Domitorem Corvo

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Father's Prison.
Nevermore sits up staring with surprise and confusion at her ring. The Father had definitely taken it. But here it is. She ponders whether it is a trap. Then decides it's unimportant. She stands up and with a sweep of her hand tears the bars of the cage away. Her seals appear and she smiles. After clearing away the bars to Razz's cell she bolts up the stairs.
"Come on!! We're getting out of here!!" She yells back down."

But when she gets to the top of the steps she stops frozen in her tracks. She can't believe her eyes. Glancing over the front lobby her pulse quickens. It's an exact replica. Torn right out of time. She forces herself to move through the HAL greeting lobby and directory.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Zaak
Li-li is pressing me for information. I answer honestly.
"Using my own Umbra I hooked hers and temporarily seized control." The church fanatics are approaching. The high priest is smiling.
"Heretics killing heretics. God truly works is mysterious ways." High priest says as he motions for us to be surrounded. "God has commanded we execute these witches and their thrall." They were watching the whole thing but from what I can tell they aren't able to perceive the Umbra.
"I'm really not in the mood. If you leave now I'll spare you." I say. The high priest raises his cross high into the air. I cut him down before his next breath. The rest rush me and I cut them down as well. "We have what we came for." I say and step back into the Oasis.

Once here I survey the state of the Umbra. It's seemed to have stopped spreading. I can't say why. But this has bought us time. I step again and am in another Blackout.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
The Meeting
Shadow sits back and sighs. A servant approaches and informs Shadow that something is ready. Shadow tells her to go ahead with it.
"This has all been fun. But I have something for you all." Shadow leans forward with interlaced fingers and a stern expression. "Before that however, regardless of what happens next, we'll need a unified force. I believe that Lexianna can find a way to bring Kara to reason. But in the event she remains opposed we must rally our forces under one banner. We have three armies. We need one leader."
"And I suppose that it should be you." Karnariel says leaning forward and staring Shadow down.
"Four, but I won't hand my Fleet over to anyone.  I require a command Sphere."
"You will have the influence of a command sphere." Shadow replies.
"No deal. I don't trust you lords or this boy." Smough crosses his arms.
"Do you trust Lexianna?" Shadow says. Smough starts to speak but stops. Smough looks to Gaul then Sia both of whom offer an affirmation.
"I would but she-" Smough starts.
"I'm giving my Command Sphere to her. You can give your men their immortality through her." Shadow states with a gentle smile. Smough gives the thought a moment. Then nods silently. "Does anyone object to this?"
Baruss steps forward.
"I pledge my forces to the will and intent of the Lotus." Baruss says before stepping back and resuming his silent observations. Karnariel sighs. Turning to Stella he speaks.
"Would you like the honor?" He asks.
"Thank you Kar." Stella replies and stands up. "The rebellion stands with Goddess Lexianna."

Just then dozens of servants enter with countless platter and tray filled with delicious food.
"I asked my chefs to prepare this feast. When I told them who would be dining with me they practically fell over one another trying to out perform each other." Shadow announces. "I say that there is no better way to show camaraderie than to share a meal at ther same table. To that end I propose a toast. To a better future. To tomorrow."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
The Meeting
Raia thanks Karnariel for the apology. As Lexianna gives her speech she can't help but doubt the professionalism of them all. Sia is anything but professional. She catches the feral hostility emanating from the fox girl. For lashing out at Gaul? She considers saying something but doesn't. If it comes to it that beastly ferocity can be dealt with easily. She looks at Shadow who has been silent. His brow is furrowed. A look of consternation and annoyance.

Jalen looks at Karnariel.
"Do you want to?" Jalen asks Karnariel.
"Not really. But it is important." Karnariel takes a deep breath.

"After the advent of the Great Shaper it seemed as though The Old Gods and him would go to war. To broker peace an arrangement was made. Humanity could pray to whatever god they pleased so long as he was recognized as the supreme being. The god of gods. A marriage was arranged between the two factions. Karna, The Sun God, and Galladriel, The Angel of Peace, were to be wed to solidify the peace. But on the night of the consummation the Trickster God Loki disguised himself as Freya disguised as Galladriel and tricked the servants into leading Karna into the wrong bedchambers. Loki made it seem like Karna had bedded Freya. The world nearly came crashing down into ruin. Galladriel, however, saw through the ruse. Though she couldn't prevent it she was able to avert a holy war. Loki was banished to a celestial prison far across the stars in the darkest of places. Karna and Galladriel put the incident behind them and moved forward as the keystone of peace."

Karnariel takes a drink from his cup and looks around the room at everyone before continuing.

"Loki is a crafty one though. He broke free from his imprisonment and vanished. But not before leaving an omen. A reminder of his deeds. Kara. She appeared one day. Loki had become pregnant from his endeavor and had birthed a daughter. At least that what the Viking seerers say. She was abandoned. Left to live in a world that scorned her very existence." Karnariel is somber when speaking of this. It pains him to look back on the past. "When I was old enough I came to Earth to bring her up to her rightful place amongst the pantheon. I was furious she was blamed for the actions of her father. We spent every day together for several years. During that time I worked to get the other deities to accept her. And it was working. She was brilliant. Strong. She had my fathers passion and a clever mind. It was going so well."

Karnariel's breathing has quickened. His body is tense. The sorrow he had felt is replaced with white hot burning hatred.

"She had comes to us. Mother, Father, and I. She told us of her decision to join the Father. It was a shock. She threw away everything I had done to build her a place with us. She preached at us about equality and justice. Father and mother gave her their answer. It had not changed since that murderer first appeared. We fought about her choice. Bitterly. She left and I did not see her again until that day at the capital. I fought her but couldn't match her strength without my own. It cost the life of Princess Sabra Starborn."

Shadow perks up having caught how Karnariel left out the younger Starborn.
"And what of Stella? We had all assumed that the two perished in the fires of the castle ruins." Shadow says, his gazed fixed on Karnariel. Karnariel returns his gaze.
"If that were not the truth what would you do?" Karnariel fires back. Shadow laces his fingers and leans forward.
"I've lived under the rule of two Starborn kings. One a saint and the other a despot. I suppose it would all depend on what kind of Queen she would be." Shadow answers. Baruss turns to Karnariel.
"You're going to be mad." Baruss says as the doors to the meeting open up and a young woman enters. She is dressed modestly in a tunic and loose pant. Her hair is decorative and ornate yet practical.
"I would try my very best to live up to your expectations of a fair and just ruler." Stella Starborn says to the entire room. She is no older than seventeen yet has the poise of royalty despite not being an attendee of any formal court for at least the last ten years. Her hands are rough. Not what you'd expect of a royal. It is also apparent that she has seen battle. Her posture and how she confidently rests her hand on the hilt of her sword coupled with the scars that she wears all speak to an accomplished swordsman.
"You are not supposed to be here!" Karnariel shouts as he gets up from his seat. Stella walks past him and sets herself in the seat next to his.
"You may continue." Stella says matching Karnariels stern gaze and pretending as though she had been there from the start.
"That's all I have to say. If someone wants to elaborate on her powers." Karnariel says re-seating himself and trying not to explode.

"Valkyrie has always been the strongest of us." Shadow announces. Raia's expression confirms this.
"The way she moves. It's not normal. Is that her power?" Smough asks genuinely interested.
"In a manner of speaking." Raia says pulling her eyes away from Stella. "As she explains it her power is Freedom. I'm not entirely sure what that means. She sometimes also refers to it as Liberation."
"She seems to use it to remove any hindrance of the physical world. The wind does not ruffle her clothes. She can see in the darkest of shadows or the brightest of lights. I've seen her ignore doors and walls altogether." Shadow adds. "It's a vague and mysterious power to be sure."
"When I fought her at the capital she seemed to dance around me as though she weighed nothing. Yet her strikes were heavy and she could unbalance me with the weight of her spear alone." Karnariel adds. He looks to Lexianna. "If it were anyone but her... but I can't forgive her."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
The Meeting
Smough defensively places a hand on his prize. He wasn't planning on sharing. From what Sia told him of Trench Frenzy it's a drink fit for gods. And after parting with an official emblazoned band of Raia's old house crest for it. A trinket Smough had been planning to bribe or payoff the Western Warden with.
"Not with my booze..." Smough says summoning a few well dressed pirates to carry it off. Raia at the same time is scowling at Gaul.
"That reminds me." Raia says loud enough to get Gaul's attention. "What is your objective? I thought you all might be doing the same but it's clear that everyone here has different goals."
Shadow grimaces, anticipating this the moment Gaul began to speak with certainty. "Raia, I don't think now is the best time."
"Who the hell do you think you are? I get you're all big shot outworlders but you..." Raia says ignoring Shadow and fixing her gaze on Gaul. The news of slavers in her lands has put a bad taste in her mouth. "I know your type. Strength is all that matters to men like you. You think everything is just a dick swinging contest that you can kill your way out of." Raia has her arms crossed and scowl pointed at Gaul. She knows she's making a few assumptions and probably in the wrong but can't stop herself from lashing out.
"I do not think that is an accurate assessment of this man." Baruss states.
"Damare, bakemono!"
"I agree with Raia. This one is dangerous." Karnariel announces. Karnariel shifts in his seat but keeps his assertive posture. He's not forgotten Gaul's destruction of the moon.
"I am grateful you cleared the Bloodmen out of the mountain fort. From what I can tell their Spawning Pool has been destroyed as well. But the Bloodmen, for all the horrid things they are, are fiercely loyal. Not one would turn on their Baron." Raia taps the table with her finger.
"Gaul, what are your plans on dealing with Valkyrie? I think it would set everyones' minds at ease if this were discussed amongst all parties involved." Shadow states. "I also think it would be best if everyone here stated their intent as well as what brought them to this meeting in the first place. No one has asked. I'm not certain if that's because it hasn't crossed anyone's minds or because they don't want to know. But you all know each other. It's obvious to me that you came here with a set objective in mind. If someone could explain what that is."
"That is simple." Baruss speaks up. Everyone looks at him with confusion. "They wish to depose The Father."
"That's what Sia told me." Raia adds in, still very much standoffish. Karnariel looks at Lexianna. Partially for assurance. Partially to gauge her reaction.
"It's why I've decided to ally with Lexianna." Karnariel levels his gaze at Gaul once more. "Kara is mine. She may be daughter of Loki but I'm her half brother. She dies by my hand."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
The Meeting
Raia and Smough tense as Lexianna enters. Her similar appearance to Hands puts them on edge. They both come to the same conclusion but keep their questions in the back of their mind.

"I'l start by saying that things here in the south are going exceptionally well since Shadow purged the corrupt officials. There are still raiders and defectors who fled into the forests but incidents with them are fewer each day. Things are going well." Karnariel states.

"West point is doing well now that the bloodmen stronghold has been toppled. The kidnapping and slave trade is new and still very small. My contacts in the capital say that about upwards of fifty Son Kai men, women, and children are being smuggled to nobles in the capital."
"I still don't believe you. Do you have proof aside from these so called contacts I'm supposed to believe you have?"
"You can see for yourself. You do ride the Eternal Wolf." Karnariel replies. Raia looks around the table. Chron is instantly there. Raia reaches up, placing a hand on him, and vanishes. She reappears seconds later both livid and mildly embarrassed.
"It's true." She says quietly. It took every ounce of self control to not kill the posh noblemen who have stolen her people. She knows that would only tip off the slavers. She mulls over her options as Karnariel continues.

"I won't talk of East Point. We all know the outcome of that." Everyone casts an accusatory eye at Baruss.

"The north is mostly okay. The real problem stems from Valkyrie herself." Karnariel says.
"Yes, she's very... zealous in her duties." Smough chimes in. He and Sia have been chatting in pirate code involving simple gestures and seemingly insignificant movements and actions. The conversation has mostly been about booze.

"Most of the people freed from the Bastille were sent there by her. It's not a far stretch to say she's a fanatical follower of the father. She turned her back on everything she knew for his ambition."

"As for the mainland... it's hard to say. I haven't been but my agents say it's an eerie sort of tranquil. No one will talk. No dissidents. The city guard and soldiers are well behaved. But every agent seems to... change. Their messages go from suspicion to acceptance far too quickly. But they do still report. I don't know what to make of it."
"Could it be The Commander? I don't know much about them." Jalen asks.
"No one does. She's an enigma raised after our coup and given the capital by the father. We can tell she is female. But that's about it. No one has seen her outside of her armor and any attempt to see her appearance has proved fruitless." Shadow elaborates.
"The armor. It masks her from being seen." Baruss announces.
"Really." Raia answers sarcastically.
"In more ways than you realize. I have knowledge. An analysis report from mother. May I? Baruss asks Lexianna who nods. The light Lexianna placed at the table moves over and a holographic representation of the information takes its place. Baruss reads.

Subject's armor is of normal construction. Steel and leather. Chain mail protected joints. Padded inner lining.

After acquiring [redacted] a secondary analysis of the armour has revealed paracausal properties. Hypothesis: [redacted] must be an ontological shaper of extreme potency.

Hypothesis: Bearer of the armor: Lord Commander, is unable to be identified while wearing the aforementioned protection.

Note: due to lack of tested variables regarding [redacted] it is unclear as to the armour's true potential. Exercise caution when interacting with subject: Lord Commander.

The file ends and vanishes.

"That's all mother had to say." Baruss finishes.
"That sounded like a human report. I thought your mother was the- what was it? Prime Mind?" Karnariel asks.
"Yes. It was from before her accident." Baruss answers.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Shadowhold one week after Lexianna liberated the Brightblades.
Karnariel and his fifteen thousand troops are camped to the south of the keep. Shadow's ten thousand strong force is withdrawn into the castle and at standby in the barracks. The other ten thousand have been deployed on patrol and peacekeeping duties as a ploy to fill the countryside with reinforcements that can be easily called. There are also another ten thousand Mystic Knights camped to the north. Sir Baruss had taken command of his fathers forces and shipped them to South Point.

With all these forces mustered in one place the tension is palpable. Each of the groups stare at each other across a field that they expect to soon be fighting on.

Shadow, Raia, Smough, Sir Baruss, and Karnariel have decided to attend a meeting to discuss their futures. When Lexianna returned with the Brightblades Karnariel was ecstatic. Then came the news of the newly risen Lord. With much coaxing from Lexianna he was invited to attend the talks. The few days of tension before Smough arrived with a windswept Flame was almost to a breaking point.

Smough enters the large room where a large meeting table has been cleared. He takes note of the bloodstained stone in his assessment of his surrounding. He's the first. He sets himself at the table and has a servant fetch him some coffee.

Raia had been given a room for her and Sia's use. But Raia who still doesn't sleep well indoors made nightly excursions into the contryside late at night. Sometimes with Sia. Sometimes without. She has ever increasing worries about the meeting. The day of she kisses Sia and asks her to rejoin her companions before heading to the meeting.

When Raia enters the meeting room she sees Smough. Managing to remain civil she sets herself across from him.
"How was the trip?" Raia asks.
"It was wonderful. Kind of you to ask. I'd reciprocate but I know you don't really travel." Smough replies.
"One of the perks of befriending a cosmic being." Raia hums. The door swings open and the rhythmic clunk of armor rings out as Sir Baruss enters. Both Raia and Smough narrow their eyes. Baruss takes note of their apprehension at his armor. In an instant the armor melts away and is replaced by a simple doublet.
"Is that more to your liking?" Baruss asks. The two of them give each other an uneasy glance.
"You're not human." Raia says. She pictures Sia as she says it.
"I am not. Correct. But this is the form that father imagined me as. So I don't see a reason to change. I understand that my creation may pose a moral dilemma. But that is no fault of mine. I cannot change the circumstances of my birth. All I can say, is that, I am here to help."
"But who will you help? Us? Them?" Smough says sitting forward and point his cup at Baruss.
"Pardon my saying but you are all Them to me. I will help you both as much as I am able."
"But what if our intentions are opposed? What then?" Raia continues to grill Baruss.
Baruss, without missing a beat, smiles. "Then I will establish peace." The way Baruss says it makes it seem almost like a threat.

Shadow enters from a door at the back of the room.
"Peace is an admirable goal. But it is not always possible. Sometimes one or more parties are unhappy with the proposed peace. What then?"
"You humans love to ask that. What then. It gives you a sense of power. Your curiosity pointed like a weapon. To dismantle what you believe I am. But I know myself. I know the contradictions my logic brings. To you I am an outsider. Not to be trusted to understand you. Or to propose solutions to your problems." Baruss takes a cup and sips it. Smugly. His tone. His body language. Everything he's doing and saying all aimed at eliciting favorable reactions. "But I'd argue that I am more suited to reaching a fair and just solution than any of you. Not in spite of my third party observances. But because of them."

A singular pair of clapping hands rings out. Everyone's attention turns to Karnariel.
"Quite a speech. But you didn't answer his question." Karnariel says at Baruss.
"I will fight. For whoever I believe will be most beneficial to the well being of the most people."
"So we are in agreement. I should have a Command Sphere." Smough says fixing his gaze on Karnariel.
"The hell you should." Raia interjects.
"My men brave the raging seas to ferry your cargo with the utmost security. They deserve the same protection your men have." Smough argues back. Karnariel makes a sound of disgust.
"You have something to say, young Kar?" Shadow asks.
"You all bicker over this like my people haven't been hunted like animals." Karnariel spits.
"Don't act like it was ever about anything but revenge for you." Raia barks.
"We fought hopeless battles to try and improve the lives of those you neglected." Karnariel slams his fist down on the table shaking everything on it. "The rampant corruption and sanctioned extortion in your lands Shadow. The hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in Baruss's creation. The literal underground slave trade in west point."
"What did you say?!" Raia is fuming.
"But none of you would notice. You never bother to look at anything beyond your own ambitions. Or frivolities. You're all too important to see how the people suffer. The only one here who has the slightest amount of my respect is Pirate King Smough." Karnariel finishes. The room is quiet. Servants have stopped in their tracks and no one says a thing. Finally shadow speaks.
"Raia, do you remember what I said that day? When we stormed the castle?" Shadow looks down into his wine.
"Them today. Us tomorrow. What of it?" Raia asks still defensive.
"We've reached that tomorrow."

The five of the them sit and sip their drinks. Not long after Lexianna arrives with the rest of the group in tow. And the Meeting begins.

Blackout 482,004,911
The Lady of the Forest turns in horror giving Zaak the opening he needs to strike. With a swift lunge he runs her through with his sword. She lets out a pained gasp as Zaak extracts the Umbra from her existence. As she collapses to the ground she weakly pleads.
"No, they'll burn me at the stake. Please. Without the Dark Gift the children will..." The Lady passes out. The children who were healthy only a moment ago are all stricken by their illnesses. Zaak holds in his hand a small black quivering flame. It seems to speak directly to your innermost self by way of images. Each new image defining itself in the instant you observe it. The Umbral Wish flickers and goes out taking the Blackout with it.
"Lilianna, see to the children. I'll help the girl." Zaak says as he kneels and sees to The Lady's injury.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Shadow Hold
Shadow leads the two into his study and offers them a seat at a table. As Raia settles herself Shadow passes her a bottle of whiskey. Raia immediately passes it to Sia.
"I heard your meeting with Karnariel?" Raia says getting right down to business.
"I am." Shadow answers. "This one's companion, Lexianna, has been mediating the negotiations as a neutral party."
"You know she got Sturm's command sphere for him right?" Raia states.
"I am aware. I had her look into his death." Shadow sips his tea.
"And?" Raia presses.
"It seems we aren't as invulnerable as we were led to believe. Our Soul Void can be invaded. If our true bodies are killed... well, you can imagine."
"You think Karnariel is using Lexianna to get to us? I mean, he's desperate for vengeance."
"I don't think so. She seems genuine in promoting peace. I'd call her naive. But with the kind of power she wields it's not naivete." Shadow says as he empties his cup. Raia glances at Sia, recalling that night she witnessed her true form.
"You should know that the pirate king is going to be attending this meeting as well."
Raia informs.
"Smough?" Shadow asks. Raia nods. "I suppose I should prepare for more guests."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Southwest Ocean
Smough laughs as he joins Flame on the back of the whale. He kneels next to her and smiles.
"Enjoying yourself, Princess? Next I'll show you the schools of jellyfish." Smough reaches out and slowly runs his thumb over her lips placing an enchantment on them that will allow her to breath underwater. "There, how's that?"

Father's Prison
Nel looks up at a Razz.
"If The Nevermore wants to serve, then she should be able to. For those like us the mission is our truth. We usually don't have any truth beyond that. So if she lost her other truth. Then ther only one that remains is her old one, right?" Nel smiles at Nevermore. "I hope I can find a different truth one day. By the way, I thought father took your ring. How did you get it back?"

East Point Bastille
The Old Man has simple robes and short translucent white hair. He is blinding in one eye and is shaky on his feet.
"Stand up son." He says in a soft yet strong voice. Sir Baruss stands up to be embraced by The Old Man. "Step forward Lexianna. After all I have you to thank for this. Apologies for my wife. She's not been the same since her accident. As you've no doubt assessed, I am Lord Mystic."

He is cut short by harsh wheezy coughs that produce blood. It's obvious that he has lung cancer. Terminal. Despite this he produces a cigarette tin lights one with a small fireball. He takes puff and smiles.
"Menthol, something I've been experimenting with. Soothes my airways."

Mystic watches Lexianna closely. Despite his age and affliction he is sharp of mind deceptively lucid.

"I'm glad it was you that came. Your companions are... lacking in subtlety. You however are very clear in your morals and direction. Which is why I want you to look after my boy. Help him to become what it is he truly desires." Mystic coughs painfully. Sir Baruss starts to help buy Mystic gently swats him away. "I've spent my life teaching, guiding, helping those around me. It's been a good life. One I want to be done with. Help my boy be like me. Consider this an old fool's dying wish."

Mystic reaches out and takes Sir Baruss's hand and in that moment all of his power is given to Baruss. Lines appear on Mystic's body in a pattern that resembles Seals of Power as he goes limp and ceases to move.

Baruss turns to Lexianna with both sadness and resolve burning in his eyes.
"I want to help."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Smough's Flagship
Smough gives orders to his crew to head for Shadows hold and to make their new employer comfortable. Then he dives into the water after Flame. His form is flawless and he cuts through the waters like he owns them. Indeed it would seem the water moves with him. He swims over to Flame and points in the direction of a school of dolphin who break through a school of fish. Quickly moving from one side to another he places his right hand on the small of her back and motions to the enormous figure rising up from below. A whale. Am enormous bellowing white whale.

Father's Prison
Nevermore sighs.
"I know that. And there's nothing wrong with my eyes." The dark tendrils remain as she rests her head against the wall. "Don't take this the wrong way. But I don't think you're the right person to talk about this with."

Shadow Hold
Shadow blinks indifferently at Sia.
"Have you two met?" Raia asks.
"Briefly in the forest." Shadow answers. "And I do but I'm not sharing my personal stash with you."
"Consider it a wedding gift to me." Raia says to Shadow.
"Marriage? To who?"
Raia smiles at Sia. "Someone who doesn't care about status."
It takes a Shadow a second to catch on. He chuckles to himself and sighs. "Fine. Let's go to my study."

East Point Bastille
Baruss is quiet for a moment.
"I guess you could call him good. He wants to help people to make their lives better. He uses his mind to create special tools and machines that make tasks easier." Baruss is quiet for a time. "But after mother..."

"Yearn under listless skys.
  Writhe in stagnant earth.
   And be still. Yet living.
    Though hands cease to turn."

The words ring out from deep within the Bastille. They flood over everything and time itself ceases to move. In this frozen world only Baruss and Lexianna seem to be able to move.
"It's father. He knows i'm here." Baruss bolts into the Bastille past frozen guards and Mystic Knights. He runs up multiple sets of winding staircases and down halls until he reaches the laboratory. Where his father waits.

Kneeling before an old man in robes Baruss takes his hands.
"Father, I am here."