, I met this painter guy, right? Total pushover artsy type. He had this cutest rock-person! And it could shoot a big laser too!”[/color] her gestures were trying to capture both the smallness of the construct and the flashiness of the blast. [color=6495ED]“And so I thought, how could I get one of those?”[/color]

[color=#b0a158]“Golems. Ersand’Enise has recently integrated them.”[/color] spoke the Rettanese nobleman. [color=#b0a158]“An art specific to the Dark Mages of West Callanast.”[/color]

Juulet pointed the man’s way. [color=6495ED]“Yeah, that! I saw how BIG and AWESOME they were during that big kerfuffle of revolution, soooo …”[/color] a big grin with nearly lidded eyes was directed Calion’s way.

[color=#644a91]“... What?”[/color]

[color=6495ED]“Sooooo I thought maybe we’d get a few of our own. And what better place than the source. That art Yanii mentioned a place called An Zini or something.”[/color]

[color=#644a91]“An Zenui.”[/color] corrected Calion.

[color=6495ED]“Sure. I figured you’d be the best suited to filter out the best of the best and retrieve it for us~”[/color] she leaned toward Calion’s, almost rubbing up to him like a cat. [color=6495ED]“C’mon, say yes, before I gotta put on my boss pants.”[/color]

The male Yasoi pursed his lips and, after brief deliberation, shrugged. [color=#644a91]“Not the worst idea you’ve had. And keeps me away from you. I’ll do some recon.”[/color]

An excited Juulet clapped in celebration. [color=DA70D6]“Fan-fuckin-tastic! We’re going places, I promise. Just a few more steps …”[/color] she bit her lip in anticipation.

[color=DA70D6]“Oh right!”[/color] she shuffled on her seat to adopt a more proper posture. [color=DA70D6]“I think our special guests are here. Let them in!”[/color] she called out to the doorman upon sensing a cluster of unfamiliar energy signatures. Three sets of footsteps entered. All Yasoi. Two women and one man.

[color=DA70D6]“Welcome ladies and good sir, have a seat. I, Juulet’oli’muustii’zan, High Priestess of the Nation of Viisan, humbly invite you to my table.”[/color] she opened her arms and nodded her head in respect, though she didn’t stand. 

Cherii'cola'caliman and Arsii'cola'sevenuup were first to find their seats, with the martiarch Leluun’dorii’cola taking the spot opposite of Juulet.

[color=8B008B]“And we would be delighted to discuss how we can help you settle a few [i]misfortunate[/i] scores.”[/color][/color]