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

[Zero Dream]

Tien Lung Demands an Answer for this BS
Week of War

Sosiqui

Tian Yue coiled through the air in dragon form, his eyes narrowed. Things at home had been grim enough, but now he needed some answers, some word. Zhijian had not yet returned, lending credence to the idea that there was time dilation between this plane and the Ancient Pantheon.

For now, he was drawn to a particular house. Echo. How was she faring? Had Nergal returned, and in what state, if it had indeed been foul play? How was she after all that had happened? Perhaps she would know something. She was the closest friend he had after his brothers, but they were flung about on their own business of saving the world.

He should be, too, but saving the world ill-informed sounded much more difficult. The dragon coiled and landed in front of the door, then raised one claw to delicately knock so as not to break right through the thing.

Zero Dream

"Myaaaaaaaaa..."

...While the lady Echo kept cats, this seemed a bit extreme.

"Oh, stop quivering like that, mya. If it's another mortal wanting to pick a fight, ill't be in the same kind of unpleasant surprise all the other ones were in !"

Apparently, the cat also spoke to herself. It wasn't long before the handle turned and the dragon came face to face with one of the feline aoide, whose eyes widened at seeing a dragon on the doorstep, who took a few steps backward and bumped straight into Alto, whose lingering look of fear was quickly fading with recognition. "...M-Myaaa ?!?"

Sosiqui

... Nebula? Tian Yue thought, for one mad second, before smacking himself internally. Nebula was gone; he had seen Phaedra upon the throne. Here was another Aoide, like Asherah. "I am Tien Lung Tian Yue," he said, hoping this would calm the cat. "Is your mistress at home?" He met Alto's eyes and nodded. The question was for him.

Zero Dream

Oh. A god, then. She'd been so startled by... well, a dragon on the doorstep to actually look. The black cat smoothed her fur out, side-stepping to allow him entry, head hung low.

"I must apologize for this, lord Tian Yue. In times like there, the mortals have become quite.... daring, myaaaa." Not to say anything about her own instincts, which were thankfully kept in check, for now. "Quite a few have tried to break in, mrr."

Alto sook his head in reply to the question. No, Echo was not home - but how to explain the situation... ? He had no idea if...

Well, the dragon was a scholar - it might be worth a shot.

She is gone in search of the lord's consort with lord Nergal - I do not know when she will return. He gestured, bitting his lip. The mute aoidei seemed a bit nervous, as if there was something beyond this that yet bothered him.

Sosiqui

It took Tian Yue a moment to put together the meaning beyond the Aoide's flowing gestures, but his ears flicked up sharply. "Lord Nergal? Underworld is returned, then? That is good news..." There was precious little of that to go around, these days.

But... that meant his journey was in vain. The ears tilted back again. "Then do you... either of you... know where I might find someone who knows what has happened here?"

Zero Dream

The two aoidei looked at each other for a moment, as if pondering things over before the catgirl spoke again, tail going back and forth like a metronome.

"There is my lord, myaa. He might know of some things. He did tell me that Echo has left some notes behind... But I do not know the extent of his own knowledge."

Sosiqui

"Your lord? Ah... you would be Ankou's, then? I would certainly speak to him, if he is able." The dragon nodded.

Zero Dream

"He should be, myaaa." Jinx knew at least this much - even if he wasn't, he would make himself look to be.

Being hard-headed probably ran in the family.

"We will need to head back to the pantheon then, lord Tian Yue."

Sosiqui

"Hmph." Tian Yue grumbled and backed out of the doorway. "Bid your lady greetings from me when she returns - I would like to see her again when she does," he told Alto, then turned to the feline Aoide.

"Climb onto my back. It will be swifter that way." It was not a request.

Zero Dream

Jinx, in despite all apparences, was quite smart - she knew better than to contest a somewhat irate dragon king, so she climbed right on his back with not even a peep or a meow of protest, even if that seemed quite blasphemous in her own mind.

A lowy servant atop a king's back - what madness.

Alto nodded in answer to the dragon before he took off. Hopefully she would be back home soon.... and safe... with all the little lifeflames accounted for.

Sosiqui

As soon as he felt the Aoide was securely seated, Tian Yue jumped into the air. "Hold on to my mane if you must," he rumbled, pushing himself to his top speed almost immediately. He would not be slowed in this, not with answers promised at the end. It seemed only a few moments before the Pantheon was in view again; he entered through the roof of his own chambers, a long sharp coil that knocked over some furniture on the way.

Zero Dream

And hang on the cat did - less she be blown away by the sudden burst of speed. She was not quite willing to test out if she would fall on her own feet from this height, no thank you.

After the dragon had led her out of his chambers - thankfully the knocked off furniture was quite easy for her to jump over - the black-furred catgirl took the lead, her black skirt almost melding with the rest of her shape as she reached for one door, gave a few knocks of warning, and slid inside.

Ankou had been sleeping, but he, thankfully, rarely slept deeply. The knocks of warning had been enough for him to awaken and slid out of the bed on somewhat wobbly legs. He was far from being in the state to receive visitors, and if the situation had been less dire, he would not have. The bandages on his chest were apparent, even after he put on the trenchcoat to at least have some resemblance of decency to him.

He rose an eyebrow at seeing his kitten trailed by a dragon, but quickly the pieces added up. "Tian Yue." He knowledged with a nod - what other dragon would seek him out ?

Sosiqui

"Ankou," Tian Yue replied, with a nod of his head. He was different, changed. "I see you are enfleshed, now. A welcome change in these dark times, to have another become more powerful..." And yet he himself seemed to have stagnated, almost. Why was this?

Thoughts for another time, foolish dragon. Focus! "May I come in? Is there room?" he added, looking a bit sheepish. He could have stopped and grabbed some clothing on the way through his rooms...

Zero Dream

"Of course." The spirit guide nodded, and Jinx moved inside to stand beside him, red eyes somewhat worried. The set of rooms were not exactly furnished well - there simply had been no time after the recent events.

"It is... fairly recent yet." As if his stance wasn't all but screaming it. He was curious about why the dragon had come, but decided to let him pace the conversation for now.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue nodded and stepped inside, though he kept his tail curled close to his body so that he wouldn't inadvertently make Ankou's chambers messy as he had just done to his own. "I am sorry to impose on you, but I must. have. answers." He gave the young god a serious look. "I was away when everything... happened... and I have been able to garner no information about why my Lord lies entombed below, Name stolen, very being shifted..." The effort to keep his tail from lashing about in agitation was very great.

"Please. If you know anything - enlighten me..."

Zero Dream

Ahhh. Answers. "I do not hold quite a much of those as I would like." He frowned a bit. "Adrian passed out from the wave... I did not get to see anything firsthand, but... Echo was there."

Oh, decency be damned - the god shifted to sit on the hard-wood floor, thanks to the lack of chairs about, doing his best to ignore the pain that throbbed in his back muscles as he moved, wing-tandrils twitching a bit. This was better than just tumbling down in front of the dragon, after all.

"Jinx - the notebook, please." He tilted his head toward the catgirl, who nodded and darted off toward another room. Lyra floated by, silent as she watched the deities interact.

"From what I gathered, all of this was caused by a group that call themselves the Grigori. Somehow, one of them managed to wound the crown... resulting in what you saw in the throne room. That being escaped, in despite of those who rushed there after the wave... and if her notes are correct, it is likely to return with yet more of it's kind." This bothered him greatly, how could one single thing managed all this. "They wield Void..."

Sosiqui

Tian Yue shifted to lay down so that Ankou would not feel awkward, but he stilled, half-up, half-down, at the mention of the Grigori. "That... race..." he hissed, slowly, and fell the rest of the way to the ground with an abrupt thump. "I..."

Flickers of memory, far, far too vague. They had been young, then, full of the flush of their power, and yet those... things... "The War of the Forgotten Throne. The Void-Eaters... yes... I know that name, Grigori." His eyes narrowed. "So one of them was the catalyst?"

Zero Dream

"Indeed." There had been little information revealed in his presence when Light had came for his brother - and even if there had been, things were somewhat foggy thanks to the stunt he had pulled back there. "Samyaza. Their leader, one could presume, through I have no way of making sure of such." After all, one could logically think the strongest of them would be needed to take down the Crown. Or had he been worse off than he had looked like in his presence... ?

The catgirl returned with a notebook in hand, and the god flipped it open on his knees. "Knowledge was one of those present... and thankfully Echo wrote some things down. There is little, yet there are some important points raised here, some important information indeed should they return..."

The god cleared his throat, then started to read out loud. "The grigori are a group at war with Creation. They wield void. Samyaza is one of them. She is the one that attacked Harmodius. Void will unmake even Destruction. Without Creation, Destruction cannot exist. With that logic, Creation may not gone as I feared... He had to remain a part of Destruction in order for Destruction to Be. The grigori were at war with us before even the fading - they can only be wounded more permanently by direct influences of Creation - Gaia, Rebirth, gods related to animals or plants. During the war there were artifacts made, but only some strong enough to vithstand the void and perhaps survive to this day - Aristogeiton’s sword, Harmodius’ glaive, Gaia’s shears, and Rebirth’s jesses. Perhaps the search of Aristogeiton will lead them to the sword..."

He finally glanced upward again, golden and yellow eyes on the dragon once more. "She left with my brother, Light, and Hunt - in search of the fragments of Aristogeition's soul. Hopefully, if he can be made whole again, he may know of things we cannot recall."

Sosiqui

"I... see." He let out another long, hissing breath. "So that is who we have to blame." His jaw spasmed for a moment, teeth clattering together, aching to rend this Samyaza to pieces with every power in his possession. "The Crown should not have suffered them to live any longer... back then..."

His head swayed from side to side, slowly, and then he sighed. "So. And they have summoned up our doom. Gehenna slumbers within that chrysalis. The primal form of Destruction, locked within. The Primordial Gods created a set of manacles to chain that End, but they were lost in the Fading." A shortened version of events, but true. A trade of knowledge for knowledge. "Do you know where the Grigori are now?" It was perhaps quite foolish - a phantom pain burned up one side for a moment, memory of a forgotten war-wound - but his instinct demanded nothing less than battle.

Zero Dream

"I do not know where she went. I do not think anyone knows." He pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. The dragon seemed itching for a showdown, and even if he had known, he wasn't about to send him to what seemed to be certain doom. Dragon king or not, others more powerful than them had attempted to stop the grigori.... and failed.

"Manacles to chain that End... Unfortunately I cannot say that I have heard of such item." He sighed. In reality, his thought were on something completely different.

"If only I could bind his soul, keep him from unraveling further... Or draw out Creation..." Ankou shook his head. "But it seems like madness. I doubt I would be powerful enough to do this, even in my prime."

Sosiqui

"Damn..." Tian Yue growled, his tail lashing dangerously for a moment - but then he forced himself to calm and lower back to the floor, pinning his tail again under one hind foot. "Very well, then. Until then... here is what I know. The Manacles exist, and have been located; Futs Lung goes to claim them, and attempt to use them." He met Ankou's steady gaze with his own. "The Fangbridle and I were traveling to the Ancient Pantheon when this Grigori attacked our Lord. In that place there are fate-stones that foretell the future. The gods in battle against Gehenna will not stave off the end. You must tell them - such effort is futile. It will fail," he said, bluntly. "The binding of the Manacles will also fail, eventually, but in the meantime it may well slow the descent and allow us more time in which to work."

Zero Dream

"I will take note of that." Ankou nodded, eyes not once leaving the dragon's own as he thought for a moment.

"Time is indeed the essence here. We need as much as we can afford, so even if the manacles are only temporary, it is worth looking into." He had been about to comment on Futs Lung having found a new host, but really, now was not the time for this. "Those fate stones... Do you think there would be a way to get more answers out of them ? Perhaps more leads ?"

Sosiqui

"I believe so. Three of them displayed their stories for us; there are others. I wish to seek better futures, but I felt I lacked knowledge of the situation, so I chose to return here before looking for the other stones. You have already filled out some of the picture, as has Universe."

That reminded him, and he shifted position a bit. "His Name has been taken. Lord Harmodius', I mean. That must have been part of what that Grigori did."

Zero Dream

"His name... ?" The true name, then ? Those were powerful things indeed. "It is quite possible... As I said, I was not there to witness it. I do not think anyone actually saw what actually happened."

He frowned a bit, for a moment. "Would binding a new name to him work, do you think ?" Could such thing even be done ? He had no idea, but at the very least, he could brainstorm. Maybe they could come up with possible things to ask to those fate stones...

Sosiqui

"That, I do not know. Lucius said that 'the First Name is eaten'. Perhaps such a thing could be found. I believe that much of his hunger, his near-madness, was in seeking that name... that he was forgetting." The dragon's head dipped low again, ears back; he had seen the symptoms, but not ascertained the cause. "Perhaps Aristogeiton will help, or at least know the location of his sword. I wish them luck, those seekers.... but in the meantime, we cannot lie idle. So many ideas to bring forth, but which will lead to the future we seek?" He resisted the urge to claw in frustration; he would be a very bad guest to damage his host's floor.

Zero Dream

"I have only seen him once, but he did seem like something was bothering him." Ankou sighed. "I did ask what might be bothering him, but I did not get any direct answer. I remember he was holding a scroll, but I have no idea what was on it." He closed his eyes. "He told Adrian... if he'd ever thought about what it would be like to truly be immortal... He said... But sometimes, we stumble upon things that wake the memories we'd rather forget. Gods... Adrian, gods didn't always have that luxury. Some of us still do not."

He opened his eyes again. "I wonder what he truly meant... but it is too late, now." Something, however, came to his mind all of sudden. "Oh, while I think of it - Nergal has left a letter for you."

Jinx, who had been standing silent all this time, had darted off before Ankou could get up, returning swiftly and mostly ignoring the look her master was sending her. He needed rest, and she would make it happen.

"Here it is, Lord Tian Yue." She handed the envelope to the dragon, but neither noticed the note that had been scribbled on in the back corner, written in blue ink in a flowy handwriting that obviously was not Nergal's, but identical to the one that had bound the notes to the notebook he had read out loud.

Ankou, tell him he will be godfather.

Sosiqui

"Memories," Tian Yue said with a sigh that made his whiskers ripple. "Mine are all full of holes - no, gaping chasms - and the immensity of what is simply not there becomes more clear to me every day." Nowhere more clear than his exploration of the Crown's chambers with Lucius. "Please, give me as much to stumble upon as possible..."

When the Aoide darted up with the letter, he took it gingerly between two claws, peering at it curiously. He was about to slice it open when the note on the back caught his attention. "'Ankou, tell him he will be... godfather?'" Tian Yue gave the other god a very confused look.

Zero Dream

Ankou seemed to look equally puzzled for a moment, before he perked up slightly to look over the dragon's shoulder... so to speak. When he did, he had to bite back his laugh. Oh, the little imp...

"Well... This is exactly what it sounds like. Echo is expecting, and apparently she wants you as the godfather." Had she even asked Nergal first ? Probably not. There hadn't really been time. "And while I have to admit the timing on their part wasn't exactly... brilliant... At least not all news are grim ones ?"

Sosiqui

"Expecting?" Tian Yue's jaw dropped, and he stared at Ankou, looking thoroughly ridiculous. He had absolutely not been ready for that!

A moment later, he regained his composure, and smiled broadly. "Indeed, good news in such times is a treasure... and that is definitely good news." Godfather! His tail, still stuck under his hind paw, twitched back and forth happily. "That is quite an honor. I would be delighted to accept it. I assume, then, that your brother is... well?" Surely Echo would not have produced offspring with anyone else.

Zero Dream

Oh, his expression was priceless. He hadn't known that a dragon was even able to make a face like that. Still, he made himself be serious when the question came. "Well.... he's in one piece." He wondered if anyone less knowledgeable would even notice what he had seen - Nergal had never been one to keep most others close, or to confide in them openly. "He... returned on his own, soon after the wave... Probably used it to his advantage to escape wherever he had been held at. Whatever happened there... He isn't saying a thing. Yet, at least."

It was evident that this was worrying the spirit guide, but he shook his head. "Other than that, he is well enough." It wasn't that he wanted to purposely keep things vague, it was just that he knew he would have a rather upset judge on his case should he babble about what he'd noticed.

"You know, when I think of it... If you are going to return to the old pantheon to read the other fatestones... Maybe it would be worth a shoot to see if any of the weapons she'd written about might be there. I.... figure it has been the dying place of many." Gaia, in particular, probably wouldn't have left her husband's side. "There is a chance that they might still be there. If she's going to come back..." His eyes grew hard. "...I do not plan on letting her get away, this time. I do not care if she brings a whole army with her - if those weapons can be found... We have a chance. If there is a chance, we need to all stand together as one and fight. Send them back to the void they should have rejoined ages ago. Any effort to re-balance the crown will be useless if they can affect him once more."

Sosiqui

"Mmmm." Tian Yue's face took on a serious expression again. "Perhaps this letter has more information, but I doubt it. We met only once before." Still, he did not yet open it. There were more matters to discuss.

"These weapons... Lucius located the Manacles, and... Phaedra, using her Sight from her ascension, confirmed the location. I would seek Universe and ask him, and if you can use the god on the Throne for confirmation, so much the better. Fighting Gehenna is useless, but the Grigori cannot be allowed to work treachery against us as well. The one thing is bad enough." His eyes narrowed. "Still, the stones will not locate anything, I don't think. Perhaps the use of the weapons, that result, can be laid out... but if the ending is all oblivion again, what then?"

Zero Dream

"Oh, I did not mean using the stones to locate them. I figure there must only be few left, and those will be precious. What I meant is that while you will be there - to look, in the most likely places. See what was left behind, and see what could be useful... I figure it would be useful, at the very least. And a bit more workable when one can fly." The thin limbs at his back twitched, betraying his irritation on the subject.

"While the weapons would be useful at stopping the grigori... If this is information Knowledge has found, then there is really no room for doubt there. However, I do not know what they would accomplish as far as re-balancing the Crown will go, or at the very least at stopping Gehenna - which really would be the bigger problem there... And the one with no obvious solution." After all, were the circumstances any different, if it had been Harmodius' conscious decision, would any of them even be thinking about stopping the end ?

Sosiqui

"No clear solution, perhaps... Lord Destruction himself must have felt it coming, though I am sure he did not expect the Grigori's attack. Universe and I found books in the Crown's chambers, histories and other such. He was searching for something." His ears perked upwards. "Histories... oh, if only I had known of the Grigori at that time! Ankou, there was a journal there, Lord Harmodius' own. Surely he would have written of the Grigori and their ancient War, and perhaps of the weapons as well. Their location afterwards, perhaps, or the means of their forging."

Zero Dream

The god's eyes widened in surprise. "Surely. There must be something there..." At the very least a mention of the war. How it was won. There had to be.

"It may be worth it to go take a look once more..."

Sosiqui

"Universe and I discussed a few ideas - crazy things, perhaps, like trying to force a jewel's rebirth of the Crown... though that was discarded, as the Name by which the jewels were conjured is no more-" That itself brought a thought that made the dragon's ears flick back again. "Perhaps that means... that no more deities will be reborn? If that is the case, then new godlings like Echo and Nergal's will be even more important..."

That wasn't relevant to the matter at hand, though. "At any rate, you - someone - should go there... oh, what else, what else." He snorted, frustrated. "We must lay plans, and we cannot do this alone. We must all work together, as one, or we will be defeated. This is no time for vigilante actions or petty feuds." Hell, hadn't he even worked semi-companionably with Phaedra to get the Manacles located? Sort of?

Zero Dream

"Indeed.... We also need to get the information out. I think there are still many who does not know what happened... That don't know about the grigori."

He bit his lip, without really noticing it. Could he really go there... and look inside that journal ? That seemed like blasphemy above everything else, somehow. The thought made him uncomfortable, no matter how much he tried to convince himself the information may be crucial.

Sosiqui

"Perhaps a meeting should be called. My siblings and I should hold sway enough to summon the pantheon together... by force, if needed... we cannot waste any mind, any ability. The solution may lie in a single memory, or in the most minute power, or in a distant mortal myth..."

Zero Dream

"I agree. Perhaps this should be done after you return - so that we may know exactly what will work... or at the very least... What will not. It is... however possible that I may be gone - if I am needed somewhere.... I refuse to remain idle, but being as I seem to have more knowledge than most, right now, I need to, at the very least, spread it at much as possible before I go."

...Not to say anything about his aching back and his still unsteady lack of control over his body, but that would come in time. During at time, he could gather what he could.

"I am planning to go look in the Library - perhaps there may be mortal legends there."

Sosiqui

"And I will continue gathering what information I can. Have you any other suggestions of people I should speak to, since Echo is gone with Underworld and the others?" He hoped that the return of Aristogeiton could at least do a little to salve gaping wounds. "I will look in the ancient Pantheon for any knowledge that could aid us, and for those Weapons you mentioned. Now that I know the way, it is not so difficult to reach... provided that time does not slip again as it did when I returned." He twitched a little. He couldn't afford to lose weeks again. Not when time was so precious.

Zero Dream

"I know of at least one other that went to find the other pieces... A lady named Cinder, host to the fire goddess Karaskis. I doubt she went alone - but I do not know if she has returned yet, or not. Knowledge would probably be able to tell you more, of course. Other than that... I fear that I do not know much. I have not been well enough to go about as freely as I wish I could." By his own fault, none the less, but it was hard for him to regret when it had saved the little group a precious amount of time.

Sosiqui

"Fire's host - ah, my Aoide, Toki, met with her directly after... the event. She checked on my follower for me. I owe her thanks for that... yes, Penny had met a goddess who was looking for relics. I sent word to Light-" He laughed, then. "So that was all truly about Aristogeiton, was it?" He shook his head. "How strange. The plot thickens."

Zero Dream

"It would seem so - or at the very least, that is what my brother thought. The other letter he wrote is for her, and while I did not read them, I can't think of anything else he would bother to take the time to write for. I do find myself thankful for this - if they had needed to go for all the fragements on their own... It seems like there would not have been enough time."

Four windows are broken Nergal had said. ten remain. And that was at the very least one week ago...

Sosiqui

"Ah, yes, the letter..." Tian Yue picked his up again, and carefully slit the envelope open with one claw. He wasn't quite as dextrous for small things in his dragon form, but he could manage to not mangle things. He plucked out the paper and peered at the even, clean handwriting.

Nergal's Letter

To the Great Dragon King Tien Lung, Worldshield

I deeply regret that I am not able to meet you personally, but the matters at hand leave me with little choice.

If you received this letter from the hands of my brother, or one of my Aoidei, you have no doubt been told of our venture already. We are leaving today - Light, Hunt, Music and I - to head for a plane or world called "Wellhaven", in hopes to recover at least one of the fragments of our Crown's Consort scattered throughout All That Is.

Of the fragments, there are seven, and I firmly believe they may be of some aid at least to restore the order of things. I have received word from an Aoide of Fire's, that she too is part of this undertaking, following a different path. To my knowledge, only two fragments have been found until now: A soulless body, by me, and a strange decanter filled with liquid and a key-like artifact attached to it, recovered by the Lords Light and Hunt. The body remains in care of my brother for now.

There is more: I came to know of the circumstances of the Consort's last death through a faithful soul who has been part of the searching party even before the Fading. Aristogeiton - or Sanatruces, which was the name he last bore - was struck by a sudden ailment while dwelling in my realm in company of Gaia. He died within a week, with Gaia, Healing, Medicine and even Death remaining unable to help him, or as much as being able to tell the cause of his sudden wasting away.

That, and the fact that his soul seems so torn asunder and the fragments littered throughout His creation, left me deeply suspicious. Even more so now that I heard of the Grigori.

I know precious little of them, but what I do know is that apparently they once warred with Us, and thus their powers must be not underestimated, and eventually were exiled to a realm referred to as the Ashlands, containing only the influences of Universe and Gaia. One of them, Samyaza, was brought back by the hands of fellow deities, but as I firmly believe this was an act of folly and naivety, not treason, forgive me that I shall not mention the names of those involved.

It was Samyaza who apparently brought about the current calamity, or at the very least, hastened it to happen. She managed to escape, however, carrying with her an arm of Gaia's. She, as she is one of the two influences which make up the Ashlands, is also the one through which the path to that domain was opened. It is almost certain that the Grigori wench will attempt to use her prize to free her kin. Ways must be found to prevent this, or if that cannot be done, at the very least to war with them. What can be done, weak as We are so shortly after our rebirth, I do not know.

Knowledge was present, however, when she appeared. He may be able to offer sound advice.

It saddens me that, in these dark times, I cannot bring you better news. May you fare well, whatever your next steps are.


My highest regards,
Nergal, Overseer of Souls

"... Hm," the dragon rumbled, when he had finished, and glanced over at Ankou. "Your brother mentions Samyaza as well, and the Ashlands..." Another spark of memory- a joke, jest, a withering glance, gone- "Samyaza has one of Gaia's arms, with which to free her kin?" That made him almost claw at the floor again. "It will not be allowed," he said, firmly.

Zero Dream

That made him raise an eyebrow. That, apparently, he had not been knowledgeable of. "The gall of that wench-" He stopped abruptly, shaking his head. Losing his temper would do no good.

They should not have been allowed to live on The thought made his eyes narrow. There is probably a reason why they were spared after the war, but we should have ended them, right there and right then.

Sosiqui

"If there are to be more of them, then we must seek out these weapons with all possible speed." Tian Yue's smile was grim, and showed teeth. "Thank you, Ankou. I may not have been looking for you originally, but I am glad to have seen you. I have... much to think about, and search for."

[Zero Dream]

A Needle In A Haystack
Week of War

He had spent the last few days resting, recovering, with only his kitten and the frost sprite to keep him company, safe for the dragon's visit. The initial trek to the house his brother and lady Music shared and back early in the week had been almost too much for him in the state he was in - he needed to rest, allow the body to heal some. Allow himself some more control and get used to have a physical form. It was all coming back swiftly, but it was not swift enough. Not to mention that there was something nagging at the back of his mind, something that had confused him for all but a split moment before he remembered and understood.

Voices..

And once the realization had been made, he could tone them out. Perhaps some could have said it was against his purpose, the more passionate might say he was being heartless, but the truth was quite simple. As things were, right there, right now, he could do nothing for the voices calling for help or sobbing in pain that slid against his consciousness. After all, it was not the dead that he heard, no. He could hear them and see them now if he focused enough, but now was not the time.

A gentle death was something that seemed quite impossible in these times.

But the faint irritation would not leave him. There are better things that he ought to be doing, and it was with that in mind that he had slipped out of his quarters, notebook tucked under his arm, and headed toward the library. The pantheon as a whole felt... eerily silent and still, next to the constant flow of mortals that had flowed in, drawn by Greed's influence. The library was easy enough to find, and he crossed the ornate wooden doors.

There were people here - lingering mortals, seeking shelter from the harsh times perhaps, or drawn there like moths to flame by the one who dwelt inside. There was, however, not one sign of Knowledge, which was kind of a setback. He knew him reborn - Echo had mentioned him - and he had been hoping the scholar might be around, and possibly willing to take a few minutes to at least send him in the right direction. The library was massive, just as he expected, which caused a problem to the spirit guide. Libraries and research were never his cup of tea, never something he had been skilled at. Something best left to more skilled hands and focused minds.

Knowing full well that there might be little to be found of concrete explanations - the weapons were, after all, lost as they each fell, and Creation was no longer in a state allowing him to tell of where his own might have gone, and that was to say nothing about stopping what was brewing in the chrysalis - he had hoped there would at least be tales and legends, penned by mortal hands, of the war, and of some possible locations. Inaccurate maybe, but at the very least, he had to start somewhere. Anything was better than sitting in bed at that point.

But the maze-like walls of the library were intimidating to even one who used to travel from world to world. Ankou shook his head in irritation and headed down in one of the walls, the shelves padded thick with books off all kind. Thankfully for the freshly reborn god's sanity, sections were labeled. He somewhat fittingly wandered from aisle to aisle, gathering books in one arm, often having to put them down to climb ladders and access places that required a little more effort to reach. The pain in his back was starting to flare up a bit, and after awhile he was forced to give up and carry his armful of books to the nearest table to sit down at.

The silver and red haired god paused for a moment, resting his chin on the hard, varnished wood and staring up at the pile, which looked more like a tower from that angle. Really, how was he supposed to get through all this ? He straighted himself out, took the first book from the top and flipped out open. No use to mentally whine, and no time to waste.

...Oh, hey, table of contents. How handy such things were. He scanned the listing, figured out that the information he was looking for was not in that one book, flipped it closed and set it aside. One down. Maybe this whole research bit was not too bad, after all.

It would soon become evident that the finer detail of such an art escaped him. Most of the books he had picked with an inexperienced hand turned out to be irrelevant - those who were actually relevant to what he was seeking were so vague that the information was more of less useless. Which left it with a pile of scanned over books and nothing but what he already knew to show for it.

The spirit guide bit back his dejected sigh and stood, moving to the labyrinth of bookshelves once more. There had to be something, somewhere, he just needed to find it. Right ? He returned to his small, undisturbed table with another pile of book and started the process anew.

Hours ticked by as the process repeated, over and over, his clumsy attempts seemed to grow more and more hopeless with each circle, but, determined as he was, the wanderer seemed unwilling to give up just yet - irritation was starting to show a bit, but he was still placid. The fact that Knowledge would probably come smack him with a rather large ruler should there be but one creased page in any of the books was probably a good restraining agent as well. He would, after all, know it was him.

There was only one last cycle after that point before he was quite simply forced to stop - his eyelids were growing heavy and it became harder and harder to keep his focus on the task at hand. He replaced what he could of the books in their assigned places before leaving, as starved for information as he had been when stepping in hours ago.

If the library had any secret to divulge as far as those things were concerned, it seemed it would not be for him to unearth. Perhaps he would return, in a later time, with a less wide topic and more concrete things to search about.

[Zero Dream]

Questions
Week of Plague

midnight_medea

It was getting late when Cosine finally made her way back to the house for the first time feeling like she had some kind of purpose. Her head was buzzing with thoughts, names and places. She did not notice the darkness as it began to slip over the land or the tension in the air as the world prepared for another week of Destruction.
She was on a kind of autopilot, her feet walking but her mind was miles away thinking, thinking. She opened the door and almost tripped over little Shandar in the process. He mewed at her.
“Hello.” She smiled. Hugging her book to her chest and making her way through to the living room. She looked a state, the pretty dress Echo had given her covered in dust and cobwebs mud on the bottom from her encounter with the blind giant. A graze or two on her arms she noticed none of it. When she had a project in her mind everything else went out the window.

Cosine placed the book on the table and stood for a moment, glancing around.
“Where is everybody.” She said to herself. “Kitchen for the boys and stable for Ishum.” The goddess was talking to herself again. To the outsider she would have looked like quite the mad woman.

Zero Dream

With another window breaking and the sound of another trumpet, the world shifted once more. Slowly, the fighting was dying down - and while it was now safer for him to roam the street... The cost of such, while not quite apparent, he could already start to feel it - something building up and nagging just at the corners of his consciousness. He knew what it meant, and could mostly ignore it if he tried hard enough...

The mortal numbers had begun to steadily drop in during war's influence. They would continue to do so now. How long, until there were more dead than alive... until there would be nothing left ?

He probably looked like quite the odd man out as he walked toward the house - wearing nothing but bandages on his chest and a pair of black jeans, carrying Echo's notebook under one arm. He had not taken the time to really think about proper clothing - not with his fruitless searching of the library having eaten most of his time lately. Needless to say, the spirit guide was not a scholar. And while one could dump him in a metropolis and ask him to find one specific soul, such thing could not be accomplished with books.

His plan had been to return the notebook where the aoidei had found it - however, the whole idea deviated a bit when he caught a glimpse of the goddess sliding inside. Jinx had long since slid off toward the stables in search of the beastmaster.

"Cosine ?" He called out, following her inside.

midnight_medea

Cosine ran her fingers through her messy hair as she waited for her mind to settle into some sort of manageable order and frowned as her fingers caught on a tangle. it was at that moment she realised she probably looked as though she had been dragged through a hedge backwards and then dumped in a crypt.

Her eyes fell on the book and the unfamiliar voice made her jump. Spinning she stopped and blinked at the half naked and rather battle wounded looking man ... or god. There was something familiar there. The mental cogs ticked into place and she gave a small, slightly nervous smile.

"Ankou?" She asked wincing a little as if she didn't want him to confirm who he was. Maybe it was all right. Maybe she hadn't been spotted by him or his host as they had slunk out of Underworld's chambers.

Zero Dream

Thankfully for the goddess, both him and Adrian had been sound asleep when she and Ishum had made their escape.

She got a nod in answer. "If you are looking for Nergal or Echo... I do not think they have come back yet." He quite honestly doubted that his brother would return and not let him know. But did the number goddess even know they were gone ? "They left on a journey to try to find the missing piece of the consort." He bit his lip absent-mindedly. His worry was evident.

midnight_medea

"Welcome." She said with a smile, bowing her head a little as was her habit. She watched him a moment and then looked down to her feet.
"I did not expect them to be back. Their task is not a simple one." The goddess said, not thinking that she was not supposed to know this information that now inspired her. She looked up again, he seemed worried. "I am sure they will return safe."

Her eyes darted to a picture on the wall and then back to his face as she tried not to look at his state of semi undress.
"I was actually looking for you ... well, Adrian really but finding you is better." She smirked and then blinked a little. That was a tad insensitive. "I found something in the library. Something I think could be important."

Zero Dream

She... she had found something ? This wasn't exactly surprising, since the numbers goddess was much more used to going though books and records than he was.

Or perhaps she hadn't been looking for the same thing that he had been. The god nodded, sliding past her and inside the room - knowing Echo probably wouldn't mind them using her living room for an instant.

"I've... found something, too. Well, it is more like Echo found something..."

midnight_medea

She watched him as he nodded and looked down to the floor again. He wasn't really one for talking. Like Nergal. She followed him a little nervously through to the living room.

"Oh." Cosine placed the book on the coffee table and pulled out her pad and pen. She looked down at her dress and then the nice sofas and decided to sit on the floor, her legs tucked under her. "What did Echo find?"

Zero Dream

The god moved through the room, sitting on the large couch there, then made a bit of a face as she sat on the floor and then inviting her to sit beside him before opening the notebook on his knees.

"Her aoidei found this, and well... We are pretty much all hoping she will not murder us too hard for this." He said with a cheeky grin. "There are things, that I do not remember her mentioning before she left - perhaps a bit too.... overwhelmed with the recent developments." Did Cosine even know the goddess was with child ? Potentially children, even.

One slender finger went to point out one sentence that had been written down in blue ink. "This part, expecially... I went to the library to see if there was anything, but... I did not really turn up with anything. I fear going trough books might not be my forte. I believe this would be more of a talent of yours. But given that the grigori are likely to return no matter what... It would probably be a good thing to find those weapons, through I hold no clue as to someone is already on such endeavor. There... are yet ruins of the ancient pantheon standing. A few of those might be there still..." Golden and yellow eyes went to look at her.

"What have you found, then ?" No matter what it was, it was bound to be useful.

midnight_medea

Cosine looked at the sofa a moment and then shifted up to sit next to him so that she could read what he was pointing to.
"I am sure she won't." The goddess said, returning his smirk and then looking back down at the page. "Everyone is far too bound by what has happened to Harmodius." Her green eyes traveled the page and she leaned a little closer to get the last part. Her eyes traveling over it several times as the gears in her brain began to work.

"Hah." She said, straighteneing and reaching for her book she had found. "Then I may have found something." She fliped the book open and searched for the page. "Here, people who worshipped Creation. They of all people might be able to help us?" She gave a hopeful look and placed the book on his lap.

Zero Dream

Now this was interesting. Quite a find, actually. "Then... those people might have knowledge on how to awaken him once more... Or perhaps, at the very least, knowledge of the war. No matter which one, as I believe at this point, the more information the better..."

After all, if he did decide to go with that crazy idea of his... The more the better.

"You plan to travel there, then ?"

midnight_medea

Cosine blinked and looked up at him, at his words.
"Me? Um ... "She paused and turned her eyes back down to the page. "I would like to go, to meet these people. Though I do not really think I am suited for such things. I was thinking you might go ... or a god with more influence maybe. I am not sure what I could do." She shrugged and looked up to the window. "What an adventure it would be."

Zero Dream

"Why not ? Better than sitting there doing nothing and wait the world end, right ?" Truth to be said, he was antsy. All he'd done was sit around, wait for his back to heal, wait for Tian Yue to show up so he could give those letters... Which could easily be given to a servant. If not one of the dragons', then Jinx.

"You would know what questions to ask. I would probably have no idea how to even start." He let out a small laugh. "And you speak as if I have influence... I doubt my two weeks of existence give me a whole lot of that. I... think you should go, if you want to. You... deserve to be seen, too. They need to see you and recognize you as what you are - you are a goddess.... and not one that belong in shadows. No one can do it alone, and your mind... you ability to research things... I cannot do that - I tried it. I am pretty sure you've seen the mess I left behind in that poor library..."

He had no idea how the words came so easily and with such passion, but they did. "There's a whole existence that need saving, Cosine. I want my nephews and nieces to live."

midnight_medea

Cosine looked away at his words and nodded, watching a black shape circle not far from the house. It was all right for him to sit there and lecture her on what she should do, what she could do. She knew nothing of the world, though that was something she had vowed to remedy was it not?

"But, these weeks since my rebirth, five of them. I've felt like I've been going insane. The things I've thought, done ... make me utterly ashamed." She glanced back at him. She had not really been able to talk to anybody yet about all that was happening. "I spent an eternity hiding, I'm not sure what to make of the light..."

She stopped as he continued. Such passion, it was admirable, inticing, just as Lien's had been. She must have been so cold. She thought to herself to have never felt ... her thoughts stopped as his words actually processed in her mind.
"What?" She asked, turning back to look at him. Had she just heard right. "You mean?" She flushed a little and a smile grew on her lips. The kind that made your cheeks ache because it was so large and genuine. she turned to face him a little almost as if she might hug him or bounce, though her old self kept her grounded. "Echo and Nergal ... they ... Gods, that's brilliant." She laughed and shook her head, a vague memory of her casting on Nergal ... "I wonder ... " she mused softly. Her mind buzzing with another new emotion at the news. "But ... but Echo, she went on the Quest? Ah and this is why you worry so?"

Zero Dream

"These... are the effects of the weeks, I believe. Everyone is feeling such things in one way or another it seems, through we seem to be less... vulnerable." He gave an idle swap of his "wings" as he spoke, almost akin to a nervous twitch. "There are windows in the throne room... Each week, one of them break, and it's influence is released. "I do not think you are going insane - it is simply effects of the powers released. That, or everyone is going insane with the same pace of timing." The grin returned. "You decide."

Honestly, her laughter was vibrant, and most of all, contagious - it did not take long before he followed suit. "While that is indeed not exactly the brightest timing the two of them had ever come up with... It's happened all the same." He seemed to grow more serious then, lips pressing into a thin line. "...Among many things, yes. The children have manifested in the form of little lifeflames - identical to the wisps that trail Nergal around to the untrained eye, I suppose. They would be quite fragile... if they hadn't been divine." But, with War of all things to manifest this past week...

No, she had Nergal, Illumin, and Ea with her. They would protect her. They had to...

midnight_medea

"Oh." Was all she could say in response to the windows. It was nice to know that she was not going crazy and it explained why everyone else was going insane too. Though was it really an excuse?

She smiled as he laughed and continued to listen. She knew the little flames. He had told Lien all about them. The dead children, so ... maybe they were not as fragile as a human baby before it is born.

His seriousness troubled her. She did not like to see any of them troubled. Her new family. Cosine was sure that in her life before the fading she would have thought it none of her business. Just as with Nergal that day she reached for his hand and pressed it between hers.
"They will return safe." She urged. "Nergal would never let anything touch her, the other ... I did not catch his name. He seemed important too. Sensible." She smiled again allowing herself to look at him properly. "And you. Are you well?" She enquired of the bandages he wore. "Are you in pain?"

Zero Dream

Her taking his hand surprised him a bit, but he did not withdraw. "Illumin, you mean ?" It never occurred to him that she was not supposed to know any of this. "Indeed. And then there is Eamnonn, who has ascended fully..." In fact, he felt almost sorry if anything tried to hurt any of them. He was quite sure Hunt would tear them to pieces in ways that would make them wish they had never been born. "I know, but it is like, I can't really help but worry... you know ?"

He rose an eyebrow when she asked about his well-being, apparently confused until he realized what she was was talking about. "Oh, that... No, I am fine. It's those things..." The wings gave another flick. It was almost as if he was not quite used to control the tendrils - yet they always moved in synchronization, the top and bottom ones, as if they were actually linked. "They left wounds when they emerged, but it's not really painful anymore, but the new skin is a bit easily scratched up by fabric."

midnight_medea

"I know." She replied, nodding and breathing deeply. As she was now worrying too. Sure she might not be related to them but Nergal and Echo were her family as much as her brother was. They looked after her and her host, offered their home. She could not remember such kindness. And now ... children. She wanted very much to be able to watch them grow.

"Ah yes." Cosine replied to his explaination. "Mine were painful too, but the wave numbed it." She flexed her dark feathers as if to test out that theory and nodded. "They do make clothing a bit of a problem." She smiled a little and turned her eyes back to where infinity circled.
"So you think I should go?"

Zero Dream

Clothing. That was another thing he hadn't really bothered about so far, which kind of explained his lack of... well, upper body clothing.

The other part of the explaination really that he hadn't honestly felt like bothering.

"...I honestly think you should. I can't make you, but... I do think you should. If only so you don't look back on this instant later and think... and wish you had actually done something. You know ? Even if there's no direct information to be found, at least you've done something, right ?"

midnight_medea

Cosine listened to him and nodded. He was right of course, like Nergal tended to be. That made her smirk a little they really were brothers despite the rather obvious differences. She decided she felt more relaxed around Ankou, Nergal always seemed to have an air of authority and awkwardness around him.

"I should. You are right. I would hate myself if I knew I had sat by and done nothing. Though, I am a little afraid ... afraid to do it alone."

Zero Dream

"Then do not go alone." His expression had turned to a smile, warm and gentle. "Look around... find the others, talk to them. I figure there must be many itching to do something, yet with no idea of what to do and what direction to take. A small group may be best, but there is, of course, no reason for you to go completely on your own if such thing makes you uncomfortable."

He'd always wandered alone. Sometimes with his kitten, sometimes with the crows, but most of the time alone, with only distant voices, cries and pleas for help that showed him his destination. Such a concept was not uncomfortable for him - but he could see how it could be for her.

midnight_medea

"It's not that I would be uncomfortable." She said with a smile, releasing his hand gently and standing. Evolving was hard, there was a war within her. Some epic battle between what she had been and what she was becoming. She had been a solitary goddess, Infinity had been her only friend, though she had never been confident. Her uncertainty was born more from a lack of faith in herself and her abilities than her fear of being alone. Then there was her new self, one who now enjoyed closeness with others, craved it even. This side was stronger, bolder it fought with her old self and she seemed to be in a constant struggle to control the two of them, self confidence Vs a lack of.

She wandered to the window and opened it. Infinity circled and swooped to land next to her mistress.
"You are right of course." She smirked and held her hand out to her feathered friendwho hopped up her arm. "That must run in the family." She turned back and raised a teasing eyebrow. "Strength in numbers as the saying goes. And it seems my path is leading back to the damned Pantheon once more."

Infinity gave her a look. You look a mess.It said, before the bird flew up in the room and landed on the back of the couch next to Ankou.
Cosine smirked again and walked to the table to reach for the book so that she could look over it once more.
"This is Infinity. She takes care of me. Makes sure I remember to eat, sleep and well, look presentable when my mind is elsewhere."

Zero Dream

"That might be the case..." He answered with a playful smirk of his own, sliding one bang of silver-red hair behind a pointed ear to run a finger through Infinity's feathers, smoothing them out as he did. He had yet to meet one crow which hadn't liked this.

"This is quite the noble task here, Infinity." His tone was teasing, of course. "None of my own have returned yet, through I expect the younger ones may take their place. It is a shame, but not much of them survived the wave."

He looked away from Infinity and back at the goddess, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "Though I will have to agree with you on this one, your lady does look like she could use a hot shower and a comb."

At least he looked vaguely aware that he was probably going to die for this.

midnight_medea

The crow gave an appreciative caw and puffed out her feathers greatfully. She had been flying long and hard.

Cosine's eyes had been drawn back to the book in her hands as he spoke. She was listening of course, when he too spoke of her appearance her eyes flicked up to his and this new her shot him a smirk.
"Not looking too hot yourself." she quipped, closing the book with a puff of dust and grinning.

"Though a bath would be nice." Some time to mull all this over. She thought to herself. "A bath and then a meal? I am sure there is some rice and spices in the kitchen. Let me cook as I feel I will need to pick your brain some more when I have had the time to think."

Zero Dream

"Am I, now ?" That stupid grin wouldn't leave his face. Well, he -was- wearing only jeans full of holes and some bandages he should probably take off anyway, and he was quickly figuring out that he just -might- need to bother with shoes after all, as yet mortal feet did not seem to enjoy walking long distances bare.

Still, he did not look affected in the least.

"You should do that, yes. I don't think we'll be going anywhere, arn't we, Infinity ?"

midnight_medea

The bath was most welcome as was the feel of the clean silk dress from the pile Echo had given her. She knew the feeling would not last long once she was out on the road again so she would endevour to enjoy it whilst she could.

Her wet hair pinned up she wandered down the stairs barefoot and reading the passage from the book in her head. She wished she could remember more.
"It seems this all lies on a different planet." She mused out loud as she wandered into the kitchen. "Which would require travel in space no?"

Zero Dream

Ankou had simply used this time to be lazy, and enjoy it. And also enjoy the relative silence. Jinx was... indeed very exited to see him finally reborn, per-se, but that also made the kitten somewhat... over-bearing.

His eyes fluttered open again when he heard her speak, and that was when he finally got off the couch to go toward the kitchen.

"I figure this may work, but there are of course simpler ways - through the Doors." It really, really seemed that no one remembered them. Even he hadn't, until Harmodius had told him.. "As long as you know where to go, I could, at the very least, lead you there. The world referred to in the book seems quite... ancient, so I may remember the way."

He used to know the way to literally anywhere, from any point of travels - doors or his own world-walking. What little he actually remembered was probably in-exact as new worlds were created and some had died. The Doors were much safer for the other deities - the space in-between worlds was rarely kind.

midnight_medea

"Know where to go?" She asked, smiling as she was joined by Ankou and Infinity not far behind. She settled on the window ledge and tilted her head to the side as she listened to them. "For example the name of the place?" She crouched down and started to rummage in one of the cupboards for a pan.

This was interesting and seemed much easier than the alternative.
"We could try i suppose? If not ... I was thinking and Lien, my host. She knew a mortal family. I am sure they had something like a space ship, though it was damaged." She paused thoughtfully and smiled as she spotted what she was looking for. "Hmm, they might even know this place. And if they know the name that means we could use the door?"

Zero Dream

"Names are definitively useful things. It would narrow my search from, oh... a few months to perhaps a few minutes." All That Is, after all, was a vast place indeed - and he knew better than to expect things to have not shifted in the time he had been gone.

"I used to know my way around All That Is like my back pocket - is that what mortals say ? At any rate.... Used would be the keyword." He smiled - sadly. So much lost...

"So, yes, this would help matters if such things could be figured out. Time would be the essence here. And..." He tilted his head. "What kind of Guide would I be if I got you lost ?"

It was hard to say if he was being serious or playful, this once. Perhaps a bit of both.

midnight_medea

"I can sympathise with that." She said as she washed the rice ready for the pan of water she had ready on the heat. It was hard to be a goddess of academia and not remember things. "My mind is everything to me. My best feature and I feel like some ... child." She smirked a little and turned to lean back against the counter whilst she waited for it to boil.

His words made her laugh. Something she thought only her brother could make her to, but now, the reaction came freely as it had with others since her rebirth.
"Well i suppose it depends if you get me lost on purpose or not." She shrugged and turned get the spices.

"It would be good to check on that family anyway. I worry." She breathed deeply and turned back to face him for a moment. "If ... if you are not busy or don't have any more pressing matters ... would you come with me? I am a little worried about what I might find."

Zero Dream

"Yes, you should probably check for them. The recent events have not been kind."

Oh, he knew a thing or two about that firsthand...

Her next question seemed to catch him a bit off-guard - for some reason, he had not expected her to ask him. Would it not be a better idea to ask someone more experienced, more... along in their rebirth than he was ?

What if he wound up needed here ? But, was not that the whole point, exactly just what he had told him ? Better to do something, than to sit and wait and then realize it was all useless.

"I cannot make promises, but... If nothing comes up in between now and then... I will."

midnight_medea

"Well, to check on the family at least?" She asked, grabbing a wooden spoon and turning back to stir the bubbling pot. "I was going to go in the morning."

She really did hope that they were okay. She felt bad, that she should have checked on them sooner. If she had failed them ... No, they were a strong family they would make it through.

"Nergal might not be too happy with me if my negligence caused them to join his realm."

Zero Dream

"That was what I meant." He tiled his head to the side a bit. It had been evident for him, put perhaps not for her. But of course, with his brother brought up right afterward, it was near impossible to resist.

"Am I being cryptic, lady ? I thought I had a brother that did that for me, mostly." He took a few steps forward, a slow pace as to not bother Infinity, who seemingly had not left his shoulder since the goddess had left them to take her bath, peering into the pot curiously. "I have no idea what you are making, but it smells rather amazingly good." It probably helped that he was pretty hungry. He was bad about remembering to eat - eat and sleep mostly. The habits of having a physical body once more, one still somewhat mortal to all things, had not yet completely settled in.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled a little and looked back over to him. It was very hard, she decided to tell whether he was teasing her or not.
"Cryptic ... maybe." She said with a smile, randomly feeling nervous as he walked over to her though she was not sure why. She sniffed a little as something tickled her nose.

"And um, I'm not actually sure what it is that I'm making." She laughed, looking up at him for a moment. "Just putting some things together and seeing how it turns out. A culinary equation if you will?"

Zero Dream

He peered over her shoulder to the simmering pot for a moment before returning his attention to her. "Like an equation, then ? At any rate, I figure this will be much better than anything I could try my hand at making."

Not that he had tried, per-se, but in his mind, that was where most of the problem was. He simply was not... used to think about things like this.

midnight_medea

"It's easy." She smirked keeping her eyes on the pot and reaching for some of the spices. "Something my host taught me. You just, choose things you like and put them together."

She stirred it again and placed a lid on top.
"If things improve I can teach you. Numbers are convienient, they mean you'll never need scales or measuring cups if I'm around." Cosine smirked and chewed on her lip a bit. Talking business she could deal with ... small talk ... it was hard to make conversation when you had a nice, shirtless, rather attractive god peering over your shoulder. Socialising was a dangerous passtime.
"So um, do you think you'll be living here too now?"

Zero Dream

"Be careful now." He grinned. "I just might take you up on that."

Thankfully for the number goddess, Ankou backed away slightly then, one hand reaching to scritch Infinity's feathers idly as he pondered this over. "I don't know, honestly. I have quarters at the pantheon and they suit me just fine for now... and to be honest, I think Nergal and I kind of enjoy our respective spaces too much to be around each other constantly, you know ? We were always like that, I figure. The Underworld was big enough so this wasn't exactly a problem, I remember at the very least that much, but a house ? Not really quite so." He shrugged. "Not constantly there, but always close enough. It works for me, at least."

It was a sad state of affair, really, when most of the memories of the relationships with one's own brother were mostly fogged over. Or one's own self, for that matter. "That is what I remember, at the very least..." For a moment, he seemed more concerned, but he slipped back into a smile as soon as he noticed it.

midnight_medea

"Oh well that is a shame." She reached for two bowls and a scoop to get the flavoured rice from the pan. "Though i should be finding my own place I suppose. There will not be the room with little ones on the way. I would not wish to be a ... what is it mortals say ... Third wheel."

The goddess smirked at her feathered companion as she lapped up the attention and turned back to her task.

She started to dish up the dinner and mused things over in her mind.
"My brother and I are similar. We get on well but I do not remember us sharing a dwelling. I cannot see it. Inside we were very different, I can feel it." She shrugged and handed him a plate and spoon.
"I hope it tastes as good as you imagine it will."

Zero Dream

"To be quite honest, I am not quite sure how they'll manage with even just the kids added, really. I guess that depends on how many. It was too early for me to take a guess at it when they left." He shrugged a bit, then took a spoonful off his own bowl.

Well, it was spicy (...which he should have expected with the smell, really) but it tasted pretty good indeed. "Looks like your culinary equation ended up in the positives." The god grinned.

midnight_medea

"Wow," Cosine laughed as he said he wasn't sure how many children there would be. "And Nergal complained about the cats." She gave him a cheeky smirk and took a mouthful of rice.
She chewed slowly and watched him for a reaction as it was positive she grinned.
"Thank you. I'm glad." She said proudly.

Zero Dream

The two deities continued to chatter as they ate, Ankou laying back against the counter as they did so. It was nice, for once, to actually talk to someone, and not think about what might be to come.

....He had not expected it to be, but it was, in actually was. Deep down, it only confused him more, but he hid it well. Before he could dwell onto this any further, a barely-repressable scream resounded in his head, unheard by her, causing him to outwardly wince, and returning him to more serious things and thoughts.

"I should probably get going. See if I can figure out anything else... Or figure out where it is that we might be heading." A desert-filled world. People who worshiped Creation expecially. Weapons of enchanted glass. This might at the very least narrow his search. "Let me know when you are ready... I should be around the pantheon. If I am not, Jinx will probably be."

He slid his now empty bowl into the sink and headed off, stopping in the doorway for a moment, hesitating. Finally, he turned his head to look at her. "...Be careful, alright ?"

And with that, he was gone.

[Zero Dream]

Voices Neverending
Week of Plague

He could tell this would be coming, of course. The god could see it, every time he left the relative sanctity of the pantheon and simply looked around himself - plague was at work. The mortals were sickly, covered in aliments that were not in his skill to identify. Boils, open wounds, the more afflicted looked like their skin was simply rotting off their bones.

Sickness, of course, lead to death. And lately, as the week was drawing on, there was a lot of death, everywhere. It was a good thing that, even as freshly reborn as he was, he remember how to control his own self - unhindered, he was quite sure the constant influx of voices would have simply driven him mad. Even if there was not much keeping them at bay now, at least it was something.

helpmesavememommyithurtswhereisdaddy

What could have resulted into madness was at least tamed down into a major annoyance and one hell of a constant headache. The influx was so constant that they did not even sound like voices anymore - it sounded like noise, fuzzy like an old tv that did not catch a channel, voices and words no longer distinguishable from the rest of the multitude due to the sheer number of them, and it made his ear flick every now and then when a string of words slipped through his mental barrier.

Mortals constantly died, of course, across all that be. Somewhere, in every second, even in the best of the circumstances, mortals died. This was what life was - birth, life, death, and in certain case rebirth - it was a wheel that never ended and the backbone of existence for most beings, at least that was how Ankou saw it. But in normal circumstances, even that constant flow would have been quite tame to his mind. He could have singled each voice out, pinpointed their origin - something that was now impossible - and went for them. Or sent others. He remembered them, if only by vague concepts - the valkyries, along with the crows. He had no idea if any of the battle maidens remained...

Ihavefailedcanthisevenbecuredisthistheendofeverything

...but now was not exactly the time to try and figure it out.

Ankou threw the notebook Echo's aoidei had given him on one of the few article of furniture Jinx had managed to find him - an old desk that was wobbly on its' legs - and the hand that had been holding it reached to rub at the bridge of his nose. He knew both Jinx and Lyra were nearby, watching him with worried eyes, one unable to do a thing and the other simply not understanding what was going on completely. He could only sleep in short bursts thanks to all this, and it was started to become quite apparent, yet the god refused to slow down. If anything, this was only a constant reminder of how he needed to hurry.

The mortals were dying. Dying in a rate unmatched by what his own memory could tell him. An unnatural rate. And this was only the beginning. If this continued for the weeks to come, as it probably would...

How long until none of them was left ? How long until there would be more dead than living ? The only hope, really, was to not let it get to that point, but who knew what to do, if finding the consort or going to that city Cosine had told him about would help things any.

What would gods be, with no mortal to look up to them, to believe in them ? Honestly, he hoped he wouldn't have to figure out. He needed to stay focused, but all he could really do was read the notes over and over to try and figure out if there was something he had missed, something he had overlooked, which was not easy when one was as distracted as he was. The noise was distracting, bothersome, much like if someone was waving right outside of his sight and constantly moved accordingly as he did - and when some of the voices managed to break through, it threw off whatever thought process he was on. Another thing he did not remember occurring in the life before. This was either from lack of being used to it, or from the sheer overload.

But those were details, small useless thoughts at the moment. He forced himself to ignore the pain and try to focus once more, taking the notebook back and opening it once more. He could have tried to go back to the library, but he couldn't imagine himself being successful now, expecially in the mental state he was in. All he could really do at this point was wait - wait for Nergal to come back, wait for Cosine to seek him out, wait for someone else to come by, asking for answers and knowledge - but he stubbornly refused to do so.

There was one course of action he could see... The Crown's journal. He honestly ought to go take a look... even if it might be completely useless - his memory of the old tongue was mostly gone, knowledge erased by death and rebirth along many other things - gaping chasms, just like Tian Yue had said. But this was... so outside his realm of comfort, that it was ridiculous. He had gone many times, yet had always turned away before he could even go through the door. It just simply felt... disrespectful, and he couldn't come to terms with actually doing it.

And he was wasting time like an idiot in result of this.

He grumbled to himself, let the notebook down once more, and moved off to try to catch an hour or two or sleep, before he became too irritable for his kitten or Lyra to deal with.

[Zero Dream]

Looking For More Answers...
Week of Famine

Cinderfae

They walked down the hall for sometime and finally Cinder paused in front of a door. Each door down the hall had different appearances to them, some likely giving clues to what lay inside and others likely were more prone to be misleading. The door now that she stood in front of was as lovely as the rest but decorated with the image of crows.

Karaskis/Cinder looked over toward Ashe a moment thoughtfully and the memory from sometime ago came back. Adrian had been half elemental she had felt the call of the fire within his blood, pausing Karaskis didn't knock but instead looked over toward the elemental. "My dear long lost guard, I wonder have you taken lovers during your time here?"

Ashe raised a brow to his Mistress somewhat curiously, "yes..." he paused as if unsure if he needed to explain more or what exactly was happening.

"I'm sure you have been around the Pantheon and during your wait you have figured out how the gods and goddess were returning." Karaskis voice was matter of fact but she did pause to allow him a moment to respond if he wished.

Ashe responded with a brief bow, "yes, one of the reasons I was not shocked by your appearance though I could feel it was you."

"The god these rooms belong to, their host was half fire elemental. I believe from the look of him when I last saw him he is of your kin. However...it was close for his change when I saw him last. If it is just the god that responds I would suggest that you leave that knowledge to yourself. It is likely the god will know," Karaskis voice was somewhat saddened but had a hint of compassion in it as well.

For a moment a look of shock and then a look of sorrow came to Ashe's face before he vanished both, offering a bow to Karaskis he then looked to the door. "I will keep that in mind." As a good guard would he had already started masking his feelings.

Cinder/Karaskis looked over toward Yumeh, "please, as I asked Ashe keep what you heard to yourself at least for now. If the god does care to know it can wait for another time, the business of the now is very important and must be seen to." And then reaching up she knocks on the door.

LittleDream

But when she asked, Yumehayla was not there.
He stopped just after he passed through the door, not able to make any more moves.
Because his conciousness was grasped by something much greater.

As soon as he entered the pantheon, he felt heat radiating through the box in his hand, though thankfully it wasn't burning him through the thick layer of the sleeve. He carefully touched the cover of the box...
...and heard a happy voice, loud in his mind, like a thousand jingles.
"At last!" It shouted, full of joy. "This is familiar! I remember! ...I....think...." The voice went down, and Yumeh had a feeling, that something was...observing... "No..." This time, instead of happiness, the voice was full of sorrow. "No. It is just the feeling, no memories...."
"Who...just who are you...?" He forgot himself, and asked out loud, but then quickly hushed himself. It would probably look a bit weird. Deciding to continue in thought, he added ...are you the stone from the box?
"Yes, I am the stone... Nothing less, but much, much more." Part of the happiness returned to it. "I can hear you fine now. I was right. This is the place where I was supposed to come."
But it was I who came here. Yumeh pouted, looking at the item in his hand. You are here only because I took you with me.
"Yes." The stone anwsered, and the boy could feel his laughter in his own mind. "But it was me who guided you to this place."
Why? he asked, slowly opening the box. He wondered how the stone looks now. Is it glowing? Or just radiating the heat, without any physical change?
But he wasn't ready for what really happened.

The instant when he lifted the cover, a sea of stone bursted out from inside. Half-liquid turquise, with bits of amethyst sticking out of it, covered Yumeh from head to toe. The boy didn't manage to even move.
The liquid stone was moving, slowly, around him, forming a tight shell, which hid his whole body from outside... Tasting, studying, exploring...
And then he heard a voice. Not as loud, but much, much closer.
Because it were his lips who said it.
"Because I am Tista, the God of Chance. And by Chance, you are my host."

Zero Dream

Inside the room, there was sound, and eventually the door opened, revealing a black-furred catgirl, who seemed to at the very least recognize the divinity of the one standing here and bowed in respect.

"Greeting, myaa. You... have come to see my master ?" Red eyes darted to the side, holding a bit of worry, but she stepped to the side.

The reason for the cat's reaction would be plenty evident - the changed form that stepped into view looked like it had seen better days - weary and tired lines on his face. Focus did not come easy, but he forced himself - the woman was familiar, he had seen her once, when...

No, not her.

"Karaskis" He nodded. "I see you have returned..." Weither he meant from the trip into space, or to her being mostly in control, was left unsaid.

Cinderfae

Her eyes go to the the aoidei offering the creature a small smile, when Ankou spoke she looked over to him. "Greetings Spiritguide, I have come looking for one that may be able to direct me toward some answers." Once the servant moved to the side she entered and offered a small nod to Ankou, her fiery eyes looked him over thoughtfully something was wearing on him. These time however had been wearing on them all, so for now she did not press to find out why.

"We've returned with what we sought from space, and need to contact your brother and the rest with the pieces of the consort." One listening closely would hear the goddess' dusky voice tempered some with Cinder's.

Ashe still somewhat stunned from everything but loyal to his Mistress takes a place near her side and stands quietly as a guard would.

"If you have some answers to share, that would be wonderful and..." Cinder looked over Ankou's somewhat strained face and it was the pilot that spoke, "we will not keep you longer then we must."

LittleDream

....what...the...HELL?!?!
Well, they do say, 'curiousity killed the cat'... You shouldn't have bought that stupid stone. Yu never did buy any!
That was me.
And why did I even open this stupid box! If I didn't this....this -thing- wouldn't have eaten me!!! Why the hell wasn't I thinking, this thing was clearly dangerous, so why did I open the stupid box?!
That was also me.
And why am I anwsering my own questions?!
You are not. It is also I.
The boy tried to calm down, trying to get used to the weird dualism that now took reign over his mind. As he did, the shell of stone was slowly getting smaller, concentrating onto his right arm.
You will leave my head.
I will not. It is my head now. Maybe you wish to leave it? Yumeh hissed, and clutched his hands into fists. I did NOT come here to give up my life! Then live on. Maybe you'll be the stronger one. You wouldn't have said that if it was possible! It is not true. There is always a chance. Which you are the God of. Yes. make me like you, maybe the chance will go to you. You won't do it. You will never know until you try. But... Fight. You wanted to fight to live, didn't you? So fight now. But I will also be fighting, precious.
He giggled...or was it the god who did it? And raised the hand to his forehead. Or was it Yumeh? His head hurt. A lot. And he knew that few more moments like this, and his body won't be able to bear it. He felt like he was splitting in two. In a very painful way.
How did Cinderfae manage to live through this...?
Suddenly, he had the anwser to the current problem. He needs to ask the host to the Goddess what to do. He looked around...
...but she wasn't there.
Great. I lost her.
He made a careful step, trying to take control over his split senses. The god... Tista... wasn't opposing, which Yumeh found strange...but wasn't going to ask. Step by step he moved forward, looking for his guide, till he finally saw her entering one of the rooms.
The stone once again had his original shape, this time sitting tightly high on the boy's arm. Like it was always growing from there.

Zero Dream

Oh for the love of.... Multiple voices. Okay. This was confusing, but at least those were outside. And dicernable from one another.

"You ought not to worry about me." He shook his head, motioning goddess and guard further inside. There was at the very least a table now, and mismatched seats for them to take. Such he had learnt from the dragon king's visit earlier on - his chambers seemed to be steadily becoming a meeting spot for the confused. He hesitated for a moment, as if somehow something had thrown him off his train of thoughts, but he continued after a few seconds. "I will be fine, and there are more important things to focus on."

He followed them, turning to sit, the end of the leather trenchcoat he wore almost touching the ground. That, and a matching pair of worn, black jeans and a tanktop were all the god wore. "That might be quite difficult. They have not returned, yet, and seeking them out might be slightly problematic at this point. Due to their mean of transportation it is completely possible that time might run differently for them. It is the only way I can think of as to how they have not returned yet."

Please, oh please let her not ask more details on that one. He wasn't sure he had the patience or focus to explain time dilatation to the goddess. "I know little about the current going on, but strangely I seem to know more than most. What answers I hold are yours, lady. What it is that you seek, beyond this ?"

Jinx had been about to step inside, to follow her master and the goddess, when she saw Yumeh come from the stairs, red eyes widening a bit in surprise. The boy looked like he had seen a ghost. "Myyyaaa... Are you alright ?"

Cinderfae

Nodding Karaskis moved foward and took a seat in one of the chairs, Ashe moved along with her standing uncertainly near her. "The others are finishing the same sort of missive I was on myself I am guessing. That is good information to have if nothing else, I will see there is news left. So we can see that finished as soon as possible." She rested back in the chair a moment, wondering some of Ankou's state. Even if he didn't wish to be worried over he was indeed unwell.

"It would also be good to know what others are up to, and where if any place we can find somewhere to help out." It was once again the mixture of voices.

Your noisy.

My body first.

Karaskis chuckled inwardly, "we have been gone to retrieve the pieces and just needed to find someone with the current information."

LittleDream

Yumeh looked at the one who was asking, narowing his eyes, then widing them, and narrowing again. At least I can see properly...I think.
He tried to bring out a smile, but knew that he'd fail, his body felt too...too weird, right now.
Then he opened his mouth, and tried to anwser.
"I'm afraid noyes, I am."
He blinked in surprise, and covered his mouth with a hand, as if what just exit it was a particularily hideous toad, and not two voices speaking at the same time.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, opened them, and tried again.
"Excuse me, can I talk todon't be so stiffthe goddess Karaskis?"
He finished the sentence, ignoring the second voice.
This was, by far, the worst day in his life.

Zero Dream

Ankou nodded back in answered. "Yes, they have. The scepter pointed in the direction of another world... So, I figure you must have gone to space ? What did you find ?"

He knew that there were seven pieces, from what had been talked about before the group left. Two he knew the whereabouts of, but he had no idea how many would be in Wellhaven. "There are two pieces that have been found prior to their leaving, which are now in a safe location." As safe as any location could be right now, anyway. Another odd silence, and the god frowned a bit, hand going to the bridge of his nose. "There are seven in total, but I do not know how to bind them back together... if I can even do such as I am now."

The catgirl rose an eyebrow at the multiple voices, but otherwise did not seem to freak out. A host, then. She should have guessed. She turned, poking her head inside the doorway. "My lady, please excuse me for this interruption, mrr... But someone seems to be looking for you, mya. Did you have a companion following you ?"

Cinderfae

Frowning faintly she responded, "We recovered three items, but only two we knew of to be actual pieces. Bones and scales, from what looked to be a dragon. An actual person, which I have my aoidei looking after now. And the amulet that points the direction to the pieces. I hope we are not missing some piece, to have all have been for naught would be frustrating to say the least."

Now who's being pushy?

"As for binding them back hopefully bringing all the pieces together will provide some insight." Karaskis frowned some in thought as she spoke.

As Jinx entered and asked Cinder/Karaskis looked over toward the door with a slight nod, "yes, a white haired male. Yumeh a traveler."

Seeing Yumeh behind Jinx she motioned him over looking first at his paled expression her eyes not yet reaching the now implanted stone, "we thought we had lost you, you should have a seat you look unwell."

LittleDream

He walked inside, making sure tu carefully count his steps. He was getting hold of it - slowly, but still. It was like two people holding a pen and trying to write. When one of them decided not to interfere, it was only a bit of extra work. When both of them had a common goal, it was easy. But when both wanted to write something different...
He didn't want to think about that.

He opened his mouth, wanting to thank for the offer... But the god was quicker.
"I recall you! I think." Loud, cheerfull voice came out from his mouth, but his expression didn't match the tone. He covered his eyes, sighed, and sat on the proposed place. Shut up. Make me. The god was...cheerful? Just what gave him such a good mood...? Hopefully the good mood will stop him from interrupting...too much. "I'm sorry...I...I think I need some help."

Zero Dream

Three... plus two... plus... Ankou's eyes widened a bit with realization. "If I have sensed things well... That means we will have all of them once they do come back. When I followed the scepter's path, they split in two in their destination."

Oh, those were quite good news indeed. At the very least they could focus on getting him back together and not on finding yet more pieces.

Yellow and gold eyes followed the boy as he came in and sat, taking note of the rock in his arm. He probably would have been miffed at him being allowed inside without him being asked first if he had not been accompanying the goddess, and if he hadn't been a host, but that point was moot. "Jinx... Please go downstairs and fetch him some water, at the very least. I think he needs it."

The catgirl offered a bow and was off.

Cinderfae

Karaskis eyes focused on Yumeh a moment she could guess what caused the outburst from him. If he was a host he showed no signs of it back at the house, which means he had likely just run across a gem somewhere. Frowning faintly she glanced to his arm, she was guessing the stone was there at the bulge. "It seems you have a very excitable deity there. Who have you implanted there in your arm Yumeh?" She had a feeling if the deity was already speaking through him that hopefully it had introduced itself.

Looking over toward Ankou she smiled faintly and somewhat apologetically for the interruption into his home. And then added for his benefit since he did not know Yumeh before, "Yumeh did not walk into the Pantheon as a host, meaning sometime between my entrance into the building and the brief time in your room he found himself likely more then he meant to."

Cinder kept an eye on Yumeh glancing somewhat toward the stone as she did, it was a rather abrupt occurrence and a rather fiesty and awoken deity already. You were more quiet at first...except for those horrible dreams.

Usually it takes one time to awaken after being a stone.

LittleDream

The boy narrowed his eyes, looking definetely NOT happy with what just happened.
"I have not implanted anyone! He did it himseh, be nice." The voice shifted in the middle of the sentence. The boy's face smiled for a split second, but instantly changed back to the disturbed expression he had. "Tista, my name is Tista! I am of the Chance!" The voice seemed happy of himself.
Yumeh's mouth opened again, as if wanting to add something, stayed like that for a moment and closed. He closed his eyes, counted to ten, and opened them again, regaining at least a bit of his calm.
"Please....make him stop."

Zero Dream

Well, this one sure was vocal. And... perky ? Probably had not noticed the mess around them yet.

Really, the boy had came to at the very least half of the wrong crowd if he had looked for much in term of sympathy. "We cannot. You two will have to come to an agreement... Removing the stone is also out of the question, as it would lead to your demise, I am afraid. No matter how you have found yourself bound, there is no going back."

Cinderfae

Cinder sighed, yes it seemed Yumeh did in fact find way more then he was looking for. She suspected that the stone had something to do with the box he had earlier as well. If she had known or he had said something she may have helped him make a more informed decision but now, well it was too far past for such things.

"Ankou is correct there is nothing that can be done with taking the stone from you now that it is bonded with you. It seems that Tista," Karaskis inclines her head slightly to Yumeh when she acknowledges the deity, "is rather vocal and excited but over time you both will learn especially this early on in the rebirth that there is not much energy even for speaking."

"Just relax some Yumeh, if you would like we can speak more of this but I suggest calm for now. You cannot change what has happened but I think you may be able to get to know your deity some which may make things easier." Cinder wasn't sure of the gender she had a feeling Tista was female but using Yumeh's body still without changes she couldn't quite place the voice fully.

Smiling faintly the voices merge again and greet Chance, "Greetings Tista."

LittleDream

...What have you done...
Yumeh was really shaken. And now, after hearing all of this...
There was nothing he could do.
For the first time in his life, there was REALLY nothing he could do. So far, he could've always think something out. Even if he couldn't, just going forward would let him reach a solution at some point of time. But this time...
Removing him from me would make me die... Leaving him in me would make me die.... Why the hell did you pick me?! I want to live!
I want to live too. The voice in his mind calmed the growing anger. The boy fixed his hair, and closed his eyes, to better concentrate on sending his thoughts to the god.
Couldn't you pick someone else?
It had to be you. For someone to wake me, even though it was this late... It was a chance one in a million.
A what?
Something I do. The voice giggled I take risks. And make those risks worth it. You are the only one for me, at least in this point in time.
And if I don't want to? Yumeh asked a bit angrily, though without much of an anger inside. He just wanted to....to hate this...this god. But it was hard having a proper argue when two other dieties were watching.
Please do. he felt a sigh, and blinked. 'please do?' what was that? This diety was...weird, at the least. But it seems he'll be able to talk with him, and maybe reach some sort of compromise with proper reasoning...

He openied his mouth, wanting to ask something, but then... "Speaking is fine! I can speak just swell, see, see? But why can't I remember things?"
....so much when it comes to compromises.... Cause you're stupid, probably. A pinch of surprise, a mental 'uuuugh!' and without any visible reason, Yumeh started to laugh.
...just what am I going to do...this is insane.

Zero Dream

"We have spent quite a long time dead, Tista. Countless ages passed in between the fall of the last, and the rise of the first." He was not sure how much of what he had to say would stick, but. "The mana weakened, and when left to their own devices, souls... erode. We are no-"

He quite abruptly stopped, bitting his lip to try to stop the wince that tried to come out. Another headache was starting to keep onto him, each string of words feeling like hammers on his skull, even as all of then went blissfully unheard and unrecognized by the rest of those present.

"....We are no exception." He started again. "You may remember with time, but I doubt any of us will ever remember completely. And please, do listen to the lady - it will be harmful to both yourself and Yumeh if you insist on using up what little strength you have completely." Even if he did seem to possess more than most. It seemed like a circle - even he, at times, had been this overeager, and had to be coaxed back into himself. When he hadn't been, things hadn't been pretty indeed.

Cinderfae

Cinder/Karaskis looked toward Ankou a moment as he spoke, she was even more sure now that the god was feeling some sort of ills but as she remembered his response before she left it be. If he had need hopefully he would ask for it.

Karakis regarded Yumeh and Tista a moment. What a time for the young one to find a host she wondered what their place would come to be. "I suggest speaking, both of you to one another. That is the best advice I can give. And likely the best way you two will come to agreement."

Then she looked toward Ankou, "I received word from your brother sometime ago, I have wondered some as well, have any steps been taken to search for the Grigori?"

LittleDream

"Spoilsports!" The voice of Tista said loudly, this time in an annoyed, childish tone.
Almost bratty. Yumeh wondered what kind of a god acts like that... Most probably a very spoiled one.
Okay, okay, tell them I'll be quiet....for now. I don't want to talk to them anyway! The thought that reached him, only made him sure that his assumptions were true.
...just where did you come from? He send a thought to the god, but didn't receive any anwser, even though he waited for it. Yumeh wanted to laugh. This...this certainly didn't resemble the two serious gods, that were in this room. He wondered how would they react if they heard Tista's comment.
Why am I even trying to talk to him? He wants to kill me!
But if it's inevitable... Take as much of life as you can, while you're still able to... Don't spend the end of it being gloomy....
"He...he said he won't be talking...for now. Thank you."

Zero Dream

While Ankou probably had a nice and witty reply for that spoilsport comment, he wasn't in the mood to bother with it. He nodded in answer to the white-haired boy, then continued on.

"I do not know. What I do know, is that she is very likely to come back... with the rest of her people in tow. Back in the war prior to the fading, there were 4 artifacts that could wound a grigori more permanently, but my research to try and find just where they may lay has so far wielded no information."

Jinx had returned with a glass of water, setting it before Yumeh, then sliding to stand at the side of her master. She waited, a moment, tail lashing back and forth, then cleared her throat, rather loudly. When she had her master's attention, she bent over to whisper something in his ear.

Whatever it was that had been said, it made Ankou shake his head. Really, this was getting bothersome. With another nod of the head, the catgirl darted into another room, and returned with an envelope that she gave to the goddess. "Nergal left this for you when he left... perhaps there will be more information I may have missed."

Cinderfae

At the outburst Karaskis sighed slightly, the deity seemed on the childish side at the very least. It would do no good to argue with it. "Yumeh you will likely feel weak soon, I will have Ashe help you back to the house if needed later on." Her voice was factual and direct. The reborn deity may not have felt it yet but Karaskis remembered only too well how tiring life was at times when she had been encased within her stone.

Looking over toward Ankou Karaskis raised a brow and took the note, resting back she took time to read it. She then thought a moment in her seat. "It is much of things I already knew, I have some knowledge of the Grigori as I took with me to space one that was part of the confrontation. However, your brother has given me some other interesting information as well. I think to utilize my time until he returns I will see to these weapons...or to actually locating the Grigori." A small smile comes to her lips thought there is no actual merriment or happiness in it.

"What routes have you taken to attempt to find the artifacts?" Karaskis/Cinder looked toward Ankou, "I would not want to go down avenues already tried." Things were getting worse the food shortage reported this morning seemed to be sure signs of that so quick solutions seemed to be in order now.

Ashe shifted slightly keeping an eye on Yumeh as he did, the guard was not keen on the noisy deity and whatever trouble it may attempt to bring. Nor did he seem overly pleased about having to carry it's host back if it was so required.

LittleDream

Yumeh thanked the catwoman, this time with only his voice, and took a sip. His mouth slowly shifted into a smile. Yes...he needed that... Slowly enjoying the water, and the silence in hs head, the boy actually started listening to what they were talking about.
And he didn't understand a word.
"What's a Grigori?" He asked, but quickly covered his mouth. He was already enough of a bother, no reason to add to it... He can ask later, if it's needed. "Sorry, don't mind me."
They were probably related to the current events somehow. Now that he thought about it, the Goddess did mentio that name...or was it the blue goat girl..? He wasn't sure, his mind was too cloudy right now... Better to just listen, maybe he'll be able to make something of it later. It seemed the mentioned tiredness did finally catch him.

Zero Dream

"I... did not do much, to be honest. I went to the library in hope that there would be, at the very least, legends on the weapons and where they may lay - unfortunately I have found nothing, but that may be mostly because of my poor research skills. There is another information that may be relevant, however - the old pantheon... While broken down and not easy to access... It still stands. It is possible that they may be there... or at least that is what would be more likely. I know that Tian Yue, the dragon king Tien Lung, has gone there with one of his brothers - and planned to return. Hopefully he will be able to find the time to look for them... Personally, I do not know in which worlds the gates lay. Tian Yue also mentioned that the Crown kept a journal - there may be more information about the war there, but I have not gone to seek the book out yet. It is in His chambers, and... Well." This was stupid. The thought was making him so uncomfortable, and yet there was so much at sake !

Ankou quirked an eyebrow at Yumeh's words and instantaneous reaction - and somehow, he couldn't help but smile a bit. He seemed close to the goddess, at the very least - so he might as well answer his question. "The Grigori are... a race, or a group of people - that is unclear to even me at this point - void-wielders and at war against creation and all he stands for. Most of the recent events have been a chain-reaction to something that has been caused by their leader. Their ultimate goal is the End, which we are obviously trying to stop."

Cinderfae

Karaskis nodded slightly in thought, if there was a journal she should find who had it or at least who may know more of the weapons. "Was Knowledge unknowing of the weapons locations?" At the Grigori question Karaskis paused a moment before speaking. "I also spoke some with Jaster, the host to Mystery and we did some research nothing too exotic. Grigori the term has been in legends through time while we slept...basically they are always betrayers or fallen. Jaster told me that Knowledge spoke to the one that was in the Pantheon with familiarity and almost as if there had been more then hate once. If that is the case they may indeed be something that once was allies but now are only enemies." Karaskis lets a breath out with a sigh, "we originally had started such research curious and questioning looking for names. For our Lord Creation as well as the one that is called Samyaza." Karaskis lets out a soft sigh, "truthfully we were not overly fruitful, names that could be looked at but...nothing substantial. I believe the library here may be more rewarding when it comes to that."

Karaskis nodded slightly, "when you go to look at the journal if you find anything about the weapons...or well anything that needs doing or looking into. I am not far and I will use what resources are available to do what needs to be done." Glancing over to Yumeh Karaskis/Cinder watch him a moment, "I suspect you are going to need rest and time to speak with your new, companion. As noted before you are welcome to stay with me while you do that."

LittleDream

He listened to the explanation, but didn't comment. More things to think about, but at this moment in time he was too tired for thinking.
Not to mention that he didn't want to disturb anymore. This was...important.

He anwsered only when the Goddess adressed him directly. "I'll gladly accept, thank you. I didn't have time to look for a place to live in before, and now it would be kinda...hard." He smiled. "And yes, I definetely need to have a nice, little talk with him."

Zero Dream

"So it seems... He was not there when I went to the library, and the notes mention nothing about location - I doubt it would be so if he knew."

Why did everyone expect him to go look in the journal, really ? ....Had he hoped she would offer to go herself ?

When did I become a coward....

Another string of noise broke through to his consciousness, as if to remind him that he did not have the time to be afraid. He shook his head, forcing the thought away. He would have to get around his feelings of uneasiness.

"Are you going to be staying where I met you ? Just so I do know how to find you."

Cinderfae

Karaskis sighed faintly hearing his news, "I will see if I can come up with some other idea when it comes to finding the weapons." A soft frown came to her lips, she knew it was important just not where exactly. "If you find you need me for whatever research you may have in mind, as I said I am available as are those that serve me, I am sure Mystery would be willing to offer help as well."

Karaskis/Cinder inclined their head to Yumeh as he spoke. "Speak to Kalfyra if you return before I do, she can see you have somewhere to sleep...and don't believe her if she says the only place is with her."


Turning once again to Ankou she spoke again after a moment, "yes, in Cinder's home. I would take up rooms here but until things are more stable moving is not really high on my list of priorities. We have a set up there now at least that is sufficient."

LittleDream

Well, that's probably a sign that it's time for me to go.
"I will do so, thank you." He said to the goddess, and stood up, like it was nothing. His head started to hurt, and he didn't feel too good, but it wasn't the worst that ever happened to him. And he saw that this..this fire boy didn't want to accompany him. He will manage by himself.
"Then I'll go ahead, I'm afraid I'm not exactly the most helpful person right now... Thank you both." The boy called a smile on his face. "Goodbye, and I hope you will find what you seek."
With that, he turned around and walked out, finding his way to the Goddess's home.
I am not weak.

Zero Dream

Ankou nodded to Yumeh as he left, then let his eyes close, let himself fall deep in thought. Was there anything that he had missed, anything he had overlooked ?

So hard to focus. The noise is only getting louder.

"I fear that is all I know, for now." He opened his eyes to look at the goddess once more. "I will seek you out if I learn of more."

Cinderfae

Karaskis watched Yumeh go, the goddess did not feel bad over his fate. Hopefully he would come to terms with Tista. Cinder felt more reserved remember the disappearance of Merci` that lead her here so long ago.

Some die so others may live... Perhaps more to think on later.

She then looked toward Ankou still somewhat worried for the god, with Yumeh leaving she had a feeling she should take her leave as well. "Thank you for your time Ankou, I will be there or be able to be contacted should you need me."

Karaskis/Cinder stood and bowed respectfully to Ankou after all she was visiting and these rooms were his domain. "I will not take more of your time as I am guessing you are busy. If you feel I may be able to help others do not hesitate to send them my way." She prepared to leave as well.

Zero Dream

A small smile took form on his face, that had been mostly neutral during the whole talk - such came with the grim nature of what they had been discussing.

"You say that as if you had been bothering me." The god slid out of his chair, to lead her back to the door at least. "You did not interupt anything." At least, not anything of more worth than this.

"You remain careful, now. You and your own."

Cinderfae

The goddess returned the smile slightly as she started toward the door. "I will remember that, though in such times I hate the idea of taking too much time of anyone's. It was a pleasure, I hope our next meeting is under better circumstances."

Stepping toward the door Karaskis motioned to Ashe, offering a low bow to the god the elemental then turned to follow his goddess. His face somewhat thoughtful as he did, set in a somewhat serious expression.

[Zero Dream]

A Lost One Returns
Week of Famine

What in all hells had happened here ?

Anima had never been one to be easily startled. The aoide had, in fact, seen quite a few things that should have been considered beyond mortal recognition in her near-immortal life. Things so horrible that it would have probably warped her if she wasn't so logical, so focused, and a demoness to boot.

But she had never expected to wake up to something like this. The world around her felt warped by an extremely strong, unseen presence. And she knew, very well, that she was late. Very late at that.

Something had happened. Something terrible, and something completely beyond her understanding at the moment. All she could understand is that the repercussions were terrible. The black demoness could hear mortals moaning, dying as she passed by, ribs poking out of their form. Some, mostly corpses, still showed boils, patches, various marks of sickness on their flesh.

Plague and Famine...

The air was thick with the dead souls of those who passed, unable to be seen to her vision, but easy enough to feel for someone who had been around them for multiple lifetimes.

Like the Underworld on Earth.

Something was very, very wrong. Her hooves clicked on the broken pavement as she hurried, followed to where the lines of mana were converging. If the world was in such a state.... In what state would she find her lord ? The mortals called for her attention, but she ignored them - she could do nothing for them.

The lines led her to an impressive building, surrounded by lava pools... with gods within.

And right outside...

"JINX !" At least, she hoped it was Jinx. Stupid catgirls, all looking the same !

"AniMYAAAAAA ?!?" The second that there had been any sign of recognition, the demoness had grappled the catgirl to take her aside.

"Jinx, where is our lord ?!" Was that... worry, on the demoness' face ? Jinx seemed startled for a moment, her ears flopping to the side slightly. "Inside. Trying to sleep. ...Probably not succeeding, mya." Anima knew exactly what must be going on, she decided. At the very least as far as their lord was concerned.

"...Take me to him. Please..." Her voice had evened out, now that she at least knew he was once again alive, at the very least.

The only answer that the cat gave was a nod, and she slid back inside, with Anima following closely.

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

Just as Jinx had thought, Ankou was not sleeping. He was laying on his bed, staring rather blankly at the ceiling. The flow of voices in his mind was not letting down any, and neither was their effect on him - and there was little he could do beside wait it out and let the flow die down. It wasn't like he could do anything for them. That simple fact was hitting him more deeply that he had ever thought it could.

In fact, it hurt. What kind of god was he if he could not even do what he was supposed to do ? He hated feeling so.... stuck. Insignificant. Weak.

Helpless.

Helpme

I cannot....

"Master ?"

There has to be at least one way to slow this, why can't I find it ?!

"Master !"

The man laying on the bed was not what she had expected to see, and not even Jinx's fast explanation of the situation and how the gods were reborn had managed to prepare her for it. Ankou finally reacted, tilting his head to look at her. He squinted. He knew her, he could remember her somewhat, but her name... her name escaped his unfocused mind.

From behind them, Jinx mouthed a single world - Anima

"...Anima." He repeated, shifting to sit. That was the right name, indeed. His memory had been jolted, now. "I am glad that you are well, I thought you..."

"Many were." Her eyes softened a bit. "Many died when the Underworld collapsed."

He looked confused for a moment. "You all remained at his side ?"

"There are many things he does not remember, mya." Jinx had said.

There was a gentle smile on her face, that seemed alien with the rest of her features and her usual demeanor. Even the catgirl rose an eyebrow. "Just as you had ordered, master. Most took the order a bit too literally." And from the look of it, it had not been remade, or else it would be doubtful he would be here. "What of Lord Nergal ?"

"Reborn as well. Come, the two of you." He motioned them to sit, at each side of him. "I do believe this will all take a long time to explain, Anima."

[Zero Dream]

The Noticeboard
Week of Famine

Even to Ankou's most often than not distracted mind, the noticeboard stood out rather clearly from the rest of the pantheon floor. Curious, he took the few steps that separated him from the newfound object, and it was then that he realized its use. This... This was perfect ! Why hadn't he thought about it ? It was so obvious that he had plainly overlooked it.

There would be the problem of the noticeboard eventually vanishing, as it was magical... but he was fairly confident he knew just the person who could fix that little problem.

"Jinx."

The catgirl instantanously perked, looking up from whatever had caught her attention. "Myaa !"

"I think your rummaging skills will come in handy, kitten." The god smiled, reaching to scritch at one ear fondly. Jinx, while of course being much more than a simple feline, always enjoyed the attention greatly. Better feline instincts to be preeminent, than the instincts of what she had once been. "This noticeboard will eventually vanish - I need you to find a new one. It doesn't need to be perfect - as long as it stands upright. Do you think you can find that for me ?"

"Of course, my lord." The feline purred. "I will go seek one immediately." And so she left - upstairs, going to seek the more distant worlds. Smart kitten.. There wasn't much left here that hadn't allready been picked clean.

Ignoring the throbbing of his head, the god turned to leave for upstairs as well. Better make use of this.

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

He had taken place on the slightly unsteady desk once more, but this time he had a purpose. Anima trailed behind him, gathering supplies, and Lyra hovered nearby. The frost sprite seemed more likely to come out, and at least talk and help - having seen him do what he could to try and save the world around them had, at the very least, convinced her of one thing - that her lover had been right. He was not really a bad person, at the very least. It made things slightly easier. That and having nowhere else to go kept her here, and the very least she could do was help out.

She had found a way to do such, and as odd as it was, it seemed to work. Ever since Jinx had explained her what was going on - that her master heard the dying, and that with people dying much more than normal, it was quite distracting for him - she'd thought about it, but had only attempted recently, with at the very least some success. Her mental voice seemed to help the god focus, or perhaps ignore the voices as they spilled over his mental walls.

What Ankou was not saying, however, is that such was slowly starting to occur less and less, as the week drew on. Famine - it was what Anima had said she had seen on her way. Food was becoming more scarce, but his divinity, as well as Lyra's magical resistance and the aoidei's relative immortality, allowed them to at the very least keep going on very little.

The spirit guide tapped his pen on the wood surface a bit. Just throwing everything he knew on a sheet and calling it a day wouldn't do - at the very least, not to his own standard. Getting it as easy to read would probably help, as well as keeping concepts and things as organized as possible as to not stir confusion. Short, to the point, everything that he knew. If he could get the information out this way... maybe he could actually follow Cosine to wherever she planned to go. The letters were given to their intended recipients - the information would be out - nothing would bind him here. There was the journal - but someone else could do that. Oh, how he wished someone else could do that.

He took the first sheet of ruled paper from the pile, and wrote, carefully, making sure his words were easy to read. He did not have the best writing hand, and this needed to be as legible as possible. He had to stop, every now and then - to get his bearing straights, to make sure he was not forgetting anything due to the distraction of the voices. He wrote, read, re-read himself for hours, until he was satisfied with the information laid out in front of him. There, that would do well enough, better than nothing, at the very least.

In despite the current events, he had a satisfied grin on his face when he gathered the pile of papers and headed out of his chambers once more.

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

When the god made his way back downstairs, he saw his feline aoidei setting up a rather large corkboard, held up by metal rods and thankfully enough gifted with... one wheel. It leaned to one side rather dangerously as a result, and had a fair bit of rust on it - he idly wondered where she had found it, but such information was superfluous at the moment. It stood upright and, when leaned against the wall, one could pin their papers to it without the unstable thing toppling over with the push. It would do, at the very least, until someone bothered to find something more stable.

Helping the black cat to half-carry, half roll it against the wall, next to the magical board, and pinned the various sheets of paper to it. At least, it was done, and hopefully he hadn't forgotten anything... he would have to double-check, if he ever was to be allowed some length of peaceful sleep again.

What Has Happened To The Crown ?

As most of you have noticed by now, the crown has now taken the form of a cocoon, or a chrysalis, if you prefer. This is due, from what I have gathered, to a grigori called Samyaza - I have included more information about the grigori on another note that you will find below this one. Inside the chrysalis, Gehenna, the primal side of Destruction, is awakening. The windows in the thrown room picture the end - one break every time the influence in weeks shifts. When the last one break... I can only presume it will be the end. I do not know what will happen then - but I doubt any good will come of it. Her attack is what caused the wave that all that be felt - which resulted in many gods and hosts rushing toward the pantheon. In spite of this, Samyaza escaped to location unknown - with Gaia's arm.

It is possible that Creation yet slumbers into the chrysalis - but I do not know how he could be awakened... if such is even possible. The gods in battle against Gehenna will not stave off the end, no matter if we all stand at one. Such solution has been proven useless by the fate stones, explained below.

Samyaza, and the Grigori / The Four Weapons

As I mentioned in the note above, Samyaza is the one who had caused the Twin Crown to become the chrysalis in the throne room. How exactly she has done this, I do not know - it seems like no one but Gaia was present when she struck, and her whereabouts remain unknown to me. I can only hope that she is well... But, continuing on - however she had achieved this - it seems that the Crown's true name had been destroyed, or lost - in some way or fashion. Perhaps renaming him, in the old tongue, would accomplish something - but my knowledge on the matter had seemingly been lost.

The grigori are a race, or a group of people, that were at war with Creation and all he stood for, in the times prior to the fading. This war was called "The War of the Forgotten Throne". They are void-wielders and, as such, are extremely dangerous - they can Unmake everything they touch. While so far, only one has come - Samyaza, which I presume to be their leader - they have been, after the wall, exiled to the Ashlands, a world tied to Gaia. She is probably trying to bring the rest of her kind out, thank to one of Gaia's arms being in her possession. She will most likely return, with the rest of her kind, when Gehenna is ready to hatch. We must be prepared. They can only be wounded more permanently by direct influence of Creation - Gaia, Rebirth, gods of animals and plants. While it is possible that the rest of us may be able to hinder them - they will heal the damage rather quickly.

During the War Of The Forgotten Throne, there were many artifacts created to battle the Grigori - out of those, only four were so inbued with Creation that they survived contact with their void, and perhaps remain to this day - they are Aristogeiton’s sword, Harmodius’ glaive, Gaia’s shears, and Rebirth’s jesses. Their current location is still unknown, as far as my knowledge extends - it is possible that they may yet still remain in the ancient pantheon, which, while having broken down and collapsed into the worlds surrounding it, remains in some fashion. Tian Yue, the dragon king Tien Lung, will be looking for them while he returns next to consult the fate stones. If we are to fight them, those weapons will be our best hope of success.

The Search For Aristogeiton

Aristogeiton was the Crown's consort - a mortal man given the ability to be reborn and return to the Crown's side upon his next incarnation. The spell must have failed in some way during the fading, and his soul was lost, splintered into seven pieces.

As of this writing, all the pieces have either been found, or are being looked for. Nergal - Underworld, Echo - Music, Illumin - Light and Eamnonn - Hunt are gone to seek out the last missing pieces. However, I do not know of to combine the pieces back as one - perhaps with my influence, perhaps with Rebirth's... We will see. If Aristogeiton has some of his memory remaining, he may be able to aid us, as he has fought the grigori in the war. It is possible that he may remember where his sword is, or that the sword will be found as the last pieces have gathered.

If anyone has information about this - the respective aoidei of the deities are around, and would relay information accordingly once their masters return. As would I, but I may be gone at a moment's notice - wherever I may be needed..

Manacles To Chain The End

There exist an item, manacles, that are said to bind the end. The Fate Stones have proved that they will only hold temporarily, but they may well buy us some time we are in desesperate need of. The manacles have been located, and are being looked for by the dragon king Futs Lung.

The Fate Stones

As mentioned, the ancient pantheon still exists in some fashion - broken down and partially crashed under the world below, but accessible in one way or another. In there stand Fate Stones - which can be used to fortell the future. 3 have been used - but a few remain. Tian Yue, the dragon king Tien-Lung, plans to return and consult the remaining stones - any ideas about possible outcomes or things that could be asked should be relayed to him, or his aoidei.

I know of two of the three questions that I have been asked, and turned out to display failure :

* All the reborn gods against Gehenna
* The manacles - they may hold, for a time, but will eventually give in.

The Crown's Journal

Tian Yue has told me that the Crown had a journal - some information had been found there, but that was before he was made aware of the Grigori. There may yet be more information there... if someone goes to look for it. I may do so in the future - if so, I will take off this sheet and remplace it with an updated one, showing my results.

I am hoping that, at the very least, will provide enlightenment about what happened - what steps are being taken - and hopefully may bring more ideas out. Alone, we will accomplish nothing - we need to keep the flow of information going - in unity we will find strength.

-- Ankou, Wantalon Psychopomp

[Zero Dream]

Onward
Week of Decay

midnight_medea

Cosine had made it back to the notice board without having found Ankou or anyone that could possibly point her in the direction of his rooms. She supposed that she could go around knocking but was sure that most gods would not appreciate the disturbance. Especially not now of all times.

Sighing she looked at the notice board and realised that it had been replaced already and filled with information.
"Well that was quick." she said with approval for efficiency and leaned closer so that she could take on some of the information that was written on the posts.

Zero Dream

Thankfully, it seemed that there would be no need to do so - as Ankou came down from the stairs, followed by two similar, yet different, aoidei.

And, this time at least, he wasn't half-naked.

He had glanced sideways to see if there was anything new on the noticeboard, but saw Cosine instead. A small, impish smile crossed his features, and he deviated from his trajectory to go toward her, careful to keep his steps as soft as possible. Jinx had to bite her lip so that she did not giggle, and Anima shook her head. How childish...

Unlike Nergal, he did not move soundlessly - however, with the goddess reading, it had been easy to wind up standing behind her without the counting crow to seemingly have noticed a thing.

"Interesting read ?"

midnight_medea

The goddess was indeed completely absorbed by the information that was on the board. Her academic mind enjoying the work out from digesting it all. His voice, coming as a complete surprise made her jump.
"You are quite the source of information." She said, placing her hand at the base of her throat to calm the pulse she felt there from her shock. "And just the person I was looking for. I've managed to get some people together and I've found the name of the city."

Zero Dream

I seem to have served as quite the convinent answer machine." The god grinned, turning to allow her her space back, now that he had gotten the effect he had wanted. "Which, more often then not, netted me pieces of information in return. Link all those pieces together and... well. At least this is better than doing nothing, I presume."

"That would indeed make things much easier." He nodded. "And that name would be ?"

midnight_medea

"Baadris." She said, glancing to the board and pointing to the notice she had placed there. "I have maps and things, which should make things easier and a few people to help." The goddess shrugged and glanced around, she was not entirely sure if two hours had passed. "They should be here soon. Are you joining us?"

Zero Dream

Baadris, uh....

"That ought to work nicely." He answered. "And... that would depend - how many have you found ? Too big of a traveling party will only draw more attention... attention which, at this point, will probably be the bad kind." The spirit guide paused for a moment. Yes... he ought to warn her.

"Mortals are dying in steady waves now, due to the influence of the weeks. War, then Sickness, then Starvation - the culling of the worlds. Those who are left would probably do anything to survive."

He stopped on his rather grim explanation. "Also, who have you found ? Gods ? Hosts ? Mortals ?"

midnight_medea

"I know." She said, her eyes full of concern and helplessness for the numbers of dead she could see in her mind. "Um, as for those I've found ... another goddess, like myself. Two hosts and their Aoide." Her eyes turned downwards to the floor once more. It didn't sound like such a great party once you thought about it. "Nothing fancy but ... well, I think we will all bring our strengths to the mission."

Mouse Pachinkorelli

'Nothing fancy' was painfully right, if the two approaching Cosine and the spirit guide was any indication. Besides the red gem on his forehead that marked him as a host and a wooden cane that marked him as a cripple, David was as un-fancy as anyone could manage to be in a place such as the Pantheon. At least now he had some shoes - neither he nor Glaucon were comfortable with the possibility of wandering barefoot through the desert. Their toothpaste-colored servant followed close behind, having managed to salvage some food from the area around the Pantheon and some frayed cloth to wrap it in.

"Ready for our little desert adventure?" the mortal asked as he drew closer, but his expression and voice were devoid of the playful wit that such a greeting should have come with. He turned his gaze towards the god that was with Cosine, giving him a little nod.

That must be Ankou. Cosine spoke of him being able to show us through the Gateway to the city, Judgment observed, recalling mention of the Spirit Guide from the meeting a couple of hours ago.

To that, David gave a small smirk and said, "If you're Ankou, Glaucon says hi."

I did not.

"Well, it wouldn't kill you to be a little more friendly..."

SkieBorne

Strange might have been the word to describe the pair that approached behind David for if Malh'reth had not been sporting the gem at the base of his neck it may have been difficult to tell Aoide from host. Both sported horns of some fashion and both possessed a pair of furry ears, though the mage's were canted in an expression of annoyance.

The blood coloured Aoide came bearing a few parcels as well - some food wrapped in cloth, strung over her back like a rucksack and a side bag that hid several glass and crystal ornaments to barter with in necessary.

As they moved, Glyph stepped back into control and offered a smile to Cosine and her companion, "Greetings. Have the arrangements been made...?" Lavender gaze flicked to Ankou as he picked up the Spirit Guide's name from David, "You will guide us through the gate?"


That's what Cosine said before... Malh'reth chirruped, smirking, Give me back my body already.

Glyph nodded to that inner voice and took a mental step back as Malh'reth moved forward, "She insisted on coming along, I hope that's alright." He gestured to Natasha, who merely stood straighter, proud to be of service to her Lord even if the host disliked her.

Eftemie

Lisana and Sinestra had made it all the way back to the loft. Several bottles of water, a bag of dried fruits, and a second bag of jerky went into their packs before they quickly returned to the Pantheon.

"It looks like we made it in time." she laughed walking up to the gouping. Watching Ankou a moment, she smiled brightly. "I'm Lisana. Are you going also?" Her clothing and Sinestra's were made for ease. Loose tops and pants that would comfortable in hot weather. Her short suede boots were as soft and easy on the feet but would keep the sand out.

Sinestra bowed, even with the stuffed backpack on her back. She said nothing, but smiled at the grouping. They would all do the best they could.

Zero Dream

"Indeed it would." The nature of the group was something he needed to keep in mind - and something that would affect his eventual decision on that matter. He wanted to go, but he refused to endanger them.

And right now, it looked safer, much safer as far as the group was concerned for him to stay behind, open the door, and more importantly hold it open for them. The hosts would not be able to forge their own path in between worlds and keep the door open. The aoidei were disputable gray areas - Jinx and Anima could, but it was entirely possible that he had trained them to do such.

The hand that was in his pocket had started to fiddle with something inside, in his thoughts. One eyebrow rose, and he recognized the object inside - wooden beads in form of sun charms with crow feathers hooked to it in an ornamental fashion. He remembered now - Jinx had brought him these things to keep him occupied in the span of time where he had basically been on bedrest after the transformation - in order to actually keep him in it. The thought made him smirk. It had worked well enough - the catgirl was ever so good at reading him - and back in what had been left of Greed's influence, he had fully intended to keep it. Now, however ?

The smirk faded, the amused look replaced by a thoughtful one. Yes... she should have it. He pulled the ornament out of his pocket with care and moved forward, reaching to twirl one large lock of streaked hair on the side of her head, looping to secure it in place. "You stay careful..."

He was interrupted in whatever else he had wanted to say by the sudden arrival of the rest of the group, unable to keep the sudden blush of embarrassment on his face completely in check. He hadn't expected them in so soon, but this was a good thing. Less time wasted.

Glaucon... The name seemed oddly familiar, but now was not the time for such things.

He turned to face them and stand at Cosine's side, his trenchcoat barely brushing on the floor in the smooth motion. "It is a pleasure to meet you all, through... I wish it could be in better times." He shook his head. "I can open the gate, yes. However, I will probably be staying behind - it will be easier for me to hold it open from here. I fear the constant shift in all that is may disturb things, otherwise." It would all be for nothing if they ended up stranded in a desert world with no mean of return, and it was no use getting them stuck in a time flux, just like he expected the other world-travelers to be stuck into. He had no idea if he had enough power to go fetch them, wherever they may be lost.

midnight_medea

Cosine nodded and allowed the short silence to fall between them. She glanced around to see if any of her companions were around and then back to Ankou as she caught the movement of his hand.

She watched, saying nothing as he looped the charm through her hair and felt a warm blush creep up her neck and over her cheeks. So embarassing. About to say something in reply she was interrupted by the arrival of the others that only made her pale skin redder.

She listened to the introductions with her eyes on the floor and nodded to herself as she commited words and information to memory.
"Right, I suppose we should get moving then? As we're all here and ready."

Mouse Pachinkorelli

All of the blushing and hoping the newcomers didn't see that little act of affection... wouldn't stop the newcomers from seeing it. David made an uncomfortable little mental twinge at the unsubtle display, and not being able to help himself, broke into a strained, sly grin and said "Hah, didn't know you had a boyfriend." before pausing to take a quick glance at the new information on the noticeboard. He couldn't make heads or tails of it, but it distracted Glaucon enough that it stopped him from commenting on how tactless his host had just been.

After Cosine acknowledged the other three in her group, Judgment perked back into awareness and responded, If there are no objections, it would be good to begin our journey as quickly as possible.

"Glaucon says he's good to go," David translated, giving a short thumbs-up with a nervous grin.

SkieBorne

Malh'reth and Glyph listened with interest as Ankou spoke, though Glyph laughed softly in the back of the mage's mind, bemused by the show of affection between Cosine and Ankou. "How does it work? I've never seen long-distance transport before... What is the name of the city we're going to? I think we missed it..."

This will be interesting trip, so soon after you've offered me rebirth, Malh'reth. I would like to set out soon. His sentiments echoed Glaucon's as Forest steeled himself for the trip into hot sands.

Malh'reth chuckled and nodded to David, "He's not the only one who wants to get started. Glyph's anxious to go... and I'd like to see this portal."

I am not anxious. Glyph huffed, giving the impression of pursed lips and crossed arms.

Eftemie

Lisana listened carefully to what was said. She'd noted the gesture but remained silent, though she smiled. "I think the sooner the better. Sinestra, are you ready? We aren't forgetting anything." There was definitely a bit of excitement in the air.

"I don't think so, my Lady. If we have, we will do without it." The woman shrugged faintly as she shifted her pack slightly.

"I suppose we will. " Lisana laughed softly. "I'm sure we will find what we need."

Zero Dream

Ankou simply rose an eyebrow at David's comment, as if he did not quite grasp exactly what the man was going on about. Thankfully enough, Malh'reth's question took over his attention and probably prevented something quite stupid from happening.

"It works with the flow of mana and the connections in between worlds, as well as-" He stopped, quite abruptly, when he belatedly recognized that he was probably speaking greek to the aurion. "...Well, you will see. It isn't exactly a portal, per-se - it is a door. If everyone is ready now..." He went on ahead of the rest, making his way back upstairs, past a still-giggling catgirl who was being prodded by a satyr in a faint hope to get her to be serious for once.

midnight_medea

Cosine shot David a death glare and turned to the rest of the party. Okay, maybe it would be nice if the world did swallow her whole, save her some of this embarassment.

She looked between gods and Aoide and realised she had none to help her. Even Infinity had chosen to stay beind in the world she knew.
"And, to get back we would just return to the place we arrive?" She asked, shifting her bag on her shoulder and giving the laughing Aoide a frosty glance.

Mouse Pachinkorelli

The cripple's grin only brightened in response to the death glare, clearly amused that he had gotten a rise out of her. What with a possible apocalypse looming over their heads, even the god sharing a body with him could understand his need to squeeze every drop of joy he could out of this situation. It might end up the last laugh he would have.

His mood quickly dampened again, however, when Ankou led them to a flight of stairs - a thing that he and his weakened body clearly disagreed with. After a long, raspy sigh he stepped aside and allowed the others to start their ascend first before carefully picking his way up the steps himself.

SkieBorne

Mana..? He paused, not recognizing the word.

Glyph stirred and offered the answer, benefiting from the few memories and little knowledge he'd awoken with, Mana is essentially the energy you draw on for your magic. The mage nodded eagerly, thanking Glyph.

While the god might think the Aurion did not understand, Malh'reth himself was quite intrigued, hurrying forward to walk beside the god as they ascended the stairs, "The worlds are connected by lines of power, yes? That's what you're going to use?" His curiosity was piqued - he'd left his people before he'd learned the most advanced of the disciplines and stashed that information away hungrily, "As well as what? I am not a foreigner to the workings of magic, sir."

Eftemie

Lisana climbed the stairs behind the others. She was excited, but wondered where they would appear and how much desert they would actually have to go through to get there. Hopefully they'd not end up baking in the desert too long.

She glanced around quickly, but then smiled. The last time she was here was when Byrne was trying to decide what to do with his door and room. Then she blinked in surprise. Not her, but Eftemie. A sigh slipped free. Maybe he'd be around when they returned from Baadris.

Zero Dream

"Indeed. You will come out from another physical door - to the mortals from that world nothing will be odd, but it will allow you to travel back and forth as long as I hold it open from this side."

When Malh'reth rushed back at his side, he rose an eyebrow in his own streak of curiosity. "Yes, that would be close to it. Mana... magic, if you prefer, pretty much hold everything together. Worlds are linked, but not exactly in a straightforward way - the door are catalysts that create an actual link. Any god can do it, actually... But I figure not while trapped in jewel. There is too little of their mana to spare... But with times like these, I do not exactly have the time to teach everyone anew. And I do believe it is easier for me to find the exact locations than it would be for anyone else, ence more saved time."

...But now he was babbling, to a mortal none-the-less, which was rather odd of him, but he rarely got people genuinely curious about the inner workings of this. Yet another thing where memory and personality collided to leave him confused.

He passed the string of doors with detail on them, and then the one with flaring runes. He checked on it every time he passed - paranoid that it might close, but it seemed like it was holding well, in spite of everything. Too bad he couldn't leap in and go check on the traveling party for himself...

But those were useless thoughts. He stopped in front of an unmarked door a few steps away from the runed one, staring at it for a moment.

.....It's been awhile, hasn't this ? I must remember how to do this.

I must

Both hands went up to touch the smooth surface, gold-yellow eyes closing.

midnight_medea

"Okay, that makes things easier." She said softly, nodding to herself as was her habit and glancing around the hall of doors. All these lead to different worlds. That was one hell of a thought. So many worlds, so different and all connected by the same core, the same fate.

The open door did not go unnoticed and knowing to whom it lead she sent prayers. She truely hoped that their quest was going well.
The silence continued as they reached their door. She felt nervous and the little voice inside her head was telling her this was not such a good idea after all.

SkieBorne

Malh'reth nodded, infinitely glad to know that the cords of power and energy that twisted off in seemingly random directions were just things of mystery but the binds that connected and held the worlds together. "I see those links... not the doors but the links... The first wave of Gehenna altered my vision." He spoke quietly, hoping to sound as though he were not boasting. To Ankou's gentle refusal to teach he merely nodded, "I'll watch and learn, then."

Glyph had been listening with interest as well, intrigued that he might open doors to the unknown. Hoped, perhaps, to unlock some of his memories and feel less infantile, less constricted.I would like to remember this. Maybe there's a door that links to my grotto that need only be found.

The mage blinked, turned his attention inward, "Your grotto?" He paused, however at the door with the glowing runes and stared, transfixed by what he saw. It wasn't just a door for the mage, it was alive with energy... ribbons of mana curling about the edges and disappearing into the unknown inside.

As Glyph shared Malh'reth's vision, he too was spellbound. It was one thing to feel the fabric of reality, another thing entirely to see it.I am glad to be reborn through you, Malh'reth, there is much you have to offer.

He started, snapped out of his trance by the god's words and hurried to catch up with the others, "What? Where'd that come from?"

Your vision, among other things, intrigues and impresses this one.

"Oh..." He fell quiet, unsure of how to respond to that. His accident at the beginning of this whole mess seemed more like a curse then something special enough to impress a god.

Glyph simple smiled fondly as he felt Malh'reth's thoughts flutter about haphazardly.

Mouse Pachinkorelli

Ankou's lecture on the technicalities of how the Doors worked reached David's ears only as formless, blurred half-words as he made careful work of the stairs - it was all complicated magic crap to him, in any case. He and Glaucon were more concerned with what would happen after they passed through them. Would the city even still be standing? What would be the nature of the survivors there? The host wasn't so sure they'd be very friendly, and the god was busy muttering to himself with some potential plan of action or another.

Their shared body rippled with nervousness as they waited for the unmarked Door to open.

Eftemie

Lisana listened carefully at the explanation given. All she really cared about was that they would be able to go and return. It would not do to get stuck on another world and be unable to tell what they found that might help. But learning to understand this way of travel could be of benefit later, so Lisana forced herself to remain focused upon what Ankou was saying about opening them.

Sinestra on the other hand was intrigued by the doors and watched carefully. Before she had always been limited to those here, but now she had so many more options and choices that could be made to suit her own needs. New vistas appeared before her as she watched with interest.

Zero Dream

Oblivious as to what was going on around him, Ankou focused on the task at hand, spirit easily disconnecting from his body so survey what was unfolding in front of him. Here, unseen by anyone else, he felt free, unlimited - as I should be - as he followed the thin, brilliant stands of mana that linked all that be together. They seemed... to be weakening. That was not a good observation, but he forced himself to ignore it for the time being.

He had been right. There were a few ancient keypoints he could use as bearings, but other than that, almost everything had shifted, rendering what little he could remember mostly useless. At least, he knew now that restoring those memories would be useless... if he ever did have the power to remember completely.

At least, he knew what he was looking for. Baadris. A planet's name would have been much more useful, but it did keep him from having to check out every world one by one. As did one other, small detail.

Desert world.

That discarded quite a few planets, worlds, and places - thankfully. This would probably have taken me years otherwise... He looked for quite a long time, sending his consciousness spiraling among the celestial bodies, checking the planets closer to suns and those with warmer climate, going with the more logical choices first in attempt to narrow down the search.

It worked, and, finally, he saw a city. A city lost in the sand, the architecture completely different from this world he had been reborn in.

Two statues, standing tall, easily seen by all, hands interlocking.

Found you.




What had seemed to be only a few instants for him had been quite a few minutes for the gathering standing beside him. All this time, he had remained completely motionless, unresponsive to what was going on around him, as if he was quite literally gone.

A sudden smirk on what had been a blank face seconds ago and him backing away from the door was the first hint that something was about to happen. One by one, runes similar to those adorning the previous door, yet different, flickered into existence, and it all ended with an audible click.

"There." He shook his head, mostly to try to chase the dizziness away. It had affected him more than he had let on. "It is ready. Do not worry about the door, I will hold it - be careful."

He watched them all go into the door, one by one - yet his eyes did linger on Cosine as she was the last to come in, just barely stopping himself from holding her back when he felt her hand on his arm - and then even she was gone, through the doorway he had opened.

Even then, he stood there, watching the open door for a few seconds, enough for Anima to peer to look at his face. "Master ?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Let us go... I have done what I could for them." And he needed to continue doing so.

...Stay safe.

[Zero Dream]

Who Am I ?
Week of Decay

Everything was silent. Well, not really, but next to how it had been for him for the last few weeks, this was probably the closest thing to silence that could exist for him. The words of the dying were no longer pounding against his mental walls quite so hard - but it wasn't a relief to him, far from it. So many had died... He did not know how much, but he knew what it is - unnatural. Even if they managed to stop this now, could the mortal races keep going with that little of their numbers was left ?

And it wouldn't stop there. Those who had managed to live until now - they could still die... Now that it seemed like all of Destruction's influences had gotten their week, what was next ? There were still windows unshattered in the throne room... All he knew was that it could only go downhill from there, of course.

He could have finally slept, now - slept an actual, undisturbed sleep for more than half-hours there and there, shielded by his own mind, ignoring what went on outside - but he couldn't. There were too many things on his mind, questions that he could not find answers to. Worries which would not leave.

The Wellhaven side of things had still not returned, and the god was certain it had to be a timeflux. It had been long, too long when they all knew time was the essence. And there was nothing he could do about it. Traveling there would get him in that world in the present day - he could not bend time, never could have, of course - which meant, with a timeflux, that he would probably get there after they left.

And now Cosine had left, too, went to Baadris with another search group, and that worry gnawed at him almost as strongly as the unknown whereabouts of his brother and his own group. The idea of her getting hurt, or getting lost hurt... Probably more than it should have. More than he'd remembered caring for someone other than Nergal, or Jinx. Not that he remembered much, which was another whole other problem, one that was very easy to discard on the side of everything else.

He had no damn idea what he was doing. He felt alien in his own skin - which probably was to be expected, but the problem lied that most of it was mentally. He'd always been good at acting detached, so it was probably the only thing that kept it from being so obvious. There were often contradicting thoughts that occurred to him, things that felt odd which should not have. He was himself - there was no doubting that, but he was starting to wonder just what it meant.

With all this and more to keep him awake, he'd sat in the bed, back against the wall and eyes closed. If he could somehow make himself stop thinking, it could help...

"He has changed, Jinx."

....Uh ? Right, Anima, in the other room with Jinx, probably. But what were they talking about ? After all, what "he" would Anima be talking about, beside him ? Suddenly curious, he slid closer to the door, as quietly as he could manage.

"Myaaaa, don't be so loud." Jinx's voice seemed mildly... annoyed ? "And not as much as you think he has. I knew him better than anyone else, you know."

"A fact you've never been shy of boasting." The demoness snorted, and then went silent. "....What do you think of this ?"

"Mrr... I think everything will be fine. You need to be more trusting... He was often lonely back then, you know. He's good at acting like nothing is wrong, myaaa... No one ever noticed, really. He did not let others come close enough to notice."

....What ? A... a wall ? Something to keep others away, something to keep them from coming close... It made sense, he had to admit. And explained the clashing thoughts quite easily. Maybe even too perfectly.

Why did I do that ? Was I afraid I would not be strong enough otherwise ? That I could not carry on my duty otherwise ?

It is possible that I may never know the answer...

There were memories of this, if he dug deep enough. Memories of this loneliness, pieces and shards of time where being alone was not comfortable... And back there, in the gem, what he'd told Adrian... He had meant it, it had felt normal, it hadn't really been a lie... and it had been, perhaps, a failed attempt to keep the inquisitive mortal out of his mind.

"And, whatever it is... Be what you want to be."

"I think I honestly prefer the Ankou im seeing right now than the one that's been in my head all this time."

The god had not quite understood back then... but he felt as if he at least knew what the fire mage had meant, then. Whatever he decided to do, decided to be - it was up to him. Not up to Jinx, to Anima, to his brother, or to anyone else in All That Was.

He did not listen in to the rest of their conversation - it was none of his business, really, even if it was him they were talking about. He slid back to sit on the bed once more, eyelids suddenly feeling heavy. Maybe all this worry was useless, all he had to do was do what felt right.... Was it ?

Somehow, sleep came very easily, after that last thought.

[Zero Dream]

Those Left Behind
Week of Decay

Zero Dream"

We can't stay here much longer. He'd been trying, oh he had been trying to convince his brother of that for awhile now - the house looked like it only barely stood upright anymore, and as much as he hated the idea himself, it seemed much, much more sensible for them to get the hell out before it did crash down.

However, Tempo seemed like he didn't want any of it. "We CAN'T do that, Alto ! She's.... The lady's going to want to come home to everything standing. You know that. We can't... We can't give up, not now, we managed to far !" He knew the younger one was right, but.... damnit, he didn't WANT to ! It would be like failing her, somehow. Failing Lady Cosine, too, who undoubtedly would want to return after she came back. Concerto clearly had been on the right track of mind with staying at the pantheon, but...

Damnit, there had to be a way, and he would find it. "We can find something. Add support to the walls. Somehow."

Everything's rotting too quickly for that. The blue aoidei signed with a wordless sigh. He was already ragged with worry to begin with, he did not need his brother being difficult on top of it.

Thabara

"You wont be of any use to your mistress if you end up buried underneath a pile of rubble," Priya snapped. She was clutching a small box with Nergal's belongings to her chest. To get to them had been a precarious task, the rotten floorboards threatening her with a 10 feet plunge to the lower floor at every step she made. "That house is rotten to the core. I would stay clear of the balcony, if I were you, it looks like it might come down any second now."

"But where to go?" Ishum looked crestfallen. This place had been a home to him, and - more importantly - he knew Nergal had felt about it the same way. He had tried, he really had tried fixing things in the house to the best of his abilities.. But they simply kept breaking faster than they could be repaired. And the rotting of the floors, and the load-bearing timbers.. There was a limit as to what he, and the others, were able to do about that.

Zero Dream

Tempo had been about to say something - probably snap right back, from the look on his face - before Alto intervened and covered his mouth with one hand in order to shut him up. Thus, he could not sign, but the look on his face spoke for himself - a very "I am sorry he's subborn and stupid" kind of face.

Tempo growled something under his breath and freed himself, but at the very least he kept away from whichever tangent he had been about to go onto. "I figure there's only really the pantheon, I guess ? Anywhere else can't be in a much better case than here." He didn't want to admit it, but.... they were right. They were right, of course, and he hated every bit of it.

Thabara

Ishum gave a sheepish look. "Well, I was thinking, perhaps the cataco-- OW!" He glared angrily at the white-furred catgirl who had interrupted him efficiently by stomping onto his right foot. "What was that for?! That whole place is carved into rock, it should be safe there still."

"No one would want to live there, even if they were desperate. There's nothing but dust and bones down there. No one but.." She shrugged. "You know who. But that's him. Besides, wasn't that place infested with necromancer lot the last time you checked? Some safe retreat that is."

Ishum's wings drooped. Well, it had seemed like a good idea.. for a while.. Well, with the Pantheon they'd at least be at the source of what was going on, and know immediately when the deities they served returned from their 'mission'. "I guess the Pantheon would be best," he gave in. "Lets salvage what we can from the house?"

"I'm not going back in there." Priya shook her head fervently. One time risking her life in there had been enough, thank you very much. It was a good thing that the strange, un-living body of Aristogeiton/Sanatruces had been transferred to the savety of Hunt's temple weeks ago, soon after the Lord and the Lady's leaving. And Ishum had released his critters right after the stable's roof showing first signs of coming down. There was nothing worth staying for here now. If only the others weren't so sentimental.

Zero Dream

"Ill see what I can do. I have to go get the instruments, at the very least..." This was one thing that Tempo would simply not relent on - he had to at least get those out of there - out of all the things Echo owned, they were the most precious, and what would hurt the most if they were lost. Alto had been about to intervene, but his brother had already went back inside.

....This, really, was one of the moments where he sorely wished he could scream obcenities on top of his lungs. At least, that was what the eyetwitch seemed to carry on. There was a soundless sigh again, and he shook his head. At least Tempo could fly if the floor gave in under him....

Thabara

"I'll help." Before anyone could say something to stop him, Ishum had hurried after his fellow aoide. The violin, at the very least, they'd have to salvage that, this sweet memory of her and Nergal's first date, albeit it had not been an official one.

Priya gave a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Go get yourself killed." She was not going back in there.

Zero Dream

It was a good thing both Tempo and Ishum could fly, really. The floor had given in part when they'd been careless and both stepped on it at the same time. If that wasn't enough proof for the black-winged one that it was unlivable, nothing would have been.

Thankfully, they had came out of it with only scratches, and with the objects they had sought still in one pieces. Well, beside the strings, but at least it was that saved, right ?

And, when the little group made it to the pantheon, they were immediately spotted "Ishum ! Priya ! Myaaa !" Jinx rushed to the door from the side, snatching what Alto had been carrying on pure reflex before the poor boy could topple over. "Myaaa... What's going on ?"

At the other end of the room, there was a man, similar in features to Adrian but... not quite - staring at the noticeboard, one hand cupped on his chin, and clicking his tongue in thought. He was hiding both his excitement and his dissapointment quite well - FINALLY some kind of answer in that whole mess, after all, and... and it seemed that Cosine had been right. The thought of her saving the world made him smile. Even if it seemed the journey his brother had underwent was useless for the time being.

Gathering belief from mortals.... Well.... it would help to keep them alive to begin with....

Thabara

"The houses of our Lord and Lady.. It's no longer safe to stay there." Ishum's wings drooped. Once this week was over, pretty much every place but the Pantheon would be in ruins.

Priya nodded. "It could collapse any second now. We salvaged what we could, and couldn't think of any other place to go but.." She shrugged. "Well, we're here now, Lord--" she hesitated for only a moment, taking in the obvious changes, "--Ankou. Any word yet of your brother, or the Lady Echo?"

Zero Dream

The black cat's ears drooped. "Oh... Im sorry." Personally she had no attachment to that place, but she could see that it was affecting the beastmaster deeply, and it was what made her react as such.

Ankou tilted his head to look over to the group of aoidei, apparently not having quite noticed them, lost in his thoughts as he had been. "Nothing yet, I am afraid. They may have been caught in a time flux - I figure they must become more frequent, with things as they are. I doubt it would have taken them this long as is - not with them knowing time is limited." The god turned to come toward them. "You can all just drop this all in my rooms, for now... We can see what can be done when they come back. For now, there's something interesting over here. Something for us to do... It seems some kind of solution have been found."

Thabara

"A way to save us..?" Ishum peered at what he recognized to be some sort of bulletin board - genius idea, that! - quite obviously torn between checking it out, and storing the items he was holding someplace safe first. In the end, his curiosity won. With great care he laid down the things on the nearest couch, and tiptoed to join Ankou in front of the board board, eager to get a peek at the messages left there.

Priya rolled her eyes, wishing she had an extra pair of arms so that she could smack her fellow aoide. Well, she could still kick if it had to be.. Giving him a scowl which was akin to her master's, she started up the stairs, taking two steps at once, intent to at least be back as soon as possible.

Zero Dream

Jinx seemed rather amused by this, giggling as she followed Priya. Tempo also rushed upstairs, and Alto gave yet another wordless sigh, took what the curious beastmaster had let down, and did his best not to topple down the stairs as he followed.

As for Ankou, he did not seem to expecially mind. "This one, right there." He pointed at the last paper to be put up.

Thabara

Curiously Ishum bent forward to read, confusion growing more and more prominent on his face the further he got. People that were fed lotuses? That wasn't meant to be taken literally, he hoped. And there, that bit was definitely about his Lord and his companions, but what did it mean? That their quest wouldn't be successful? Or that it wasn't necessary?

He shook his head, brows creasing into a frown, an expression rather unusual to be found on the beastmaster's face. "I'm.. not sure what that's supposed to mean," he admitted sheepishly.

Zero Dream

"It is from the fatestones - a prophecy of sort. Don't take it too literally." Ankou answered, almost as if he had read the beastmaster's mind, and turned his head again to attempt to explain what he had gathered of it. "It's a bit hard, without the images to go with it, but..."

"Four people appear beneath a caryatid, and a city grows out from around it. They force lotuses into the mouths of the people around them. Cosine, along with Forest, Judgment, and Laughter - they are the only group of four that I know of. I have seen them off myself. I figure the lotus bit means that they are spreading belief in the city they went to." ...But hadn't Cosine said that the people there already believed in Creation ? Perhaps they had... forgotten. "So they will return... return with others from that world, carrying belief with them. And perhaps more hints."

"Four gods, marked by harp, sun, bone crown, and hunting knife come together with little stars, but stand there and don't do anything else. That's the Wellhaven group, without any doubt, but... Well, at least it means they will return safely... probably bringing more belief in their wake.

"A quill, a rat and an atom join together. They take tokens of the firebird and the Mother. Well, I must admit I am as lost as you are on this one... What the token may be for... well, it isn't written." The god frowned a bit to himself.

"Some gods go from the center of the panel towards three objects: jesses, a glaive, and shears. These are the weapons Echo has written about in her notebook, but.... There's one missing. The sword..." The consort's sword missing, along with the previous statement. Coincidence.... ? Probably not.

"Pilgrimages of servants and young gods walk among ruins and seem to gather small followings. And that..." He turned a bit, to look where the rest of the aoidei were standing, as he had heard them come down a bit ago. "...Is what we need to do right now, but.... I will have to admit I am not sure how to proceed, beside the obvious option of keeping as many of the mortals alive and sheltered as we can."

Thabara

"To bring them here would probably be the best. This is the only building sure to remain standing until.. until.. Until the worst happens. Or a miracle." Ishum gave his lord's brother a lopsided smile, sure he wouldn't take it as an offense. It was the gods who were supposed to be in charge of miracles. Hopefully, at least one of them would be able to provide food, for what use was shelter for the mortals, if they were to starve? Too keep them alive would be the most pressing problem.

To raise belief in them, a wholly different one. But if food and shelter were provided.. In these times, wouldn't this be enough of a miracle?

Zero Dream

"That was what I've thought... And I am quite rusty on this whole miracle business." The amused grin the aoidei got in return did, in fact, prove that the god took no offense. "There isn't much I can do, beside guiding them here, really. And I am not even quite sure of that one." He hadn't tried to make anything follow him ever since he had been reborn, he hadn't tried to figure out what was within his grasp and what wasn't, partway due to always having something else to do, and partway because he was sure he would not exactly be pleased with the results.

"But with the doors, myaaaaa.... We can pull some from the others worlds as well. I can open them on my own, and so can Lord Ankou, obviously."

Thabara

"I think.. I think I know where I might find someone." Ishum's expression grew thoughtful. "If they survived that long." The effects of Famine, and Plague, and now that everything simply seemed to fall apart and rot and wither under their very fingers.. "Koiso, a town not too far from here - about a week's travel.. Less maybe if I can find the errais.. It was hit by a severe flood, but there were survivors, crafty ones at that. They took good care of my lord when he was found injured, treating him as an honored guest and nursing him back to health. They also brought.. offerings."

He glanced over his shoulder at Priya and winked, apparently there was some sort of in-joke between the two concerning this. But Ishum's expression darkened quickly as he thought of how the folks in Koiso might be faring now. It was the week of Decay, quite obviously, and that influence wreaking havoc on Koiso's many bridges, the lopsided skyscrapers, or.. the Avalon's nuclear reactor.. He paled. "I would be willing to go there."

Zero Dream

"I will go with you, then." The demoness nodded toward Ishum. "Two sets of arms will probably be more than useful, considering the circumstances."

Jinx had looked pretty conflicted, before Anima had spoken. She didn't want him to go alone, yet... Yet, she did not want to wander far from her lord. To as much of his benefit than hers, really. With the world being as it was, Ankou was one of the few things that kept her stable.

But Anima going seemed to calm her a little as far as that was concerned. She wouldn't let anything harm any of them.

Expecially Ishum.

"That is a good idea." Ankou nodded - expecially people already familiar with the gods...

Thabara

"That's settled, then." Ishum nodded, glad there was something he could do. "What about you," he asked, glancing at Priya.

"I.. Would like to remain close to the Pantheon," the scantily clad cat girl admitted, "in case our Lord returns. If there is anything that can be done here..?" She wasn't really one fit to take care of people, she was well aware of that. To fight and protect, that was what she was good at.

Zero Dream

"I figure there must be." The god nodded, silently approving of the white catgirl staying behind - at least one of them ought to be, really, and there was no way to know in what state they would all return, with it being so long and with the mostly confirmed threat of a timeflux.

And that was saying nothing about the children. They would be the most affected in a timeflux, not the fully grown gods and goddess, through Echo would probably feel a backlash. "We just need to find it, really." He was as clueless as what he could do, really, beside maybe guiding them here. They would need to find ways to fulfill their basic needs somehow...

"Well, putting a stable roof on their head is a good start." Tempo was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes half closed in throught. "Then use what's left of the food and water adequately to keep them as alive and healthy as possible, I guess.... Through I doubt it will be possible to save them all. Some are probably too weakened by the last waves to survive long as the rest unfolds..."

Thabara

Priya nodded in agreement. "I'll see what I can do about scrounging up food and supplies." Given, most of the town would be hopelessly plundered by now, given the influences of the past weeks, Famine especially. But there were always some well hidden stocks somewhere. Besides, rats didn't make a half bad meal, but she'd rather not mention that. "So, that's settled then?"

Zero Dream

"Ill help with that, myaaa." Jinx nodded to Priya. The two of them... worst come to worst, they could probably hurt down whatever came in their way if they teamed up. And there were always the doors - they could reach out to faraway worlds if there was nothing left here, though she was pretty sure the situation would be similar no matter where they went. But things may add up if they combed through many different places...

"I do believe it would be." Anima sent a sideway glance to the beastmaster. "When do you want to leave ? We should probably hurry - time is against us." The demoness had no doubt that he could find them something to ride on in despite the state of the world - he could be quite resourceful, really.

When he wasn't busy chattering

"Concerto's been with Lord Desiderio still.... probably helping him along. Ill see if I can get a hold of him." Tempo nodded. Maybe Love had a plan of his own, who knew ? "Knowing Alto, he's gonna want to stay put and wait for our lady to return." A smirk drew itself on his face as his brother's face reddened - that was quite telling, really.

"I can keep doing what I've been doing - watch out for information and the doors." Ankou spoke last, a thoughtful expression on his face. "And help bring in people in between. Ill probably have more wriggle room once the Wellhaven group returns. Nergal opened the door, not I - it's too dangerous to let it go unwatched, expecially if they are in a timeflux like I fear." Keeping the way open was somewhat of a second nature for him - but he doubted it was the same for his brother.

Thabara

"Right now, if possible," Ishum replied, his face surprisingly serious. Having remembered about the Avalon's nuclear reactor left him with a sick feeling in his stomach. "We have to get there as quickly as possible. I.. hope you can ride?"

Zero Dream

Anima nodded in answer. "I can, but finding beasts that will be able to withstand the trip there and back will probably be up to you." If the situation was any less dire, she probably would have been amused. She'd ridden hellhounds in her youth, did he expect a horse would give her any problems ? Really ?

Well, Aria and Falada might still be around.... Alto gestured, still vaguely embarrassed by his brother's comments.

Thabara

"They are. They have gone to a safe place with their foals, but they will come if I call for them." He gave Alto a stare for even remotely having doubted he'd be able to provide for mounts. Even if the errais wouldn't come - which he doubted - there still were the siirae. And those were definitely still around. Those beasts were scavengers, after all.

Zero Dream

"Well, let us get going, then. No use waiting time standing here that could bring us closer to Koiso." The demoness started to walk over, with Jinx rolling her eyes. That was Anima - cold, efficient, and with a tendency to randomly try to take charge of things.

"Lord, please be careful." She said, glancing to Ankou.

[Zero Dream]

Collapse
Week of Hell

It had already been a few days since Ishum and Anima had left for the city, and he’d gotten a few things done in that timespan - wandered the city for survivors and lead them to the pantheon - finding that, at the very least, this power of his seemed to be awakened, yet it remained somewhat weak and rather draining to use, so he reserved it for those who wouldn’t listen. Most followed him simply out of the fact that he promised a safe roof over their heads - and, really, many were resigned - what did they have to lose at this point ?

Weither the mortals decided to stay, however, was beyond him. He knew how to be convincing, how to make others gravitate to him, powers or not - perhaps a new skill for a new life - but the end decision, no matter the mean, would be theirs.

Many had found refuge in the library - perhaps knowledge would like the company, and distract their minds from the hopelessness. Some settled downstairs. Perhaps some would be taken in by the others gods. He had not offered any invitation himself - he had little space to begin with, and, in his mind, it was already reserved. Nergal, Echo, and most importantly the children would need it, as well as the group of aoidei. He could see what he could do after that.

There was something in the air, a tension he could not quite identify or explain. The god looked up from the book he had been reading - even when idle, when resting his still half-mortal body, he refused to truly do nothing, even if so far his search for information he did not know of and was relevant to the situation was hopeless. There was a feeling there, something he could not quite identify - a shiver running up his spine, almost as if its origin had been his gem, but... it was not the case.

”Ankou... ?” The mental voice came from the side - where Lyra was floating, tail fidgeting back and forth nervously.

”Did you feel that... ?” He mirrored her questioning glance back at her, but it quickly became a frown when he was answered with a nod. His hand holding the book moved, causing it to close as he let it down on his bed, where he had been sprawled on to read. Anima would have a fit if she had seen this, would have argued that he needed a desk of some sort - the amusement caused by the thought, however, was dampened by this feeling. Just like there was a buildup of energy...

This was the kind of feeling one had just seconds before something horrible was about to happen. And the god had barely gotten himself on his feet that it happened.

_____A trumpet blowing...

__________Shards of glass breaking off...

_____CRASH

The odd buildup he had felt was released, and he cussed on reflex as the world started to shift. No, he realized belatedly. Not world.

WorldS. That meant... That meant... !!!!

The Doors.

The god did not register the fact that both Jinx and Lyra were calling out for him - he was outside his chambers as fast as his legs could carry him, and for a moment there was only panic when he saw his fear founded - the runes on both open Doors shifting out of control, the both of them threatening to collapse. If he picked one to focus on, the other would probably fall. And...

And there were individuals he refused to lose behind both of them.

The inner struggle did not even last a second - his left hand made contact with the left door, and his right hand went to rest on the smooth material of the right door. Perhaps this was sheer insanity, but he refused to let go of any of them. Thus, he pushed as hard as he could - trying to at least stabilize them both, make sure they would not close. That was the only thing that was important at the moment, and, really, the only thing he could do - there was no stopping this. He already knew, and what he was doing was foolish enough - there was no way he would even try

What he could try, however, was to shield those two specific links and ride out the storm, so to speak.

What he saw was surreal, and for a moment, he thought it was the sheer effort, the drain of mana required to keep those two stands among countless others from breaking that made him see things, but... no. It was the truth. It was real.

What the god saw was whole worlds moving, crashing, melding, destroying - a proverbial storm in the space in-between, unlike anything he could remember seeing - and feeling. It threatened to drain him and swallow him whole, him and what little of his own mana and essence he actually had.

There was a sensation of burning somewhere in the back of his consciousness - where he had left his body - something holding him back and try as he might he could not figure out what it was and it was both frustrating and maddening.

Whywhywhywhywhy

Can’tletgocan’tletgocan’tletgocan’t....

The flow of voices, of screams that took over his mind as worlds collided and eradicated each other completely was pounding on him even worse than the deadly influences had, and made him scream in turn, even if there was no one to hear him here. Some worlds merged forcefully, some ripped themselves inside out quite violently - including everything that was inside them. Short, powerful screams that cut off abruptly and then disappeared forever. Ankou did not think anymore - he had to shield his own mind, or else... or else he might as well lose it under the strain. Instead, he reacted, and pushed even more - mist gathering around the two pale, shimmering threads that threatened to snap at any moment.

Bear it. Bearitbearitbearitbearit...

The scream eventually stopped being constant, after what seemed to be forever - one second at first, then a few... then closer to a minute, and then... and then all fell silent again - becoming manageable for the god once more, through they were not gone. He knew they were not gone, not over. The mist withdrew from the threads - and he let himself fall back where he body waited - an expression more true now than ever.

When that happened, however... Instead of the hall, instead of the doors standing in front of him... there was only darkness.

All he could do was slip.

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

“Myaaaa...”

It hurt to move. It was the first thing the god noticed when he woke up again - hell, it hurt to think, really, yet somehow he forced his eyes to open. “Master !”

He winced. ”Not... Not so loud, kitten.” Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he forced himself up - a bit too abruptly at that, as his body quickly reminded him, only to be stopped by the black hand of his aoidei. ”The... Doors...”

“They’re fine, myaaa.” There was worry in the cat’s eyes. “My lord, you have been out of it for days... There are demons everywhere, mya. What... What happened ?”

Ankou frowned. Days... ? Well, at least nothing noteworthy seemed to have happened beside that, or the feline would have told him. What had happened, exactly ? Now that he could think about it... there had been one particularity. Each and every world had crashed with their mirror... not with other worlds. And demons about... Really, there was only one logical option he could think of.

“Hell... must have fell. That... is the only thing, that I can think of.” Yellow and golden eyes were narrowed slits as he spoke. This was nothing good. If things degenerated further...

Who knew what could happen, then. There was still paradise, if it hadn’t moved. He didn’t know. He hadn’t thought to check. How could he have, fueled only by panic and desperation ?

“My lord, mya, you... probably should rest some more.” Both her red eyes and her voice held worry - he probably did not notice it, but he was shaking like a leaf, still.

And, as much as he hated to admit it, Jinx was right.

[Zero Dream]

Return Home
Week of Hell

Thabara

It felt strange to step into the cool, dry - and most of all - quiet air of the crypt after they had been fervently celebrated as saviors upon their triumphant parade into the capital. Despite their eagerness to simply return to the Pantheon as soon as possible, the queen had insisted that they'd hold court, and it had been a decision quite wise. Thought spread rumors faster than spoken word could ever hope to, and by the time they'd arrived at the dais prepared for them on the marketplace, the whole town seemed to have gathered there to witness the miracle which had saved them all.

The deities had been showered with gifts and offerings from those who could still afford them in these dire times, and there'd been songs and prayers from those who had nothing material left to give, sans the things they needed to survive: Gems and prisms and mirrors for Illumin. Hunter's trophies of the hunt like antlers, claws, furs and fangs for Eamnonn. Echo, it seemed, had been most touched by the performance of an orphanage's children's choir in her honor.

Nergal.. The news of an army of dead had spread with lightning speed as well, causing the glances cast at him to be filled with respect at most, but mostly dread and distress. And - in some cases - fear. Those who approached him on the dais, were usually robed in black, the gifts they bore personal things of those they had lost, leaving the shy deity feel utterly awkward. 'Be kind,' they had begged 'He was a good boy,' others tried to ensure him. 'Tell me how he did die,' many had desired to know. He had done whatever was within his power, relaying messages and last wishes to the best of his abilities, but when their audience ended and they returned to the palace he was left feeling.. uneasy.

Julstecca was there, awaiting them in the last resting place of her ancestors' mortal remains. The true Queen, not the double which had fooled them upon their arrival, and - in the end - given her life fooling Irisun's speakers as well.

"I wish you could stay," she said, a sad smile playing upon her lips. "But, alas, I am more aware than anyone that you cannot. I shall pray for your success, and as the bell tolls midnight, all of Brilsworth shall unite in prayer to thank you. That shall be my parting gift to you. Worthy of a queen, I hope."

Zero Dream

"We can return, later, when everything has been worked out, when everything is safe." Echo smiled, tears still lingering at the corner of her eyes, brought out by the rather touching song of the children's choir. She wished there was something more she could do for them, but right now it was impossible. This had already taken quite a while more than she had hoped - and if time flowed the same here as it did home, this week would be almost over, with all the days they had spent in between places, traveling.

What would come, after war ? They had saved those people, for now - but would they survive what was to come ?

And that was exactly why they had to hurry. But, the most prevalent reason was probably the selfish one - she wanted to go home. Go home and relax, if just for a half a day, and try to remove the horrible images of that chaotic warzone from her head.

The goddess hated to think that she had, in fact, contributed to this - but there had been no other options. At the very least, she needed to convince herself that it had been. There was no use languishing on what had been done - victory as it was, there was a greater problem at hand that needed to be addressed.

Sosiqui

Now, this, this... this was worthy of a god indeed! Illumin's armor and battered travel garb were gone, replaced with soft, rich clothing edged with glass beads and embroidered with gold. He took special pleasure in guiding his glow through them for maximum sparkle and shine. Luxury...

But it won't last. This is a bright flash before the Dark, unless we succeed... Succeed in what, he wasn't sure. Would Aristogeiton be the answer to all of their problems? It would be nice... but maybe it wasn't quite that simple.

A pity. He would have liked to stay and enjoy, for as long as the glory lasted.

"Most worthy, Majesty," Illumin said with a nod and a smile. "But I would ask that you keep us, and all the divine, in your hearts for longer than that. We may well call on your prayers in our own time of need. Servants may come to ask this of you, as gods need followers even as followers need gods." A strange relationship, to think of it that way. Who was the god, and who the follower?

"I am glad that all is well, for now," he added, quietly. "We shall strive to keep it so, or at the very least to stop all from falling."

Thabara

The queen inclined her head politely in acknowledgment of Illumin's words. "I cannot dictate to my subjects what belief they are to carry in their hearts, but the stories of those who have witnessed your deeds with their own senses are spreading with the speed of thought and will do their own, I trust."

She then bowed to them, deeply, an honor she would give to no one else. "I wish you best of luck in your endeavor. Even if you do not return, I shall not forget that - even if for a few days only - the true gods' smiles shone upon me and my people." With that she stepped backwards and then aside, giving free the way to the massive door at the back of the crypt. She'd had her guards check it, of course. It seemed to lead nowhere else than usual, deeper into the older cellars of the crypt, carved into the very rock itself. But there had been reports of the walls changing which could not be attributed to tricks of light alone.. "Farewell."

Nergal nodded, his expression pondering and thoughtful. He knew already that, should the circumstances allow it, he would return. The scepter in one hand, he stepped forward to place the other upon the heavy iron fittings of the Door. He could feel the remnants of the path which had brought them here, but they seemed.. frayed, distorted. There was some strange sense of imbalance between the two ends. This would probably turn out to be quite a 'bumpy ride', to use his host's terminology.

He let the scepter's light guide him - the remaining pieces seeming much closer to each other now than previously - before he opened the door, and the massive, twisted knot of mana that was the Pantheon itself. He pushed open the door, holding it ajar with his shoulder as he reached for Echo's hand, drawing her close. "The pathway seems unstable," he warned, audible to all. "Should I lose control again," he added in a whisper intended for Echo's keen hearing alone, his lips brushing her silky hair, "do not hesitate to make use of your powers." Be it to restrain him, or to bring him back to his senses. They could not afford to get lost.

Zero Dream

Echo nodded, a reaction that could have been attributed to either statement rather easily. "We need to be careful.. Here." She hooked one arm to Nergal's own, the one holding the scepter. Her opposite hand went to grasp Illumin's - motioning him to take Ea's in turn. It created a rather akward-looking string of deities, but it would hopefully work

And this time, she would not let go, even if it meant needing to drag Nergal backward or require a severe dose of screaming in order to go after the other two.

Sosiqui

"Farewell," Illumin told the Queen, nodding to her with a smile. Then he sobered, and turned back to the task at hand. The Door... it had to open again. They had to get home. He had not, he admitted, put much thought into the matter...

"I am ready. If I should extend my mana, tell me when, and where." They could not have a repeat of their separation on the journey home.

Thabara

"Focus on the Pantheon," he said, that being the only advice he could come up with. Perhaps Light should be the one to guide them, it seemed more suitable. "It is quite noticeable within the flows of mana, even now." Especially now. Cancerous, it seemed, a festering wound at the Heart of All.

Despite his lingering doubts he led the way for their strange polonaise, beckoning the mad speaker's ghost to follow him closely as well, even though he loathed to have him be so close to Echo.

The door clicked shut once the green, hulking form of the Hunt had passed through, something about the sound seeming strangely final. They were gone.

Julstecca bowed her head, resisting the urge to re-open the door and see if there was some strange, magical kingdom hiding behind it right now. Instead she turned, the seams of her long gown quietly whispering upon the tiled floor.

There was much work to be done.

Zero Dream

To say a storm awaited inside would have been an understatement. When the door closed behind them, everything seemed to go even more haywire that it had been and - as the group probably feared - the weeks started to tick down, trumpet, broken glass, and the crash of influences succeeding each other faster than they could even register, and Echo's grip on both Nergal and Illumin tightened to the point where it was probably rather uncomfortable for the two gods - the paths in front of them shifted out of control, and her own effort seemed useless.

For a few horrible second, it seemed like they were stuck, as time slipped away treacherously from them - would they remain here, trapped, only to die as the world did ?

But then, just as that thought had occured to her, something seemed to suddenly set on proving her wrong. The emptyness around them seemed to stop distorting, order restoring itself into the chaos of the world-in-between, leaving them standing in nothingness, but with no clear path to follow. Something unseen seemed to circle them, yet it did not seem malicious. In fact, the presence would feel extremely familiar to the Underworld in particular.

The presence then darted back, leaving a rather clear path for the group to follow in it's wake.




Just as he had feared. They had went and gotten themselves timefluxed. Quite badly, from what he could tell. The disturbance had been big enough that he'd felt it in despite being nowhere near the door, but at least he had been able to get there and help along with the situation a bit. While projecting his mind in-between was rather easy, prowling down a specific path and making himself known to the group was a whole other ballpark. He had fully intended to speak to them, but after how difficult it had been to have them see him, he hadn't even made the attempt. When he finally made it back to his body he was hit with a wave of exhaustion, the body shaking and his breath heavy as he backed away to let the door open.

Thabara

The trumpet's blow, the crash of glass breaking, shards raining down.. Deafening in its suddenness, echoing through the paths and hallways of Between, rebounding from walls which parted Worlds only to return to them, again and again.

No, this was no echo, he realized, struggling to not lose the path which kept twisting and shifting before him, to remain focused on the place where all this mayhem was originating from: The Pantheon.

It was New Sound each time.

_____Once: Sickness spreading like wildfire, a cough from uncovered mouth, a careless touched by an unwashed hand, food and precious water spoiled, fever--

__________Twice: Locusts swarming, devouring what little was left of the precious crops, leaving only hunger and despair in their wake--

____________________Trice: Everything kept coming apart, rusting and rotting in insane speed like being watched in a time lapse, constructions which had been made to last years crumbling--

The fourth time was worst, followed by a tremor which went through All: Whole planes becoming disjointed, colliding with those they'd mirrored. In some cases they were forcefully merged, in others they obliterated each other, leaving naught but Emptiness behind.

And then there was only Darkness.

Nergal had stopped walking forward, there was nowhere left to go. But there was something incredibly familiar about the divine touch which restored order to their path, the presence leaving a trail for them to follow, for him specifically, a gentle touch of mana, the flutter of a Crow's wings.

He breathed in, took the time to carefully check if everyone of their little fellowship was still there before he made his next step, casting his own mana out to intertwine with his brother's and make the path laid out for them trailing with wispy swirls of gentle mist.

Sosiqui

Illumin gritted his teeth and focused on staying with the other gods as time and space swept past them in strange succession. The beads on his clothing chimed softly, a music most unsuitable for the circumstances. The darkness was begging for Light, and he wrapped it gently around his companions, holding them together but not interfering with the mana flow he could sense from Underworld.

Perri Indiya

The Hunt focused on the hands in his, to the exclusion of everything else. He hated these in between places - too much like the Ashlands for
his liking. The other three had gotten him into this, and so he was sure they would get him home.

Zero Dream

They did not walk long before there was was finally light, and a familiar alleyway shown in front of them - and the black clad silhouette of... Adrian ?

No. Not anymore.

Nergal came out first - followed by Echo. When the goddess stepped out, however, it was just like if reality had crashed upon her and her alone - she collapsed onto her lover with a startled cry, only to be caught before she could hit the floor by the only one that had given it any thought that it would happen - the spirit guide.

"What...." Confused, the goddess finally noticed something - the wisps. The little lights. They... They were gone.

No.

No.

It couldn't be.

Not after all they've gone though, they couldn't....

But then, something darted into her field of vision. No, not gone. But there were less of them - three, now, slowly but surely taking different shades of color.

It was a quite telltale sign to those who knew the true nature of the little flames.

Sosiqui

Illumin stumbled out into the hallway after Nergal and Echo, infinitely relieved to feel genuine solid ground under his feet. No more traveling between worlds for a while, please... If they needed aid from Wellhaven, he would send Eliam to Julstecca's court. The Aoide would probably enjoy that-

Echo had fallen, he realized, and opened his mouth, then closed it. Hadn't there been more of the little lights before? He was quite sure of it. He stepped to one side, feeling awkward suddenly, not wanting to leave his companions without saying something, but not entirely sure what was going on.

Perri Indiya

Ea followed, worn and staring. As usual, he needed a nap.

Thabara

Nergal still was momentarily distracted, puzzling over Adrian's -no, Ankou's- changed appearance when he felt Echo's grip around his arm slacken, her fingers brushing against his back in an attempt to hold onto him when her legs simply gave in. What--

She was caught, albeit not by him, he noted with an irrational stab of jealousy. She seemed just as confused as he was, her expression full of fear and sorrow for a moment until the wisps darted into her field of vision.

Stronger now, burning so much brighter.

Oh.

"Is it time?" he asked gently, his concern plain to see as he knelt down beside her. "Do you know?"

He noticed the looks of his companions, confused and weary. So they hadn't noticed, all the time? But he felt he owed them an explanation now, now that they had returned and the Goddess would no longer be possibly seen as a hindrance. "She is.. with child," Underworld admitted awkwardly, his cheeks burning even though his blush thankfully didn't show anymore. "Children, actually," he corrected. "And as time seems to flow differently in Wellhaven than it does here.." He glanced at Adr-- Ankou with a questioning look, to see if he had guessed right.

Zero Dream

"I - I think it's fine." The goddess shifted to use him to get up once more, shaky on her feet but otherwise alright, through she seemed embarrassed by the sudden attention. "I apologize, I... I just did not want to be seen as a burden." She shook her head. ".....I... did not want to stay idle and hope someone else would fix everything so they could live."

"From what I could see, time did not flow differently in the other place, but in-between. Time fluxes.... They are becoming more frequent." His face creased into a frown, worried eyes settling to the other runed door. Maybe he should have gone with them, if only to be able to perhaps do something from the other side if...

No, better not to think of that.

"...It look like you are all well, at least. I am glad." The god spared a strained smile - it seemed that something was weighting heavily on his mind. "How did it go ? There were two pieces, correct ?"

Thabara

He helped her up, slipping one hand around her waist so that she could lean against him comfortably as he got up himself.

"Two pieces, yes. A petrified mandrake root, and a--" Underworld interrupted himself for a moment to give his brother a slightly amused half-smile before he continued: "A ghost. A shaman at that."

He tilted his head slightly. Thoughtfully, concerned. "Four weeks.. What did we miss, what is the situation like? That last shift.. felt quite severe."

Sosiqui

"With... child?" Illumin blinked. Several times.

Oh.

"Er... congratulations?" he offered, after a moment. "Are you well? Do you need-" No, the only 'doctor' he knew was Pana, and who knew where she was. Fire might, but...

Flustered, he stepped back as Nergal moved to assist his lover. "It is good to see new life in such times?" Was anyone listening to him? He hardly wanted to listen to himself. What was it about little ones that sent him all a-fluster?

Zero Dream

Well, this was... awkward. Illumin seemed even more flustered than she was, and that was saying something right there - her cheeks still quite aflame with the sudden surge of attention. Apparently this was another reason why she had kept it secret beyond the more obvious one. "I should be fine." She made herself smile - maybe it would calm poor Light a little, too ? It could have been worse, really, even if initially coming out of there had felt like slamming head-first into a brick wall She leaned against her lover's touch, without really noticing it. "Thank you."

Ankou, for his part, seemed to notice her embarrassment and was leaving the topic alone, through it probably helped that he had already known about the fact. "That.... should be all of them, then. Karaskis has returned with pieces of her own."

Four gods, marked by harp, sun, bone crown, and hunting knife come together with little stars, but stand there and don't do anything else.

As much as he loathed to do it... he had to tell them, even if he had no idea how and where to begin. "...A whole lot of things happened. More notably being... we seem to have figured out how to fix this, in a way... A prophecy from the fate stones from the old pantheon. Through it seems the consort is not a part of the solution that was found." But it wasn't useless. Couldn't be useless. They'd just put him back together once the crisis was adverted, and then...

...How in the name of all Creation were they supposed to put him back together ? He hadn't given that any thought, and he cursed inwardly. He did not need more complications right now !

"Most of the information is on a noticeboard in the lower rooms. I won't mind explaining everything to you all right now if you would all prefer it that way, but... I think you all need some rest, first." Tired and weary, both physically and mentally. He did not dare ask what had happened there, not now. "But other than that, the situation is... pretty bad." Lords, was that ever an understatement. There was one detail, at the very least, that he needed to mention now, and he sent a pointed glance at Nergal, his look almost haunted... and helpless, guilty, a far cry from how stoic he had been just prior.

"...Hell fell." Two simple words seemed too little to explain something that had done so much, but it was exactly what it was. "...Crashed in the mortal planes."

Thabara

"That is good news." He would have to see to it then, that a meeting with Karaskis could be arranged. They still needed to figure out how to make a whole of these fragments again, if it was possible at all. But as the bad news began to outweigh the good ones, his brows creased into a frown, which only deepened as his brother continued.

"So that was what I felt," Nergal murmured, more to himself than addressing anyone in particular.

'Hell moved,' the demon brat had told him back then, or rather, his host - and it made sense now, the boundaries between the planes must have been starting to crumble and become undone even back then. No small wonder that he had felt it, it had once been a-- no, not a part of him, but at the very least related.

He sighed, rubbing the side of his temple as he tried to wrap his mind around all he had heard. "For now, I think, we need some time to rest, even if ever so briefly. Then we can still catch up and figure out what action would be wisest to be taken next." Fate stones, prophecies.. As if the situation wasn't complex enough already. But it meant there was hope.

"Where will we find you?" he asked, directed to Illumin and Eamnonn, completely ignoring Light's apparent embarassment. "Will you stay within the Pantheon?" Communication, more than anything, was of importance in these dire times. Word needed to be sent out to Fire as well, about their return and their finds.

Sosiqui

Illumin listened to Ankou's words with a dawning horror, followed by anger. "Not part of the..."

So. So they, he had done this thing, worked so hard, unleashed the [******** End of Days and- it was... not part of the solution?!

"I see," he said, a cold snap that he knew Ankou didn't deserve - he was only the bearer of bad news, but he was too angry to care. He was trembling with sudden rage, his wings rattling against each other, and light flared irregularly in response to his emotion.

Why?

[********] Aristogeiton-

The rest of Ankou's words passed him by entirely. He felt like screaming, like pounding on the walls, like crying.

"Thank you. I wish you well," he grated, directing that last at Echo. "My rooms are here, or at the Pharos Beacon. A lighthouse. If it yet stands."

Thabara

Nergal lowered his gaze at Illumin's apparent anger, avoiding to look at him directly. He could understand it, to some extent, though his motivation to search for the fragments of the consort's soul had never been the same as Light's - so the revelation didn't have quite as much of an impact on him.

And mostly, pretty much everything was much toned out by his concern for Echo and their children to be, right now.

"I will find you," he simply said. "The fragments, will they stay with me?" It seemed only reasonable as one of them was a ghost, and said ghost was rather unwilling to part from the root which had once been his. Certainly, he could asign that ghost to follow pretty much everyone else around, but neither Hunt nor Light would be overly pleased by that, he felt.

At Illumin's last words, he gave a questioning look at his brother. Their own house, did it still.. ?

Zero Dream

Where Illumin all but burst out in anger, Echo remained silent, through the look in her eyes seemed to speak volumes. That... had been all but nothing ? She might have been angry, too, if she had the energy to spare - instead, she just leaned on Nergal a bit more, as if seeking comfort.

The coldness of Illumin's words did not seem to affect Ankou much, through his eyes seemed to soften a little. He could understand this - and had also expected something like this would happen, but he had thought better to let them know, instead of having them figure it out on their own. He could not think of anything to improve the situation, nor did he knew of the state of Light's dwelling, so he kept quiet.

When Nergal looked at him, he knew exactly what he meant - and, slowly, he shook his head. Well, it did - partially, but it was much, much too dangerous. He had been wondering on how to tackle that - he doubted the goddess would take it well. At least, he'd gotten the aoidei out...

Thabara

Nergal gave a small, subtle nod. After all the other bad news this one didn't come as a surprise, but still.. That place had - however briefly - been 'home'.

"You have rooms within the Pantheon as well, have you not?" he asked, directed at his brother. He'd rather not impose themselves on Light for lodging, most definitely not now, but Echo required a place to rest.

Zero Dream

"Yes." He nodded, sending one glance to Echo. She was pale, pale enough to apparently worry him a bit. "You should rest. All of you, actually."

He didn't admit it, but he felt... rather useless, right now. And actually sorry for them, that this did not hold as big of a piece in the grand scheme of things that they had thought.

"We'll be.... around, if any of you need us." The spirit guide turned, heading toward his rooms with a nod of respect to the still-upset Illumin and Ea.

[Zero Dream]

In Search Of Jesses
Week of Hell

Zero Dream

Ankou stepped downstairs, leaving his brother and Echo to rest in his own chambers while he took some time to himself. Add to that his own aoidei, Echo's, Nergal's, for what little they stuck around, and the doubtlessly soon-to-be-born children, and the place was becoming quite crowded. A bit too crowded to this tastes, but the simple fact that they were back was just like if one huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

If only there weren't so many left there...

He stopped by the noticeboard, Gianfar's choice of brightly colored paper and the scribble on the side working just as he hoped, and his eyes widened.

Finally. Someone had found them ! And there were people going for two of them...

....Nergal was back. It wasn't like they could do a thing to resettle hell, anyway. Not with the world like this.

And, to be quite frank, he was sick of being idle, of setting back and doing nothing but watch doors. One hand went to his side - his wand was there, hidden under the black leather trenchcoat he wore.

Still, he could not quite go alone... He had to, at the very least, find Jinx.

Xanil

Oddly enough, this day Myles had been up before Eddard. The excited youth had shaken him from sleep, gibbering wildly about discoveries and weapons of old. It reminded him of the quest Eid had sent his very own aoide on, but that was different. That was to replace what Eid had carried in the past, not actually find his original.

The boy lead Eddard down the stairs and over to a noticeboard he had never seen before. Coming to stand beside a god with both silver and pale read hair, Myles gave a silent bow to the unknown person, an affordable respect Eddard was trying to instill in him. After a moment of scanning it, "Ah, here it is, Eddard," he said pointing, "Read it for yourself. It seems someone has come up with something, found old weapons." The boy was starting to finally make sense. Eddard was glad. For half a moment he thought maybe the boy had developed a stutter, but he could see now it was all excitement.

Eddard drew closer to the board, not wanting to crowd it with his size seeing as his apprentice and another were already there. He immediately took note that a couple were already going after two. He was glad one remained. He had been wondering what his next course of action would be after returning with Faran and the dragon bones, both pieces of the consort.

"Is this not what you've been waiting for? Will I finally have the chance to take the peace knot from my sword and unsheathe it for the first time? You've been talking about it like the hand of Forge has touched it him or herself."

"Don't get ahead of yourself my apprentice. Its still far to soon for you to go into battle, and besides, you shouldn't actively want to put yourself in harms way. Harm has a will of its own. It will find you when its ready."

The boy disregarded the comment as he often did, this time, drowning it in his excitement. Eddard began to look around for some sort of writing utensil in which to sign up with.

Zero Dream

Ankou had stood back upon his return with his aoidei, watching the pair with apparent curiosity, through Eddard seemed to be holding most of his attention. After all, a 7 foot tall, blue-skinned man was kind of hard to miss.

But, perhaps most of the reason was the feel around the man, the touch of the divine that did feel rather familiar. Perhaps it could be figured out later.

"And yet you would go alone, noble knight ? More importantly - how do you plan on getting there ?" Ankou walked forward to the two, catgirl in tow.

A knight would do a fine partner in those times, he quite abruptly decided. They could get to know each other on the way.

Xanil

Eddard nodded to silver and pale red haired god. "I hadn't thought of that just yet. Honestly, I haven't thought of anything else other than attempting the feat. I could try to utilize the fae crossroads but I'd have to admit, I'm far from being the best guide though those." Realistically, Eddard couldn't navigate the Umbra, only meander through it and hope a bit, well a lot, of luck would come his way. Perhaps this god had a suggestion or some advice, after all, thie one before him now had progressed further into the the rebirth of godhood.

"If you were me, and lacked the ability to traverse the various planes, how would you get to this world that hold the jesses of Byrne?" Saying the name seemed a little weird. He wondered just how a leash used in falconry could be used as a weapon. Perhaps they contained sharp pieces or spikes that fluttered behind the great phoenix as it passed by, raking over its victims and causing lacerations. Eddard pushed the notion aside for this was no time to have an inner debate over the possible mechanics of something that he would hopefully see for himself.

Zero Dream

That was quite an interesting thing to consider, he had to admit. The effort proved itself to be harder than he would care to admit out loud - he simply could not think of himself as trapped to one world... Through, he just might be. He hadn't tried to properly worldwalk yet, and he was unsure if he cared to try and see the results... which would probably not be to his liking.

"If I were such, and expecially keeping in mind that all worlds are probably crawling with all sort of demons... Well, first of all, I would not go alone. That's taken care of, as I fully intent to go as well." He twirled a pen, fetched from a pocket of the black leather trenchcoat, yellow and golden eyes inquisitive as he started scribbling down his own name. "Second of all, I would probably seek someone who is knowledgeable of the travels in between world, and, again, that's already taken care of for you." A vaguely amused smirk was in his face, for a moment, but he turned serious once more. "My name is Ankou, the spirit guide. I will be glad to accompany you."

This was quite impulsive, to be willing to step off into a different plane with a man he did not know the name of, but at the same time it felt oddly like him - he'd been stationary for too long, and it was starting to grate at his nerves. Time to finally act. As for the doors... He was fairly certain he could manage to keep two open, unless worlds started moving again.

And there would hopefully be a week in between that.

Xanil

It would seem that luck favored him, even before trying to travel through the Umbra. He would have to thank Tista for that, at least someday. It is good to meet you, Ankou, I am Eddard bearer of Oath and this my apprentice, Myles," he said indicating over his shoulder to the boy who had come to stand a few paces behind him.

"I am grateful for the company you offer, but are you sure you want to do this? I mean if the worlds are crawling with demons is this something you want to get involved in? It will be very dangerous." It wasn't his intention to insult the Spirit Guide, only to make sure that he was committed. His own code of morals shielded him from most fears and drove him to act in dangerous situations. From what he saw here in the Pantheon on that fated day when Samyaza sealed Harmodius away, few were up to the warrior's task, then again, most if not all were out of sorts.

Zero Dream

The spirit guide nodded along, finishing his writing on the noticeboard before returning to face Eddard. While having to look up was not exactly uncommon due to his current height - his own brother had about half a head on him at this point - having to look that far up was quite... odd.

The side of his lips twitched a bit, the god barely able to repress his own amusement, in fact, it shone partially in his eyes. "I have dealt with demons before. And I will do so again, if the world is to go on. Such is inevitable - they die, just like everyone else. And they're only just sightly less dangerous dead, I assure you. Ill'd rather get involved than sit back and what All That Is cumble to dust. I've done quite enough of that by now."

Xanil

"Excellent, I can leave as soon as now, Myles and myself just have to run up and grab our packs, so when ever you're ready to leave for this task, I am ready," He had been keeping them packed by the door, ready at a moments notice. Eddard was glad that again he had found somebody who's priorities were in proper order. He had dreaded that many of the gods would bulk in some fashion or another, causing the world's to fall into nothing just as the Grigori wished them too.

"I am intrigued by your ability to get us to the proper plane. How exactly will our transport work if you don't mind me asking?" he asked curiously. Eid at times spoke about how he used to live a nomadic lifestyle, traveling from place to place, punishing oath breakers and once he was rid of Eddard, likely take up the cause once more, but Eddard often wondered how Eid would just stroll through the planes. He certainly made it sound easy enough, but never once had he revealed any sort of suggested method or power, at least not to Eddard. He may of possibly forgotten that aspect of his life.

Zero Dream

"Oh, there are a few ways. Long ago, each of us could do so at will. Now... I do not really know." He shook his head. Maybe he should just write down an explaination and pin it on the noticeboard - he was starting to feel like he was rambling by now. He read the information once more, commiting as much as he could to memory - expecially that one name written down. Either the name of the city, or the plane holding it. He was not quite sure, but it did not matter. That single name would lead him to where he sought.

He slid off toward the stairs, confident that Eddard and Myles would follow him, Jinx having went ahead to regather a few things. "I assume that you know of the quarters here - that the marked doors lead to rooms for the gods residing here. You will notice, however, that there are unmarked ones, and these can be connected to anything - expecially whole new worlds. I expect the ride to be quite bumpy thanks to the worlds having moved as Hell has - but I also expect that this remains the safest way to do this. Go and gather what you need - and feel free to take your time. I... expect finding the correct place make take me a little while."

Xanil

Stay with him Eddard, he may be able to teach you a thing or two about the doors. Eid communed to Eddard.

"Understandable," he turned to Myles, "fetch our things, I wish to see how this all functions," and in a snap, Myles was off making his way back to Eddard's quarters to gather their things.

As Eddard followed he couldn't help but think about Ankou, resulting in a number of budding questions. "So how long have you been at this current stage of your development, and how did your host respond to the merging?" Eddard himself hadn't taken so well to the process initially, his cooperation coming as a direct result of Samyaza's deeds aswell as a number of concessions made on the part of Eid.

Zero Dream

At first, he'd wanted to ignore the questions, after all, this was rather personal, and none of his business, wasn't it ? He'd started off doing just that, but then it dawned on him that it was rather.... childish. "About a month, maybe... Perhaps closer to two, in despite the trumpets ringing the weeks, I have not exactly kept track of time well." For most of it, he'd been too frazzled, mind partly overtaken by voices of the dying as they grew unmanagable to his limited powers. As the weeks passed, however, the mostly quieted, became more managable - never to be unheard fully, but enough to ignore, to push at the back of his mind. There were more dead than living, now - and probably his brother's turn to be overwhelmed, expecially since he had not been there to see it unfold.

"He... was not exactly pleased, as you probably can expect. I had hoped for a different approach, but the jewel was forced on him. We... managed to get along, for the most parts, but the effects of the wave broke what little was left of his will to live. Even before that, he had asked me for death... and I gave it to him, in the end. As close as it could be done, at the very least."

He stopped in front on one blank door, next to one adorned with glowing, shifting runes. A quick look proved it to remain stable, now that things had stopped shifting about - and would remain so as long as the worlds did not decide to start moving around again. But who knew what would happen next, now ? Hopefully he would be back before that happen. And so would they.

He moved, about to apply both palms on the blank door, but stopped still a few inches away, turning to look at Eddard. "...I fear the process will be rather boring based on what you will be able to see. But before that, do tell me - who is it that you bear ?"

Xanil

"I bear Eid, the Ceaseless Contract, who holds dominion over oaths," he answered. "As for how dull this procedure will be to watch, let me, the viewer be the judge of that, unless of course you want some privacy. If that's the case then I'll take my leave to allow you to go about the business of this task alone and go help Myles. I only wanted to see this process so that I might employ the same method for my own means down the road." Even though Eid had bid him to watch Ankou manipulate and search these unmarked doors, but he himself was intrigued at the possibility of maybe seeing his home plane one more time and meet with his friends before Eid took him completely. Sure his old comrades were worried about him, and likely the locals from the hamlet he had taken to defending between his many exploits.

Zero Dream

"My greetings to him, then... And you could watch if you wish - there is no need for privacy, but there is not much of the process you will be able to see, is what I mean." That, and he had some doubt a jewel-bound god could handle the process - there was so little of them, of their mana, not enough to spare in his eyes. Maybe, once all this was over, he could verify for sure, but now the situation did not lend itself to such.

He really needed to explain himself better, he was noticing - those moments were rather akward, for him. Perhaps he was simply not used to people.

He shook his head as if to clear it of the lingering thoughts, applied both palms to the smooth surface of the door, closed his eyes, and stilled. If Eddard tried to talk, now, he would understand why the god had stopped before - there would be no answer, as if his mind had left somewhere unseen. Which was, in turn, exactly how it was.

To his mind's vision, things were even worse than he had dared to imagine. What little "landmarks" had remained, the few things that had not differed in his memory, had now moved or crumbled. Entire planes had gone in one instant, and he cursed mentally. This... would probably take him awhile, indeed.

Xanil

Eddard noticed a look of concentration that washed over Ankou's face everything he put his hands to a door. Only once did he utter something but it was of little importance and was naturally met with Ankou's silence. After a short while, Eddard eventually decided that he would attempt to cast his sight spell, regardless of the hindrance Eid provided and whether or not he would be able to interpret the weave magic energies as they flowed in, out, and around Ankou and the doors. He closed his eyes, murmuring incantation under his breath.

When his eyes opened they shown with a dim silver light. Eid's presence and dampening on his spells seemed to be getting worse with each passing day. He could barely see the undulating energy as it ebbed. He could at least make out the pattern that Ankou constantly sent out and then summoned back but couldn't identify the effect. Perhaps it worked like sonar on the radar screen, sending out a wave, bouncing it off something, and then interpreting its return. However, Eddard couldn't be sure of anything.

If this took too long, Eddard decided it might be good to have Myles fetch them some refreshments when he gathered his stuff and came over to this corridor. Perhaps Ankou would appreciate some tea or a snack. He would wait to ask though.

Zero Dream

Something became quickly evident to him, and the irony of it was quite bitter indeed. The Spirit Guide... was indeed, quite lost in the in-between.

Wherever Fate was, she (...or had it been he ?) was probably laughing quite hard right now.

But there was no use thinking about that. He was wasting time - precious time. He'd made a mental map of this before, and, realms crashing in be damned, he would damn well do it again, even if he had to spend days looking for what he sought.

At least, Knowledge had not skimped on the information. He would have to seek the god out and thank him, once they returned. Gianfar provably had no idea how much he had turned an impossible task into something doable.

Karsch. Burning City.

Possible planes and destinations came to his mind, and he rejected them, one by one. In some places where there should have been something, there was now nothing but lingering fluxs to say that a plane had once existed there. His mind darted across all that was (or perhaps, more accurately, what remained) Discomfort grew every time he crossed one such places.

Please, don't have it be destroyed.

Don't have all this be in vain.

Please....

And then, finally, finally - he found it, saw it, and, had he held any physical form in the emptiness, would probably sighed in relief. It stood. He had no idea what would be there, once they would go through - but it still existed. For now, it was all that mattered.

He made the connection, linked world to door - small, silver strings of mana connecting the world he had sought out to the one he had came from. He could see the links that connected the latter to Baadris, bright and strong once more after he had forcefully kept them up in despite worlds shifting.

That finally done, he let himself drift back.





It had been a solid hour, now, since the god had drifted off. Jinx had started chattering with Eddard and Myles, definitively more bored than worried, in despite the circumstances. Or perhaps she was hiding said feelings behind boredom, cheerfulness, and cat-like meows. It was hard to tell for sure.

To Eddard's sight, there would be a wave, much more massive and bigger than the constant ones he had seen, pure mana and power focusing off, only dying down when the god returned to his body and broke contact with a door, through he now seemed connected to it by countless silver threads, runes suddenly flaring to live on the smooth surface of the door. Similar threads also linked him to the other door, trough his movements did not seem to hinder him any, as it should logically have been the case. "There...."

Xanil

"Amazing," Eddard uttered in awe as Ankou's search came to it culmination. Myles perked up, in mid sentence, interrupting the conversation he was having with Jinx to look over though he saw nothing.

After a moment, Eddard turned to face the Spirit Guide, "Well done, Ankou. I couldn't exactly interpret what all was going on, but all the same, observing the pattern is always interesting to say the least. You manipulate the weave well," complimenting the god. Even though he wasn't familiar with what just happened, his sight at the very least allowed him to recognize skill, whether practiced or inherent.

"I assume we're free to enter judging by the runes on the door, not that I'd know for certain," he said questioningly.

Zero Dream

One eyebrow rose in curiosity. The god clearly was not used to have people able to see what he was doing... Perhaps Eddard was even more interesting than he had initially thought. If only the situation had not been so dire...

One part of his memory, the old and ancient one, said not to let him get attached, even less to a mortal, but he did his best to ignore the thought. I don't want to be alone with shades and indistinguishable energy-things of the in-between. Not anymore.

It was the first conscious thought he had given to the "problem", but he could not afford the time to dwell on it.

"It is safe, now - as safe as it can be. I will go first. Jinx, you will go last." One on each side.

Just in case.

Xanil

Eddard turn to Myles, "I know not what lies through that gate, and with the events as of late, I'm giing you this one chance to back out. There is little honor than dying as a result of biting off more than you can chew."

Myles regarded Eddard for once thoughtfully. After a second he responded, "Y'know, I think I can risk it. You've been training me these days, and I feel that I have learned a lot. Don't worry about me."

Eddard heard only the words of a green youth. "Then stay close. You are to be the shadow at my back. I wish not for my efforts to go to waste in your vainful death."

Myles shrugged a shoulder as if to say he didn't care what Eddard thought. However the youth may act, it was as plain as the nose on his face that he did care very much about what Eddard had to say.

Eddard turned back to Ankou, "After you then, Ankou."

Zero Dream

The spirit guide nodded, and with a glance to the catgirl, she took her place at the back of the group, making sure the backpack was secure. The god turned to the door then, opening it and walking inside.

All he could hope now was that things would go well while he was gone. That he would return to see his overcrowded room taken over by three little active and healthy children.

Brother, I am sorry. He could not delay this. This was too important for him to simply ignore.

[Zero Dream]

The Burning City
Week of Hell

Zero Dream

The short distance in between worlds had been spent with no events worth noting - exactly as he had wanted. The place took the shape of a long corridor, the flicker of flames passing back and forth, through they seemed to be merely illusions as none of them even felt heat as they passed.

While Ankou sure knew how to make a grand entrance, he wasn't very fond of them. Therefore, the group's entrance into the burning city was a simple one - through an old wooden door, somehow still hinged to a wallpan surrounded by crumbled bricks and cement. There had once been a small building there, but now all that remained after decay and the crash of hell was this lone wall.

Ankou took a few steps forward, what existed of his wings twitching slightly. There was something off, there. Something wrong. A feeling he could not explain, until he let his mental guard down. And that was when he realized. The streets were empty, the city completely silent, remains littered there and there. If the influence of War, Plague, and Famine had not gotten to the population, the worlds moving probably had.

He could have called it a ghost town.... if there had even been ghosts remaining. Even the dead were gone - and that only meant one thing.

"...Demons." He muttered. "They came, and left nothing behind. Not a single soul, alive or dead. They may yet be lingering - we must be extremely careful."

Xanil

Eddard nodded, "Right."

He then turned to Myles, "Hand me your sword, boy. Its best you don't have to fumble with the knot." Myles complied, handing him the sheathed weapon. Eddard quickly undid the knot, all it took was the knowledge of its weak point and two quick, firm tugs to loose it. Returning it, "Keep it out and unsheathed. That's it, but don't carry it like that while we're walking around, you aren't facing an opponent yet. The goal is to be as comfortable as you can. Remember, eventually your arm won't be complete without the sword in or at hand. Treat it as such."

Once he was satisfied with Myles, Eddard slid to the back of their small procession. Normally he would have wanted to be up front, but decided that Ankou was likely better suited for such, after all he was the guide. Instead he would bring up the rear, deciding that he could likely fend off a rear attack better than the aoide. He hoped she didn't mind too much.

As they walked, he took note of the area. It was hot, almost too hot, but he would manage, even in his armor. The place was oddly still and silent, almost seeming null and void aside from the fact that their were standing structures. Many of these structures were damaged, mostly from falling into dilapidation, but occasionally one would come into view that had more recent damage, likely a result in the wake of the demons.

Zero Dream

If Jinx minded this any, the catgirl did not show it, Instead, she moved forward as he took the rear, to stand beside her master, unable to hide a slightly worried glance toward him.

The stillness and silence was even more alien to him - after all, it was pretty rare for a place to be completely empty to him. Through, he knew it probably would not be the last time he saw something like this, which was not a thought he liked to focus on.

Hopefully he remembered enough to do this. The mace felt heavy in his hand, but ever since he realized how empty this city was, he'd taken it off his belt and refused to let go of it. He'd never been one for physical fighting -- control over souls was much, much more dangerous than any weapon he could have chosen to wield, save maybe some mighty artifacts that he had probably forgotten.

But right now, he was quite sure he could not rely on what was regained of his power. Even if he could still do this - rip their souls clean off their bodies and be done with it, which he honestly doubted, there was the dangers that the pathways could close if he stretched himself too thin. And he could not have that.

And yet, there was just enough pride in him to keep him from admitting the fact that he was not quite to skilled hand-to-hand to the two mortals that followed them.

Xanil

Eddard could feel the hairs rise on the back of his neck and the angst knot in his stomach. This was how it was for Eddard before battle. He could feel them, smell them. Somewhere within this city were supernatural predators, ready to sunder his and his comrade's souls from their bodies and desecrate both. As they went, he could feel his inner troll well up from within. It wasn't another personality, so much as an emotion, nor did it have anything to do with his troll heritage. It was his combat instinct coming unhinged and bringing him down to a primal level that had been a match for Umbral beast and Paradox Fiends alike. Hopefully today it would be enough for demons. He knew that no knights dance or fighting form would get them through an encounter where they were outnumbered or against a stronger demon like an archduke, only pure unadulterated savagery.

He looked on his pupil who was walking in front of him. He seemed both nervous and excited. He was drenched in sweat and the knuckles that clutched the longsword sword were bone white. At least he was doing as Eddard had instructed him. He had taught him that should they ever be on the move such as this, it was best to keep your mouth shut and your ears open, that idle chatter could give one's position away to an enemy and that it was better that one's superiors make that call. Hopefully, the boy wouldn't be overwhelmed. Eddard knew that seeing a demon for the first time could be traumatic. He had prepared the boy for such, the best he could, even before they knew about this quest. But taught theory was never the same as real practice. Today he would see what his pupil was really made of.

Zero Dream

Moving in silence was nothing new to the god, he could at least remember that. He had been good at this, once - sliding his way through mortals without attracting unneeded attention to himself, without even being seen or noticed save for a few... Small memories flowed by, but he could not pay attention to them, not now. It could prove to be fatal if he did.

The library, the note had said. They had to find the library... This could either be very easy, or very difficult, depending on if the buildings were still marked clearly and... a good number of other potential interferences. He'd thought there might have been something here, a memory - if this was a place where Rebirth had dwelled.... But yet, there was nothing concrete. This was just like a world among all other, familiar but extremely foreign at the same time.

He was quite sure he saw something move in the shadows and in the rubbles of the broken buildings, gold-pupilled eyes glancing back to Eddard. Was he being twitchy, or... ?

No.

They had been found.

"Keep a close eye on the young one, kitten." The spirit guide whispered, and even as the catgirl wanted to object, she knew very that tone of voice, that sudden power, very well. This was not an order she could ignore.

Ankou had no want to carry out an impromptu burial that night.

Xanil

Quasit

Nafenoi watched with his two brothers the four as they wandered through the streets. Luckily, their invisibility had served them well thus far, allowing them to successfully observe the group. Where he was patient, an odd trait for a quasit, his brothers were unfortunately the norm, impatient, violent, and poorly controlled. Even now, from there hiding place in some rubble, Laquis was out of his invisibility and ready to rush out and attack carried on leather wings. Rhashi, as always, would follow suit. Nafenoi found himself wondering if his brothers would ever descend to greater demons, not likely. They would probably remain quasits forever, destined to be apart of the gibbering horde of Jaspoloppi forever. Not he however, he was made of more, had the potential to at least descend the the black spiral and transform himself into a stronger being. Now he just needed to consume more souls. Best let his brothers sacrifice themselves first while he activated fear.

Eddard heard the beating of wings and the gibbering of a foreign, dark language. He turned to see two little seemingly impish creatures emerge from some rubble, a black blue ichor dripping from their claws. As he went to stand between them and Myles, he felt the cold shiver of some magicly activated ability shoot up his spine causing him to hesitate for just a moment. Taking note of Myles he could see the boy fozen pale with fear. It was not his fault, nothing could prepare the boy for such with his little experience.

Eddard readied himself, knowing that this combat would likely draw more, possibly stronger demons. At least for now, these lessers would be short work. He kept an ear cocked, wanting to know whether or not Ankou and the aoide had been effected by the fear spell and also to hear any potential orders or suggestions Ankou might have.

Zero Dream

There was someone, something clawing for his mind, something foreign that tried to take hold, all without much success. With Jinx, the fear spell had seemed to take hold, for a moment, until she felt Ankou's hand slide on her shoulder, and, while it startled her for him to be so... direct, it allowed her to pull herself back together.

Not only was her loyalty rooted much deeper than fear, well.... she had seen much worse in her time. Done much worse, in her time.

Instinctively, Ankou pulled back to shield Myles from the other side. If the two wanted a shot at the one that had fallen under the third's spell, they would have to go through them first. They were lucky in their bad luck, really - he had feared that it might have been worse than this, either higher ranked demons, or more of them. But now was not the time to get cocky.

He was in no position to get cocky. His only provocation, per-se, was his gaze, hard like steel, penetrating as if it wasn't quite looking at the demon, but something else completely.

No matter how hard he tried to, the soul kept sliding out of his grasp, and he simply gave up after a few attempts - that had been all but too draining for the lack of result. Oh, how he hated this.

Time to try and learn how to fight like this - quickly. Very, very quickly.

The worry in Jinx's eyes only seemed to increase as she realized just what was happening. He...

Her master couldn't...

"Damnit." She hissed out, claws extending, ready to strike. She had wanted to go for the one in the back, before he grew too cocky in the cover of his brethren, but she could not leave her master alone like this, not in this situation, expecially as she knew full well what the two mortals did not. "Don't go too far from me, lord." It was her turn to whisper, and her only answer was a wordless nod.

She would tear them to shreds and paint the street black with their blood before she allowed those... those things to touch him.

Xanil

Hearing Jinx and Ankou shift alerted Eddard to their resistance of the spell. That was all good and well for those these demon's were small, it would have been difficult to defend the group alone, especially if had their foes flanked out into a pincher formation. Luckily, they're brains were suited to their size, these two especially.

Eddard began to close on them. Just as they were about to enter the range of his sword and reach out, slashing with their poisonous claws, Eddard shifted very quickly. The scene was not unlike watching a mountain suddenly pop up and scoot forward several feet in an instant. The demons did not expect this, their attacks suddenly futile as the large troll shifted ever so close to them. A horizontal swing of his longsword clipped one's wing sending him rolling through the air, passed Eddard. This demon quickly righted itself in mid-air with cat like grace, and continued to close on the group. The other, being not so lucky was caught cleanly in the lower leg causing it to cart wheel in the air before Eddard. Not giving it a moment to right itself, Eddard quickly brought his sword over his, twisted it in his hands 90 degrees, and swung down in an arc, essentially swatting the demon with the flat of the blade like a fly into the ground followed by a loud "Kang!". He quickly drew his sword back, dragging the tip over the downed quasit, this time pulling it back, turning it 90 degrees to its original hold, and proceeding with a downward lunge, nearly splitting the demon in twain vertically. With a fast, 180 degree twist of the blade, Eddard slid the steel from the ground, it now covered in a black viscous, the remnants of the creature corporeal form.

Eddard turned, switching his attention back to the party, hoping that they were making due.

Zero Dream

It took a few moment for Ankou to notice he was staring at the scene that was unfolding around him, and react accordingly. As much as it was tempting to just watch - and perhaps even learn a few things in the process, through he was not willing to admit such out loud - that would have been pretty damn stupid.

When the demon with the clipped wing bounced off his way, he simply reacted, and smacked toward his head with the heavy mace. Sure, it lacked grace, elegance, and more importantly some proper fighting form, but it seemed to at very least do some damage, which was ultimately the goal, at the very least. The god had quite obviously aimed to either knock it out or break his neck, but the hit landed a bit lower - making the demon screech in pain and try to lash at him, claws extended. However, while his body lacked strength, Adrian's agility had survived the shift of psyche inhabiting the shape and allowed him to jump back, just as Jinx took over the job, causing wails of pain to erupt when claws started to dig deep into the demon's chest. And, just as abruptly as they started, they stopped - she had probably teared open his throat.

You are still quite the savage amazon, my kitten...

That hopefully only left the one who was hiding, who, if he was any smart, would probably try to run. Run, and probably come back with others, and, really, he wasn't much interested in letting that unfold. It took him a few seconds to look and see him, but once he did, his eyes locked on him, his free hand raising, the tip of the fingers moving back and forth. The sign was clear - and that one trick had more chances to be successful. The message was very clear, and the sudden surge of power around the god even more so.

Come.

The demon resisted, of course. First it was purely mental - made it harder for Ankou to hold, but he managed, nonetheless - but when he took the first step out of his hiding place, he started hissing and flalling, doing his best to fight off the unseen force, with only small success.

It was evident that he was only delaying the inevitable, when another step was taken, revealing him fully.

Xanil

Eddard saw the demon step out of the rubble as he slung the fallen foe's blood from off his blade. He noted it seemed to be fighting some unknown force. Looking back to Ankou he quickly puzzled the situation together. He was familiar with a domination spell when he saw one and was sure that the demon would be held. Still not wanting to take chances, he approached the demon as if it were an unhindered foe, with speed, but remaining a measure of caution. He stepped around behind the quasit, and raised his sword to deal a single, swift killing stroke. He gazed back to Ankou, hoping he'd notice, as if to inquire if he should sunder or spare the enemy. One never knew if such a creature could be interrogated, but a simple nod from Ankou would end its life.

Zero Dream

If it had been some other mortal, the situation would have been quite different - and the god would have been more willing to let things be, at this point. While being one step behind Death was far from foreign, it did not mean that he liked to spill blood with no prupose.

But this was a demon. And, true, there were demons which could, somehow, function well enough into a normal society, but they were the exception, not the norm. He had dealt with them - and the chaos left in their wake - enough to know it was unlikely that this one would not return with backup if allowed to live. If he hadn't been outwardly hostile - as the fear spell had proved - he might have pondered it, but as things stood now, there was nothing to ponder.

The nod came­.

Xanil

Eddard's sword dropped in a diagonal from right to left, cleaving the creature through from right shoulder to left hip. Again he slung the remains from his blade, this time wiping the remainder off with the tail of his well worn cloak. He was glad to note, that even though these specific demons' remains turned to sludge, they didn't burn and fizzle at the ground like acid. He would have to be sure and check future dispatched foes for such characteristics, not wanting to damage his only sword.

He crossed the scene to Myles, who was still trembling. Resting his hand on the boys shoulder, he gave him a gentle shake. The boy stirred a little, slowly coming back around. A more vigorous shake brought him fully into awareness. "Wha-, what were those?"

"Demons," Eddard responded. "Little ones. You can't go freezing up like that. If you can't stand and fight, at least be prepared to defend yourself. Search within, you need to find something to harden your resolve with, else you'll fall prey to something much more sinister than the likes of minor minions."

The boy reddened, ashamed of himself, "S-sorry, Eddard."

"Apologies won't do, not now. You are in awfully deep, and drowning men have no words as their lungs fill with water. I implore you to swim. Swim through the fear the best you can lest you drown."

"I understand, Eddard," a bit of the fire rekindling in the boy's tone.

"We will see, boy, we will see." At that, Eddard turned his attention to Ankou, "We need to get out of here before any of their friends show up to investigate the commotion. Lets continue."

Zero Dream

"Indeed." It hadn't been his intention to linger here for too long. Others would be attracted by the sounds of the battle, and their smell, and the god clearly would prefer to fight as little as possible, trough he wasn't quite willing to let go of his weapon. In truth, he was a bit too nervous to do so.

Therefore, he took the lead once more, and they went. The library... They had to find the library, yes. It was probably one of the bigger buildings in the city... That narrowed the search a little bit, at the very least.

Probably a little bit deeper in... in the heart of the city, as libraries and sacred places tended to be.

The catgirl aoide slid back into the middle of the group, one furred hand going to the boy's shoulder once she's wiped all of the tar-like blood away and retracted her claw, apparently oblivious of the fast that more of the black blood clung to her fur. Now that the threat had been taken care of, the cat had become gentle and soft once more. "It's okay, myaaa... We won't let them hurt you. Just focus on keeping your cool to begin with... ...I know they're scary, myaa. They used to scare me, too." She whispered to him.

Xanil

Myles nodded, comforted by the gesture. He mustered a quiet thank you over his shoulder and then tried to harden himself mentally as Eddard had instructed. He began murmuring to himself under his breath the knights code, or at least as much as he could remember. The one Eddard was trying to teach to him seemed impossibly long, but still he found a bit of comfort in it as he had found in the aoide's gesture.

Eddard followed the group, looking over his shoulder and every other direction for that matter constantly. It wasn't much longer after they left the area of battle that a loud, screeching, cacophonous scream shook the city. Eddard wasn't a demonologist by any means, but he knew that a stronger demon had come across their battle and was now rallying the horde. He looked to Ankou, ready to follow any plan he might propose or propose one of his own, either way, now was the time for action and not deliberation on the "best" course of action. Such a word couldn't be applied in this situation. Less dire seemed more applicable in a passing thought.

Zero Dream

There was one thing for certain - while he memory gave him no information to what kind of demon that scream could have belonged to... He didn't like it. Oh, the god far from liked it, and he wasn't exactly hoping to figure out to what that had belonged.

"Let's go." The god spoke, quickly, then was in motion. They could, at the very least, try to hide somewhere... but if he had been right like he feared, and that they were truly the only things living in this city beside them... The task would not be easy. But in between fighting off a horde and hiding somewhere until said horde got sick of looking for them, Ankou knew what he would rather try first.

Xanil

The group moved at a fair paced jog, penetrating deeper into the heart of the city. As they traveled, Eddard hoped that the group wouldn't have to split up, but if it did, he was already preparing himself to go alone, stalling any demons that may be hot on their trail. He swore he could feel some sort of presence, following their every move, perhaps some sort of projection or remote viewing effect, but for sure he couldn't say. If this was the case, then the demons could be right on top of them at any moment since as far as he knew, a large variety of such creatures had the ability to teleport.

The deeper they went, the more boxed in he felt as the still standing structures seemed to be packed on top of each other and much of the space between was filled with debris. They found themselves having to climb over some such piles where no easy passage existed, slowing their progress. Periodically they could hear long, deep, throaty howls. He was familiar with hell hounds at least and understood their significance. Whatever demon controlled this horde was enjoying this hunt and not wanting it to end right away. Eddard was fine with this, he could easily dispatch lesser demons and head hounds for he had experience with both. It was the unknown he was concerned with.

From within Eddard, Eid stirred, bringing himself to the forefront of Eddard's consciousness. He could sense something in the air but couldn't quite fathom its significance in his weakened state. He had been contented to take a back seat until now, allowing Eddard to deal with the situation, but now his desire to act was growing. Perhaps he would try to seize control at an opportune time. He would wait in see.

Eddard continued to bring up the rear, following Ankou and awaiting to see if his lead would take them to the library. He was largely unaware of Eid aside from the stirring to the surface.

Zero Dream

Ankou did not like this. He did not like this at all. Whatever it was, it was keeping a close track on them - and while he had taken a few harder to follow tracks on purpose, he was still aware that it may ultimately prove to be futile.

Eventually they reached what seemed to be the center - the street opened up to be bigger, and there was a massive building, that thankfully looked at least stable. That was the closest thing to a library they had came across so far, even if there was no sign marking it as such. If there had ever been one, it was gone now.

"I think this may be it." The god kept his voice low as he turned to look as his companions. "The board mentioned a secret room that was never discovered in modern times..." Hopefully it wasn't too hard to find... He hoped not to stick around long enough to have to meet face to face with whatever was trailing them. There was already the issue of them having to go all the way back to where they entered...

Xanil

"Anything's worth a shot at this point. Taking some sort of shelter might be a decent idea, at least it would cut down on the likelihood of us encountering large flying foes," Eddard said, approving the notion and hoping that Ankou's assumption was correct.

As they entered the library's surrounding grounds, Eddard felt as if the tension and axiety that charged the air was dampened, as if they were safe. Eddard quickly dismissed the concept, full knowing that in these days, with Gehenna around the corner and demons walking lands they normally weren't permitted too, no place was entirely safe. He did note that his pupil seemed to relax a bit. The poor boy had been more than on edge, like a rope pulled tight and now being stretched, since the encounter with the lesser demons. "Keep your wits about you Myles, you never know what turns fate will throw us."

The boy nodded his response, keeping quiet, still shocked and a little aloof.

Eddard began to poke around the still standing ruins in the immediate area. Brushing the dust and dirt from a small standing slab of stone. Examining it carefully, the stone had a relief of a bird shape on its surface, but the details and possible accompanying text were worn to near nothingness with time. Judging by its proximity to the outer walls of the area, Eddard assumed it was some sort of sign, hopefully marking the structure as the library they so desired to find.

"What do you make of this, Ankou?" he asked inquiring about the standing slab.

Zero Dream

"Yes, you are right." It was good that he had the knight with him, really - his experience was an asset that countered his own lacking in the matter. At least, experience with modern times, and basic fighting.

He had but taken one step inside the building that the feeling overtook him, and he smiled in despite of himself. Oh, he knew this... and he knew what it was, and what it meant. Such an odd blessing, lessened due to lack of belief in the past ages, but that was much, much better than nothing.

It would make it harder for the demons to follow them inside, at the very least... The feeling of divinity, along with the bird etched on the slab, confirmed it in his mind. "This is it... I am sure we are at the right place. This has to be it, look - these are flames trailing the bird." Hew pointed at the barely visible traces of what had once been clear. "A phoenix."

Xanil

"It would seem chance favors us," he said, the thought of the one Yumeh bore, Tista, briefly passing. "Do we split up or do you want to stay together as a group while we search the premises? We'd cover more ground split up, but conversely be far more open to attack in smaller groups." Eddard feared most for Ankou and Myles. The aoide seemed quite capable of defending herself, but the other two not as much. He hated considering the possible outcomes should luck suddenly change hands. "If anything, I could stand guard here and intercept any that come this way should they be so bold to enter these sacred grounds while the three of you split up and get searching."

Zero Dream

The god seemed to ponder this for a moment, glancing at the building - or at least what was left of it - that stood in front of them. It seemed quite large indeed. "Perhaps we should split - but not completely. Me and you, Myles and Jinx - and if one group has issues, scream for the other. Or do you think it is too risky ?" Gold-yellow eyes glanced toward Eddard - he would know better than he would, and he wasn't arrogant enough to take charge completely and wind up getting them all killed, even if admitting his lack of knowledge and experience left him feeling akward.

"I figure we are somewhat safe - ìf they've already eaten the whole city, as it seems like they had, as not even the souls of the dead linger here, probably even recently if they still linger, so I do not think they will be willing to brave going through a sacred ground, thrill of the hunt or no. Too painful for too little of a reward." Average demon behavior, however, was something he knew well.

"At least.... not yet. If we linger here too long, however..."

Xanil

Eddard considered the plan thoughtfully for a moment. He didn't like leaving the boy with the aoide, no matter how capable she might. He felt a certain responsibility for his well being, not just because he was his apprentice along for the ride, but also because he felt generally responsible for him as a whole, his actions and his outcomes, it made no difference, he had freed the boy from servitude and if this lead to his death as his apprentice, Eddard would have many sleepless nights.

You have always argued your extenuating circumstances in regards to oaths sworn. This is not an occasion where you can argue it. Aside from your oath to protect the innocent, you have sworn to protect the fey born which you so conveniently lump my kind into regardless of the truth you have come to know. That was one of your earliest oaths and this boy, the one you have chosen to fill your boots when you are no more is not so innocent. He must learn to stand on his own, as you did.

But he's just a boy without...

Strength? Power? So you have chosen your disciple poorly, it is no matter, an flaw many humans have. But that is not the point, you cannot argue this. Ankou's significance is exponential by comparison and the repercussions of his demise are too great. Now you have a duty, a responsibility, and a need to expedite its completion. You will have to trust the boy to fate and allow him to go with the aoide. You are the one here who is most likely to insure a successful defense should something out there find its way in here. Follow Ankou's whims, if it provides you any comfort, in the grand scheme of things he out ranks you.

Very well then, you have made your point.

"We will do as you say. Which way do you want to head?"

Zero Dream

Completely unware of Eddard's apprehensions, the god nodded. "Whichever, I figure. Jinx, you go east - we will go west. Meet up in the middle ? There is a place where both sides seem to meet up again inside."

It seemed like this was working for everyone, and so, the group split off. Ankou didn't seem too worried - he had complete confidence into his aoide, and the fact that he would see both her and the young boy in one piece when they met up again. "We should hurry, it is getting late." He pointed out, as the sun was starting to set in the distance. "I doubt any of us beside Jinx can see well in the dark."

Xanil

Eddard and Ankou searched the complex long and hard, as did the others. When they ran into one another without any success, it was decided that the groups would double check each other, Ankou and Eddard searching the areas that Myles and the aoide had covered while Myles and the aoide searched the grounds where Eddard and Ankou had been. When they met again several hours later still with no results the group was perplexed.

Eddard gave his apprentice a long hard look. He seemed tired, beat from the travel through town and then meandering through the library. Seeing Myles reminded him briefly of his own exhaustion and he considered the ramifications of calling it a night. Deciding that now was as good a time as any, the party settled down for a well deserved rest, hoping to continue the search again in the morning with the new light and a fresh perspective.

[Zero Dream]

Wandering Thoughts
Week of Hell

The group had stopped for the night, their search having yield no result for now - which was to be expected - if the hidden room had not been found by the mortals who had once frequented the library in the current times, they had to be well-hidden. That, or simply too obvious for anyone to think about it.

Eddard, Myles and Jinx were all sound asleep by now, but he wasn't. He'd decided he would not let himself, decided to keep watch instead, sitting onto some rubble to get the advantage of a higher view - there was some safety to be had in this building, but too little, not enough to hinder the more powerful demons from coming here in despite the pain caused by the divine aura that lingered here, should they be desperate enough to bear it.

And if he had been right and they were the only things, alive or dead, left in this city... They would be. It would simply be a matter of when, not if. He probably could not take but one of them on, but he could wake the others if he felt one come close.

That thought still disturbed him. Being so weak disturbed him - as if he was bound, held back by something, and he couldn't quite put his finger on what. The answer was obvious, of course - but it also felt like there was more to it. Something he couldn't quite remember. He hadn't expected much so early, of course - he'd seen it first hand with Melanctha and his brother, when they had first met again in this new life - and oddly enough that wasn't exactly what bothered him so much. It was part of the problem, but wasn't entirely what. One sideway glance to the three sleeping forms gave him the answer.

He could have gotten all three of them killed with his own inexperience. He was the god here, after all - did they not fall under his protection ? Should he not be able to protect them ?! Part of him felt like he should not have dragged them into this - and yet he knew very well that without the knight to guide the way and help, he would probably have died himself. Three on one were not odds he liked, not in the position he was now. He knew how to fight demons, but not this directed - knew their weak points, but not those he could actually use to his advantage right now.

This whole thing probably should have been planned out better. They should have taken the time to think things out some more, he should have taken the time to warn his brother and see if the children were well - but there was no time, no time. Time was too precious and it was slipping away from them at an alarming rate.

Time. Time had never been something he'd really taken in mind before - not something he had worried about, at any rate. And now... Now of course everything was different. It was a wild race against the clock, a wild race to win against the apocalypse itself. He knew he would see it one day, but not like this. He'd also never thought he would be trying so badly to prevent it.

If it had been his lord's conscious choice, he would not be. Harmodius would know when the end was to come. But this mess, all this mess... No, this was not his lord's wishes, else they would not be reborn in the first place. It was that b***h of a grigori's... that woman. Samyaza.

And, if only for that, he had to prevent this. Finding the jesses was part of this. And after finding it, what to do ? Well, it felt only right that he should return it to its true owner - Rebirth. He had to be reborn himself, to be able to give a token - but he had never seen him. Did not know where he was. He felt like he should be remembering something, yet...

Yet nothing came. This was also upsetting. The god sighed, and rested his glance on the surroundings once more. He would make sure nothing would try to come get easy pickings out of the little ragtag, improvised group.

It was the only thing he could really do.