.~Edelsteine~. - Ankou's Journal by Zero Dream

[Zero Dream]

The Great Depths

Their return to the Nyanko had been a successful one, but he had not tarried – left his companion to reap most of the honours for himself. Even the maps which had picked at his attention earlier on and had lead to their fishing venture did not seem to be able to hold his attention, though he did indeed study them and do his best to commit them to memory – a few sketches were also jolted down in the notebook he carried. It's page were getting full... a good thing he had thought to bring three with him instead of just one.

But for now, he had something else – something rather important – to do still. The merfolk were still waiting on him, and though he still felt guilt as leaving his companion behind at his task, he had no other choice – this tasks needed to be done, and it seemed like the best outcome to split now. He had left the books with the dragon, and he had left his aoidei with him as well. Jinx had been rather unhappy with her master's decision, but a few choice words had quieted her – she would be more useful to the dragon than she would for him, especially now that he knew just what the world was like. The cat would likely refuse to enter a body of water this large, and who knew how long this would take him ?

And so, he had bid his companions farewell for now, and wandered down the path he had previously walked a few hours prior – now alone. He travelled light – bringing only some rations and more of the berries the nyanko had given him before in his messenger bag, all wrapped up in large leaves, in an attempt to keep them dry. With no dragon to be able to pull him should something occur, the bag would have to follow him down this time, as he did not fancy the thought of drowning. The surface was every bit as slippery as it had been then, and the lack of Tian Yue to be able to hold onto while his claws brought him stability made his descent rather slow. In the end, though, he seemed to give up on such thing and simply let himself slide down once he had reached a gentle slope, only working himself to his feet – only narrowly avoiding tripping – once he had reach the point where the root-alguae angled upward. He paused only a moment before he started his climbing. The rubbery substance was quite slick itself, but a bit drier on the inside that the floor had been, the edges allowing for some grip to his fingers.

What he would have done for actual, useable wings now... The tendrils at his back were, as always, rather useless, though they gave an irritated twitch in response to the mood of the god. He could move them easily, stretch and fold them – the basics of usability were right there, but there had no way so little a surface could lift and carry him. And unlike Tian Yue, he was not gifted with the power of wingless flight.

It had taken him quite some time to be able to scale the length, but eventually he did just that, and leaped from his precarious perch on the top, feeling unsafe with how the weaker part swayed under his weight and threatened to break. He landed perfectly on one of the large leaves below.

The world seemed somehow bigger, quieter now that he did not have his companion at his side. This was a foolish thought – nothing had changed here, as far as he could tell. Nothing... beside the fact that he stood alone. Truly alone. But this could not be it either... could it ? Had he gotten... used to this ?

He forced the thought out of his head, hands moving to undo the strap of the bag, tying it around his waist as tightly as he could bear it, in fear that the waves would knock it from his shoulders. When a few thugs proved the whole very solid, he took and ate more of the bitter fruits – ugh, these were not an acquired taste – and zipped the bag closed again before jumping into the cold water and swimming.

Downward, always downward.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

They were exactly where he had left them, gathered at the ruins of the city, still beautiful in spite of being broken in so many ways. Ankou settled in the bottom once more, but this time did not extend his power. There was no need to, and his mana was still scarce and precious. Not to be abused less he had none at his disposal should he really needed to unleash his powers. They had been whispering among themselves, but all went silent once more at the god's return.

'You have returned swiftly, Carrier of the Dead.' It was true, that what had seemed to take so long for him perhaps only took a few hours in truth. But still, Ecletia sounded pleased.

He nodded in answer, parting his lips to mouth out his words. 'As I have. I trust you are all ready ?'

'We are well beyond ready, Lord.' Her words were just the slightest bit bitter, but drew no emotion from the Spirit Guide's features.

'Then it shall be just a moment.' With that, he propelled himself though the water with a kick, scanning his surroundings. There were plenty of bodies here – after there had been no one left to bury them, most likely – the bones clean, likely from having been picked clean by the fish. It saved him from a potential gruesome task, not that it would have stopped him. These were bodies, discarded and useless. The bones came easily, seeming light in his hands, and he slid them through one of the side-pockets of the bag before zipping that closed as well. He did not dare to open the main section, where food, water and berries were stored. The Guide was quite sure the ratty old bag was not waterproof, but Sanyrra had assured him that the bundling of leaves would help to keep everything from getting completely drenched.

With that done, he slid though the water once more. 'Let us go, then. Show me these pathways, Ecletia.'

The mermaid nodded, and so they were off.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ecletia had been right. There was no way Tian Yue would have been able to fit though this while wearing scales. And it was a pity in itself, because that meant he did not get to see this. The once-great spires of coral that marked the entrance were broken, but yet it seemed to take little from their beauty. Thin and long, it seemed likely that they spread to stand over the surface in their prime. This was truly a sacred path, and had been revered as such.

'It is here.' The woman spoke, softly. 'Can you tell of anything, Carrier of the Dead ?'

Indeed, he could. The water was colder here, first of all, but the depths seemed to grow unnaturally dark in the distance. But the true tell-tale hint was the familiar energy he felt dwelling just beyond. Well, this certainly made his job easier.

'All is well..' He mouthed, and swam though the opening. The merpeople followed. It was indeed getting a great deal colder here. The dead did not mind, but as he gave a kick of his feet to swim along a sudden angle, he noticed he was shivering. This path was much like a maze carved from the earth itself, with many sharp turn and twists. After a few minutes of swimming, he stopped, where the water turned pitch dark, even to the string of lights tied to his wrist.

Right there... Right beyond there, and he could be in the Underworld. It was hard, beyond hard, to try to resist the urge – but if he was quick enough about this, perhaps he would be able to catch up with the dragon before he left the nyanko camp. 'Right here, beyond here, is what you seek. You will be welcomed.'

He needed to say nothing more. They swam right into the darkness, without hesitation, their scale brushing against his form, whispering words of thank and praise. Prayer. Worship. It felt unlike anything he could remember feeling in this life. Like a sudden jolt coursing though his body, extremely pleasant and comfortable, spreading though him like warmth.

The merpeople continued to pass him by, and for a moment, he watched the darkness intently. A few well-placed kicks of his legs and he would be swallowed by it himself. It was hard to resist giving in to the temptation, but there were other things to be done.

As he turned to swim back, however, the very ground around him started to shake – the last few spirits of the dead around him scampering off into the dark water in fear of what was happening – a earthquake... ?

The water around him suddenly moved, as if drawn down by an invisible source. The Guide managed to get a few paces in, but the 'pull' was growing stronger and stronger until he could no longer fight it, his strength spent.

The water dragged him below, and the darkness swallowed him in turn.

[Zero Dream]

You're A Little Early, Arn't You ?

Zero Dream

The cut-of had come quick and sudden, and while the god had attempted to control his movement alongside everything... In the end, the water had carried him down, further and further down out of control, and the world had went black.

In the end, he had washed up on the mouth of where had once run a river entrance, soaking wet and once again coughing on pure reflex to expel water out of his lungs - the surge of pain was what had made him come to, rather suddenly, and, for the smallest moment, he asked himself just where he had ended up.

But the knowledge returned to him quickly enough, working himself to sit in the damp earth, where a river had ran only a moment before. What had happened, well... He was not sure. Something suddenly forced him down.

One thing seemed certain, and it was that Tian Yue would likely have his hide after this... The world was still rather dizzy and his vision blurry, so he did not move even as the merpeople he had taken with him continued onward, swimming though the air as if it was water, as if drawn by another call. Some paused at his side to inquire about his wellbeing - he simply nodded and sent them off.

Thabara

He felt dizzy, disoriented, when the agony left him, as always after a spurt of growth. But it seemed he was definitely getting better at handling it, perhaps developing a bit of routine even.

Carefully he checked first for Echo, making sure she was alright, and then - one by one - for his links to the world of the living. It was a tedious task, as their number had increased by quite a bit in preparation for ... that day. Only a small part of the connections had severed this time around - he was getting better at this - and as always, there were some among them that could not be reestablished.

It was, he assumed, perhaps because these worlds had given their all after they hand yielded the souls of the dead to him. No one left there to worship, no new lives for the souls to be reborn into. Barren, dead chunks of rock in a Sky which no longer existed.

He failed to sense the new presence within until he actually got there, intending to tend to yet another link which had been lost. Perhaps he had been too busy, too lost in his thoughts. Perhaps it was because it was so familiar, something which felt like a part of his own.

Ankou. He watched the merpeople drift away, floating high up in the 'sky' now, striving to join the river of souls. It was a sight surreal and beautiful the same. Dreamlike. It surprised him a little to see them move such ease, but then again ... What Echo, Minawi, and now even Ankou might perceive as an atmosphere, and the merfolk as water, truly was neither. The dead required no air to breathe, after all.

Zero Dream

It took a few minutes for the sensation of dizziness to leave him, and to be able to stand up again on wobbly legs, coughing out the last bit of the water that had taken over his lungs for the... third, four time, now ? He had stopped counting, and could not help but hope this was the last. Not only his throat, but now his chest felt rather raw and ached.

What had manifested of his wings now seemed to refuse to move entirely, hanging limp as if broken, though the lack of pain hinted that it likely was not so. That... was rather odd, he could not help but think. Perhaps he had just hit something on the way down - the decent had been rough enough that he had lost both his shoes and the improvised string of light, leaving him wearing only soaked black jeans that had seen much better days. The bandage on his arm had seemed to come undone as well, but the pain from it was offput by the fact his whole body felt rather sore. At least, his bag was still firmly attached to his waist - it had been a very wise move to attach it in such a way.

The comfortable familiarity of the place made want to simply lay down and sleep, but he resisted the urge, watching the souls float on in the sky, as well as the flow of lights, for a moment before starting to walk straight ahead.

He had no idea exactly where in the Underworld he had ended up to, but since he had, he might just as well have a look before leaving again. He had promised Cosine, after all, that he would look out and bring back news should he find them.

Thabara

Nergal kept watch over him, his presence hovering close-by but seemingly going unnoticed as he took in the sight of his brother. Ankou certainly looked worse for the wear, but did not seem seriously harmed. Except for the wings. His gaze lingered on those, some faint memory tugging at the back of his mind, like a phantom itch.

He frowned, metaphorically speaking, and then discarded the notion.

First things first.

He waited for his brother to be just barely out of the riverbed, where large puddles of brackish water still remained, before he remade that connection. Water flooded in immediately, bearing even more souls. They would not be a problem, not for a while. Judging when his next bout of growth was going to happen was another thing he was starting to get quite good at.

Finally, he decided to approach his brother.

'What, pray tell, are you doing here?' The voice, if it could be called such, as it seemed more like a whisper of the wind, seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at all. The tone was dry, not entirely without sarcasm. And it definitely, unmistakably, was Nergal's voice.

Zero Dream

Ankou stopped in his tracks when the sound of flowing water reached his ears, head tilting to look in the direction of the sound. Yes, the water was flowing freely again now, as if it had never stopped at all. This was rather puzzling. Though, swimming back though this specific opening seemed a bad idea - he could get though the passageway, surely, but there was a whole lot more of water waiting for him on the other side. And who knew how long the water-breathing effect lasted, or how long he had been blacked out for ?

Not once had he sensed Nergal so close, even less saw him, of course, so the voice calling out for him took him completely offguard - he had not seen anything, and so he looked around.

Still nothing.

Uh.

"What, you are not a fan of my grand entrance ?" He spoke, in a way that made it easy to guess that he had not been a fan of it. His voice was, indeed, strained by the soreness of his throat and chest. "I was swimming down an ocean. The connection in between that place and this place suddenly decided it would be funny to break on me. So, here I am, I figure."

At least the group he had gathered seemed to be mostly accounted for.

Thabara

'Such a foolish thing to do,' he chided, a gentle, but cold breeze ruffling through Ankou's hair. He had been swimming down an 'ocean'? He hoped his brother was figuratively speaking, but what with the water that came through, the sensation of pressure and a sheer amount of even more water ...

Not to mention the merpeople. He wondered if these were Kaelin's, if the effeminate water deity should have a word in how they would be treated.

Later.

'There were more souls ... some time ago. They bore your mark as well.'

Zero Dream

The lack of seeing just where the hell Nergal was, or to be able to even tell, was a rather odd and confusing thing. A little annoying even, but then... But then, it seemed to dawn on him.

_____Have I been the one to rule the realm of the dead..

__________or the realm itself?

Everywhere at once.

He did not ask any questions - as it seemed like he had indeed found his answer, the concept not ringing as odd as it would be to most, perhaps even just the slightest bit familiar, yet... Something seemed wrong with such a recollection of the past, but he could not quite tell how.

His hand reached to pull at his long hairs, bringing it over his shoulder and twisting the dull red strands in order to try to squeeze as much water as possible out of it. "Though the World Tree, yes. Tian Yue has been given the task to make count of the remaining worlds. I have been tagging along with him."

Thabara

He had been wondering about how to explain ... Part of him at least, splitting his attention to tend to several things at once was yet another thing he seemed to slowly get the hang of. But the look of puzzlement - annoyance even - on Ankou's face suddenly gave way to dawning realization, and he knew without the need for words being exchanged that his brother understood. Understood what had happened, what he had done unto himself.

'And followed the call of your own domain as I noticed. I ...' Nergal paused, wondering how to word his praise best. Commendations were something that never passed his lips easily. In the end he settled for a simple: 'Thank you.'

'I am afraid though you are a little early in your arrival. There are no halls yet prepared for you to offer rest from your hard work.' His tone was rueful, sincerely so. He had promised.

Zero Dream

"Well, while in the tree it was not very hard... The world connections also helped, though I have only recently figured out that they were there..." He shrugged, as if it was no big deal however, though his expression had, for a split second, been otherwise.

He... was not sure if he had ever actually been thanked for something like this before. It did not feel like it had been the case, and for that split second, he had not known exactly what to say.

With most of the water squeezed out of his hair, he let go and shook his head, until the fine stands spread again. At Nergal's apology, however, he let out a small, amused laugh. "I have been sleeping in a tree for the last span of forever." It definitively felt like forever to him, that he and the dragon had been going though the Yggdrasil, counting roots and drawing maps, taking notes, discovering many new places... He simply did not mention that this tree had a small colony of demons dwelling in those branches, it seemed best. The problem had been rather quickly taken care of, though not without damage to him. The gashes and the claw marks on his right arm had closed, though the marks remained and it was still the cause of light, dull pain. "Simply allow me to rest for a moment and all will be well. I... cannot stay long. The dragon will worry."

Thabara

'I thank you anyway.' Had he been in human form, he would have inclined his head politely. 'To do this while barely a fraction of your powers has returned ...' whereas I have been idling for way too long.

'Sit then, rest for a little. This realm may not seem overly appealing or friendly, but the grass at least is soft.' Here at least that was indeed the case. There were other places though, that he had crafted within himself, where the blades of grass were sharp as scalpels, cutting even the skin and flesh of the dead.

'And ... if you have the time and strength to spare, I would hear of your journeys.' There was open curiosity in his voice. Since his rebirth, he had been to three ... no, four different worlds exactly, and not seen much of any of them really. Still, he had to - some extend - enjoyed traveling about, and now that he seemed bound to his realm more than ever before ... Suddenly, he felt envious of his brother.

Zero Dream

He did just that - careful enough to make sure he was not sitting in the newly re-connected river - and did just that, as he leaned against the trunk of massive, mostly dead tree. He spoke of how Tian Yue had slept ever since the ritual, and how it has been his youngest son, of all beings, that had awoken the mourning dragon. Of how he had sought him mostly for clearer information, but how it had wound up that their paths were similar and that they both had advantages at keeping the others about. Of wandering down the World Tree, how many of the branches and roots had closed off, how the dead parts bore no fruits, or rather worlds, over their branches.

He spoke of the first world they visited to test out that theory, how it had been silent and still, a barely viable ecosystem that would likely crash down upon itself at any moment, of the demons that had made it that way, and of the smallest shard of the bard he had unraveled to bring her some amount of peace in her unaware torment.

He spoke of the sames demons, and of retribution handed out - mostly by dragon claw. He gleaned over the fact that this was how he had gained the gashes of his main arm, though he would not be hard for the elder brother to guess so himself.

He spoke of wandering, over and over, of meeting small little creature called Nyanko, who carved maps into the wood of the branches, and how the little tribal creature had wanted fish as a payment for their assistance and allegiance. The Guide then spoke of how they had been led to that literal ocean he had talked about, a world made of water and spires of coral carefully carved along to make large buildings. How the merfolk had called to him, even from the bottom of the ocean, and how he got to them at last. They had caught fish, returned, and then... And then it was when the two had decided to part ways - he refused to leave the souls there, and Tian Yue had wanted to continue the mapping. In the end, they had figured spitting would have it done faster, or that Ankou could trail the dragon's steps and catch up with him. And... well, that was how he ended up here.

Thabara

He listened closely, intently, mists gathering while everything else in their surroundings seemed to still. Even the stream's soft gurgle seemed strangely muted. At the mention of demons, there was a sudden gust of wind – no words, only that.

That despicable, much loathed race … To hear of the fate those dwelling within Yggdrasil had found, crushed by World Shield's teeth and claws, filled him with deep satisfaction.

For the rest of the tale, there were no more reactions. Nergal remained still, listening enraptured, though part of himself was still busy tending to the matters of his realm. Only at the mention of the Nyankos there went a soft whisper through the grass, as if caused by a breeze.

He remembered them. Little more than vague recollections of that they had been about even back then, before the Fading, but he remembered them.

'I wish I could have seen it for myself,' he admitted. 'The spires of coral. I shall have to question the merfolk about them. And even that dead, dead world you mentioned. Life … might still find its way there, travelers through the branches of Yggdrasil such as you, even if they only bear the shapes of bugs, or rodents.'

Zero Dream

"They were beautiful. Coral, rock and... I lack the knowledge of the words to describe what else they had been made of." The Guide shook his head, longing in his eyes and expression. The way back and forth had been unpleasant for his body, but the sights... the sights he had seen, that city nested in water, beautiful and still, and those he had seen there.... to be able to truly do his duty, to do what he had longed to do, to be what he had longed to be ever since the first pangs of awareness had returned to him, trapped in the gem that now adorned the small of his back...

It had been worth it.

"I think that world is likely to survive, yes. If He wills it... Everything is there, technically even life of the plants due to the stretching out of influence... All it needs is one more spark of life. Then... it will be reborn anew."

Suddenly, something occurred to him. "What of Echo... ?" She was not here. He figured, perhaps, that she was simply elsewhere - the realm was vast already. He could feel it. "Cosine was rather worried... about the both of you, to be honest." And me now He thought with a frown.

Thabara

'I wish I could have seen,' he repeated. No doubt some frightened merfolk would find themselves be faced with rather intimidating presence, stabbing them mercilessly with questions about how their cities had been built.

Echo.

'She made it here savely, and she is well, if a little lonely.' There was an awkward pause, as he realized that he had, yes, checked on her wellbeing, but not left her with any words of reassurance. And he had sent Melody off a little while ago, and she had yet to return … 'She cannot see or otherwise perceive the dead, unless I gift her. Her strength about equals my own, so it tends to wear off after a while, even here ...'

Zero Dream

"I see... I am glad she made it." He said. "And that I will have news to bring back, as well." As for why she remained... honestly, he did not even ask himself that question. It was evident to see why she remained, and yet... She would need to go back, eventually. Her place was not to remain here.

He could see, of course, the dead in the distance. None seemed to quite dare come close to him - either because Nergal kept them away or if simply because he was a new, sudden and foreign presence, he did not know. He had managed to draw in many on his own accord, certainly a bit more effective than he, himself, was even now in his drastically changed shape, and he could not help the pang of envy that followed the thought.

Useless...

He hated feeling like he was useless. Or, at the very least, limited.

But to her... to her, this place was empty. He could not even begin to imagine how it was like.

Thabara

Ankou's words were followed by an awkard silence, for almost too long. 'News … of her return, mayhaps,' he finally said hesitatingly. He didn't sound all too sure of it.

Zero Dream

He nodded. "I will bear them. Though... I am not sure when I shall return. She may very well make it back before I." There had still been... much to be done at the World Tree. Much left to explore. The task... was indeed a massive one. It seemed without end.

But it would end, one day. Even something so large, so infitively big as the Yggdrasil, has it's own span. In the end, they would find it.

And then, it would be the matter of presenting the results on the findings in a way that made the most sense.

Thabara

'She may,' Nergal agreed. 'I wish the two of you could meet. But she ... is close to the Core, whereas you ended up in the borderlands. If you only got your legs to carry you, it would take weeks to get to her. And whereas time runs differently here, I am not sure you even have that much to spare.'

To take account of the remaining worlds, he could only hypothesize it had something to do with restoring the Skies, an endeavor to which he had already made his own small contribution. It certainly was of greater importance than to sightsee his new realm, or pay visits to old friends and acquaintances, however lonely they might be.

Zero Dream

"I understand." He nodded as well, leaning a bit more against the tree and resting his hands on top of his knees. Everything was calm here. Peaceful, in spite of how many souls there were now.

"You seem to have managed to call quite a few yourself." He had felt it, of course, that calling and the flurry that followed it. But there was still also more than that, more than it seemed. "Are you sure that you even need me ?" He asked, tone teasing.

Thabara

'You exaggerate, as usual.' There seemed to be no disapproval in Nergal's voice, however, but rather ... amusement? However, his tone sombered significantly with the following words:

'A great many of them came with the initial call, all from the same world … It was them that forced their way into me and … caused this realm to be remade from my own flesh and bones. I had intended it to be the other way around, for them to provide the substance.' He paused. 'I will never know, I think, if it was what they really wanted, or if they were only heeding what I wanted.'

'Since then … I have been trying to align with the realms of the living, to forge new paths for the souls of the deceased. Or, to remake the old roads and gates, where possible. It is trial and error mostly, most success was achieved through chance and luck rather than knowing what I am doing. I am … merely 'messing around', if I were to put it into my host's words.'

'I do need you,' he confirmed, softly. 'There is a grand influx of souls, whenever I hit upon a world by accident, much like striking a gold mine. But it causes me to grow, and that again, changes everything. It takes much of my strength and focus to reconnect the paths which have been severed, each time, let alone to make new ones. And there are always those souls lost, unable to feel my draw, or those strong enough to resist it.'

'I need you, Spirit Guide, Brother. But not only for the souls you bring.' He was the one to roam the mortal worlds freely, to spread his wings and go wherever he wanted. While he himself … was bound moreso than ever before, it seemed.

'The worlds you told me of, they were the ones you recently visited, yes? I will try to find someone, of a world close by, capable to guide you there. In the meanwhile … rest? Echo is too far away. But … I shall sing for you, if you want me to.' There was a certain embarrasment noticeable in his words, but he had confidence in his Song. It had been enough to calm and put to rest the legions of dead he was hosting now. It should be sufficient to allow his brother, the only one of his blood but the children he'd fathered, to sleep, and rest.

Zero Dream

"I know of that." He gave another light nod, body growing more limp against the tree. It was rather obvious that the Guide needed the rest. He had not only pushed the limits of his mana, but those of the still mostly mortal body, as well... "It had been the world of the pantheon... I have felt them." Had they not relayed his message ? But then, with how things had went... perhaps it was to be expected to be such.

As is, he was not sure if he really needed the mental image, but in a sense... It helped to know what truly had happened. It helped him understand better.

And the dragon had likely thought him restless and reckless...

He did listen as best as he could, even though it was hard to focus. He wanted to sleep, so badly... So his brother's last few words did not come as a surprise, even though the embarrassment basically rolled out in waves, impossible to mix. "Yes. That... would likely be best." He needed to find Tian Yue again... somehow. There was no way he would be able to scale his way back 'up' the tree by his lonesome, at least now without a mount of some sort to carry him though swifter. And the maps... had remained with the dragon. At last, though, he smiled. "I... do not think it will be needed." He was quite sure that the second his attention was no longer focused on anything, he would basically fall like a bunch of bricks.

Thabara

'Sleep then,' Nergal murmured gently. 'Regain your strength. I shall wake you when everything is ready, so that your rest wont last months.'

Zero Dream

Rest for months. That seemed unlikely, but then... not too far-fetched either. Was it not exactly what his traveling companion had done ? He ought not to do so, had certainly had not worn himself that ragged, he liked to think. And, the mortal shell would waste away first, given such a long sleep.

But it mattered not.

True to his word, the second Ankou let his eyes fall closed, he seemed to be gone completely, still save for the low rise and fall of his chest.

[Zero Dream]

Leaving The Underworld

He was not sure how long he had slept. Time kept on being a loose concept, even here. Especially here. For all that Ankou knew, it might very well flow differently here. What shard of memories he remembered neither proved or disproved such a notion.

For now, it did not matter. The rest had done him much good, and had went on uninterrupted until his brother's voice had reached out for him once more, refreshed, and the scar marks on his arm having faded to only the faintest lines. Soon nothing would show at all, perhaps. Thanks to the care Xing Yun had put to it, it seemed it would heal nicely, and that only faint scars, if any, would remain.

Perhaps he had slept for months. But no... no, that was silly. Nergal would not have let him. Days, however, was not out of the question, as the aches in his chest and throat and the soreness in his muscles had all faded away, leaving only memory behind.

Such things... were certainly unpractical. He did not feel like he had ever been bound by these before this time – the recollection vague and blurred. Of course not, he was a god after all.

As much as Ankou wished to see his new 'home', to explore this place familiar yet foreign and new, it would have to wait for another time. He had to think on how to get back home, somehow. World-walking was not as his disposal – he had tried, once more, but it resulted in nothing but dissatisfaction. His errais had not followed him, obviously, and even if he had, their world-walking abilities had been gone with the sky. And even then, he was young and inexperienced.

His only way was to attempt to find his way though the tree. Alone. With no map. Ankou was indeed a somewhat poor planer and just a bit reckless, but even he knew the odds of such a thing. Yet, he had no other option.

Had he had wings, then he could maybe have flown upward, wriggled his way though the roots overhead, and followed the path along the trunk of the World Tree and watched for the marks Tian Yue had made into the wood... But that was not possible. Even if he had wings... The tendrils still hung at his side, limp yet not broken. Nothing seemed to be able to make them move. Which... left him rather puzzled.

But he had more important things to do than to wonder about this. He could do so later on. For now, he had to start this journey if he was to even attempt anything at all. Nergal, of course, refused to let him leave by the way he had came. Indeed, it seemed unwise – if the current was still as strong, the Guide might have likely not been able to swim his way out of the narrow coral labyrinth. And then there was the ocean above it to worry about... it was unsafe. As much as he was frustrated that everyone, including his own brother, was treating him like if he had been made of glass... he had to admit such to himself.

Which meant he would have to leave by another mean, another of those cross-over areas. There were a few, which was not the problem. The problem is that Nergal deemed yet quite a few more of these unsafe, and even as they settled on one, it would likely reveal an unknown world behind. How was he to find the entrance of the world tree of that world ? Though, it seemed... that where he had no plan, his elder brother had one. A single soul came to him, a young man with blonde hair, who presented himself as Byrian. He had come from this path, he had said, and would follow until he was dismissed, then he would return here.

A guide for the Guide. The thought was silly at best and annoying at worst, but it indeed seemed like the best solution. He contemplated the path before him – more water, but more like a lake than a river. Byrian assured him that it was a lake indeed, and that crossing over was not going to be too drastic. Ankou had no choice but to believe the small ghost at his side.

He paused for a moment, and looked at the sky, the river of soul moving along, spreading it's muted colors like an aurora boralis.

”I will return, when I can.” He promised, but for now... Still, he smiled. ”Thank you, brother.”

And with that, he dove though the clear, dark, and cold water.

[Zero Dream]

Caves, Forests, and a mortal guide

He emerged from the other side, easily – the distance had definitively been a short one, and he found himself into some kind of underground cave, as far as he could tell. It did not surprise him. Such places had been common points of linking, instinct told him. He held no memory of this, and yet he seemed to still know.

Well, now the first step was to get out of this place and see just where he had landed, so to speak. But he waited for a bit, wringing water out of his long hair once more and waiting for his sight to somewhat adjust to the darkness before he stood once more. It seemed to be the sign that Byrian was waiting about.

'This way, Lord.' He said, head hung low in respect, before started to head toward one of the openings. 'This path is the shortest one toward the outside.”

”It seems you are indeed quite knowledgeable about this place...” Certainly very handy. He would have likely wasted quite a lot of time otherwise.

'I have lived near this place all my life, Lord.' The man offered as an explanation. 'And before being called, I yet wandered even more of this place. I will not fail you.'

”I have no doubt of such.” Nergal had hand-picked the boy, after all... He would not allow one soul leave like this lightly, he was certain. ”Do you have any idea where the World Tree might be, then ?” Ankou paused, but then decided it might be good to clarify. ”Most likely some sort of plant life, unusual in the mean that it would likely have survived where the vegetation around it would have died.” The one at the world where the pantheon was had done such... It was likely a common point relevant to each entrance.

'Watch your head, Lord. We are almost outside.' Byrian warned first, not bothering to do the same as his form slid though the low-hanging stalactites, insubstantial as he was. It was not the same for the god, and he had to slow down a little. It was only when the Guide had taken heed of his advice that the ghost continued on. 'I remember seeing something similar, before my passing... But it will be quite a bit away. Perhaps...' He let his voice drift off, locked in thought for a moment. 'Three days or so by foot. Four at most.'

He had dreaded such thing, but there was little he could do about it. It would at least give him a good idea of the world around him, and time to gather some of the dead it bore – he could release them down the tree, as he had done before. It was both a good thing and a bad thing, really. ”You seem rather canny at evaluating distances.” It was meant both as a compliment and some kind of small talk – the journey would be quite long otherwise.

'I have guided others though this world ever since I was young, Lord.' Well, there was his explanation. 'Here...'

Indeed, they had reached the outside. The world opened up into a forest which, while it had seemed to have seen much better days, was also recovering. The trees were starting to bear leaves once more, however with no light source, he had no way to tell their color. His exit would have likely been quite blinding... if there had been a sun in the sky over his head. Soon, he reminded himself. Surely, after all this... He could only hope that the information they had gathered would be enough for the Eldest.

If it was not... then he honestly had no idea just how it was supposed to be done. ”Which way, then ?” He asked his guide, who was scanning the surroundings for a moment, catching some bearing.

'Just a moment...' He looked on, again, eyes narrow in concentration. It was likely hard to get a grip on whatever the boy's location points were, in the darkness. If only he had not lost his lights on the way down... 'This way.' Byrian finally said, turning and pointing straight in front of his new position. Down south for now, then east, following the river.... then south once more.'

”Very well... Let us go then. I will try to stop a little as possible.” He had only just recovered, and yet he already seemed more than willing to push his yet mortal body more. If he was swift, and lucky, very lucky, then perhaps he could meet up on the dragon on his way back.

Byrian looked at him for a moment, but said nothing, starting to head down toward the path he had pointed, the god following easily.

[Zero Dream]

The Fallen King

Again, time was a loose, imprecise thing here, with no circle of night and day and no clocks or anything that would allow him to precisely keep track of hours, so he had no mean to truly know how much of the three to four days estimate that Byrian had given him that had yet passed. He had stopped to rest four times so far, when his legs could simply not take it anymore, but he doubted the mortal body could withstand walking for a day on end, so he did not use it as a bearing. Was not the want to keep track of time a very mortal notion to begin with ?

But for now, at least, he did not shoo away the impulse to do so. Time was indeed important, now.

They had yet to cross though a settlement that was actually inhabited... by the living, at least. Even the spirits of the dead were rather scarce, though what he found, he gathered and took along with him. It was not a deep, though investigation to find every single soul held by this world, but it would have to do for now. Even if he had the means... mortals still died.

His work would never quite be 'done' in truth. He would always need to start over, go back to where he had once been before. Perhaps it would have been daunting to others, scary even, but it was not so for him. Not now, but later... later he would be able to do so more smoothly.

Hopefully.

This world looked rather medieval in nature – buildings made of stone rather than metal and concrete, no paved roads and large machines but rather dirt paths, an overabundance of trees and wildness. It was likely a grand sight to behold had he been able to see much of it clearly. He had taken some time to look into the ruins, but saw nothing that would light his way. The survivors had likely taken these practical things with them – wherever they were.

He did not intent to figure that out. At least not yet.

They had stopped once more, among another set of ruins, so he could rest his aching legs and eat some of the fruits he carried in his bag. He had kept it looped around his waist rather than slung it back across his shoulders – that knotting and that position had saved it from becoming lost once, and it seemed the wisest thing to do. His provisions were starting to decrease sharply... He very well might need to find more fruits, or anything else that could sustain him, before heading though Yggdrasil. He had, after all, no idea where he would 'pop up' so to speak.

The god took a bite of what looked and tasted like an apple, looking across the distance. The souls of the dead, now that they were in numbers, seemed content to chatter within themselves, though Byrian in particular seemed as quiet as he could be, and tended to stick to him more than mingle. Perhaps one of Nergal's orders, he assumed. This city had once been vast, he could tell by the ruins, but seemed to have been abandoned a long time ago. And there seemed to be a graveyard straight ahead of him... at least he assumed it was so, with smaller graves and keepsakes surrounded by one larger building. Perhaps the tomb of someone the mortals had considered 'important' in their social hierarchy.

Maybe... he should go look. Perhaps there was a soul trapped in that tomb. He took the last bite of his apple, and he stood, heading toward it.

'Lord, wait !' His guide called out, going into a run to catch up after he had noticed the god had left his sitting spot. Ankou did not stop, though he did not hasten either, allowing the man to catch up with him easily.

It took a few sharp thugs, but the door opened, and he slid inside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was pitch dark inside, of course – at least there was no acclimation needed for his eyes to be able to perceive some of what stood inside the elaborate tomb. There were many candles, attached to the walls, some having fallen down but some yet holding – though it was moot as he lacked a way to light them.

He would just have to proceed, carefully-

'HOW DARE YOU ?!'

The voice all but boomed in the closed off air, and Byrian suddenly lunged behind him, quite apparently frighted. It was not the same for Ankou, who knew the second he heard the voice that it belonged not to someone living, but someone dead. He did not move, but he stood his ground. ”Show yourself.” He said, voice low and even, reaching out to spread his mana around him.

It was not a request.

It was not long before his order was listened to, and the man slid from behind the large tomb, his features rough – he walked with an air of command to him, someone who was used to dish out orders, not to take them. There was still some small remnant of anger in his face as he stared at the shorter man in front of him – definitively alive, but different. Not one of his people. 'You can see me ?' None of those dogs who had tried to pillage his tomb before had, though the extend of his voice had been enough to make them flee. There was still some extend of disbelief in his voice.

”Of course I can.” Ankou answered, simply.

'He is the carrier of the slain, ancient lord...' Byrian said behind him, his voice low as if afraid of retribution. It was then that the anger left the man's expression.

'It seems so, or some sort of touched oracle, though I believe the last one died under my reign, so long ago, when I was still King.' He mused, giving Ankou another look over, as if he was still somehow uncertain. Or judging if his words were the truth.

The god did not flinch under that look, where so many more would have. Perhaps this what was proved that he was indeed, speaking the truth. That, and the sheer power in the air... the king could not ignore it. None of his oracles had been quite like this.

'So you come for me, then.' He sighed. 'It may be just as well. No one lives in this town anymore, no one has for centuries. My castle remain only ruins. I know of this. My beloved kingdom is dust and ash.'

”Not all is gone. Some of your subjects are here. They wait outside, and they shall go with us.”

'I would expect no less, chooser of the slain.' Ankou felt his eyes narrow at the arrogance in the fallen monarch's words, but tooled his expression back into something more neutral. He knew this type – if he showed that such had any hold on him, they would continue on. If he looked unaffected, then he would likely stop.

He was a god, after all. Once-king or not, he would take no orders from a dead soul. Just because he was not an especially authoritative sort – though he could be if he wished – he was not going to let himself be walked all over.

'What of the assaulting kingdom ?' It was apparent the king wanted to little to do with those who had brought his kingdom to ruins. Ankou allowed his wings to flare up, the feathers standing to look bigger, more imposing.

”Who is what and who did what in life does not matter to me. If there are some mingled with this group, they will come. To judge is not my place.” And nether is yours his eyes seemed to say, locked on the king and not once looking away, in silent determination.

Just have him try to argue with a god of all things...

It the end, that seemed to work. 'Very well.' The king grumbled. He was loathe to leave his treasure behind, but Ankou would leave him no choice. 'I am ready, then.'

”Then we will continue.” He had turned to exit, as it seemed evident there was no other spirit here, though... something stopped him. And he eyed the tomb.

A king indeed... strong willed. This was where the first set of bones had failed their craftsmen – to much of such figures and too little of any other influence. And while he had never asked, as asking would have likely revealed his plans, he was certain it had been part of why Nergal had never worn them.

Why he had never seemed to look for them once they were gone.

He turned again to walk deeper in the tomb, toward the coffin of stone that held his body. The king seemed to fear that he was going for his treasures at first, but he could feel that glare leave as he noticed it was for his bones that he went for.

Those, apparently, he cared little for. Mortals... such odd creature. It seemed the priorities were better put the other way around. Ankou slid the top open, just barely, and reached it, pulling out a long, pale bone. They felt ancient indeed, as if they had laid there for centuries.

They likely had.

And now... he had his final piece. He slid the bone in the front pocket of his bag, where the one of the guardian and the merfolk were still, and pulled the lid back on, only then turning to leave, entending his influence to make the king follow him when he lagged behind. He heard a snarl, but reacted in no way to it.

He was the boss here, so to speak.

But for now, before he moved on with the rest of his journey, he would need to rest. And sleep. Him standing had not helped the pain in his lower limbs any.

[Zero Dream]

The First Destination

It had been many more cycles of walked and resting, they had passed through many more ruins of towns, followed the bank of many more rivers before the mostly-unseen group reached their destination. It had taken about half of those cycles for the soul of the old king to finally become more subdued under the god's own But, at last, it seemed like they had.

'There it is, Lord.' Byrian said, looking at the god with some amount of curiosity. 'Is this what you were looking for ?'

”Yes” He said, with no hesitation. He had spent so long in the tree already, and so he had come to recognize the 'feel' of it's mana flow somewhat.

The feel there was exactly the same, but subdued – as he was not in the tree proper.

Not yet.

'Then... Unfortunately I do not know that lies beyond this. I assume that is the end of the journey for me ? The man did not look like he was looking forward to going back to the Underworld, but he had been bound to do so once the Spirit Guide deemed it time – and he would do so. He had gotten to see this place, his home world, one last time, and it was perhaps more that most of the other souls would be allowed. It was easy to count his blessing if he saw it this way.

”It seems so. You may return... and tell my brother that you have served me well. Very well indeed.” Perhaps... there would be some sort of reward for that service. He did not know for sure.

Byrian lowered his head. 'Thank you, Lord. And, as soon as the words were spoken, he faded from his sight, as if suddenly recalled where he had come from, pulled away by invisible hands. The others souls gathered there suddenly piped up, uncertain as to what had happened, but one gesture from the Guide was enough to calm them, at least on the surface.

This one was safe, and so were they.

He turned away from the space where the soul had stood seconds ago and faced the tree once more. It was similar to the entrance of the one on the world where the pantheon stood, where he and so many found their rebirth – impossibly large with a big, cavern-like entrance. Perhaps there were also mortals that entered this... And never came out.

Such could be his fate, if he was not careful. If he could have seen though the eyes of the dead, then he could have sent them each in one direction until he found the right one... But such was not within his powers to do. He would need to be careful.

Extremely careful.

Before he entered, he checked his bag – the three bones where there, as were the rations – what little was left of what the nyanko had gave him, and what he had found on the way, carefully folded in the leaves in a matter similar to what the cat-like creatures had done. Everything seemed there. He did not feel tired enough to warrant a stop here.

He... seemed to be ready.

As much as he could be.

The Spirit Guide took his first steps into the tree, the souls he bore following him with no hesitation. The tree had seemed impossibly large back then, but now it seemed even more so, without the steps of the other god and the aoidei following his.

He was on his own, and nothing would come save him if he lost his way.

[Zero Dream]

A Voice in the Dark

Sosiqui

We are going home.

The branch they were traveling down was filled with sound, with relieved chatter and renewed spirits; while Yggdrasil was filled with wonders almost beyond comprehension, they had been enmeshed in Her pathways for so long that the prospect of home was more than welcome. Errais hoof-clops mingled with footsteps as Dragon King and Aoidei walked along, and conversation both mental and spoken filled the air.

Home, at last...

And then to a great task, considering the weight of the notes, maps, and innumerable scavenged leaves that both errais were carrying; what had begun as a book, then two, then three had expanded out to a wild flurry. They would have their hands full just coordinating and connecting all the pathways.

But it was done... or as close as they could come. The thought of lost worlds made Tian Yue twitch a little, still, but perhaps in time they could do a more thorough sweep to catch what slipped through the cracks. Yggdrasil would sustain the remainders, if any existed.

He hoped none did.

They were two days' walk, or so he estimated, from home.

Zero Dream

It still had taken him quite some time to find the World Tree entrance of the world he had landed into following his leaving of the Underworld, but even with that found, not all his problems were solved. Indeed, there was still the matter of trying to orient himself into the tree proper and find the world that held the pantheon.

What he would give for proper worldwalking...

He had released the guide Nergal had sent with him to be called back when it belonged - the ghost would not be able to aid him in Yggdrasil, and that he had known the location of the entrance itself was a small miracle.

Now... came the hard part. Or, well, the hard part would begin once he'd made his way out of the branch proper. Hopefully he would be able to find one of the carvings the dragon had made to orient himself...

Sosiqui

Tian Yue paused at a fork in the branch, then knelt and smiled faintly to himself as he found one of his own prior carvings waiting for him. So far, all was going according to plan. They were on track.

All was going according to plan... except for Ankou's absence. Which he'd been trying to ignore, because it made him worry too much.

He's fine. He must have found his way to the Underworld, perhaps, when showing those mer-ghosts the way. He's got to be fine, Tian Yue repeated to himself, firmly. Anyway, they'd marked up every intersection they'd traveled, at least a little bit, and the nyanko would tell him where they'd gone if he got back to the garden.

And yet...

Closing his eyes where he crouched, Tian Yue slowly expanded his shields, concentrating; he had no idea if this would work, if it was possible, especially with the interference from the Tree's own powerful mana. But he had to try, at least, to expand his shields incrementally, to feel along the scaled edges and see if he felt any thread of power that wasn't Gaia's...

So far, this hadn't worked. Perhaps it never would, perhaps the Tree's influence here was simply too powerful, and he dared not attempt to dampen it in any way. That would be blasphemous, unthinkable.

But he had to try.

Zero Dream

This branch was a rather long one, but perhaps it was simply patience talking. Though he had to admit that the tree did indeed seem more massive, impossibly so, if one stood alone. From his point of view, the only thing that told him that he was walking a branch was previous knowledge. No matter what, he could not see the sides at all. Partway because he did not naturally see in the dark, and partway because of the sheer span of space around him. There were some scarce glowing... things, he was not sure what, but it was far inadequate lightning. He could feel some lost spirits of the dead following him, most likely from the world he had just exited. He would send them down the trunk as he had done with so many before - he would be disoriented enough without having to make his way back down.

...Anything dwelling here would have a very easy time jumping him, he noticed belatedly. If only he had not lost his source of lighting...

That thought was cut short when the feeling overtook him like a tsunami pooling though the branch - and all of sudden the feel of the ghosst around him all but faded, as if they had never been there at all.

...Where had they gone ? No, it occurred to him that they were not gone. when their words made his way to his ears like an echo. Distorted. Faint.

He could no longer feel them.

And somehow, that was more worrying than the idea of demons jumping at him from the shadows. No matter how much he tried to pit his power against... whatever this was... nothing seemed to do.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue gritted his teeth; the effort to maintain the shield this way, to send his power pouring down through the pathways yet not interfere with the Tree's own mana was very nearly overwhelming-

And then... something happened. The faintest flutter against his power, barely detectable under the buzz of the Tree's ever-present mana, and yet-

It felt familiar.

"I think I found him," he said, aloud, eyes snapping open.

Zero Dream

"Myaaa ??" The cat at her side perked, her ruby red eyes going wide. Has he really... !!! "Where, Lord ?!" If her lord was nearby, that meant he was alright !

He really did not like this at all, and eventually he had to let go - no matter how hard he tried to fight the feeling off, he wasn't even able to put a dent in it, so to speak.

Well, he might as well keep on going. Though, his hand reached out for his mace, on reflex. It had been one thing to not see any dead because there had been none, but this... this made him ill at ease, uncomfortable, as if there was a thick cloud enveloping him, hazing his senses.

Sosiqui

The faint tickle disappeared; Tian Yue swore under his breath, then straightened, trying to get a fix on where he'd felt that odd eddy against his own power. Down quite a bit, then left, then... right, then...

"Jinx - come with me - the rest of you, please, continue on. We will find you..." Still, the Dragon's eyes remained unfocused as he held on to the sense of presence, of place, heading towards a root. He had just enough foresight to grab a light-pearl before vanishing into the dark corridor.

Zero Dream

"Myaaa !" Jinx bolted after the dragon, having gotten little warning before he had decided to go. So much like her own lord, all of sudden...

She did not hesitate one second to follow in the darkness, though she extended her hand to scrape her claws against the wood to mark the path.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue heard the scraping behind him, knew Jinx was following, and stopped. "Jinx. Here - walk with me. Stop me if I'm headed for a bottomless pit or a wall or something dangerous..." He reached out one hand, the one with the light-pearl, to the Aoide. "I must focus to keep hold of what I felt."

Zero Dream

"Mrrr... Yes." She took the pearl, and held it high, illuminating the area the best she could, the ground in particular. It was limited, but it was the best she could do. There was so much space around them, and the pearl could only reveal so far ahead.

But she would be the dragon's eyes.

Sosiqui

"Thank you," Tian Yue replied, then fell silent again, closing his eyes and falling deeper in sync with his own power. His scales poured down the branches and roots like water - a strange, unfamiliar metaphor for him - pooling here and there, pressed on all sides by Yggdrasil's own power...

And yet, far below, was that tickle.

He began to move.

Zero Dream

And indeed the god's eyes she became - the black cat's intervention saved the dragon from quite a few faceplants into walls and unpleasant drops. The path was much like everything they had seen so far, full of twists and turns like a natural maze, and she did her best to mark their path with her claws in spite of the dragon's pace.

Though, at last, there seemed to be a span that continued straight, and... in the distance... footsteps ? "MYYAAAAA~ !"

In the distance, the footsteps hasted into a run. "Jinx ?!"

Sosiqui

Tian Yue felt the moment when Jinx tore away from him; it was only then that he opened his eyes, coming back to himself in a dizzying rush. For a moment, he wasn't entirely sure if he was in human shape or dragon, so thick around him was the feeling of scales...

And then the world settled again, and he blinked at the sight of Jinx, light-pearl in hand, bounding away from him, towards...

"At last." A smile spread over his face, and he released his power, sighing in relief as the sense of pressure from all sides finally eased.

Zero Dream

"MYAAAAAAA !!!!" The cat seemed to forget all about the pearl, accidentally dropping it as she all but leaped at her lord - Ankou wobbled a bit on impact, but managed to stay on his feet.

"Easy now..." And then, the suffocating feeling all but faded away - basically sending relief rolling off the god in waves - and when Jinx finally get go of her death grip on him, he could see Tian Yue come in the distance.

So that had been him... ?

Well, it made sense.

Still didn't make it pleasant, though.

"Hey." He offered, an awkward grin on his face. He... probably owed an explanation.

Sosiqui

"Fancy meeting you here," Tian Yue said, shaking his head at Jinx's exuberance... yet grinning all the same. "I'm glad to see you well," he added, bending down to scoop up the dropped light-pearl as he approached the other god. "I hope you haven't been wandering around lost all this time?"

Zero Dream

The cat seemed happy as a clam, and still hovered close to her lord, even though she had, thankfully, let go to allow him freedom of movement. It was obvious that she had missed her lord deeply.

"Come here often ?" He settled into a true grin, but quickly grew serious. "No... I just came in though one world. I was just trying to find my way toward the main path... which is where the problems would have began, really."

Sosiqui

"Ah... well, your path was well-chosen. We are not too far from the entrance to our own 'home' world... a day or two, I believe? Or the nearest equivalent." The idea of measuring time by days and nights, by cycles of celestial bodies (even unseen) seemed almost foreign now.

"Did you find the Underworld, then?"

Zero Dream

"Yes. Though... I had not quite intended to do so." Surprising, perhaps, but before the dragon could ask, he elaborated, starting to walk ahead again at a slow pace. "I was just going to drop the souls though the link, and try to make it back before you left." He shook his head. "That... did not quite happen as planned. I got pulled in." It was the best way to simplify it.

"Echo is well." He figured the question would come, so he answered it right off the bat. "Though I have not seen her. She will likely return soon." Perhaps had even beaten them back.

Then, he tilted his head, something occurring to him. "Then... That meant you have finished ?" There was a bit of guilt creeping in his voice. It was evident that he had planned to make it back swiftly in order to not leave him all the work, so to speak.

Sosiqui

"Echo is...? Oh, good," Tian Yue said with a sigh of relief. "I was worried... and Nergal as well, then?" Still, if Music and Underworld were both there, then the children...

Well, he could tend to that personally, within a few days' time.

"The errais are burdened with records," he said, shaking his head. "I do not truly know if it is possible to map the Tree, but we have made our marks on wood and paper alike to the best of our ability. I hope our Lord will be able to make sense of it."

Zero Dream

That had all the complexity of a trick question without Tian Yue having meant for it to be so, and just grinned at the humor only he would understand. "Yes." He said, simply. "Just being... himself."

To reveal what had happened was not for him to do, but the irony was there. Only Nergal, of all things, would manage to recreate his realm in the most possibly brutal way possible. More than ever, he was glad that their roles were not opposite than they were in reality.

Jinx perked curiously at the statement, but he did not elaborate. "I... rather hope so as well." He sombered, suddenly. What would happen, if this was not enough ? How else could they do such a thing ? To map the tree... had proved foolish endavor enough, even if apparently they had pulled thought in the end.

No thanks to him.

Stop that.

Sosiqui

"I am glad to know they are well... this place is not to be taken lightly." Tian Yue rested one hand lightly on the root-wall. "Were it not for the markers we placed... we would have been lost. Are you well enough to walk with me? I will tell you of our journeys in your absence. I sent Xing Yun and the errais on ahead."

Zero Dream

The Guide nodded. "I did not sustain harm... thankfully." It would have become a great deal more complicated if he had. And indeed, he looked just the part - a bit tired and rough around the edge, perhaps, but in one piece.

Nothing that protective dragons could worry about.

"Yes... This place is a maze. I was dreading having to somehow find my way though... It is rather fortunate that you have found me. As unpleasant as that was." Apparently he could not resist at least a tiny prod at it. Though a few long minutes of discomfort beat wandering in a tree maze with no pinpoints by a wide margin.

Sosiqui

"My apologies," Tian Yue said, drooping slightly. "I could think of no other possibility for reaching you... it was good that you fought it, even a little, because that allowed me to find your position. Otherwise... well, you would have found our marks and made it out, but I am more at ease with you by my side."

The Dragon King began to walk, though more slowly than his usual pace to allow for his tired companion. "After you left, we treated with the nyanko and split up into three groups - myself, Jinx with Athanasius, and Xing Yun with Gringolet. The three nyanko children came with us as guides... and we wandered. We followed the pathways, mapped..."

How to describe the journeys in the long dark? Tian Yue shook his head. "We saw terrors and wonders... and now we are here, and so are you, and I am ready to say my blessings to Gaia and step out of this Tree for a good long while."

Zero Dream

"So do I." Tian Yue seemed rather sure he would have made it out... but the Guide has his own reservations. However, he had little choice but to attempt.

Again, plane-walking would have been handy right about now. What had been rather complicated and dangerous would have been much simpler. At least, he thought so.

At the last statement, however, he laughed - loud and true. "Yes. So am I." He nodded. "Until duty calls once more."

His steps would resonate again though the wooden paths of Yggdrasil. It was inevitable.

Sosiqui

"Yes..." Tian Yue looked up at the root arching above them, its surface rough and unpolished. This had not been a way of great splendor - or perhaps it had grown out after the Fading, never had a chance to know that glory. "I was for Universe's spaces... and I wonder if such a thing will ever come to be again..." What will our Lord's replacement be? Will it truly be Spaces Between in any sense, or will it be merely a facade, a pretty picture to mount sun-moon-stars within and no more? Still a false barrier to press against?

The thought of never truly being able to indulge part of his own nature, of never being Celestial again, made him twitch.

"Once we exit the tree, I will fly us home. The harness will hold the errais, though they may not enjoy the trip... I am not so swift as Zhijian but I can carry us all and more besides."

Zero Dream

"It will certainly be swifter than by ground." Ankou answered with a nod - that would likely make the situation bearable for the equines.

They were done here, but they weren't quite done yet. There was still much to do.

Though, the dragon seemed in unease - even he could notice - and it was not hard to guess as to how. Or what was crossing his mind. The Spirit Guide hesitated for a moment, but then reached out, resting his hand on the dragon's shoulder, careful of the spikes.

He said nothing. He could not think of anything to say, nothing that would made him feel better, at least. He could not promise that things would be fine, because he did not know of such.

Ankou, after all, had never been the best with words. They were easy to mis-interpret - actions, less so.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue was not expecting the touch; he tensed slightly, then relaxed, a faint smile on his face.

"Thank you."

[Zero Dream]

Hello, Beloved

The Spirit Guide had spent much of the time it took for the dragon to fly his way back to the pantheon sleeping, the gentle movements of the dragon as he flowed though the air lulling him to it. He had done his best to help the aoidei saddle up the errais securely against the harness, but sending his small bundle of souls down the trunk as they had finally reached the path there had sapped the last of his strength. He had spent much of his mana fighting Tian Yue's well-intentioned aura – with no success. He might have found ways to be upset about it if it had been done with ill intent, but it had not been so.

Likewise, he could have found it insulting, but this was what the dragon did – that aura he had felt was meant to shield the worlds below from the full blown powers of the gods. Perhaps, once he would be more himself, it would be less stiffing, less choking in turn.

Hopefully.

He had bid farewell to his companions, watched Gringolet and Athanasius trot off to part unknown, visibly more than happy to be free of the carrying harness and to have their hooves solidly on the ground. He had slept for nearly the whole length of the journey, but no matter how long he it had been, it had not seemed to be enough – he still felt slightly dizzy and frayed across the edges, much like he had been when he had fought the urge to sleep to talk to his brother in his domain.

Now, however... He could resume his sleep, in only a few moments. He stayed with Tian Yue until he chose to retire himself, then had done the same as well – agreeing to look for as much paper as possible and meet up with him again as soon as possible. Their work was not over yet – but this was respite. They both needed it badly.

He was... home, in a sense.

Ankou nearly stumbled into the stairs, but managed to make it with Jinx's help – then, at least, he opened the door to his rooms and closed it behind him and the cat. She was quick to dart toward her own room, most likely seeking Anima or Lenneth to tell her tale... and keep them from bothering him.

He smiled.

For his part, well... he went straight ahead, to his own room, opened the door... and closed it as softly as possible when he saw just what was in there.

Cosine. Asleep, curled up in his... their bed. Well. That suited him just fine at the moment. The god stepped along as lightly as he could, careful not to wake her – she was huddled to the side, habit perhaps, leaving more than enough room for him. Thankfully.

He slid into the bed in turn, not even thinking about taking off his rather filthy pants beforehand, curling up and resting one arm across her, reaching for her hand and taking a gentle hold of it, nesting his face against her hair. She felt just as warm as he remembered.

He was quick to drift off again, rocked to sleep by the gentle sound of her breathing, by the presence he had missed so much at the start of his journey.

He was home.

[Zero Dream]

Home Again

midnight_medea

Cosine slept soundly, not something she had been in the habit of. Isra had given her a blend of tea that she swore would make her sleep like the dead and she was right. When Ankou had entered the room she did not stir, she did not feel his breath or his hand in hers. When the morning came and she started to stir it struck her as strange that there was another in the bed with her. She opened her eyes and looked down at the hand that was in hers. It was his, she turned and grinned as she saw him there next to her. Really there.

She released his hand and reached out to touch his face. "Kou." She said softly, "wake up."

Zero Dream

The god to her right, by all accounts, was dead to the world, his breathing slow and regular. It was only when she touched his cheek that he seemed to awaken, and it took a few more minutes before gold and yellow eyes opened.

"Hey." He answered, still half-asleep. He looked to be in one piece, but if the faint marks on his right arm were any indication, then perhaps the Spirit Guide had indeed been in some sort of trouble, but had time to heal.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled as he stirred and responded.
"Hey." She replied, reaching out to touch the feint marks on his arm. he was there, truely there and he seemed ... well. She hoped that meant that his mission had been successful.

"So?" She asked softly. "Did you find him? Everyone made it back safely?"

Zero Dream

He did not pull away when she touched the scars - they had stopped being sensitive... Sometime after leaving the Underworld, most likely. Once he had stopped feeling pain from then, he had mostly forgotten the wounds had existed.

It took him a moment to understand what she was talking about, for the last remains of drowsyness to slide away, and then - ah, right, Nergal... and Echo...

"Tian Yue and I." Echo... he did not know. "I have found them... They are both well, but I have not seen Echo. I was at the outskirts, she was in the center, and the realm is already... very large." Ankou paused, looking thoughtful. "Nergal said she would likely return soon... I thought she would have by now." It seemed odd, but... maybe something had kept her busy. Still, that failed to make him worry.

midnight_medea

Cosine listened to him and smirked a little. All that way and he did not even see her.
"Your mission was a success then?" She asked, watching him closely. "You went all that way just to stand on the edges of the realm?"

She knew he refered to the Underworld. And she hoped that, as he said Echo was on her way back, she may even be back for all Cosine knew. "All is well though?"

Zero Dream

"Well, that was not exactly the plan..." He admitted, his face coloring with embarrassment. "But that is what happened."

"It is too early to tell." They had only just now returned, him and Tian Yue. They had not yet organized the information in a way that was easily referred to, even less presented it to Harmodius. "We still have much to do... though nothing that should take me far away again." He added, quelling any possible worry before it could arise. Or, at least, trying to.

midnight_medea

Cosine nodded and smiled.

"Well, that is reassuring, I got quite bored with you all away. Though, we did have some little events here." She smiled and brushed some of his hair from his face. Nothing as exciting as his journey she was sure but still.

"I met Soto. He is quite the terror but as adorable as the others. I also found a new friend, a gift Harmodius himself had given me, it ... it changed into a Nyanko. They are guides of the world tree. You will have to meet him as you are a fellow traveller of worlds."

Zero Dream

A Nyanko... ?

That made the Guide rise an eyebrow is slight surprise.

"We have met a few, in Yggdrasil. Nyanko, that is. I would definitively like to meet him." However, his expression slid into a grin, and he reached out to play with her hair as well. Just as soft as he remembered them, though that had no reason to change. "...Later."

midnight_medea

At his reply it was her turn to raise her eyebrows.
"Really?" She asked reaching up to touch his hair. "He will be pleased to hear that."

Withdrawing her hand she reached to his cheek and rubbed at a smudge of dirt. "You know you are a huge mess." She smirked. "I should run you a bath. Unwind after your journey."

Zero Dream

Well, she had a point. He honestly had seen better days...

And to think, the goddess had not seen him before he had ended up taking a 'bath'... in a world-wide ocean. He decided that it was maybe wiser not to mention such thing.

"Ah, but... I am so tired. I fear I will not be able to take a bath on my lonesome." He tried to look innocent... and failed completely.

The bath was certainly large enough for the both of them, so this would not be an issue, if Cosine actually decided to take the bait.

midnight_medea

Cosine smirked at his whining and raised an eyebrow as she slipped off of the bed.

"Well, we cannot have that now can we. Drowning in a bath is hardly a dignified ending for a god."

She leaned over and took his hand, giving it a light tug. "Come on then Mr helpless. If you're good I'll wash your hair too."

Zero Dream

"Hardly." He had to agree with that. But he would certainly prefer no ending at all, thank you.

He had to bite on his lip in order to keep some resemblance of a pitiful expression, and he simply flopped out of bed. Yes, he indeed felt very lazy, and he certainly deserved it after all that, he liked to think. This body was still somewhat mortal, after all, and the Guide had pushed it far by traveling the expense of the tree - his legs, in particular, still felt quite sore.

"Good ?" He blinked, once twice, in faked confusion. "What's that ?"

midnight_medea

Cosine laughed and moved quickly to slip his arm around her shoulders so that he could use her as a support if he wished. It was somewhat distressing to see hims so weak, though at the same time good to have him back.

"Well, if you don't know then you are going to miss out on the rewards that come to those who are good." She grinned.

Zero Dream

Ankou wasn't weak, per se - certainly walked in a straight line and didn't stumble - but he was tired and such was apparent. Both physically and on a more unseen way - he certainly wished he would not have to exert his powers for a little bit more - fighting the dragon's well-meant aura had sapped much out of him, and sending the last group of souls down the World Tree had been the breaking point.

"That is completely unfair." He started, opening the door to the bathroom. He could overhear Jinx from here, still happily chattering about her journey to Anima and Lenneth, which also kept them out of his hair quite nicely. It made something occur to him, however. "Ah... Lenneth was not too much trouble, was she ?"

midnight_medea

Once they were in the bathroom Cosine slipped away from him and started to turn the taps on the bath. Water came gushing out, cold of course. Whilst it warmed she went to get some of the fragranced oil that the Baadris tribe had made from left over lotus petals.

"Lenneth? No, no trouble at all. I barely saw her." she admitted as she poured a few drops into the now steaming water. "I am afraid I am not a very good neighbour. I was hesitant to make myself known." A sheepish smirk crossed her lips.

Zero Dream

"Ah, no, I think she just listen very well. I asked her not to bother you too much." He shrugged. Looking back perhaps he should not have. It might have provided a distraction to Cosine.

Oh well. What was done was done.

While she busied herself with water, he busied himself with... clothing. Well, what little remained, really. His shirt had became bandages before being discarded all together in a moment of spite, and he'd completely forgotten to take it back. It was probably still on that large leaf, catching the curiosity of a few mer-people.

Again, oh well. He could not be especially bothered to care.

He finally worked himself out of those old jeans, very much full of holes and... things. Like algua. Fun. "I don't think even divine intervention can save those..." He muttered.

midnight_medea

Cosine stuck her hand into the bath water and swished it around a little, turning to look at the rather gross jeans on the floor.
"Yes, I think they're ready for the garbage." She turned off the taps and walked over to him. "You must have had quite an adventure."

Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck and she smiled up at him.

"But now, time to relax."

Zero Dream

"Quite a journey indeed." He had to admit. He certainly had much better to think about than ruined jeans, of course. Ankou moved to settle in the warm water and closed his eyes. Oh, yes... that did him quite well indeed.

"Yggdrassil... was the biggest, most amazing thing I have ever seen." And coming from him, that probably meant something. Not that his list of amazing sights in this lifetime was a very long one. "Infinite, in a way. A natural maze. So many roots and branches, paths and twists and turns. Enough to make anyone's head spin."

And they had mapped this thing. That was a miracle in itself, really.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled and reached out to run her hand over his hair before perching on the edge of the bath starting to unlace her nightshirt.

"I am sure the Pantheon is going to be very dull after your adventures." She smirked, trying to imagine the vastness of the worldtree.

"I wish to go there, I should take Phirren, see if we can reunite him with the rest of his tribe, should they be there."

Zero Dream

"Oh, I do not think a place full of deities can manage to stay dull for very long." At least not the usual definition of dull, really. And there was always something to do if one looked hard enough.

"That can likely be arranged." Later, however. For now he was wasn't too keen on moving out of the bathtub. It was still missing a crucial element to his comfort, however, and so the Guide slid his hand around Cosine's waist, dragging her into the water against him without waiting for her to be done.

"Later, however, hm ?"

Ankou had much to learn about this whole 'being good' business, it seemed.

midnight_medea

Cosine gave a surprised cry as she was dragged into the tub, though should she really have been that surprised? He was a joker afterall.

"I was almost done, Mr impatient." She smirked wrapping an arm around him and getting comfortable. "Of course later." Again a smirk spread across her lips. "I'm far to busy right now."

Zero Dream

"That was taking too long." He answered, looking as innocent as he could manage at that very moment. Which... wasn't very much, to be honest.

And apparently he forgot that the goal of this exercise was to get him (...and now Cosine too) clean, because he reached out to kiss her, a grin on his face. "I have missed you." He finally admitted.

midnight_medea

Cosine grinned and kissed him back.
"I missed you too." She said softly, moving so she could remove her soaking shirt and toss it unceremoniously over the side of the bath. It landed with a rather wet slap on the floor. "No running off again." She said, leaning back against him and looking into his eyes. "At least not for a while." With that she pressed another kiss to his lips, one that had every intention of lasting a long time.

[Zero Dream]

Compilation and Correlation (Part I)

Sosiqui

It took Tian Yue, Toki, Xing Yun, Penny, and several other mortals to properly transport the maps to the library. Fortunately the library was vast, and empty - if Gianfar was around, Tian Yue certainly didn't see him. They would not be disturbing anyone as they collated and cross-referenced.

There were a few 'study areas' here and there, empty spaces with large tables; they took over one of these islands in the sea of bookshelves, everyone putting down their burdens and covering almost every available surface in the process. "Will that be all for now, Lord?" Toki asked, bowing low as soon as his hands were free.

"Yes, yes... thank you, you are free to go." Tian Yue nodded to the other men who had helped them carry; the two of them bowed as well, then followed Toki out as the Aoide chattered animatedly about how wonderful it would be to get the sky back in place, how simply marvelous, and so on.

Tian Yue shook his head and grinned. "Well. He's certainly happy."

"I don't want to think about how many paper towels he went through, cleaning everything in your rooms over and over," Penny sighed. "If a large bit of forest is missing, we'll know why."

"I think this project is more likely to destroy forests." Tian Yue surveyed the stacks of paper with a dubious expression. In some places paper had been replaced by dried leaves, and while Lord Harmodius' journal may have been forged on leaves of Yggdrasil... right now the information they'd traveled so far to collect was not at all in a presentable state. "I hope Ankou was able to obtain proper books."

"I still think Mio's readouts should be everything you need," Penny said, stubbornly, patting the messenger bag at her side. The AI from the Nova Bandit, MI0, was currently inhabiting the computer packed into that bag. "We can scan it and organize it into a three-dimensional matrix..."

"And we will, but I want to have a backup in any case. Just to be sure. But first, we need Ankou..." This would be quite the puzzle, assembling all this material into a cohesive whole. While Ankou had recorded a lot, when they'd split off each group had begun their own mapping. Their styles were different, but they had to be made to mesh.

This was going to be tedious.

Zero Dream

There had once been doors here, he remembered, but they were gone now, and it seemed no one had thought to make new ones to take their place. The Guide watched the door-less frame for a moment, but then shrugged and made his way inside, his slender frame struggling a bit with the burden at his side - his messenger bag, with as many books and paper products as he could find inside. He knew there had to be an use to them when he had brought them back from his scavenging, way back then.

But he hadn't thought that he would be the one to use them. Or that they would be used for such a purpose.

It was easy to find the dragon and the young girl - simply follow the voices - and he walked in to the tail end of the conversation, which kind of amused him. He stood a few paces behind both, and neither had seemed to have noticed him.

"Well, we certainly do not have the summons we used to." He said, his voice thick with amusement.

Sosiqui

"Ah - there you are. Good morning," Tian Yue said, turning to Ankou with a smile. "You look well."

Xing Yun bowed immediately, as did Penny. "Good morning, Lord," the girl said respectfully, holding the bow for several seconds before straightening again.

"This is Penny," Tian Yue said, putting one hand on her shoulder, an easy, yet almost possessive gesture. "One of my most cherished followers. She has a most interesting device..." How at home to technology was Ankou, anyway? He imagined the Spirit Guide had little need for such things in his domain. "An artificial intelligence that will aid us in creating a second type of map."

"Her name is Mio, sir - short for MI0, Mechanized Intelligence Zero," Penny added, patting the bag at her side. "She is not mortal nor living, but she can be of help to us."

Zero Dream

"I am glad to make your acquaintance then, Penny." She was beloved - even if the dragon had not said so, it was easy to see by his actions.

Kind of him and Lenneth, when he thought about it. Though he had yet to see the girl since he had returned - perhaps she kept herself busy with the self-imposed tasks he had to let go when he had left.

The Guide walked the steps separating him from the table, placing his bag on it and finally freeing himself of the weight and pressure it had applied on his shoulder. "I have brought all I could find... though I am not sure it shall be enough."

At the mention of Mio and artificial intelligences, the god rose an eyebrow, clearly a little confused. "I shall have to take your words for it, as I have no idea what you are talking about, to be honest."

Sosiqui

"Think of it like... a mind made out of machinery. No soul, of course, but... well, here. Penny, if you would?"

"Of course!" Penny quickly reached into her bag and fiddled with something. A moment later, she pulled out a small object, attached to whatever was inside the bag via a tightly-coiled cord. "This, Lords, is the input device... like Mio's eyes and ears. Mio, this is Lord Ankou." She pointed the device right at the god.

"Scanning - sustained, powerful thaumic presence. Signature noted," came a pleasant yet mostly monotone female voice. It was obviously not produced by a living throat. "A pleasure, sir."

"Sorry. I haven't managed to program in the proper politeness levels for interacting with 'powerful thaumic presences'," Penny sighed, rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand.

"It's quite all right. Ankou won't be offended," Tian Yue said, giving the other god an amused look. "At any rate, Mio can help us create a second variety of map. One that floats in the air, like an illusion. It can be three-dimensional. But first... we need to catalog this lot. See which bits connect to which other bits. Then the two of us can start mapping on paper, and Penny can start mapping with Mio... and we'll see where we end up."

The dragon made a face at the piles of papers.

Zero Dream

Ankou still seemed rather puzzled when the voice came out of the box, though he seemed in no mean offended. This was... particular. Very particular indeed. "Likewise... ?" He offered, in fear of offending the... artificial intelligence.

Very awkward indeed.

"My biggest worry is that the information needs to be consistent. And clearly understandable." He looked at the papers in turn. He... very likely, would be the only one who would be able to decode Jinx's handwriting, if he remembered it accurately. He could see the holes she had accidentally pierced though the papers with her claws even from here, revealing clearly which pile was hers. "Especially for the written part... as it will likely span many tomes."

Sosiqui

"Yes... absolutely. Well, here, on this table are your notes... and these are mine. Xing Yun's are over here, and Jinx's are on the next table over... I tried to keep mine organized starting with the parts closest to the nyankos' 'garden' and then moving outward, but the thing was so labyrinthine that I'm not sure I succeeded. It'll be a puzzle piecing them together." Tian Yue put one hand on his own note-pile. At least he could read his own handwriting.

"I will organize my own, as best I can," Xing Yun said, stepping over to the table Tian Yue had indicated and picking up the first sheaf. "I found several very large dead sections..."

"As did I. An entire great heartroot, rotting away." Tian Yue shook his head. "Such senseless waste."

Zero Dream

"Indeed." He sighed, then moved toward Jinx's pile. "I should likely handle this, as Jinx's handwriting... is not the most legible, if I remember clearly. I can handle mine as well, unless Penny would like to... ?" He was indeed a whole more legible on paper than his kitten was, and he was right there for reference if needed. And there was nothing written down on these pages that had not been meant to be shown.

Sosiqui

"I can try and help?" Penny offered. "In fact... I think if I start scanning these sequentially, Mio can help piece them together... may I try?"

"Certainly. Anything to help. The physical limitations of paper.. if we can assemble them digitally, then that will be a great time-saver." Tian Yue picked up a few papers from his own pile and squinted at them; he'd written and sketched in a small size to conserve paper, and that had seemed a good idea at the time, but... "Mio can scale them too, can she not? I'm quite certain we didn't all draw to the same scale."

"Of course!" Penny readjusted the messenger bag on her shoulder, then stepped over next to Ankou. "Lord, if you could hold up the first page? I would do it myself, but I'm not sure which is which..."

Zero Dream

"Then perhaps I should just write beside Jinx's writing and have it... scanned ?" Awkward still. Very, very awkward. The both of them were referring to Mio as if she was indeed a person, though they had told him she was not... but he figured he might as well do the same. "Would that... erm.... confuse Mio ?"

He reached for his pile first - his handwriting was indeed clearer, but also small, as he had a similar thought that the dragon had - the god squinted a bit, looking over and flipping though the papers and books before finally holding one sheet up for Penny. "Here... that is where we entered."

Sosiqui

"That should work - she's very logical, very difficult to confuse..." Penny held the input device at the top of the paper. "Mio - scan, please. Paper 2-D input to... holographic 3-D output, map matrices..."

"Acknowledged," the tiny voice said. A moment later the input device began to emit a soft glow; Penny slowly swept the thing down the length of the paper, holding it about an inch away as the glow expanded to cover the full width of the map. "Display?"

"Hang on..." Penny quickly pulled out a chair, then took off the messenger bag, opening it to reveal a metallic cube within. She set the cube down on the chair, then flipped open a small metal flap at the top. "Okay, Mio - display."

"Acknowledged." There was a faint hum, and then the air above the cube filled with light, projecting a flat image of the map page, with Ankou's handwriting intact.

"Calibrate the measurements, Mio, then pop it to 3-D..." Penny sat down on the floor, squinting at the holographic map as she reached into the messenger bag again, this time pulling out a small foldable keyboard. "Take secondary input from the keyboard."

"Acknowledged. Calibrating..."

Tian Yue beamed as MI0 hummed. "Isn't it wonderful?" he asked Ankou, clearly excited about the whole thing.

Penny grinned, and ducked her head in a half-hearted attempt to hide her own amusement.

Zero Dream

Ankou's eyes widened a bit when the cube did, indeed, project the image just as faithfully as he had drawn it, with his notes intact. "That..." Try as he might, he could not find anything off with it. This was good, very good.

"If this can be used to make parts bigger and smaller for a better look...Then this might very well be the best way to present this." If the projection could show both the whole span of the tree and present bigger maps and annotations...

He was certainly quite a bit awed.

Sosiqui

"Oh, just wait," Penny laughed - and, a moment later, the AI made a ping! sound.

And the map changed. In an instant, what had been a two-dimensional rendering expanded upwards, shifting from simple lines to three-dimensional tunnels, roots, and branches. "Rendering to scale complete."

"Marvelous!" Tian Yue beamed, pacing around the chair to look at the projection from all angles. "Absolutely wonderful!"

"It's not perfectly accurate, of course, since you understandably didn't draw high detail of every surface - why would you? - but it will definitely show the pathways," Penny said, a note of pride and just a little smugness in her tone.

"And if we can scan them all, then we can fit them together... yes, yes..." Tian Yue rubbed his hands together. "We can write down exactly which pieces connect, and use that to build the paper map more efficiently as well."

Zero Dream

Ankou did not show the same outward wonder than his companion - did not dart about to watch the map at it's every angles, but it was evident by his expression alone that he was rather pleased.

This...

This was perfect. And it would help tremendously to make the paper version in the correct order.

"The pathways, and weither or not they are alive or dead, cut down or whole... is really the most detail we need." He nodded. "That will work nicely."

Sosiqui

"And the dead bits are marked by... the thick X-markings, yes?" Penny typed furiously for a moment; as she worked, slowly the markings on the rendering fizzed out, turning into angry black snarls that looked much more... final... than just the crossed-out openings. "Like so?"

"Yes, er... that should be sufficient representation." Tian Yue frowned as the change rippled across the map. So many of them on this section alone, and who knew how many worlds the large rotted branches had once held?

And what had happened to them?

He forced himself to refocus. This question was hardly new; it was just seeing the data presented now, in this way, that brought those musings back to the surface. "Penny, can I work the scanner?"

"Hm? Oh, of course! Er. My Lord," she added, with a glance at Ankou.

Zero Dream

"That is indeed clearer this way." He had to admit. It had not occurred to him to mark them this way, but these scribbles had never intended to be the final thing the dragon would present to Harmodius - there was no harm done, especially if it could be corrected so easily.

Perhaps this whole AI business was more useful than he initially thought.

Penny's 'slip' amused him slightly, and that was apparent in his expression as he reached to hand over the second page. He could just busy himself with making sure everything was in the right order - if he tried to handle Mio, he would more likely break it... ...her... than do anything else. Or so he thought.

Sosiqui

"Let's see..." Tian Yue carefully held the second page in one hand, the input device in the other. "I just sweep it over the surface?"

"Yes, Lord - you don't need to touch it directly, just hold it about an inch or two away, and tell Mio to scan. She'll listen to you."

"She had better," Tian Yue replied, amused, then held up the 'scanner'. "Scan, if you would, Mio."

"User: thaumic presence Tien Lung Tian Yue. Acknowledged," the AI hummed, and the input device lit up in the Dragon King's hand.

"'Thaumic presence'?" Tian Yue asked, wryly, as he moved the scanner over the page.

"Machines don't have much use for deities, I guess," Penny said with an embarrassed shrug.

They all waited until the second page appeared; this time the AI rendered it with greater efficiency, 'popping' it from 2D to 3D within a matter of seconds. "Good, it can read your handwriting. I don't know what we'll do for Jinx. I hope Mio's clever," Tian Yue muttered, glancing again at the somewhat rumpled papers that the feline Aoide had produced.

Zero Dream

"Who's to say there was not once a god for them ?" He pondered out loud. Had there been ? Some kind of deity of machinery ? He could not tell. Not all worlds were all on the same technological level, so... it sounded likely.

"I can decipher it." The god said again, though his glance never left the sight of the digital map when he talked, apparently still in wonder of it. This one had... came up much faster too. Would the next pages do the same ? "Like I said, I can transcribe beside her own handwriting, and Mio can read that instead. If it turns out she cannot read it." It was getting easier to refer to this AI as a person, likely aided by the fact both Tian Yue and Penny did the same. If he just stopped to think about it too much, it came easily, too.

Sosiqui

"Hm... perhaps so, though a mind without a soul... could there be true worship from such a device?" Tian Yue pondered for a moment, then shrugged and carefully put down the page he was holding. "A god of machinery, or a god for machinery... I think I read several novels on that topic once. When I was mortal...ish."

The next page was scanned in a bit faster, as Tian Yue got the hang of how to use the input device. "Hmm... Ankou, why don't you begin copying from Mio's display? I believe Penny can set up a secondary projector. I'll scan and ask you if I have a question about what order the pages go in. Would that work?"

"Oh - yes, I can! Here..." Penny put the keyboard down, then rummaged in the bag again. In a few minutes, she'd run a second small holographic device out to sit on another chair, far enough away that Ankou could begin his transcription without being interrupted by the scanning progress. "Mio, set up a partition for display..."

"There, now. Isn't technology wonderful?" Tian Yue beamed.

Zero Dream

"Perhaps." The god reached for one of the books in his bags, flipping it open to the first page and reaching for a pencil before sitting in one of the chair, letting the book rest against one folded leg. An awkward position perhaps, but he had managed to do mostly straight lines while sitting on a moving equine... surely he could do so now. Hadn't he brought a ruler, too ? He pulled the bag closer to him and began to look though it once more.

Maybe it was Tian Yue's actual... origin that made him so happy with this - being that he was somewhat more mortal and god, though for the most part, Ankou did not notice it. Had he not just mentioned it, he might have overlooked this angle completely. He could see the use in such device, but he could not imagine himself working with one day in and day out.

He finally found the ruler - and an eraser, too, and went to work at drawing the 2D display staight in front of him. "Can you move that display just a bit to the right ? I can still see the first one a little from this angle and it is throwing me off slightly." He could have done so himself... but then again, he seemed to think the slightest wrong touch might have broke Mio.

Sosiqui

"Of course, Lord." Penny moved the secondary projector a bit more, placing it so that the cord ran under a table, completely separate from the primary station. "Will this work?"

"Make sure he has back support," Tian Yue called from across the room.

Zero Dream

"That will be perfect." He did not thank her, but he seemed grateful. "This way I can focus on this..."

The dragon's voice came from the other side of the room, and the Guide rolled his gold and yellow eyes. Apparently one did not just tell a dragon to stop being protective and fussy. Maybe it was some of his host's nature that had remained from the slight parts that had to assimilate, or maybe he had grown close enough to the dragon during his travels to allow himself to not only think up of a retort to this so easily...

But to actually dare to use it.

"Yes, mother !" He called out as well, sure that his voice would reach. He made a concious effort to control it, so sound more amused than annoyed, less he be misinterpreted.

What he was unsure, was if he either had to duck or not.

Sosiqui

Any response Tian Yue might have made was utterly drowned out in a burst of laughter from Penny - the girl tried to smother it by clapping her hands over her mouth, but it was unmistakable. "Oh... I'm sorry, Lord, but..."

"And make sure you take a nap if you get tired," Tian Yue called, after a moment, his voice absolutely deadpan - but if Ankou glanced over the table, he'd see the merriment in the dragon's eyes.

Zero Dream

"Do not make me throw a book at you." He said as well, though his eyes held a similar light, so rarely seen. Very few indeed had gotten close enough to the Spirit Guide to make him allow himself to be teased as such... and to permit him to dish it out in return. And the grin on his face was rather telling. Penny's laughter was bright and highly contagious, but he managed to keep his own contained.

Barely.

"Stop fussing and keep on scanning, or else I will catch up with you."

Sosiqui

"Hmph - next time, I won't even loan you a pillow. See if I don't, ungrateful creature," Tian Yue teased right back, then grinned and turned back to his work.

Next to Ankou, Penny finally regained her composure. "I'm... so sorry, Lord Ankou, I... he's so funny when he does that, isn't he?" she added, her voice dropping almost to a whisper as her eyes sparkled with barely-contained mirth.

Zero Dream

"As if you would not." Oh, now he was just testing his luck - though he shook his head, and as the dragon returned to his work, so did he.

"It is a very carefully weighted, equal parts of amusing and annoying." He admitted, letting out one single chuckle. He could see why he had gotten to like this little mortal girl, with a laughter so bright and a flame of belief that seemed to burn so brightly. "But I know he means to ill thought to it. A rather protective creature." And rightfully so. He had never doubted it one second, even before he had gotten to know the dragon on a deeper level. It just seemed... right.

"So I assume you are familiar to his protective tendencies as well ?" He asked Penny, his eyes not once leaving the projection in front of him, drawing light lines on the paper even as he held conversation with her. Ankou seemed to be a pretty good multitasker.

Sosiqui

"Oh, yes, very much so... though it isn't quite the same for mortals, I don't think. He will fuss over us, but not the same way," Penny confided, glancing back at the primary projector and pausing in her speech to type rapidly. "But it's quite alright. He's good... er, as are you, Lord..." She flushed a bit, realizing she'd become rather casual with the other god. "I'm sorry, do I presume too much?"

Zero Dream

It was weird. Usually Ankou did not associate with mortals, at least not so easily. He always kept his distance toward them, at least some healthy dose of such. But with Penny, just like with Lenneth, it was harder to do so. Perhaps because she believed so steadily, so deeply - perhaps because he trusted the dragon's judgment.

Her last sentence made him ponder, however. Did she ? He had never though about himself, about what he did and what he represented, on a scale of 'right' or 'wrong'. It had never seemed to matter. Certainly there had to be mortals who could be scared of what he represented - one of the many cogs in the cycles of life, death and rebirth.

"I figure it would depend on your own judgment." He finally said, somewhat enigmatically.

[Zero Dream]

Compilation and Correlation (Part II)

Zero Dream

They had continued on for a long time - many hours it could likely be said - and his companions had fallen asleep, Penny first of all. Tian Yue, amusingly, followed suit not too long after, but he remained awake only by sheer determination - and mostly driven by the fact that he was quite a bit 'behind' due to the quickness of the scanning process - much quicker than the time it took him to draw the lines on the paper and copy over his annotations as to the state of each branch, as well as the facts he had gathered about the many worlds they had visited. It seemed relevant, so written neatly on the 'final' version they went.

Even he, though, finally gave in to sleep, leaning backward against the wall on two legs of his chair in what likely had to be one of the most amusing sleeping positions ever witnessed - he had likely kicked back to his to stare at the ceiling and rest his eyes, but had wound up drifting right there and then.

It was a good thing he was not known to toss around in his sleep, and thus had remained balancing in that unstable position the whole time.

Sosiqui

Mrf... what'm I... laying on...?

Tian Yue cracked one eye open, shifted, heard paper crackle under him, then froze.

Damndamndamn I'm NOT sleeping on the maps- He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw it was only blank pages, tumbled off of one of the tables, that he'd somehow made into a nest. Thank goodness.

The library seemed as timeless as Yggdrasil, with no light in the windows to mark day and night; this had been true since the Week of 'Paradise', and yet now since exiting the Tree the difference seemed even more marked. He had no idea what time it was...

But it didn't matter.

MI0's lights blinked on as he stirred, aware of the sounds of Penny, Xing Yun, and Ankou still asleep around him. "Command?" it said, voice pitched low.

"Uh. Yes... scanning..."

"Scan input complete. Rendering process 98.2% complete. 98.4. 98.6-"

Tian Yue blinked. He had scanned until - ouch! yes, that was a paper cut on his fingers, at least one, probably more - well, until he literally couldn't scan any more, along with Xing Yun, and...

"99.5. 99.6. 99.8. Rendering complete."

"Uh. Engage?"

He wasn't entirely sure that would work, but as he spoke the Tree blossomed before him - in miniature, floating above MI0's projector. Layers upon layers of labyrinthine roots, connected and stitched together, impossibly complicated, and yet...

Beautiful.

"Wow," he breathed, staring at it.

Zero Dream

It was the sound of the dragon's voice that made the other god start to stirr, start to awaken in truth, his sleep having been a rather light one.

Unfortunately, however, it seemed he had not been quite aware of the position he had fallen asleep in, and he was almost sent tumbling when he moved to stretch, though he somehow managed to keep from face-planting, and instead returned his chair to a proper, four-legged hold.

What... Oh, he had likely... fallen asleep ? Drat. Now he was even more behind !

It was only then that he actually looked to his side - and saw it.

The tree.

They had... they had somehow mapped all this, traveled though all these paths and angles, and yet managed to return. In one piece.

He had known all these things, but to see it like this, all in one piece rather than multiple tiny fragments, only drove the point home further. "...We mapped all this.... how, again ?" It did not look like it was even possible at all.

He was amazed.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue glanced over and shook his head, an almost disbelieving smile on his face. "I can't... quite believe it either... but we were in there for a long time..."

I hope this is sufficient. I'm not sure if this can be the whole, but...

"Whoa."

He turned and saw Penny, blinking blearily yet astonished at the projection. "You went there? You mapped that?"

"Yeah... we did. That's why I was gone for so long!"

"Wow..." Penny reached out and touched it. Tian Yue blinked again as her hand passed right through the projection, and yet as she moved her fingers the projection spun, zoomed in, rotated with her movements. "This is amazing."

"It wouldn't have been possible without you and Mio," Tian Yue said, copying Penny's movements and grinning as he, too, was able to zoom in on particular areas. It took a few minutes, but he found the nyankos' garden, making it fill the projection area. "Absolutely fantastic."

Zero Dream

This... oh, the moment he saw them reach eagerly into the projection, controlling it so easily and bringing up what part they wished, he knew this was indeed the best way to do this.

"Indeed..." He nodded, more than agreeing with the last two statements of the dragon. However, one look at his own projection, compared to the projection in three dimensions to his right, and so came the realization that he was far from done indeed, and he sombered a little.

"I think." He started. "...That I am going to need coffee." Lots, and lots of it. Three full tomes rested on the table beside him - no wonder his hands felt crampy - but there were still many more that would follow. Caffeine was such a mundaine thing, but it would do wonders at jolting the yet mortal part of him awake.

He hoped.

Sosiqui

"Ah... yes, of course..." Tian Yue looked vaguely embarassed. Of course they weren't done yet. The holographic map was amazing, but MI0 was the only such computer they had access to. If something happened to her...

Well.

"I will aid you, now that the scanning is done; I judge my hand steady enough to assist," he said, raising one eyebrow at Ankou with a teasing grin. The relief in having completed part of the map was palpable; now, only one part remained.

They were so close!

"Penny, if you would - go find Toki, tell him we all could use some food." Xing Yun was still slumbering, dead to the world, and he was loathe to wake her when Toki's exuberance would serve.

"Of course," Penny said, standing up and hurrying into the maze of bookshelves.

"There, now - Toki will bring us everything we need, and probably some things we don't." Tian Yue brushed his hair back, tucking the wayward strands behind his ears and horns. "How far did you get, last night...?"

Zero Dream

"Certainly." He had... never gotten to deal with Toki himself, only Xing Yun, but he had indeed heard thing about the aoide.

All he could hope was that he would bring something other than fruit. He was starting to be rather sick of such things, after having to survive sorely on that for quite some time.

"I think..." He looked, in turn, at the portion of scan still displayed on his hologram, down the the book in his lap, then to the wide, finished 3D map. He finally stood, tucking the book under his arm, and reached for the hologram. It felt like... nothing at all, under his touch, but he was not sure if it ought to feel like anything at all. He made the map turn, stunned again for a moment, but took a hold of himself. "Here." He finally found what he was looking for, and brought the part to fill the whole hologram. He had no idea that his own fumbling were a good thing - after all, if he could use it intuitively and correctly, then likely anyone could. The part matched the last drawing in his book.

There was indeed still quite a bit of work to do on that regard.

Sosiqui

"All right. Just point me in the right direction, give me a pen and paper, and I'll continue from your maps," Tian Yue said, walking over to where Ankou had been working earlier. As he approached, the secondary projector turned on again, projecting the plain 2-D image of the last scan Ankou had done. "Let me... here."

He picked up the secondary projector, gingerly, and moved it closer to MI0's core. "Okay. Mio, please let me view the 2-D images again - the next in the sequence. Ankou, if you work off of that one, and I work off of this one... we should be able to coordinate..."

Zero Dream

It seemed like this would indeed work nicely - Tian Yue, after all, has likely more experience than he had with making sure information was coordinated. As long as it all made sense in the end, he did not especially care how he got there.

He was, however, more than glad that he now had some help on that front, else he would likely have been at it with yet quite many more 'days'...

And his hand would have likely fallen off.

He brought his chair closer, then sat and rested the book on his knees, comparing his drawing with the image. He was not quite done yet, it seemed, so he traced the last few lines. "Allright. Next in sequence, Mio."

Sosiqui

There was quiet silence, with only the sound of pens scratching on paper, for about ten minutes.

"Goo~oood morning!"

The singsong echoed through the library; Tian Yue slumped. "Oh... oh dear. That's never a good-"

"Ah! How goes it, my Lord?" Toki fairly bounced into the study area, a tray carried in both hands, the dishes on it rattling disconcertingly as he moved. "Penny informed me of your needs - ah! Good morning, Lord Ankou!" The Aoide tried to bow and couldn't quite do it, not without dropping the tray, so he settled for bobbing his head rapidly a few times.

"Toki... can we have that coffee, please?"

"Ah! Yes, of course! Coffee, coffee-"

The dishes rattled again, and Tian Yue winced visibly.

"And don't spill anything, in the Crown's Name!"

Zero Dream

Ankou perked in surprise as he heard the sing-song, and winced a little at the clattering of dishes.

It seemed that what Tian Yue had told him of Toki had not... been exaggerated.

"You... might want to be careful with that..." More so than the mess, coffee was hot, and the originals of the maps, the tracing they had done in the tree, were still scattered all around. The servant might accidentally hurt himself, or ruin those, and... for all he knew, they might well still need them ! It would only when both version of the maps would be done that he would be less twitchy about those.

Sosiqui

"Ah, yes, of course, Lord-" Toki bobbed his head again, then carefully held out a steaming cup of coffee. Tian Yue took it hurriedly, handing it to Ankou, before taking the second cup. "Be careful with it around Mio, Ankou - electronic-based systems like her are very vulnerable to liquids- Toki, will you STOP fluttering around with that and put it down?!"

"S-sorry!" Toki practically wailed, backing up so his back and wings were pressed to a bookshelf.

"Toki..." Tian Yue sighed. "My apologies. It is just that these documents are irreplaceable... and singularly vulnerable to things like hot coffee." The Dragon King lifted his free hand to his temple and rubbed it. "We must be very careful."

"Y-yes, Lord," Toki wibbled. Tian Yue fought the urge to roll his eyes. Toki meant well, but at times like this the Aoide could be kind of annoying.

Zero Dream

Ankou simply nodded, taking heed of the warning given to him - the last thing he wished to do was damage Mio in any way - and remained silent, letting Tian Yue wrangle his own aoide. He could sympathize... somewhat. Jinx was a little awkward with most everyday tasks, partly due to claws and partly due to instincts.

He took the hot cup when it was offered to him, and held it steady in both hands, forgoing both sugar and milk and taking a sip as-is.

Sosiqui

"There, now... thank you, Toki," Tian Yue said after a moment; the Aoide blinked, then visibly relaxed. "You've done well..." The Dragon King got to his feet, clearing space on one of the tables for Toki to put the tray down, which the Aoide did with exaggerated care.

"Thank you, Lord!" Toki beamed, his fretting of earlier apparently completely forgotten. "How do the preparations go?"

"Well as can be expected. What of Penny?"

"She sleeps, Lord...?"

Tian Yue smiled understandingly. "Of course. Do not wake her. Please, wait nearby for my call - but do not touch any of our work. They must remain perfectly organized."

"Of course!" Toki bowed, fully this time since he was no longer burdened by the tray, then fairly skipped off to another aisle of bookshelves.

"There, now," Tian Yue said, very quietly. "He'll be ready should we need him yet not... ah... right here, if you understand..." He took a sip of his own coffee. "Ah, that's good. Feel more.. hah... 'human' yet? An expression from my host-self." He raised one eyebrow at Ankou.

Zero Dream

Ankou rose an eyebrow in return at the expression, somewhat amused by it, and the irony that accompanied it. "More sentient, at the very least." He amended, his tone light, before taking a larger gulp of the bitter liquid. Skittish as the aoide was, he made good coffee. He said nothing about that, though, in fear of accidentally offending the dragon, who was aware enough as-is of Toki's.... quirks.

He paced himself toward one large window, conveniently putting himself away from both Mio and the documents, and stared out of it - the sky outside, of course, was still stark black, true absence rather than inky night.

Not for much longer.

Hopefully...

Sosiqui

"I can't wait to see the sun again," Tian Yue said dryly, watching Ankou's movements from his seat on the floor. He made no move to join the other god, though he glanced out at what little of the empty sky as was visible from that angle. "Sentimental concerns aside - it wears heavy on the mortals, all of them. The return of sun, moon, stars... it will be a symbol of hope and rebirth to them, moreso than anything else that has happened in these days since our Lord returned. A sign."

Hopefully a sign to mortals only, and not to our opponents.

Tian Yue shook his head, then took another long drink of coffee, tipping his head back and drinking until there was nothing left.

Zero Dream

"A sign indeed." Ankou answered, brow furrowing slightly - in thought or worry would be unclear to the dragon from this angle - but eventually he seemed to let it go, shaking his head lightly as he took another large sip from his mug.

"It... bothers me less then most, I would think. The Underworld had no sky." It has no sky, even now, though there had been those muted colors in the sky, much like an aurora borealis. An idea of his brother, or a idea of Music, he wondered ? "Though... It should not be so here."

But they would correct this. Soon, he could only hope.

Coffee was good, but it did little about the growling pit that was his stomach - so he finally turned away from the window and wandered over to the tray Toki had brought, and eventually selecting an apple from it.

Sosiqui

"No. No, it should not... but you know more than most, I think, about my feelings on the matter." There was no mirth in Tian Yue's smile, but no grief, either. Merely a sort of... tired acceptance. Things were as they were, and no further mourning would change it. "I am beyond ready for this to be over. Even as I slumbered, it haunted my dreams..."

He put down the coffee cup and turned to the next blank page, tapping MI0's output device; the holographic display popped up again where he'd left off. "This is poor penance indeed for what has been lost, and yet..."

Zero Dream

Ankou's expression changed, from fairly neutral to slightly worried - afraid that he had accidentally upset the dragon again with such a statement - but it seemed not to be the case, thankfully. One last gulp and the coffee was done, allowing him to discard the cup and to focus on the apple, as well as allowing him to get closer to Mio without fear or accidentally causing a mess. He would not resume his own work until his hunger was satisfied - the tray was mostly fruits, fruits had juice, and well...

He did not need to be a scholar to see this was not a good idea.

"If this task has been given to you... then perhaps this was the best way for it to be done." No matter what, he could not seem to find the words to attempt to comfort the dragon... If he even sought them out of him. These kind of words often escaped him.

Sosiqui

"It certainly makes me appreciate what we have left... how easily things are lost, how much we must fight to preserve what remains." A look of determination passed over the dragon's face as he drew, and he finished the page he was working on and flipped to the next in one quick movement. "And that there is no point in comparing what Was to what Is. We have lost too much to allow ourselves that luxury."

Zero Dream

"Yes." The Spirit Guide nodded. He could not help to agree with that statement. If they always longed for what would never return... they would never get anything new done.

They had to reshape anew. This much was clear.

He finished the fruit quickly, and settled down to continue drawing his section.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue smiled at his companion as the Spirit Guide sat down, then turned his full focus back to his work. At least being a deity had some benefits, such as increased resistance to irritations like blisters, hand-cramps, and eyestrain...

He had no idea how long they worked; Xing Yun awoke at one point and brought them another meal, then went away again, and Toki fell asleep against a bookshelf and snored astonishingly loud. And the gods continued in their toil, filling book after book with maps, references, cross-sections, notations...

And then Tian Yue reached for the next piece of paper and found none.

It took a moment to register; he turned his head and blinked dumbly at the empty place where stacks of paper had once stood. "Ankou... are we...?"

Zero Dream

Ankou continued on, doing his best to ignore those very three things - though he had no choice but to take more frequent breaks, else he felt asleep, or worse... copied something wrong due to eyestrain and cramps.

He had been taking such break - leaned back against the wall, hanging on two chair legs, having apparently learned nothing from his previous near-fall - looking almost asleep had it not been for the too quick raise and fall of his chest. It was only when the dragon spoke that he let himself fall forward, eyes opening to look at his surroundings. Done ? Certainly, that was impossible, there was -

The table was clear, and Mio's hologram only showed the lowest roots. Beyond that laid not world... but Underworld. And it was useless to map that, in it's current state.

"...Done ?" He sounded equally disbelieving.

Sosiqui

"I..." Tian Yue quickly stood up, searching for any fragment left uncopied. "Mio... report?"

"All segments have been viewed."

"... I think so." Tian Yue shook his head, almost disbelieving. "I think so."

Zero Dream

It was only then that he turned to look - and saw what had been done.

In between them, ten massive tomes had been filled, carefully, with maps, drawing, schematics, descriptions, notes...

It was done. Both traditional and... holographic version done, clarified, carefully crafted to the best of their abilities. All that was perhaps needed was some sort of table of contents, some kind of way to organize further, but that was best left to the dragon. Ankou was so scholar - but he knew maps, and how to read then, and how to make them clear.

In between the two of them, it had worked out.

Done in truth now.

Which was good, because he was pretty sure his left hand was about to fall off.

"We are done." He announced, suddenly sure of it, now that he had seen the pile of tomes.

Sosiqui

"Done," Tian Yue repeated, then started to laugh - both with delight at the finished task, and with sheer relief. "Done, by the Crown himself! To whom we should bring this as quickly as possible! Hah!"

He felt absurdly like jumping into the air and dancing about in dragon-shape; he did not, of course, but the grin on his face was unmistakable.

Zero Dream

"That you should bring to him, perhaps." He said, a little amused. The honors of such a thing... were not for him, he felt. And the kings, of course, were the closest to Harmodius, no matter the influence he held. It almost felt... like intruding, perhaps.

A silly thought, but it was how it felt. If the dragon wished him to come, he would, but he left the door open for him to go alone, if he preferred. He had helped a little, certainly, but the task had not been his.

He seemed rather cheerful and relieved himself, though slightly more subdued - perhaps by the pain in the joints of his hands.

Sosiqui

"And you as well," Tian Yue said, arching one eyebrow at his companion; there was no way he was letting Ankou bow out without recognition. Not after what they'd done - and the task had arguably been harder on him than on the Dragon King. "You and I will approach him as soon as we've rested... with Penny, I think, to operate Mio. Agreed?" He grinned.

Zero Dream

"If I must." The Guide gave a clearly exaggerated roll of his eyes - but he was smiling. "Rest first, indeed - I would do myself little justice if I presented myself half asleep, with my hand feeling like it is about to fall off." He quirked a brow.

He finally stood, stretching a bit - his legs were tense, as they tended to go when he spent too long sitting in one spot without moving.

Sosiqui

"Yes. Come... a job well done deserves rest. I will call Xing Yun and have her collect the whole and return it to my chambers. It will be safe there." Tian Yue smiled and stretched as well, glancing out the window once more as he did so.

With luck.... it wouldn't be long now.

[Zero Dream]

The Last Jewels Of The Crown

And now, all that was left to do was wait.

Tian Yue would contact him once the time had come – Ankou was certain of it – and thus, this left the Spirit Guide free for other things in the meanwhile. It was too late to really attempt to try to help with the Day of the Dead – which was only a few days away now – and so he focused on spending time with Cosine, and... one last thing.

The three bones were spread on the desk, and the god surveyed them silently, as he had done for the last few minutes. Then he would pick one up, twirling it within his fingers, looking for flaws and crack he could carve out completely or hide with designs and shapes.

Many bones he had gathered in his journey, but these three stood out the most, seemed the most relevant in their feel. The last three. It would make for ten ornaments – a nice, round number. Good for a start. He could not help but think Cosine would agree with him.

He studied them all for a few more minutes, then reached for the leftmost bone. The guardian. Much of the feeling he had felt upon stumbling upon the bones of the fallen beast still clung to this single bone heavily, which was exactly what the Guide had wanted. It was fragile and brittle, however, and so he had to be careful. No fancy shape with this one, as he was not too keen on setting back into the World Tree to get another. A simple hook shape, carved slowly with obvious care. In spite of the simplicity, this one took him the most time out of all of them. But he finally found the most solid parts, the center, which would not shatter at the slightest movement. The decorative carvings were light, invisible in the distance, as they were with most of them.

The god let it down with the others, carefully wrapped in cloth, and his fingers went for the second. It seemed porous, even now, as if still soaked in the waters it had been found in. This one was more solid than the previous, and the Guide could let his imagination flow a bit more into the shape – a more elaborate hook, with faint marks of scales across the tip – the 'tail'. Golden-yellow eyes surveyed his work, making small corrections, before the god seemed finally satisfied and carefully placed it with the others.

The last, then. That king had been frustrating to deal with, unused to obey commands of someone else, but in the end he had prevailed the small battle of wits and his power brought the spirit where it was required to be. And... perhaps this was exactly the reason while this specific bone needed to be part of this. The last piece, though the soul would have demanded to be the first – but how did such thing matter, in death ?

They did not. It was as simple as that.

The shape was also simple, somewhere in between the first and the second, detail-wise. That bone was old, older than all of those he had found so far, and so it's texture was different – and interesting all of it's own, the surface not seeming to call for further adornment once the shape had been carved out and refined.

And, with that, after one last afternoon dedicated only to this, he was almost done. He unfolded the length on cloth on the desk, placing all ten into a row, picking up one to deepen a carving, or smooth out further. He was no god of Crafting, that was for sure – these pieces did not hold unbelievable detail and beauty, were more similar to something carved out of mortal hand than anything else...

But they served their purposes well, in the subtle meanings he wished to convey, the ones that sorely his brother would notice. He looked at the pieces again and was, at last, completely satisfied.

He was done.

One by one, he warped them into the cloth again, for protection – they were yet fragile, and placed them, one by one, into the wooden box, lined with velvet, that he had found so long ago.

It had occurred to him, of course, that perhaps all this work was in vain. His brother, now... He had seen it, felt it with his own eyes. A place, rather than a person, and what use would there be a crown then ? Nergal had made no attempt to show himself to Ankou in the shape he had once held. Perhaps he was unable to do so.

But to give up after going to far had been out of the question. And... after all, they were gods.

Who was he to think that it was impossible to be a place and a person ? Why be limited to one or the other ?

The Spirit Guide would know soon, he felt.

[Zero Dream]

Renewal... ?

SkieBorne

When the mortals had proven to know just as little as he about the events beyond the lotuses... Glyph had returned to wandering the grounds. To cheer himself, he would encourage the bloom of those flowers he'd come across, willing the buds to open just a little faster. His touch was so light now... faint and new and draining but it brought a smile to his face and lifted his heavy heart when he saw the delicate plant life respond to his attention.

Tired from the 'practice' and inclined to think, Forest sat beneath a great apple tree, the blossoms all open - courtesy of his touch. A few insects buzzed around, taking advantage of the sudden appearance of flowers and he sat watching them, expression uncharacteristically somber. Leaning back against the trunk of the tree, he wiggled his toes in the cool grass and tried not to be distracted by the empty sky even as the questions whirled in his mind.

Zero Dream

He had been gone for quite some time. Just how long was a hazy subject - though nothing seemed too different, there were subtle hints, there and there. The state of the nearest buildings, for one.

And now, the work was all done, and the information compiled, and all there was to do was wait. And try to catch up on what had happened in his absence.

The god had wandered though, one crow having taken perch about his shoulder, taking in the sight of a tree in full bloom - something he had yet to see in his new life - when he caught sight of the form sitting at the base of the trunk. Hm... ?

Upon coming a little closer, he did, in fact, recognize this one. It still took a few more steps for him to see the difference - to see that this was not host, but god now.

"Something has you troubled ?" He asked, stopping his pace a few feet away from Forest.

SkieBorne

Glyph's gaze remained on the insects above, the bumbling motion of a particularly fat bee entertaining the newly reborn god, as he pointed up at the sky, "Indeed. I have missed much..." He turned to regard the other then, expression sad, "I did not think my vision would speak the truth of the sky... I had been so hoping to feel and see the sun on my skin." He sighed and dropped his gaze, "Greetings Ankou, I have not see you in some time."

Resting elbow on knee and draping arm over his other leg, Glyph frowned, "I did not know the Sky was lost... Were our efforts in Baadris too late then? What else transpired beyond my knowledge?" He arched a brow, obviously consumed by questions, "I returned to awareness in a world rife with suffering... and was reborn into a broken one, without really even knowing what went so terribly wrong. I... feel awful not to have questioned the source of anguish until now, more terrible still not to have noticed the loss of one of our own until now."

Zero Dream

...That was true. The aurion had been... blind, in a way, hadn't he ? He remembered this.

"I do not think anyone had thought..." Ankou shook his head, looking up at what had once been a sky, but was now nothing but absolute blackness. "My nephew and my niece - Grief and Lament - were tasked... of his passing, by our Lord. I do not think... that there will be a return for Universe. Not as it once was." It was a more absolute than the fading itself, for while they certain all fell, but once, there was enough of some of the pantheon to raise again.

Of Lucius... There was probably nothing left. Not even the echo of a whisper.

"There will be a sky again." He said, tone assured. There would be, there had to be, they had done the best they could - but he pushed that thought away. "But... not of a divine source."

SkieBorne

"Still, I feel as though I've failed somehow.... I did not know the sky's patron had returned, let alone that he had been undone. Such a causality... to fail to protect such a key part of what Is..." He frowned and trailed off with a sigh. "I hope you are right and that the sky does return. It bothers the mortals, and I must admit it troubles me as well.

"What happened, then? What caused the sky's undoing? And indeed Gehenna itself? I have not thought overlong on that, and rather think it was a mistake to be so truly thoughtless. Foolish even." Glyph stretched out his hand, gesturing for Ankou to sit beside him rather then hover, "You have been returned to this world longer then I, do you know much of the Pantheon's history?"

Zero Dream

"Not for much longer than you have, it would seem..." After all, he had been yet trapped in his gem, only a voice in Adrian's mind, when it all started to unfold, and the very start had likely happened much before that.

The Spirit Guide moved to sit as well, the crow that had taken perch flying off - most likely hoping to find a snack among the insects buzzing along the newly-opened flowers. The questions he had asked himself, and these questions he had answered for others - though he had not done so for quite a long time.

"The grigori." He said, after settling against the large tree. "Wielders of Void... One attacked Lord Harmodius, in a manner that I am uncertain of, as I had not been there. What resulted... was Gehenna. The cocoon you likely know of, if not seen, sending shockwaves in it's wake. My host was knocked out cold... Many mortals simply died on impact. After that, came the influence of the weeks. The grigori... she escaped, with Gaia's arm I have been told... but to where, I do not know."

SkieBorne

Glyph listened as Ankou spoke, brows furrowing and ears drawing back in an expression of anger. So that was what had struck down Harmodius. He'd known that something had catalyzed that turn of events, the name sparking memories of a brief encounter with Illumin, and to find out Gaia had been injured as well! His frown deepened and something akin to outrage sparked in his lavender eyes as he shook his head, "Aye. Malh'reth's vision was destroyed then, and was the reason for our blindness. Who are the Grigori? Why would they strike at our roots? Gaia and Harmodius both..."

The joy that leaped into his throat at knowing the goddess was among them was strong and helped to buoy up his moods, "It was them, then, that caused the undoing of the sky. Without their treachery, He would not have foundered and Gehenna not triggered." He shuddered, thinking the end could be so easily brought to bear, "Why was the Twin Crown not better guarded?" He pursed his lips, wondering where the Dragon Kings had been but was wise enough not to voice his concern - Zhijian had barely left the throne room since the cocoon's appearance, and Yu as well, had taken up his post after the calamity. Had they been unable to do so before?

He rather hoped that were the case. "Does anyone know where the Grigori are now? Has there been any steps taken to safeguard against them further? My powers are hardly offensive..." Glyph bit his lower lip as he looked up into the tree and met the gaze of the crow, smiled at the way he caught its attention. He would not be use in a fight, he knew.

Zero Dream

"I do not know much of the why, unfortunately." Ankou's features had pulled into a frown. one arm resting on folded legs. "They were at war with us before the fading, even... But the true start of this, I do not know. Of the matter of guarding... Many gods went to Lord Harmodius' side as they felt the repercussions, and none of them managed to stop her. One lone Grigori... Against many of our own, at varying stages of rebirth. Even our Lord as Destruction..." He trailed off then, shaking his head. "From what I have been told, she was focusing on escaping - had she not... Their touch devours All just as the sky had been eaten before my very eyes, and most of us are ill-equipped to fight such influence, even at our strongest. Weapons of Creation's influence had been forged... lost to the fading but reclaimed once more." Though he had no true idea of the actual events... It was how he felt.

SkieBorne

"One lone Grigori... and our might combined could do little?" Glyph echoed, falling into thoughtful silence, "The weapons that defend against them have been gathered, then? That is... a relief. The realms have been undone enough... to be further touched by Void would only make the suffering worse. With Harmodius returned, however, and Creation's healing influence, I hope I might be of greater service to him now. The glass we have collected is nearly finished... and I can finally present the offerings alongside Judgement... but I feel that is little in comparison to what I could do." His gaze shifted away from the bird and back to Ankou as he spoke, "Some way to ease the burden of repair."

Forest smiled suddenly, his heart eased a little even though he mourned still for Universe, "Where have you been, then, Spirit Guide? This might be the first time I have seen your face but I have not heard your voice in some time - did a task take you away from the pantheon?"

Zero Dream

Ankou only nodded along to Glyph's statements, understanding well the anger behind those events, but knowing that it would do nothing well, that for now, their energy were better spent elsewhere. Toward the mortals. Toward themselves.

Until they were told otherwise...

"I have been gone for some time, indeed." He announced, golden-yellow eyes watching in the distance, but his expression turned to amusement. "I did warn you that I wandered often. I found myself wandering quite far this time." How would Forest have felt in the large branches and roots of the World Tree, he wondered ? "Now that there is an Underworld again... The dead need to find their ways. Tian Yue had been tasked to make count of the remaining worlds, and as our steps were aligned... I traveled with him. Our steps took us to the World Tree itself."

SkieBorne

"The World Tree...?" He echoed, understanding dawning as the name came to the fore of his mind, "Yggdrasil? You've been into its reaches? What was your travel like, Spirit Guide?" Glyph's smile was broad and his interest earnest, "What was Yggdrasil like? How many other worlds did you document then?"

News of other realms was most intriguing to Forest and stirred so very many questions. Were they alright? How many lay dead? Did the world tree survive their brush with Gehenna unscathed? It made him anxious to touch and see those other realms... but he knew his power was small yet, unprepared for too much stress.

Zero Dream

Ah... He should have thought that this would be of interest to the forest god.

"It was..." The Spirit Guide paused for a moment, struggling to put what he had felt back there into words and still have it make sense. "Wast. Bigger than anything else I have ever came to witness in this life. A labyrinth made of roots, branches and wood... That has seen better days. Many sections had closed off completely, the worlds that once dwelt behind..."

Well, he found no need to elaborate.

"We have not visited All That Remains. That would have been madness, and we would have been at the task for ages... But we mapped it the best we could, where the dead sections and the alive sections were."

SkieBorne

Glyph listened attentively, nodding slowly as the other spoke and chuckled to himself, "I wonder if I'd get lost... I would like to see it at some point, when I am better suited to such a trek." He too felt no need to ask after the closed off routes and a quiet sadness crept into his eyes as he thought of the many lost lives and worlds.

"I would think a trek of that size would be most time consuming," he replied after a moment, "But you did map some, which is better then nothing. Especially if we wish to return the mortal pilgrims to their homeworlds at last. We've stranded them for so long already..." He pursed his lips as his gaze flicked back in the direction of the Pantheon and many mortals it sheltered.

Zero Dream

"Indeed... We were gone for quite a long time. We have only now returned, to be honest. Perhaps you might have better luck than I with finding your way."

The World Tree was, after all, a tree, though wast beyond anything else he had ever witnessed. The Guide's expression turned thoughtful as he watched the crow perch on a large branch over his head.

"Perhaps you..." Then it seemed to occur to him that he was talking out loud. "Ah, no. Nevermind..."

SkieBorne

"Perhaps. But there is no guarantee, after all." He smiled, "It is not forest and Gaia's realm, not mine. Asking for her blessings might speed along any expeditions. I will need to find her..." His attention drifted inwards as he considered the things he had to say to the Empress, chief amongst them querying after her health.

Glyph blinked when Ankou started to speak and then stopped himself, expression confused, "Pardon? Perhaps I what?" He pursed his lips and fixed the Spirit Guide with an even expression, "Speak, Ankou, do not cut yourself off. What do you want of me...?"

Zero Dream

"It is nothing. Nothing important, really." Ankou seemed... embarrassed ? He was not usually one to ask such small favors of others, even others of his own kind, so this was a little awkward for the Spirit Guide. "You likely have much more importants things to do, and I would hate to bother you with my own needs..."

It did not look like Forest would let go, though, even him could tell with that kind of stare. "I... Well, there are crows, they often follow me and keep close to me. And close to Cosine as well. They, like everything else, have been hit by the devastation of the world... I had built some... branches out of scrap wood, on my balcony, in hope they would attempt to nest..." That sounded so silly, when he was telling it out loud. "They perch here, certainly, but they do not build nests..."

SkieBorne

Glyph's determined expression softened as Ankou spoke but still did not voice his wish. And, really, he didn't need to. A kind smile blossomed on the god's lips and he glanced up at the crow as well, extending an arm and hand so that the creature might alight on his offered fingers, "Perhaps they are not comfortable with their perches... I will look after them, if you like? I cannot offer solace with my person right now, but my room has an entryway with pillars of Everwood, the crowns still preserved. Those boughs, sheltered and 'alive' may provide the kind of cover they desire."

He smiled as the bird did indeed alight on his hand and he lowered the limb so he could regard the crow without cranning his neck, "I will leave my windows open and your crows are welcome to nest there. Will that soothe your concerns for now, my friend?" He would have let the crow perch upon his head but his branches were small yet, he'd rather not have to reattach them if the bird inadvertently broke some. Later perhaps, but not now.

Zero Dream

"Perhaps... They seem to appreciate them to petch, but not to nest. But granted, I am... not be best with handling living creatures." The Guide admitted. His domain were souls, not life. He had probably over-looked something that the birds needed. Cover, as Forest mentionned. Some had chosen to nest in the nearby fruit trees of the pantheon garden, but this...

This soothed him, to be honest.

"That would indeed." He have a nod of his head. "They are... important to me. They remember old pacts, where most would not have. I... ...Thank you."

SkieBorne

"And yet they remember you, as you've said." He smiled, "It gives me hope that those who once were loyal remember their allegiances to me... once I find them, and... er, remember them." Glyph smiled, a little embarrassed. It did not surprise him his memory was so faulty - it seemed that way with many, but to not know even those closest to you... did it reflect poorly on him?

"You are very welcome, Ankou. I will encourage their prosperity as best I can." He grinned then, an oddly youthful smile as he let the crow sit upon his shoulder, "And I will inform you of young ones if they come. Though, of course, you are welcome to visit whenever you choose - my room lies behind the golden doors depicting a forest. My aoidei will welcome you if you go."

Zero Dream

"Of course." If he would take such invitation, well... only time would be able to tell. Ankou remained more composed, but Glyph's cheerfulness seemed infectious, and he have a small smile in return.

"If there is ever something I can do for you... do not hesitate to ask. I have already told you where I dwell, did I ?" At least he thought he had, but he had so many things on his mind lately that little bits of information like this sometimes slipped though and were forgotten.

SkieBorne

"I will remember that. Thank-you." He nodded gratefully, appreciative of the gesture, "And no... I do not believe you have. The few times we have run across one another, we have been away from our quarters. Do you live away from the Pantheon like some of the others?"

Zero Dream

Ah, so he had not. Oh well, at least he could rectify that now. "No, though I am often away. The door of forget-me-nots and crows is mine. If I am not there, at least one of my aoidei most likely will be. They will relay anything you wish to tell me."

Jinx was quirky, but efficient. And Anima... was just plain efficient, really. Both would make sure the message got to it's intended destination.

SkieBorne

"Forget-me-nots and crows... how fitting." Glyph mused, smiling to himself. "I will be sure to remember that.

"I am not keeping you, am I?" He asked suddenly, realizing that Ankou's loitering here might be a problem if the god elsewhere to be, "Do not let me keep you if you are expected someplace. I will keep your crows as you asked, my friend."

Zero Dream

"Ah, no. Not really." Most did not even know he had returned yet, as it was - so the list of those who would be looking for him was rather short indeed. Cosine came to mind immediately, but all she would need to do was send Infinity to find him. Crows seemed to be able to find him rather easily, either trough instinct... or something old he could not remember.

"You are not keeping me away from anything beside wandering without a end destination in mind."

SkieBorne

"No destination, hmn? And no pressing matters..." He paused a moment, considering, "Well, if you would suffer my company I could show you the trees and we can see if your crow finds them to his liking. Perhaps word will spread among them then, and the sound of chicks will follow after."

Rising, Glyph took a step towards the Pantheon and extended his hand to the other with a grin, "If nothing else, we can enjoy a pot of tea and you a spot of rest. I would like to thank you for your reassurances Ankou."

Zero Dream

...This was not such a bad idea, to be honest. He was somewhat comfortable with Glyph, even if they definitively were completely different, and to be honest he was quite curious to see­. He did not think the crows would like to be indoors much, but he had kept that thought to himself, not wanting to offend the Forest god. And he likely knew better than he did, after all.

"I think it is most likely you suffering my company than the other way around." He spoke, amusement slipping in his voice. Forest seemed quite sociable, where as he was very much an introvert in nature. "I must admit I am curious, however."

SkieBorne

"I am curious as well." He replied with a laugh, "And I know it is indoors... but my room has a high vaulted ceiling that should not cause claustrophobia. I would offer a better perch, but I cannot offer sufficient support right now." Gesturing to the small branches that grew from his head he arched a brow, "Perhaps in time I might guard them for you myself."

A short time later they were at the Pantheon and Forest paused before his door, laying a hand on the split between the two halves and stepped back as they swung outward. "Welcome to my quarters, Spirit Guide. Those are the pillars I spoke of." Inside, the entryway was lined with what appeared to be trees, their scent light and earthy in the air and their surfaces were rough, echoing old growth. Towards the top of the vaulted path, the crowns of the Everwood Pillars spread out, obscuring the ceiling almost completely and gave the impression of stepping into a grove rather then a room. Despite being severed from the ground, the leaves were bright emerald shapes shot through with the forms of thick branches.

"Will this do?"

Zero Dream

The mental image of the god himself acting very much like a tree... and being a nesting place... almost made him laugh out loud, and yes the thought did not seem foolish in any mean. He was not sure the crows would enjoy their chosen nesting place moving around, however...

The trip back had been mostly silent, thanks to him for the most part, but he peered curiously when the door opened.

And what he saw was... Well, beyond anything he could have thought of, really.

This was not a room... this was a forest in itself ! Even the smell was right, really, and try as much as he might, he simply could not see a ceiling at all.

"...If that is not, then I don't know what would." He had to admit.

SkieBorne

The floors were bare, hardwood planks that lined the entryway further enhancing the feel of a forest. Framed by the pillars, a white and green space was illuminated, warm and inviting in its atmosphere.

Glyph smiled, somewhat pleased at Ankou's reaction, and stepped inside, "I'm glad you approve." It was a moment before the crow took flight, having been watching the gods with a curious gleam in its eye, before it ventured forth to explore the pillars. When it settled on a branch and fluffed out its feathers, Forest chuckled, "It seems he does to. It is settled then, they can nest here if they like."

By then, Aisling had heard her lord's voice and the click clack of hooves on marble echoed quietly, a reminder that were not indeed in a forest, "Lord Glyph...?" The demoness paused at the edge of the entryway, where wood floor was edge against the cool surface of a marble one, "Lord Glyph! And a friend. Greetings! Did you need anything...?" She followed their gazes up into the branches and smiled, "Pets?"

Glyph's gaze sought Aisling's and he smiled, "Could you brew some tea? A blooming one, I think." Padding further in, he trailed a hand on the last pillar and paused there, waiting for Ankou, "You'll join me, yes? The blooming tea is quite good."

Aisling nodded at the request and disappeared into the room's interior, seeking tea and pot.

Zero Dream

The sound of hooves on marble rather than earth almost startled him - the rest of the room simply gave such a perfect illusion of being outside that it caught him off-guard.

"I am glad." In the end, though, the crows themselves would be judge - though this was a good start. It would only help complete the illusion, really, to have wildlife in here, would it not ?

Ankou was not much a fan of tea - not usually drawn toward warm liquids, to be honest, but he nodded. He would have a taste of it, if only to be polite, and well.. keep Forest company a little longer.

SkieBorne

Forest lead the way then, escorting Ankou into the single room. To one side was a sitting area next to a raised dais that was enclosed by low glass walls that distorted the view enough to lend privacy. He did not stop there, however, and continued past them to the round seating area set into the ground and ringed by a lush garden of low growing plants and flowers. Cushions were arranged neatly and it was into these that Glyph fairly flopped.

He loved this corner of the room for not only did it allow one to lounge, it also afforded a fantastic view of the Pantheon grounds and now that Creation's touch had led plants and trees and all manner of greenery to flourish, it was picture of beauty. Gone were the lava pools and blasted rock that Glyph and Malh'reth both had disliked, replaced by an expanse of life that spoke of promise.

It was only a few moments more before Aisling approached with two porcelain mugs - the glass teacups having been sacrificed to Harmodius - and a pot with no lid that held a mass of some sort of plants. With time though, that spherical ball would 'bloom' into an arrangement of tea plants. "Try it, it has a very mild flavour. Very good." Glyph remarked as he poured himself a glass and held the cup between his hands, enjoying the warmth.

Zero Dream

Ankou followed silently, careful not to step onto any large amount of plant life, and taking in his surrounding. This... was not a place he would want to find himself in constantly, he had to admit, but not something that was uncomfortable, not in the least.

He sat, though he did not quite flop like Glyph had, sitting on one of the cushions with his leg crossed indian-style. He have a polite nod to the aoide and accepted the cup as it was given to him, not attempting to drink from it just yet. It would likely need to cool down quite a bit first.

"Well, this is certainly more impressive than my own set of rooms." His own were much more... traditional.

SkieBorne

Glyph nodded his head in grateful acknowledgment of the compliment, "Thank-you, but I do not think it is anything special... It is a room suited to my tastes for when I am here. I prefer not to be bound by walls, however, and would just as soon sleep under the canopy of beloved trees." Indeed it was a modest room despite its configuration for it held no ante-chambers, no bedrooms or kitchens... it was a single room.

"I would assume yours are tailored to your preferences?" He smiled, "Greed's is guarded by a labryinth and looked out over lava pools I suspect she rather enjoyed. I do not wish to return to that setting, however. And I rather doubt she will have appreciated my 'stealing' her toy." Glyph sighed softly at that, grateful to have had the fortune to avoid any run-ins with the goddess.

Zero Dream

Well, it was comfortable and did what he needed of it... while he was actually there that is. To be honest, Cosine was using his quarters more than he was at this point.

The mention of Greed made a frown cross his face, however, and he shook his head. "...Let us not talk about her." His own... or rather, Adrian's run-ins with the goddess had cemented in him the desire to avoid her as much as he possibly could. True, he would not be as easily manipulated as his host had been... but she would be more than happy to rub his face with what had happened, the Guide was certain. And he could think of much better ways to spend his time than to 'entertain' Phaedra. Let her to her own games, and him to the things that actually mattered.

SkieBorne

Glyph chuckled, "I agree. I am not fond of that one either... my host... was a toy for her before I found him. True to her nature, if nothing else." He scoffed and glanced out the window, lip curled in a rare show of true dislike, "I do not remember my ties of before to the others nearly as well as I am of my views on her."

Taking a sip of the cooled tea, Glyph pursed his lips thoughtfully.

Zero Dream

"I do not either, not for most..." It sounded better than admiting that there likely had not been any. It was true that he did not remember very well, but he remembered enough to know that he had been rather withdrawn, even from most of the pantheon beside the spheres of influences that he simply had to interact with. "But it seems better that way. Easier. Let begone be gone, so to speak. This is a new life, and old grudges do not have their place here, I feel." Certainly not in a time where they were so few reborn. He finally brought the cup to his lips, having a taste of the liquid within. It certainly was not bad indeed, but still a little hot for his tastes.

SkieBorne

Glyph nodded, "Agreed. A fresh beginning, then. To new and better experiences, and a future full of promise." He held his cup out to Ankou as he offered the cheer, a holdover from Malh'reth's sociable gestures.

Zero Dream

"Indeed." Ankou rose his cup and turn, and took a sip of it again. It was cooling down quickly, which was not a bad thing at all.

He would finish it and talk with Forest for a few more minutes before finally excusing himself and leaving the rooms of Forest, to destination unknown.

[Zero Dream]

Day of the Dead :: The Wanderer Comes By

It was odd to be around this place again, one year later, after so many things had indeed changed. One year ago no one had even been sure there would be a next year at all. They could only hope that there would be.

And hope they did, mortals and deities and everything in between those two extremes. Not only did they hope, but they acted... bringing the worlds back from the brink of the end. More than ever now, there were many rebuilding, regathering. But it had not changed the fact that many things around them laid broken, that many lives had been lost, some in a much permanent manner than death. And it did not change the fact that the sky was still inky black and empty above their heads.

The latter might be remedied soon, hopefully... but perhaps not. Perhaps the undertaking that he and Tian Yue had accomplished was one part of something more, something much greater, than would result in a new sky. It would not surprise him in the least. Something such as this... could not be easy, after all. Or it would have been done a long time ago.

And, really, the Spirit Guide would be the first to admit he did not have the wildest idea how such a thing could be done. He was good with souls, and to such extend travel – not things like this.

”Well...” He tore his gaze away from the gathering in the distance, from the lights and sounds of the gathering, to look at his two companions – two lovely ladies in their own right, one aoidei and the other mortal. Jinx had been leaning against the tree to his right, and Lenneth had watched in the distance with wonder. It was her first time seeing this, after all, as she had not been around for the event the year before. Lovely company indeed, but the third, and really, the most important lady, was still missing.

Cosine.

He had extended the invitation for her to come, but there had been no sight of Numbers yet. Perhaps she had gotten busy with something ? ”Let us go.”

”What about Lady Cosine ?” The young girl asked, looking back at the god.

”I do not think she will have much of a problem finding us.” Hopefully not, at least. He started to go forward, closely followed by Jinx and Lenneth.

It was time to discover what had been organized for this year. It was a delightful mystery as, unlike the year before, he had not been part of the planning this time around.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

”This is pretty cool.” Lenneth commented after a few minutes were spend wandering around the stalls and dodging people. There were quite a bit more mortals here this year – word had spread nicely, it seemed. ”Given the start of everything, this must have taken alot of work.” Then she paused, taking a bite of the cotton candy that had been given to her.

“There are so many people this year, myaaaa...” The cat was still surprised by this fact, but unlike Lenneth, had preferred chicken to candy, and the cat finished gnawing the meat of the leg bone before continuing. “Word must have gotten out.”

”It must have.” He... hadn't quite been around to tell, to be honest. Or at least he had not really noticed it. His mind had been elsewhere... clearly. Whoever had done this had done a good job, at least at gathering artisans, musicians, and other source of entertainment. The dead were still missing, but... well, there was little they could do about that. But there was a nagging feeling, something that caught his attention, as if the very air around them was suddenly different.

Colder, but not really. He had felt something like this recently. Very recently.

The Spirit Guide did not need to wait for a long time for the next things to happen.

”....Holy s**t.”

He turned to look, following the wide-eyed look of the mortal girl, and saw them. Tiny little lights. The wisps. Always the first to be seen. They fluttered, but not erratically – they had... guidance. Purpose.

Ankou could only grin. He knew what was incoming. This fact was only strengthened by the music stopping, by other mortals stopping and staring. These spirits were not only visible to his and Lenneth's sight of ghosts.

Two figures were at the top of the stairs and, slowly, started their descent.

”....Holy s**t.” Lenneth repeated again, and both Ankou and Jinx found themselves staring as well.

This... was not what he had expected. It was Nergal and Echo alright, but... Echo walked gracefully, almost as if each of her steps were part of an elaborate dance, crowned like a queen.

And Nergal...

Well. He could very well have felt the difference even if he was not seeing it, and... to be honest he felt a little inadequate all of sudden.

”He's... different.”

”He is.” Ankou did his best to keep his feelings to himself, and just explain it to the young girl. ”Gods... grow and change, sometimes very drastically. It... will likely happen to me as well, one day.” One day... when ? Nergal certainly had the power to do what he needed to do, but... not such could be said of himself. Sure, he could do some of what he needed to do, but his still mortal shell held him back from so many things.

Ankou frowned to himself, and Lenneth said nothing at first, biting her bottom lip. This... was a sore point, she could tell. ”Are you going to go see him ?” The young girl asked, hoping to change the subject.

Ankou, for his part, was glad she did not ask him to elaborate the why. Lenneth was starting to just take some things for granted with gods, and he was somewhat glad for it. He was not quite looking forward to having to explain the whole 'host' business to her. Mortals, from his own experiences, did not often take well to it.

”And try to cut though this ? He gestured at the crowd that was already forming around the two older deities. Oh, he certainly could have, easily, but this was more amusing. As is, he gave Nergal one hour, tops, before Underworld would attempt to flee that crowd to find some quiet. He could wait until then.

And he had left the bones at the pantheon. Terrible lack of foresight there, but he kept his disappointment to himself. ”I do not think I will have to wait too long, at any rate. We should likely continue until then, hm ?”

[Zero Dream]

Hall of the Undead King

Syrie

He had heard, through whispered words rather than a loud proclamation, that Nergal would be hosting another Day of the Dead -- it was a "holiday" that he could appreciate quite well. This year, unlike the previous, he would attend. It was in this that he found himself on the grounds slated for the event, eyes widened to take in the festivities and the stalls, the living and non-living bodies moving around in the fog.

It was beautiful and the curly-haired God of Silence felt comfortable wandering around, even with the noise; noises distorted by his transparent wings as he moved among the throng. Endiovar figured that after a while, he could go and pay his respects to both the Lord and Lady, Nergal and Echo.

Zero Dream

He hadn't even tried to go for Nergal, given how things had turned out. Already poor Underworld had found himself the center of the crowd's attention, and Ankou simply gave an amused chuckle and wandered off to do other things. He would seek to wander away from this soon enough, and that was when the Spirit Guide would be able to get to him, and not add to the unease that was surely already building. His brother, after all, was not a fan of crowds.

And so he had wandered off, going to visit the stalls. He had not been present for organization this year, only having returned from his journey with Tian Yue a few days ago, so much of what was here was new to him. He had invited the dragon king to drop by, as well as his own beloved, but he had not seen Cosine so far. Which... was odd in itself. Perhaps something had kept her busy.

Something caught his attention - the sound of the festivities sounded different to his left... so that was where he was headed, straight toward Silence.

Syrie

So many energies roaming about! Not just the vibrant energies of the living young, but also the power of those in Charge and also some others present that were much like himself. Gods or other immortals, seeking diversion or simply to speak with those they once knew or loved for this one, brief moment.

Endiovar smiled to himself, lips curved gently, as he watched mortals reaching for the temporarily tangible ghosts. There were words spoken and much un-spoken also; it rushed by and around Silence like a swiftly-moving stream - he didn't mind the rush of words, thoughts, emotions. Brief and brilliant, mortals deserved to have some small comfort in this time of renewal. Nergal was at least giving them all one last chance to say what needed to be said, to touch and be touched.

While walking, watching, he felt a familiar-but-not being moving nearer to him: another of the Gods. He turned his golden head to the right, spotting Ankou through the loosely-woven crowd and recognizing - through his body language and manner - that this man was the energy coming towards him.

His wings unfurled a bit more, dampening the sound further as he paused where he was, waiting to greet this unknown deity.

Zero Dream

Ankou moved slowly, carefully side-stepping mortals and spirits both as if he was quite used to do such, none of those present seemed to notice, or care much about his presence. Almost as if he was a ghost in the traditional sense.

Those who took notice were the crows - there were an abnormal number perched on the nearby trees, following the god as he moved. One of the birds was perched on his left shoulder, lazily preening one wing.

Ankou had finally found the cause of the 'disturbance' - and it was one of his own kind. "Greetings." Perhaps, if he was looking for one soul specifically, he could be of assistance ?

Syrie

Yes, truly this was one of his own; one of Creation's children, reborn into this time and a new body. An attractive one, by all sights: two-toned hair, slim and neatly put together with eyes tilted in a pleasing manner. Endiovar noticed the crows as Ankou moved - they followed his every movement and one even perched upon his shoulder like a pitch-colored sentinel.

"Greetings to you as well. I am Endiovar, the Sachem Aphonic." Spoken aloud for the benefit of the other; it had taken very little time for the God of Silence to figure out that mortal and immortal alike sometimes had a hard time with his preferred manner of 'speech'.

Zero Dream

Ahh... Silence ? Not one he had heard of so far. Though the idea of Silence speaking was... somehow amusing.

Ankou gave a respectful nod to the other before introducing himself. "Ankou, the Wantalon Psychopomp. Were you seeking anything in particular here ?" The year before, there hadn't been many other deities involved, he had noticed... but this whole thing was mostly catered toward mortals. "We could go somewhere more quiet, if you prefer, to talk."

Syrie

As Ankou had not heard of him, nor had Endiovar heard of him - not even from the Lady Echo when they had sat and spoken on the Pantheon grounds. Ankou's amusement at his utilization of the spoken word was not lost upon the god of Silence; but he only smiled. It really was funny.

'I seek nothing special, Ankou,' Though perhaps he would have gotten a bit of enjoyment from seeing his host's family - or rather, being unable to see them - and friends. He nodded a bit at that last offer; going somewhere quiet would be splendid. Eventually, the hustle and bustle of this event would start to grate upon Endiovar. "That would be enjoyable, yes. Thank you."

Zero Dream

The Spirit Guide, it seemed, was able to understand Endiovar's non-speech just fine - or, at least, understand enough to get the jist of it. Which outcome was true was not readily evident, as he simply nodded in answer. "Then..." He pondered for a moment, overlooking the grounds before he remembered in which direction there would not be anything set - if it was set like last years', that is.

"Over there." He started walking away from the booths, away from the noise and the people, seemingly pretty confident in his hutch. To be honest, all that noise and such a crowd was starting to get to him.

khiarhu

Without a word, the curly-haired god followed Ankou away from the bright lights and noisy booths, from the living and dead meeting, greeting and enjoying a few extra moments of closeness granted by the God of the Underworld.

Curiousity did prompt him to speak again, once they were away from the 'festivities'. 'Lord Ankou, may I ask what you are doing at such an event?'

Zero Dream

"The souls of the Dead are those I lead." He explained, bare feet padding along the grass - alive and soft, in contrast to how everything had been.. dead and decayed only one year prior. So many things could, and had indeed happened in one year.

Such a short time for immortals, and yet...

"Therefore, I am keeping watch, of some kind." His presence, however, didn't seem perticularly needed, as Nergal seemed to have things under control.

khiarhu

Well now, that certainly explained a few things! Ankou was another of the Lords of the Underworld; related to Nergal in some way that he could only guess at without asking outright. 'Aiding Nergal and tending your 'flock', as it were?'

Endiovar made no sound while he moved across the lush carpet of grass; less sound even than the spirts brought above the Realm of the Underworld by their King.

'Today is yours, as much as it is Nergal's then, is it not?'

Zero Dream

"Yes. It is what I must do, though very nearly missed today. I have been away for a long time, tending to matters elsewhere. I was lucky to return in time. Time... It is a thing I have a hard time keeping track of."

Then, deep amusement fluttered within the Guide, betrayed by his features long before his voice would. "Perhaps, though it seems that brother of mine is quite skilled at hogging all the attention..." If Underworld wanted it, however, was another matter completely.

In a way, he was glad he still kind of melded within the crowd, so to speak. He had always been rather skilled at not being noticed unless he meant to be.

khiarhu

"Ah." A vocalized sound that brought with it a grave-side sort of hush; Endiovar's spoken words carried with them a quietness that lingered on even after his lips had resealed themselves. 'Time is something that I think we all have mislearned to read properly...it is not always such a bad thing.' Though it well could be; had he himself not spent too much time waiting before bringing the Dreamer's Guide to Creation's hands?

Brothers then, as he had suspected from the moment Ankou graced him with his domain.

'Nergal does not seem the sort to wish for so much attention...' This much Endiovar knew of his friend.

Zero Dream

"Indeed. You know of him, then ? Is this what brings Silence to such a loud place ?" The god's tone was light and curious, his demeanor and likewise. To get to meet more of his brethen was a good thing... he found that he knew very little of them.

It was only in this life that he had realized the importance of such bonds. His hand rose to stroke along the crow's back, the bird leaning into the touch much like a feline would have, running the side of it's break on the god's wrist.

Syrie

Endiovar nodded and looked back towards the main throng; undoubtably, Nergal and Echo would be located in the thickest collection of beings - each and all supplicant to their soveriegn and his Lady. 'Indeed, I know of Nergal more than just in passing; he was kind to my mortal host and even extended use of one of his servants to aid a quest of mine.' Priya, the white-furred nekojin had joined Silence on his quest to regain one of his own followers; the hurried trek to the Forest of Silence...the subsequent finding of the broken Aoide, Hue, and then the sacrificial deaths of those delicate slyphine creatures that had dwelt in his Forest.

'Lady Echo also have I met and spent time with. I came to honor them...and also see for myself the ghosts of the past walking the earth once more.' The Day of the Dead was also - in some small way - a celebration for Silence also. So much of the exchanges between the beings was unspoken and yet conveyed via the soundlessness, that it touched onto his domain also.

Zero Dream

"Not that they had been gone for very long. Half a year at most." The god mused, turning to look back. The lights were dim in the distance, and the sound faint. They were far enough that it was doubtful someone would accidentally wander off here. And so, he learned against one large tree, the flurry of crows taking perch onto it, close to their master.

"But I figure such a thing would be rather curious for you, would it not ? I have seen them always, beside the time in which I was locked to my gem, I sometime forget that most of the divine do not." Beside those with domains somewhat related such influence. Even little Kios could hear, but not see.

Syrie

With a slow shake of his head, Endiovar agreed with Ankou in a manner. All the things he knew...he either learned from Gianfar, Creation or...from the unspoken that mortal and immortal alike seemed unaware they were broadcasting to him. 'They were away for a great length of time, by mortal standards. But for us, it was but a blink.' And much had been accomplished. Endiovar had felt Underworld pulling those wandering souls to him; felt when Nergal had reclaimed what had been his all along - there was Silence in those "halls" as well. In a way, Nergal was also Endiovar's brother...Silence and Underworld having long been companions of a quite familiar nature.

'In some ways, yes. I recall very little of my existence before the Fading...perhaps it is strange, but I feel only a small inclination to reclaim all that was Past. In this, I would like to know...but am afraid of knowing what Was before. That Nergal and I were aquainted closely, I do recall...and vaugely, that his former Lady was not a God.' He trailed off, bringing one hand up to push back a few unruly locks from his eyes. He remembered little, this was true, but also he didn't seem to feel the same urge that many of their kind did: to find out what they once had been, to return to that state. Colin, his host, had been a young man forever looking forward, rather than back. It was a trait that Endiovar found useful in this incarnation - even as it sometimes made things difficult.

'We too must have once been aquainted, Ankou. It pleases me greatly to meet you again.'

Zero Dream

"I understand such things... I find little urge in such myself." The Guide noted. "Unless it is useful knowledge that now lies lost, things that I ought to know and remember, but other than such... it is not the past that matters, but the present, the here and now." Ankou, apparently, was not one of those who needed to know where he was from to know where he was going. "The old ways... failed, in some ways, obviously. And perhaps some things are better left forgotten."

Of Silence's last statement, Ankou held his own doubts about. What little he indeed remembered had told him he had been rather... distant from the rest of the pantheon. Withdrawn, a true loner who cared for almost no-one.

Such a nature had been greatly diminished in rebirth, and he held no such qualms now, of course. "Perhaps." He simply said. "It pleases me to meet you as well."

Syrie

Perhaps it truly was an odd thing - for the newly reborn gods and goddesses to not wish for whatever they had once had...but considering that this was now and now really was all they knew... Endiovar didn't dwell on it too much; surely his face and form were different once - when his domain Came to Be - but thinking on that only brought melancholy feelings that were ill at home with the way he wanted to be.

'Knowledge lost can be but reclaimed easily if one Asks. Gianfar of Knowledge knows much...one only has to spend time in his Library or make the request. There is little he does not Know.' And he would know such things, having spent a great deal of time in Gianfar's company...though much of their time together was spent in quiet repose (thanks to Revei).

Ankou's silence said much as to his thoughts and feelings on that matter; Endiovar did not press nor pry and also to ignore the little things left unsaid by his current companion.

'Tell me, Ankou, do you spend much time with Lady Echo's children?' He still had a bit of difficulty thinking that Nergal - especially the stern, stony-faced Nergal that he'd seen this very night - had children. It also stuck with him that they were Echo's children because he and Music had chatted about them and he was curious.

Zero Dream

"I used to, while they stayed with me. Both Nergal and Echo lived elsewhere, but that house was destroyed by Decay's influence. They all lived with me until they were granted their own spaces." He could not say he was not glad for it, not having been a fan of the sheer chaos the young children had caused, but he had, of course, accepted it as something children simply... did. It seemed that Silence knew of them - though Echo, most likely - but Ankou did not know to what extent.

"There are three - two boys and one girl. They certainly each are endearing and unique in their own ways." Even Sotiris, though his antics were much more amusing while observed from a distance for the most part.

Syrie

Ankou spoke and Endiovar listened. All that the God with the dual-toned hair said was carefully added to the information Silence already knew of Nergal, Echo and their family. It was not that he was trying to amass information for any particular purpose, but he did feel some kinship to Underworld and so his family - so these things held interest for him.

'Decay and the weeks following were very trying times...I feel relief knowing that Nergal's family was not harmed overly much.' That their home had been destroyed was of no true consequence: they were in a time of rebirth, renewal...the Pantheon held rooms enough for them all, nevermind that Nergal had brought forth his domain in strength once more.

Endiovar's eyes crinkled at the corners and his expression went soft and warm, 'Lady Echo has invited me to meet her children at some date in the future...I look forward to it. Strong sons and a daughter to bring joy and honor to the House of the Underworld.' Here the blond trailed off, eyes catching some bright movement over in the thick of the merriment. 'And what space do you hold now, Ankou? Have you taken rooms in the Pantheon, or taken residence elsewhere?'

Zero Dream

"I live at the Pantheon as well, yes... for now, at the very least." He was not there as much as he used to be, however, and the more things progressed, the more he would grow into his own self, the less likely he might be there - having multiple matters to tend to that would require him to be often on the move. As is, Cosine was certainly using his rooms more than he was. "There was relief in having a roof over my head, in the first days of my rebirth." Such would be for probably anyone, really. Tiring times for newly-remade beings. He had been there, and known it well.

Syrie

Very well did the curly-haired God of Silence know of the relief felt by one newly brought into this world to have a steady place to lay one's head. He simply nodded and cocked his head to the side to show he was paying attention (which he was).

'I remember....He granted me take leave of rooms in the Pantheon when I first was reborn too...it does make things somewhat easier to take.' Times were hard, they didn't need to have shelter be yet another item they had to look into.

Off in the distance, mortals and ghosts could be seen together - it made a sweet ache in Endiovar's chest; not for himself but more for his host and the lover his host had taken. Never would either mortal be able to reconnect in such a manner. Still, it had been worth it and in the end, Colin hadn't minded so much -- he had learned from his host too; how to roll with things and the inner burning that came when you wanted to do something but weren't certain how to go about doing it.

Zero Dream

"My host... had previously wandered before finally meeting with Destruction. He had lost everything... everyone he had loved." It was only now, in this life, with the experiences given to him by what little he had absorbed of the half-elemental, that he truly understood such thing. Such pain. It had been a thing often witnessed, but never truly understood, before.

And yet he had been mostly blind to those who would have gladly taken him in and protected him for what had been left of his days - Melanctha... and Kaelin, in some ways.

He also had learned much - be it good or bad... well, only the future would truly be able to tell.

Thabara

A tall figure could be seen heading into their direction, his strides by no means hurried, but quite definitely filled with the purpose to meet up with the two conversing deities.

Syrie

'Such is the way of things...of Life and Death and Rebirth.' Colin had been wandering too, hurt and alone, when Destruction happened upon him and offered that which he most wanted - for a price. But then, mortals were very keen on such things, at least this is what he had learned in his limited experiences so far.

As intently as he had been listening to Ankou's words, Silence was still attuned to the shifting of sound and unsound; Nergal's heavier steps - so solid and purposeful in weight and measure - touched upon his senses so that his green eyes settled upon that familiar-unfamiliar face and form.

'Nergal - Lord Underworld - old Friend...' Endiovar's lips pulled once more up into a pleasant and welcoming smile even as he took new measure of Underworld at full power. 'It has been too long - but you are returned to us in full glory, I see.' Words not-spoken once the imposing God was close enough to the pair to be heard without strain should he speak.

Zero Dream

Ankou was not quite as perspective to the silent step as his companion was - it was only when Endiovar... un-spoke that the Guide turned, realizing belatedly that his brother had nearly sneaked up on him.

Again.

Definitively didn't take as long as he had expected for Nergal to flee the scene, so to speak... But he could not help but feel a little envious, at the same time.

Thabara

„The pleasure is all mine,“ Nergal replied smoothly, giving a polite nod to both. His voice was sonorous, of the type which easily made itself known without effort, and at the same time there was a deep quality to it, as if the words were uttered from the very bowels of the Earth.

„You flatter me, but unjustified. 'Full Glory', that is a term which should not be used – not yet. There still is much work to be done …“

„Ankou …“ He touched upon his brother's shoulder lightly for but a moment. To those who knew how aversive the Underworld deity was to touch and being touched, that told a lot about the affection he held for his sibling.

If a person uninvolved were to accidentally view upon the trio, however, Nergal mused, they'd likely think of Ankou and Endiovar as siblings – both of them similar in stature and built, both of them wth the color of their hands faded and bleached.

Syrie

Nergal's voice was less grating than many others; Colin had always found the voice of the Underworld to be soothing and it continued to be so with Endiovar at the fore. 'Nearly full, then. You are much restored since we last encountered one another, Lord Underworld.' The curly-haired god watched the two siblings silently; the closeness was not lost upon the god of Silence though they did not look as though they were related.

That people may have thought Endiovar and Ankou related hadn't occured to Endiovar, but certainly it had to some of the mortals in attendance.

'You are most gracious to host such an event, you and your Lady.' They had both looked so regal stepping among the throngs of people and spirits...all of whom must have felt a deep gratitude to the Lord Underworld and his chosen Lady for allowing them to reconnect once more.

Zero Dream

The fact that he and Silence looked much more so like brothers than himself and Nergal did... had quite simply not really occurred to the Spirit Guide either. Neither had he seemed to notice anyone they had passed thinking such.

Ankou did not move to return the touch in turn, but he nodded his head and smiled - telltale signs of his own affections, and respect for his elder brother.

"Stay awhile. The curious mortals haven't reached this far away yet." It was all too obvious what Underworld was fleeing.

Thabara

(( Yep, this definitely dropped off my subscriptions. And I'm sure I had to subscribed to it ... ))

Nergal inclined his head, taking the compliments for what they were.

„Thank you,“ he said quietly. „I am trying to make amends … to right the shortcomings of the Past.“ That confession, by itself, was a sign as to how much he had actually changed from his past self, even if the changes might appear subtle to those who had known him Before. Back then … would the gratitude the mortals felt at his gift even have touched him? He doubted it. He'd been too distant … Even now he shied away from their touch, their pleas. Had he not done enough for them already?

„And that is a boon,“ he admitted in response to his brother, his relief rather obvious. „I have tried to … mingle. But it seems my appearance either causes the mortals to take a wide berth to avoid me, or to approach me for something they want of me.“

Syrie

Nergal may have stated he was not restored to his full glory, but he certainly had been restored to something nearer to what he once had been...but with a temperance that had been learned the hard way during his rebirthing process. Even without knowing what had happened to Underworld at the hands of his captors (or even the events after), he could tell. Body-language, the unspoken words that he, politely, pushed aside so that he did not intrude upon his friend's privacy.

'I am certain that you will have success in this task, old Friend.' Endiovar smiled at the obvious relief that came from Nergal at Ankou's words - amusing, the way that the King of the Dead did his best to keep himself away from the throngs of people for the reasons he stated. 'You do cut quite an imposing figure...but I can imagine that would be distressing after a while.'

Zero Dream

It was hard not to be amused by that, really. Ankou, for his part, had no difficulty blending in for the most part, not exactly standing out to the mortals. Expecially not since Nergal had made his entrance.

But then, perhaps it had always been that way. He'd always prefered to blend in, and only stand out when it was important to do so. Being on the forefront, the source of all mortal attention, still made him a little uncomfortable.

The dead were a much different thing.

But then that also reminded him of something...

"Granted, it's easier to blend in when one does not tower over everything." Was it still possible for them to change their shapes as well ? There were vague memories of himself doing such, a long time ago. Easier to blend in this way, and souls were much more willing to follow something that seemed familiar. He doubted that had been a skill of his alone.

Thabara

„True that,“ Nergal responded to his brother's gentle teasing. „It- When I regained form, I found it impossible to pour my Self into a shape any smaller than this. It may still change, as I grow more accustomed to things.“

Truth be told, he'd rather liked the way everyone had gazed upon him, eyes wide with fear and awe, mouths hanging open. There was certainly nothing wrong with respectful veneration, the emphasis being on 'respectful', for the intimidating effect of his appearance hadn't lasted all that long. The moment he'd found himself at the center of a crowd, the mortals pressing forward eagerly to touch him, to offer their congratulations and praise, and to literally shower him with gifts in turn for his blessings …

„In some situations, however, it seems not imposing enough,“ he admitted sulkily, unconsciously rolling back his shoulders.

Syrie

Endiovar's gaze wandered back to the bright lights and figures sliding/twisting/moving apart from where they stood; life and death all together but seeming so very alive at that moment...he thought wistfully of his host. Were Colin still around, Endiovar could have given him a very precious gift tonight: he could have allowed the dancer to see his mother and sister one last time. One last goodbye for his family; perhaps even his former lover Adrian. But Colin was gone and only Silence remained and he did not mourn the dead (and likely none of them wished to see him.

'Oh? Is it so bad, Old Friend, to have them reaching with awe and reverence to touch the hem of your garment?' Teasing, he was really just teasing; his eyes bright and manner light, laughing.

Zero Dream

"Personal space is still a good thing." Ankou shrugged. It would have been oh so easy to team up with Silence and unleash teasing on his brother, but he actual shared the general idea. To a lesser extreme, but Ankou was used to blend in, and being in the spotlight...

Well, it did make him uncomfortable.

Just a little.

Not that he would admit it.

The Invisible Couch

„If it were only the hem of my garment they wished to touch, I would have been fine,“ Nergal muttered grumpily, either not noticing Endiovar's 'words' were meant as gentle teasing, or deliberately choosing to ignore it. Both was possible. In any way, he seemed to be taking things too serious, as per usual.

„But, let us stop of 'me' – how have you been faring, Silence? I have not heard from you, I think, since Priya returned. And what a strange tale that has been.“

Syrie

That Nergal was...cranky towards people wanting to touch him wasn't lost on Endiovar, but he decided that the best route on this subject was to let it fizzle out and let it alone.

"Ah, Well..." The blond dipped his head a little; things had been quite...restrictive since his return. That little jaunt with Priya had pretty much been the last time that Silence had been free to roam about as he pleased (or didn't). 'I have been well, if tethered to one or the other up until this time.' He shook his head a bit and looked from Nergal to Ankou and back again before continuing. 'The Dreamer's Guide was injured trying to reach inside that shell...only by staying at his side could he gain any sort of ease.' In the gestures with his hands and the subtle shifts in stance, it could be inferred that he had fairly lived at Revei's side. 'Once Creation returned, I spent some time with Him...he granted two requests and asked for but one in return. Though I know not what it is at this time, He let it be known I could not aid him as of yet.'

Too weak in this morphling form, somewhere between God and Host, yet fully one internally. Endiovar did not explain that to either of the men before him; both had - or were currently - going through the same thing.

A thought touched upon Silence and he brightened a bit, turning fully to face Nergal for a moment. 'And how is Priya? She was a wonderful companion and a credit to your realm while with me.'.

Zero Dream

Ankou listened, interested in the conversation. Revei was not one of those he knew personally, but it was still something worth knowing. Perhaps he and Dream would need to meet, one day...

The Guide had a look around - it seemed like no one had started to stem from the main ground so far, and so he focused back on the conversation, content to simply listen in.

Thabara

„Ah …“ Nergal nodded knowingly. He of all gods knew (or at least liked to think he did) all to well what it was like to be bound by duty and obligations. „It is good to hear, then, that recovery is underway. I would like to talk to him later, mayhaps, to pay my respects and on … business.“ There must have been relations between their realms, at some time. People did not refer to Sleep as the 'little Death' for nothing. There were … similarities between their realms, with the souls of the mortals remaining in one for only a night's length, and in the other … well, forever, potentially. And then there were those tales numerous, of the advice of the dead, granted through sleep and dream … „If you would send message perhaps, once he is fully well again?“

To have touched that … thing, truly touched, he did not want to think of the damage it must have wrought, the suffering it brought. Foolish, but also very brave to do such a thing. And what had he done? Better to change the topic.

„I do not know, honestly,“ he admitted, a little embarrassed upon Silence's inquiry. „The last I saw of her was the day I left to restore my domain, and I really only returned today.“ He had his doubts he would be able to catch up with what his aoidei had been up to until the festivities were over. He cast a quick glance at Ankou, however, maybe he did know? He had noticed their aoidei, both feline, one white, one black, were getting along quite well. A bit like Yin and Yang.

„However, should you require her services again …“ He inclined his head, the actual offer left unspoken. He hardly was in need of a bodyguard anymore, he could spare her. „She would be happy to volunteer, I am certain. She seemed … quite taken with you.“ That much had been obvious, even to him. Why was it that his aoidei seemed to be so eager to serve anyone but him?!

Syrie

'I would be most pleased to carry your message to Revei.' Endiovar did so enjoy being useful; he didn't often feel that he was...especially now. Creation had asked him what his purpose was - a question that Silence had been unable to answer sufficiently.

Knowing that Nergal was discomfitted by his question, Silence wisely did not press further. It was not his intent to cause his old friend to feel embarrassed about such things. 'I'm certain, Old Friend, that she has kept things handsomely while you have been otherwise occupied.' Green eyes did widen some; he had not quite understood that Underworld was so very recently returned! Returned shortly, but...to have just returned - to have just gotten to see his family again, well...that was another thing entirely.

Endiovar smiled up at his friend, wings rustling behind him as though to stretch slightly. 'I am quite fond of Priya myself...perhaps I will take you up on that again. Hue well could learn from Priya how best to serve.' Here he frowned and shook his head a bit at the Aoide that he and Priya had rescued...ah, how he had missed having servants that were able to serve in reasonable manners. Hue was still quite fractured and Endi had been spoiled not only by Priya, but also by Xedre - the spiderine Aoide that Destruction had loaned to him. 'Or perhaps I should send Hue to you, that he may learn better how to serve...'

Zero Dream

"Priya is well, from what I have seen of her." Ankou interjected, as if having read his brother's mind on that subject. "Jinx and her often train and spar together, if you are to look for her." That was about as much as he saw of the white feline. He was often gone himself, after all.

He did seem amused by Silence's last statement, trying to not smile at it, but not quite succeeding. That poor aoide would probably never expect what would be coming onto him. Nergal was hard to please... That much he knew.

Thabara

The irony of Silence acting the messenger did not entirely escape him; same went for the younger god's surprise upon the news of his very recent return. „Echo was with me, for much of the time,“ he explained, the affection he felt for Music blatantly obvious. There was a tinge of guilt as well, to have kept her for so long, when the mortals, their children, needed her … „I was not sure, not until I actually crossed the threshold between the realms, if I would be able to return with her. I have yet to find my children in this … crowd.“ He looked annoyed, and – for but a moment, before he managed to hide it again – simply tired.

„Perhaps we should trade aoidei at some time,“ he suggested, not entirely serious about it. A mild joke, more like. His brother's amusement at the topic was rather obvious. „Though perhaps not anytime soon. I may be too strict of a Lord to serve, given his …“ He paused, struggling to find a diplomatic wording for his doubts, but already knew that he'd ultimately fail. „As I understood, his mental state was rather fragile when he was found.“ Of course, Hue might have recovered some, by now. But, if anything, he wouldn't want to damage that servant's psyche any further.

Still … should Endiovar decide to take him up on that offer, he would not say 'no' to it. Priya had served well, she deserved something of a reward. And it was good to hear the feline knew well enough to not slack off in his absence, but to keep herself in form.

He craned his head a little, looking past Ankou and Endiovar at the small group of mortals which had gathered in a respectful distance, just at the edge of the festival grounds – putting their heads together and occasionally casting a nervous glance at the conversing gods, apparently trying to decide if, how and when to best approach the divinities. Inwardly, Nergal sighed. This was likely to be about him anyway, so he probably should approach them, save them the trouble.

(( Nergal was hard impossible to please... That much he knew.

Fixed! XD ))

Syrie

'That is good to hear, thank you Ankou, Nergal.' He would have felt very badly indeed had he been given sad news regarding Priya; the feline Aoide really had grown on him in the time that she had served him. Oddly enough, the two Aoide that were not his own were the ones that he felt a closer kinship to - First Xedre, then Priya. Granted, he had gone out to seek Hue in the Silent Forest...but Hue had served Silence before the Fading - and had since lost his mind (so far, only some portion had been 'returned' to the bat-winged Aoide though he was improving over time).

From Nergal's lips to his own; quite amusing that he was to deliver missives once more - a task he had taken upon his back during the Weeks of Gehenna: prayers to Creation, to Harmodius...to anyone...silent cries moved upon the wisp-wings of Silence. Messenger-boy. At least it gave him a solid purpose, something he lacked (or felt he lacked).

'Ah, then I should not be keeping you, Old Friend. Surely you miss your children and want to hold them once more...' Endiovar looked over through the crowd, jade coloured eyes searching for small forms. Impossible to see much of anything through the milling throng, but try he did. It was because of this he nearly missed Nergal's next words. 'Ah, yes. Hue is recovering, but...being trapped so long after the Fading....he is quite broken, I fear.' Endiovar dipped his head gracefully to acknowledge that yes, they should trade and also that they should wait. When Hue was better ready to take commands, to learn how to be....well, to be an Aoide again. Then, yes, then he could go and serve at the great bone throne of the Underworld.

There, at the fringes, mortals waiting for Nergal. 'I think, old Friend, that there are some with less time than I requesting your presence...' The blond's lips curved up into a smile; of the three gods standing, he was surely the least imposing looking and yet he was the furthest removed from power in this place. 'If I may, I would like to meet your children, but perhaps at a later date. When you have rested and your supplicants have less pressing need of you.'

Zero Dream

It was only when Silence mentioned other presences that he did notice them - tracking the living had never really been his specialty. It did make him realize that the three of them must have been standing here, talking and not-talking for quite awhile.

"I should..." Go see if Cosine had dropped by, really. There was nothing specific that he really needed to do... not this year. This was an odd kind of freedom. He didn't mention that, however - through his hand had reached up to fiddle with the colorful glass pendant he wore - that clashed a little compared toward the black and gray of his clothing. "Go see what Jinx and Lenneth are up to."

Yeah right. His brother knew better - and perhaps even Endiovar would, given the guide's body language.

Thabara

'Less time' indeed. There were times at which it seemed like the mortals were doing naught else but to head towards death, their life flames burning so very quickly – and yet they clung to life with a stubborness that was unrivaled.

“Another time, then,” he promised, bowing his farewell to the younger god.

His eyes rested upon his brother's colorful pendant momentarily. He knew not where it came from – Ishum had failed to report such to him – but he'd taken notice of Cosine's similarly colored glass bangles, and he was well capable of making an educated guess. “It is not good manners to leave a lady waiting,” he remarked, which … might be taken this way, or that. Echo, he noticed, was nowhere to be seen in the crowd. But her followers must have sorely missed her given how long he'd kept her to his own, and that was where she likely was – and ought to be.

As should he.

Straightening his massive frame, he began heading towards his waiting supplicants. Their worship was welcome, but – by Destruction's Seven Tails – if they dared as much as to touch him again he'd unleash a horde of poltergeists upon them before they knew what was happening!

He wouldn't, of course, but the thought that he could, if he only willed it, was comforting and making the physical contact somewhat bearable.