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

[Zero Dream]

Watching the dead fade

[Zero Dream]

A King And His Crown

Thabara

With a slight nod of his head Nergal dismissed the last delegation of mortals which had come to him today, to present offerings and prayers, and to plead their cases.

„Well,“ said Ishum, closing the door after the last of them, „that was almost like in the old days, wasn't it?“

„Almost?“ Nergal quirked a brow, while the rest of his face remained unreadable. „Not even remotely.“ The tone of his voice was sharper than he'd intended it to be.

He rose from his seat, looking down upon the gifts the mortals had brought. Incense and jewelry, rolls of precious brocade, fruits and sweets, whatever they'd thought would be useful to him. His study, left intentionally empty before his leave, save for a box with the few belongings which had survived Decay and all, was fully furnished now.

Last year, the Day of the Dead had been largely overshadowed by the imminent End, the preparations for the ritual, the desperate gathering of lotuses ...

This time there'd been no such distractions, and those who had witnessed the return of the dead, were practically head over heels to be in his favor. It was … pleasing, yet tiring the same. There were so many pleas – for a word from there loved ones, for revenge, for justice to be met. There were no priests yet, and the only medium he knew of, was little Grace. But there also had been calls for guidance.

There had been a proposal for the construction of a temple, an idea he naturally was rather fond of, and for the composition of a 'book of the dead'. The mortals no longer knew his signs and symbols, which offerings he preferred, or in which way to present them.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"How amusing." Came a voice from the left, thankfully a familiar one, and it was not long before the god whom it belonged to emerged from the shadows, How long had the Spirit Guide been there, silent and watching ? It was hard to tell. His steps were not soundless, but sliding himself into the room among the mass had been easy. The lack of distractions would allow both gods to get a better look at each other. Ankou certainly looked better than he had done the last time Nergal had seen him - with only the faintest marks remaining on his once-wounded arm.

...Was the red part of his hairs even paler than Underworld remembered, or was it simply a trick of the dim lights ?

He had to angle his head upward to look at his own brother - how annoying - but he grinned. "Got enough patience left for one more offering ?"

Come to think of it, there was a wooden box, sandwiched in between arm and chest, with his forearm supporting it, carefully held closed by a small length of silver chain.

He glanced toward Ishum then - look rather unlike the ones his brother held, though the meaning was rather similar - he wished to be alone with Nergal for this, whatever this was.

Thabara

„I think I do,“ Nergal replied smugly, curiously peering at the wooden box his brother held with such care. He waved for Ishum to step closer, dropping the earthen jar into the aoide's ready hands. „You do remember how to prepare it, do you not?“

Ishum bowed, respectfully moving a few steps backwards before he turned to head towards the kitchen. The dismissal had been obvious enough, and it was apparent in any way, that the brothers wanted to be left alone. But, he wondered, was he now actually expected to serve coffee later on, or not? If his presence was not wanted, the disturbance would be frowned upon – which was a frightening prospect, considering Nergal – but if this had not just been an excuse to be rid of him, and the coffee was wanted? He was, Ishum decided with a roll of his eyes, probably doomed either way.

Nergal pushed open the large doors to the gardens himself, daylight – well, what passed for it nowadays – flooding in, while the eerie light of the lanterns flickered and extinguished one after another. „Is it alright if we remain here, or would you prefer the privacy of any of the rooms – my study, perhaps?“ he offered.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgHe gave a grateful nod of the head to Ishum as he passed him by, barely noticeable to anyone who was not keeping attention. And then he focused his attention toward his brother once more. "Perhaps... the study might be best."

After all, he had no idea where Echo and the children were. Likely sleeping, at this time, but... Fact remained that the pieces were fragile. And very much not suited for small, curious hand. Perhaps they would strengthen with time and influence from Underworld ?

...If he accepted them, that is.

Thabara

„Follow me then,“ Nergal said, giving a small nod to indicate the direction.

The study, if Ankou had actually ever seen it before, was much changed from its previous state. There actually was furniture now, the look of it antique, dark woods mainly. Items were set in the alcoves which lined the walls in a manner one might expect to see them occupied by urns. Some of them held books and scrolls.

There was a large, and rather massive seeming desk, currenlty covered with construction plans of sorts, but also an area which was obviously reserved for reclining – a coffee table was there, a chaise lounge, and several other seating accommodations.

There were no windows – and the impression one got immediately upon entering was indeed that of being deep underneath the surface of the earth – but the moment Nergal stepped in, lanterns flickered to 'life', alit by the same ghostly flames as previously in the common room.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgSuch did not seem to surprise Ankou much, and, instead, he propped himself against one wall, holding the book with one hand now, pulling at the lid to take one peek at the contents inside, as if surveying the status of what was inside.

That, or he was just faint-out being teasing and trying to stir Nergal's curiosity some more.

He seemed to be pleased with what he saw, though, and his grin returned, pushing himself off the wall to walk the steps that separated. "Seems like you've been a place for so long." Oh, the teasing was in full gear now, and he finally unclasped the chain and offered it over. "That you seem to have forgotten something important..."

Thabara

He quirked a brow at his brother's behaviour, but said nothing to it. He was, indeed, rather curious as to what mysteries the wooden box held. Gifts from the mortals were commonplace, currently at least, gifts from his family … were not so much.

„What is in there?“ he asked jokingly, carefully accepting the box into his hands. It seemed fragile, definitely having the look of something that had gone through the Week of Decay to it. „Bugs, worms and snails?“ No, that was a gift his daughter was likely to give. He resisted the urge to shake the battered container, and instead flipped open the lid, curiously moving aside the fabric in which the contents were wrapped.

He said nothing, but the quiet joy which lit his eyes, the surprise, and then deep satisfaction which mirrored upon his features, certainly were indication enough that the Spirit Guide's patience and hard work had been all worth it.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"Perhaps it would have been so, if I had asked my lovely niece for assistance." Came the amused reply as he moved back to lean against the wall, arms crossing over his chest.

And he waited.

"Well ? How forgetful of you, a king without a crown. Honestly." He had seen, of course, could read his brother better than anyone else.

But it was funnier to pretend he did not, for the moment.

Thabara

He smiled then, picking one of the bones from its confines to view it more closely, and, apparently, rather liking what he saw. „I had not forgotten,“ he murmured, almost apologetically. „I had a new set, crafted by Poltros' skillful hands – wherever he may be now. But … Priya told me she was unable to recover them from the rubble of what once was our house.“ He did not seem particularly upset about the loss, however, nor did he offer any explanation as to why he'd never donned them previously.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgOf course, he knew all that. And he knew how they hadn't seemed to feel right, as Priya had told him - but to reveal such would likely land the catgirl in trouble, so he said nothing of it.

"I had not known." He was not the worst liar - and Nergal was very clearly distracted. He looked rather proud of himself, that he'd gotten it right.

Of course he would get it right, had he not been the one to craft the first ones ? He held little memory of the times of old, but he had not needed it. Not for this.

"Well, what are you waiting for ?" He teased again, tone light. "Look at the others."

He really, really wanted to see the look on his face when he would find the singer.

Thabara

He glanced up, lips curling into a smile, before he sat down at the massive desk (it had been hard to find a chair that would hold his own impressive figure), setting down the somewhat battered box with care upon the polished surface. He noticed nothing of the untruth in his brother's words. Had Ankou been one of the Dead, he would have known, instantly. But as it was, Nergal had no reason to suspect anything.

One by one, he unwrapped the fragile pieces – cold fingers trailing their shapes and the patterns engraved upon the surface, before he put them aside for the next. There were ten of them in all – not a master bonecarver's work, but they needn't be. What was in them was of much greater importance to him, for he looked at them with more than just his eyes.

It was a good mix – some old, but most new, chosen among those who'd died in the weeks that preceeded the barely avoided apocalypse. His face sadened when he touched upon the Child's bone, grew apreciative when he unwrapped the ornaments carved from the remains of those who had died clearing the Catacombs so that his love might pass through them without danger for herself. The King brought a wry smile to his face – it would serve well as both, a reminder and a warning. The Guardian's bone brought about melacholy – it was so old, and brittle … But there was his firstborn now, fierce, and full of vigor.

The musician's bone remained on his palm longer than the others, a fond smile softening Underworld's harsh features.

„I have to admit,“ Nergal finally said, „I do like yours better than the ones Poltros made for me. You chose quite well.“ For a moment it seemed as if he was about to add something, but then thought otherwise. There were one or two things which still seemed to be … missing, but like hell he was going to bring that up now. „It is a much appreciated gift, truly. Would you be the one to fasten them into my hair? So that the Crown of Bones may be my Symbol once more.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou stepped away from the wall, stepping to send beside Nergal as he sat, glance curious as he watched. He seemed to be able to tell that there was something left unsaid, but the Spirit Guide said nothing of it. He figured some things might be... missing. He had a small 'pool' to draw from, so to say.

Later, though...

Well, that would be for later.

"I have done my best with what I could find." He started, his tone appreciative. He took the compliment without sitting on his laurels, so so speak. The only answer to his brother's question was a nod - the was familiarity there, faint but perceptible - had he been the one to do so before ?

There was no ancient memory that came to answer the question, and he shrugged the matter off. Well, he would do so now.

His hand went for the nearest charm, twirling it into his palm for a moment before something occurred to him. "Any specific order... ?" An odd question, perhaps, but Underworld might have a preference.

Thabara

„None,“ he replied simply. „I will leave this completely up to you.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg...Or maybe not. Oh well. At least he had taught about it, right ?

Ankou only gave another silent nod for an answer, staying still for a moment, as if trying to visualize something in his mind before taking the box and positioning himself so he would have easy access. This might just have been easier to do had he remained standing, really.

And so he started to weave them in - he seemed to know exactly how, exactly how to move his fingers and how to make sure it would be solid without actually having to think much about it.

Thabara

Nergal stilled, only carefully lifting his wings out of the way. It felt strange to have someone fiddle with his hair for a change. „We can move to somewhere else, if that is more convenient;“ he suggested gently. To see his brother crouch before – or rather, behind him – was somewhat awkward, even if it wasn't to swear allegiance, or anything of the kind.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"This is fine." Ankou answered absent-mindly, as if he was only half-listening. He'd ended up in more awkward positions, and if it had been anyone else than his brother that he was kneeling at, he might have minded... But this wasn't the case now.

Though it would be lying if he said the thought of just tying two dreads together and watching the fun unfold hadn't crossed his mind.

He wove in quickly and skillfully - the first one seemed secure, so he reached to pick another from the box.

Thabara

He would have nodded, but that would have meant to move his head and possibly make his brother's task harder, so he merely uttered a somewhat agreeing: „Hrm.“

He couldn't see what Ankou was doing, and that caused him to be a little bit … fidgety.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgUltimately, Nergal had no true reason to be fidgetty - because Ankou's mischievous thoughts were going to remain just that - thoughts. He had more respect than that. Poking fun was one thing, and this was another.

"So." He finally said. "What happened ? Last time I saw you, you were rather..." Indisposed ? Making up a landscape ? "Well, you know. Made me wonder if I had done all this work for nothing." This, however, he was more than willing to poke fun at.

Thabara

If the humor was evident in the younger god's voice, then the older one blatantly missed the point, just as he usually did, considering the question in all its seriousness instead.

„Things … did not quite go as I had planned,“ Nergal admitted sullenly. „Not that I actually had a plan. I figured things would come back to me, once it was Time, that I would – to put it into my host's manner of speech – 'wing it' somehow.“

Nergal leaned back in his chair, to sit a little more comfortably. As usual, being alone with his brother caused him to relax, and feel at ease. Enough even to at least vaguely consider the option of resting his feet upon the polished surface on the desk. „I called upon the Dead, when I reached the Gate; I am certain you must have noticed. The idea was to restore my domain from their essence, but somehow ... It backfired. Apparently the dead thought that my essence would suffice,“ he added dryly.

„What happened then, was a … very painful and frightening experience. And also a bit of a mess.“ He managed to keep his voice bare of any emotion, but was unable to supress an involuntary shudder which went through his body.

„I … passed out, I believe, and then drifted off into sleep. If Echo had not come for me, I might have slept for centuries to come. And without her aid, I do not think I would have regained my appearance as a mortal, this body. Not anytime soon, at least. To pour myself – some of it, at least – into so small a form, it seemed impossible. But she … the power of her Song … gave back that knowledge to me, made me remember. It may have awakened more than was her intention.“

„I had a choice, Ankou. The past, all which I have once been, it was within my grasp. And I chose to let go of it, for it to be buried forever. I … have no regrets, but I am not certain if it was wise either. Or the reasoning behind it.“ He had done it for her, mostly.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnd he missed the point completely. As always. Psh. He still listened, though, silent as he continued to weave hair and bone, knowing better than to try to interrupt his brother once he got started to talking like this. Nergal would likely have been so caught up in his own monologue that he might not hear him at all. Or ignore him outright. Both options were valid, really.

He took it all in silently, and only spoke when it seemed like his brother was finally finished.

"Well." He said, simply, reaching for another charm and another dread. He worked fast, but carefully as well - he'd yet to accidentally pull too hard, though he probably had come close. "I believe you already know what I think of such things, of the past being the past." They'd spoken at length of this before, and it had always seemed to be one of the things where they differed. "There are some things, perhaps, that are better left forgotten, less they accidentally cause ill."

There was a subtle undertone to his voice, and it looked like he knew at least part of what had caused Nergal to make such a choice.

Thabara

„Perhaps.“ Ankou's appreciation helped lessen the doubts that lingered still, something he was immensely grateful for. The past, memory … remembrance, were of greater importance to his domain, after all, than to most anyone else's.

„What of your journey,“ he changed the topic. „Was the task set to you and Tian Yue finished, or did you return on your own?“ He had seen neither claw nor scale of the regal Worldshield, and for all he knew, he might still be travelling Yggdrasil.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"I have met back with him within Yggdrasil and we came back together. The entrance of this world is actually quite far away from here, had it not been for his assistance..." Well, he did not need to point out what would have happened then, didn't he ? Both without and especially within the World Tree.

"The information is complied, and I am waiting for him to get back to me so we can present it." He had tried to wriggle his way out, so to speak, but he doubted Tian Yue would let him. The Guide liked to think he knew the dragon king pretty well by now, after the long length of time they spent in the other's company.

Thabara

„I would like to see the results for myself, if possible. It may be useful. To reach up and find each world to align to it is still very much trial and error.“ Nergal nodded absentmindedly, promptly reminded by the strong tug at his hair that Ankou was still working with it. „Oh, I am sorry,“ he hastily apologized. At least with his dreads nothing would come undone easily.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"It shouldn't take much longer." He replied absent-mindedly - he already had about half of them set.

"Tian Yue kept both versions with him, so you might need to ask him. I still have some of the drafts I made within the tree itself, but their clarity leave much do be desired." Scales did not make for the best drawing surface, after all. And these had never intended to be final. "One span across many tomes, and the other, well..." It was such a shame that Nergal could not see his expression, because it was priceless. "While I have to admit it is rather practical, I understand little of it."

Thabara

„That does sound rather peculiar.“ The deity's voice was tinged with mild curiosity. „What I would need most, would be Direction. Distance means little to me, at least in that regard. It is all … up.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"Ah, yes, indeed." The Guide sounded amused indeed. It was all up, yes - and as the Underworld seemed to 'ghost' along existing realms, not even various levels of up at that. He was still hoping he would not inquire about that second mean further, as he had no idea how he could even start to explain Mio to him - the AI still kind of baffled him as is.

"I will gather the drafts for you, then... They might be of some use. Though it might be better to seek Tian Yue." He had not seen the dragon, ever since they had been done putting it all together - he was likely busy catching up, as it were.

Thabara

„I may do just that. It has been … a while, since I last had a chance to talk to him. And back then, both of us were still bearing our mostly mortal shell.“ It might be interestiing, to talk from royalty to royalty, so to speak, and both of them fully ascended as well. Too few were.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"Hmm." It was a sound of idleness, rather than true pondering - and he reached for another ornament before continuing. "You will likely have little problems with finding him - his door is adorned with dragons and stars." But in a way, each of the doors in the hallway were a rather obvious hint to those who dwelt behind them, and to have to find one without knowing which door was the right one was not so much of an hard task if one was perceptible.

"I must admit I felt... more like a burden than anything else, in our journey. There was little I could really accomplish, even if he kept telling me otherwise." There was no bitterness in his voice, but rather a vague sense of disappointment - probably at himself.

Thabara

„Trust me, I do know how that feels,“ Nergal admitted, quite bluntly. There definitely was bitterness found in his voice. For the longest time he had felt useless, unable to do anything for the dead which screamed out for him in their neverending cacaphony. All the worse that, once he'd had the power, he hadn't realized it, sitting idle instead, until the waking call of Creation's words.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"I know." That had been a dangerous terrain to venture into first of all, and he had only realized too late that this was a sensitive point for his brother indeed - even more so than it was for him. Ankou felt silent then, continuing at his weaving. It just seemed better not to try and elaborate.

Thabara

The silence which followed, was somewhat uncomfortable, yet Nergal made no attempt to break it for the time being. His attention remained here and with his brother, however, instead of promptly veering towards the matters of his realm.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgLikewise, Ankou did little to break it, at least for a few more minutes, until he rose again. "There... It is done." Sure enough, the box was now empty.Some of the awkwardness seemed to linger, however, as if the younger brother was not quite sure if he should apologize or not.

Thabara

He rose from his seat, then, smiling vaguely as he heard the familiar, faint clicking of bone against bone from his back.

He had never realized how much he had missed that sound.

He pulled some dreads to the fore, to examine the ornaments woven into their ends, and apparently satisfied with what he saw.

His smile widened, and his wings flared, filling the room with cold. This was how things ought to be. His realm, restored. His queen, close by. His children … he did not even know if he had cherished their presence in that past life of his – he didn't think so, there were too many legends about the Underworld and its gods being barren, incapable of creating life. And his brother …

„You do know,“ he said, almost with a smirk, „that your task merely got started? These jewels are incomplete a crown, and … they will always be. My powers, though they might be capable of it, will not halt their slow decay, so they will have to be replaced in due time. It feels … more right than to be keeping the same set forever and ever. You … do understand, I trust?“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgThat seemed distraction enough, and the red and gray haired god looked a little confused for a moment, before he finally angled his head to look up to his brother to give a true smirk in return. The cold did not seem to bother him, even though he was still held to mortal limitations. Come to think of it, the air and the cold of the Underworld had not seemed to bother him much, either. Not as much as it had affected Echo, at any rate.

"I seem fond of taking on tasks that are never-ending, don't I ?" After all, mortals always died. There was always the whisper of their last words in his consciousness, though now that things were more normal again, they were not an hindrance to the god. What was one more task over that ? "So shall it be, then."

Thabara

„As am I,“ Nergal admitted, his smile growing more gentle. Yes, the mortals never stopped dying, after all. The cycle of life and death was ever ongoing.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou's expression softned as well, though it remained evident that he was proud of himself, And content of what he had accomplished. Perhaps it mattered little in those grand circles of life and death, but it mattered much for the brother, who had always seemed to understand each other more than anyone else had.

It was little things, but little things led to bigger things, eventually. His time would come, and until then, he had to do what he could.

Though, now it occurred to him. With the Underworld, perhaps... Ah, but that was for another time. He could not embark on another journey, not until the information was presented. Tian Yue wished for him to be present, and so he would be.

"Well, then. What did you have in mind to do now ?" They had... much to catch up on, likely.

Thabara

Amazingly enough, Nergal shrugged. „Parade up and down the halls of the Pantheion, to present my new crown?“ he suggested jokingly. He would need to show it off to his children, at the very least.

„In all honesty though, right now, I am glad to have escaped my suplicants for the time being. I wonder if Ishum is ever going to serve that coffee,“ he added, louder than was necessary. His voice carried exceptionally well, and his words were promptly rewarded with the sound of hasty steps departing.

„I will have to get a hold of Silence,“ Nergal muttered, „to do something about sound-proofing these walls at the very least ...“ He had been aware for some time now, that the golden-winged aoide had been listening in.

„Honestly, there is so much to be done that I do not even know where to start. But I do not think you meant that. Is there anything that you would like to suggest? Or, perhaps,“ Nergal pursed his lips thoughtfully, „you could tell me what you had in mind for those halls of yours. If you gave me free reign, I doubt you would like the result.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou, it seemed from his expression, had not been aware of such. But perhaps he should have thought about it, known that this would happen, given that this was... Well, Ishum.

Really, he was glad none of his own had such habits.

"...I have not thought much about it, to be honest." The younger brother admitted, frowning ever-so-slightly in thought. What would he want there ? "...A place to relax in, mostly. Some place I could keep things I would rather not keep here... It does not need to be very big, I don't think." It was not like space was an issue, but... still.

Thabara

„But big enough for two, perhaps?“ Nergal found himself unable to resist the temptation to tease. „And space for your crows to nest? Like a small tower, with beams of timber protruding from its outside walls. Daunting from the outside, yet … homely, once in? A warm fireplace, perhaps. I will gladly ask Lady Karaskis to give her blessing.“

He had, quite honestly, no idea what his brother might like. Strange, how they were like birds of a feather in some regards, and complete strangers to each other in others.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou rose an eyebrow at that first comment. "Perhaps." Cosine would want to at least see the Underworld for herself one day, probably... "But you might have to make spaces for the children, too. They might be a little jealous." Oh, he could dish it right back, and his grin made it obvious.

"That sounds nice, actually." He had to admit. The idea of a tower was appealing, for a reason he could not quite explain, or properly put into words. He liked heights, really. And balconies. There was a reason his own rooms had one, after all.

Thabara

„I certainly will,“ Nergal agreed good-naturedly, actually taking the suggestion serious. Soto, at the very least, would be thrilled to visit his realm, he felt.

„You should come down then, at some time, so that I can make it according to your requirements. Things are … certainly more stable now, since Echo's song awakened so much more than merely the memory of having a body like this. I am definitely more in control of things than I was when you first came to visit.“

He drew a deep breath, almost like a sigh. „I will not stay here for much longer, I do not think. It is … tiring, to keep my focus on being here, spending so much of my strength that would be better used otherwise.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"I understand." Well, not truly, of course, for he had never dealt with something like this, and probably never would. But at the same time, he did at least understand in some way. "I will come, do not worry." It was impossible for him not to, after all. "I do not know when... But I will go, sooner than later."

Nergal had much to do, after all. He had not expected he would remain for long.

"And if you have a need for me before that... Well. You know where to find me." No matter where he was, really.

Thabara

„That would be much appreciated,“ he admitted. „It can be, well, somewhat lonely. Even if there are more than enough matters that need to be taken care of, to keep me occupied and busy enough not to feel … Not to feel. But there are moments.“ He glanced aside, looking a little embarassed.

The dead were no satisfying company, and his aoide certainly were of better use 'up here', taking care of the children, speaking to- and recruiting followers.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou nodded, silently, and remained so for a moment before he finally spoke again, something occurring to him. The links in between the living worlds and the Underworld... if there were at least restaured and somewhat stable, then...

then...

The soul paths. He remembered now.

"...It very well be easier than one might think." He mused out loud. "If the paths are stable... then I should have little difficulty in using them." He had not, back at the water world, and if it had not broken unexpectedly on him... He would have been truly able to go as he wished.

A belated realization that almost made him want to facepalm.

Thabara

„Would it now …?“ Nergal eyed his brother somewhat intrigued. „Well, you of all of our brethren certainly should be able to travel to my domain with the greatest ease ...“ And if even mortals can make it there, by accident … Hrmph.

„But, yes. Things certainly are more stable now. Growth … still happens, but it no longer breaks up and shakes the whole realm. I can direct it now.“ Which certainly made it less agonizing, thank you very much.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"Then, in theory... They should be relatively stable as well." That required some thought. And some exploration. Using the soul paths meant being able to get from point a to point b quite a bit faster than having to go though the World Tree... Well, for him at least.

But later. He was meant to stay put for now, after all, until it was time.

Thabara

„I presume so. I do wonder though, how traveling goes for myself now ...“

His gaze grew distant, unfocused for a moment. „You do know … I am here, but I am there as well, deep down. The 'me' you are conversing with, right now, I think would be best described as a tendril bearing the majority of my consciousness, reaching up through all those layers of … Her.“ There was no necessity to indulge on whom 'Her' referred to excactly, they both knew all too well.

„And even though I have not made a connection yet to all the worlds that still exist … I do think I am there already. It is merely the paths, the gates in between that are missing still.“ He wondered if he was making sense at all in his musings.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgHe couldn't really claim that he understood that completely, really, but he nodded nonetheless. There had been nowhere that was inside Gaia that he couldn't reach before, but the ability to be everywhere did not mean he could conciously be in multiple places at the same time. That sounded much too dizzying to be worth it.

But perhaps that was only the mortal senses speaking.

"Only the links, not the presence itself missing." At least, that was how he interpreted it. Perhaps... those paths he could create himself if needed. Maybe.

Thabara

„Precisely.“

He rose from his chair to open the door, a mere moment before a startled Ishum could lift his right to rap against the wooden surface. „Thank you,“ Nergal said sweetly, taking cup and saucer from his beast-master's hands before he could actually drop them.

The delicate porcelain vessel seemed impossibly small as the underworld deity lifted it to his lips, sampling its dark, steaming contents. „The next time,“ he said, „do not brew it quite as long, and with lesser heat. It is bitter.“

„Yes, Lord,“ Ishum mumbled, quickly bowing out.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpgAnkou did not seem bothered that none had been brought for him, or to show any inclinations to wanting some, his brow remaining furrowed in thought. In fact, he might have never noticed the beastmaster at all.

...It was entirely too hard to truly know, with how little he remembered. Well... he would have to figure it all anew, then. Which, even he had to admit, was a daunting task.

Which he had little means to accomplish right now, which... made all that thinking beside the point, really.

Thabara

It was sort of hard, to resist the temptation to wave up and down his hand in front of his brother's face to see if he was still reacting, absent as he seemed right now. „A penny for your thoughts,“ he murmured softly instead, taking another sip from the too bitter brew.

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"I was just thinking about all this." He shrugged, that apparently having been enough to make him focus on the here and now again. "Nothing really concrete." And that was actually the truth, even. He just did not remember enough to be able to think about all this with true depth, but he wasn't about to admit it out loud - of course not.

Thabara

„It will work out,“ Nergal tried to reassure him. He sat down once more, one hand idly playing with one of his dreads, turning it some to examine the bone ring woven in at its end now. „It did for me. To some part through leftover instincts and hazy memories, and to some part just plain old trial and error.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"Hmm." Well, he figured that his brother knew best about all that, wouldn't he ? And he was good at trial and error, was he not ? Had he not been the one to talk about stepping forward without fear as to weither one would walk on solid ground or freefall ?

That hadn't changed a thing, of course, but he definitively felt like if he was counting his chicks before the eggs hatched, so to said. "I ought not to think about all that just yet." He shrugged again. "Perhaps I should rest... it has been a long day." That was a bit of a double-statement - his brother, as well, would likely need some kind of rest, too.

Thabara

„Long and trying, yes.“ He himself felt the need for rest more than anything, yet he shied away from it. He'd just made it back into the living realms, and he'd not even had a chance to properly meet his children yet. That, and the last time he'd been resting, truly resting, he'd been asleep for months.

Not yet, he thought, not yet. There is so much still to do.

'Sleep is for the weak,' was it?

„It has been good seeing you again, and … thank you.“ That statement was obviously heart-felt. „Truth be told, those ornaments Poltros made for me … I'm sure it was in the best intentions, but they … did not feel right. I have never mourned their loss.“

Zero Dream

http://zero.ithiltari.com/ankou/ankou_morphport_t.jpg"I thought so." The Guide answered, almost enigmatically. "I would have seen you wear them, otherwise." And it was from that mistake that he had sought to improve. And in the end it had been suitable, much like he had expected it to be.

"...You are welcome." He finally answered, a smile gracing his lips before he finally turned and slid his way out of the door. That hadn't been only a gentle reminder for his brother - this body longed for sleep, as well. He had been awake for likely a full day by now.

[Zero Dream]

The end of the path