The Triumvirate's Story

Librus stands at the gates of the Archives, preparing to leave, when he feels a sudden pang of loss...what caused this? What had happened? Librus thinks for a moment before he realizes something: He could not sense Revan Thanatos' aura. He was gone. Surely if he had died, his aura would slowly peter out. Not just disappear. No, something else caused this, and Librus fumes when he thinks of the possibilities. However, they all implied that Revan lied to him. It takes forbidden power to completely mask a God's existence, and that knowledge resided in Librus' possession. And Librus had led Revan straight to it.

Librus shudders, filled with a rage unlike any other. How could he make such an irrational decision? How could he let hope cloud his judgement? He had become an old fool, something that would need to be corrected at a later time. Librus paces back and forth in before the gate to Lorgaine. His realm has taken on a redder hue by this point, which caused the scribes studying inside to worry. This only happened when Librus had strong feelings of anger, and no hatred could match the anger towards oneself.

Surely the other Immortals must have noticed this. Without his aura, Revan would be impossible to track. If he had used the spell that Librus believed was the culprit, then there was no coming back from it, or reversing it. The spell is too powerful and ancient to break, which Revan must have known. Librus was about to leave for Athena's realm to conference with her when Indris' calm voice rings in his mind.

"I stand in our halls and hold your symbol brother, Librus I call on you to visit me here. We have something to discuss."

Librus nods. If anyone had any sense, it would be the Triumvirate. No doubt they were wondering what was happening. Librus feels shameful as he waves his palm over the door in front of him, and changes it's destination. Opening it, The room in which Indris stood was on the other side. Librus walks through, appearing before the White Judge in a cloud of mist.

"Hello, dear sister. I'm sure you've noticed Revan's disappearance. Before you say anything, let me make it known that it was indeed my fault. In my blind hope, I thought Revan could change. It seems I was wrong..." Librus says to Indris, changing back into his old form, with head hanging.

"Hello, dear sister. I'm sure you've noticed Revan's disappearance. Before you say anything, let me make it known that it was indeed my fault. In my blind hope, I thought Revan could change. It seems I was wrong..."

As Librus stepped into the grey halls of the dammed his voice was beaten as he spoke to his sister, causing her frown to deepen slightly as she shook her head.

"Brother, I do not blame you for hoping that Revan could be redeemed and in all honestly I do as well but I fear that he must be dealt with in favour of salvation." She sighed softly before continuing "I wish to see him brought to justice for his crimes, as I dread to think what severing his connection to us signifies and do not wish to see more added to his already long list of wrong-doings. Will you help me to rally our brethern to bind Revan in chains so that he may be brought face to face with his actions? Others would rather see him dead first, and I will admit for a moment I was among them but Kelmor has stayed my hand and I wish to do the same for all of us."

She gestures towards the table before pouring a cup of tea for the wizened god, a pot of Kelmor's design which is kept in the Librus' alcove.

"What say you?"

---

"Well. Well. Well. How sweet of you dear Corallium" The dull, dry voice echoes out from the shadowed hallway as Menoth slowly enters the circle of candlelight. "Rather interesting that Revan vanishes from existence and in his home we find you, giving his sole remaining 'slave' a new lease on life." He clicks his tongue and raises his right hand, palm first towards her in order to stay her retort for a moment "And don't sully this meeting with false words and pretty lies. You'd be surprised what dead eyes see when two gods make passionate love upon their corpses." He gestures towards the grinning remains of the household, many of which are moving gently in time with his words.

"What has he done? I ask only because it intrigues me, and if it aversely effects me then I may have issue with it."

---

Deep within the bowls of the earth, Kelmor made his way through long winding pathways that were forgotten by even the gods of Lorgraine. He made his way slowly as the way was littered with dangers to even he, and rushing such a task could be ill-advised. It had been a long time since he had visited this place and it felt to him as if his overdue visit was fated. Especially given recent events.

"Not even Revan would be that desperate... surely..." he mutters to himself as he continues down the hidden passageway.

Librus nodded and sat down, thanking Indris for the tea. He glared at the cup for a moment, willing it to show him the answer he so desired. Of course, nothing happened, and Librus sighed. He placed his staff next to him, it's magic causing it to sit upright. This was so unnerving, not knowing where Revan was. Librus took a sip of the tea, savoring it's bold flavor. Many restless nights were ahead of the Immortals...

Librus looked up at Indris. "Yes. It is imperative that Revan be brought to justice. His being invisible to us is dangerous as it is, but he must be planning something very radical. Why else would he permanently mask his presence from us?" Librus waved a hand over the table, causing a glowing circle of symbols and lines to appear on the stone. "I can't even make the spell budge. If we are to find him, we need eyes in every corner of Lorgaine. My owls are more than capable, and I'm sure the others have agents of their own at their disposal. Rushing into something like this could end up very bad." Librus explained, dismissing the circle. It was a communication circle, used to issue commands to all twenty of his owls back in The Archives. The owls did their job well, which was gather documents and record battles through their enchanted eyes.

Librus had ordered the owls to gather in the main plaza and await his further instruction. He wanted to wait for Indris to speak before he did anything. After all, he'd be a hypocrite if he did something rash. Librus took another sip of tea. "So, Indris, what do we do after everyone bands together?" Librus asked.

With an internal sigh, Corallium plastered her usual sultry smile to her pink lips and turned to face the single Triumvirate that stood behind her.

“Menoth, darling. Voyeurism? Really? I didn't know you had lowered yourself to such depravities. Tut, tut, tut.” She teased with a playful shake of her head and an index finger as she walked further towards the shadow that was the Black Judge. “Or . . . Do I detect a hint of jealousy? Hmm? Do you wish it was you whom I would bestow my favors upon?”

Chuckling satirically, Coral moved around the black shadows that curled and smoked at the edges. Piercing eyes following her every mood. Yet, Corallium had no care to answer any of his question, albeit, not truthfully. As was her way with words, it came quite naturally to her. And either way many did not know when to believe her anyway, whether she spoke the truth or falsehoods . . . Just how the Goddess of Fate liked it.

He did not want false words and pretty lies? Then why did he come to her? She would give him nothing more. She would do her utmost best to protect Reven. For some unknown reason even the thought of something happening to him made her feel physically sick . . . Like when he'd almost died today at the fascist Athena's hands!

The memory made her red with fury . . . Yet, the truth of the fact that she felt so protective . . . felt something so strongly towards another she had barely known until recent bewildered her at the same time . . . in a good way. It wasn't about what Revan could offer her. She cared little for thrones and luxuries. Perishable things, here today gone tomorrow. No. Corallium knew she had found something rare, something true . . . and she would do anything in her power to keep it safe and protect it . . .

Stopping in front of Menoth, she tilted her head to the side, pouting as if in thought for a moment before straightening and grinning once more.

“The eyes of the dead lie. I don't remember making passionate love to anyone.”

That at least was the truth. But if the flame engulfing embraces Revan and she had shared were anything to go by she could more then believe that if they ever were to go that far it would be utterly earth shattering! Leastwise, she guessed so, having no experience in the field of bodily pleasure ever before in her entire life.

Corallium tried to fight the desire filled shiver that ran the length of the being as her eyes flashed back to the atomic gaze of Menoth.

“Nor what I do with my personal life is any concern of yours. I'll thank you to keep that in mind the next time you decide to pervertedly spy on me. For it might very well be the last time you see anything, brother, dear.”

She threatened in a low steely voice, that quickly turned to it's usual sweet tedium filled lilt as she continued innocently.

“And whatever do you mean, 'what had he done?' How the devil should I know? I'm not his Keeper. In fact I barely know the man.” Corallium stated openly.

A silence fell between the two Immortals. Corallium studied the beastly Triumvirate before her. A slow grin curled up one side of her lips as she took slow purposeful steps towards the Demon God.

“Why Menoth?” She questioned in a low seductive whisper. “You're not scared . . . are you?”

"So, Indris, what do we do after everyone bands together?"

She paced back and forth slightly, her anxiety clearly showing.

"In all honestly? I do not know. Hopefully show him his wrongs and bring back our brother. But if needs be we will remove his evil from Lorgraine. It is a prospect that does not sit well with me and I hope we do not have to deal with. But it is a likelihood if events continue to progress as they have been."

She walks over to the alcove dedicated to the lady of war, carefully caressing the sword and shield that signify her in this place.

"I miss the days before the mortals, pity we never made use of that time. Each of us locked away within our little worlds, ignorant of what we could have learned of each other."

---

“Why Menoth?” She questioned in a low seductive whisper. “You're not scared . . . are you?”

"Pretty words as was to be expected, but I see no reason for such falsehoods as we speak of acts hidden in darkness."

He shook his head slowly and cracked his neck gently, the dull sound echoing around the room as his armoured form changed and smoothed to resemble a black polished mirror rather than a spiked barricade. The sound was repeated by each of the dead within the chamber. His helmet faded in a wisp of black smoke to leave his pale patrician, if slightly gaunt features bare to her for the first time.

"Now you and I both know that you and he shared a moment here, perhaps not lovemaking but a moment none the less. Clearly time hindered it developing more. I honestly don't care about what ever label it is you wish to apply to it. And I really couldn't care less if what he's planning results in all life in Lorgraine being snuffed out over night, simply makes my day easier. But my main concern is myself, dear sister; Just between you and me, does his plan intend to harm the pantheon?"

One of his undead minions handed him a pair of glassed filled with fine wine, he offered one to the Goddess.

---

The passage was coming to an end and not that far in the distance; the roar of ratting chains was audible. That and a simple sentance which chilled Kelmor's heart and hardened his features.

"Then speak I shall... of freedom."

He stepped out onto the winding stair that lead upto the plateau upon which ancient gates that barred the way down into the dark prison of the old ones stood. His temperament was unsettled as he listened to the conversation between Revan and those who he offered release from the torment he had consigned them too long ago.

As he stepped out into the open he saw that he made ready to unlock their cage and unleash untold horrors upon the world he had spent aeons guarding from such.

"I had hoped my journey here would prove fruitless, but alas it appears not brother." He calls out, his voice filled with sorrow as his eyes gaze mournfully towards his traitorous kinsman.

Revan paused as the voice broke the air. The feeling behind the prison door was palpable with pure emotion and excitement yet the new presence threatened their release so fear moved in and gripped the hearts of the old ones. Thanatos slowly turned his head to put his glowing green eyes on the source of the voice. It's master was one he knew well, nay one he loved.

"Kelmor..."

Revan muttered allowed, almost in confusion and regret.

"You said you would free us! Do it!"

The desperate plea from Ragnarok caused Revan to turn back to the great eye of the first dragon with an amused smirk.

"Calm yourself, you will have your freedom as promised. I need but a moment to confer with my kin."

It was obvious Ragnarok didn't like this but he literally had no other choice but do do as Revan said and wait. He was at his mercy and no amount of threats or refusal could change that. With a sullen growl Ragnarok nodded slowly and took a slow step away from the door to the ancient cell.

Revan Thanatos turned and found himself in a strange place. Kelmor was not like the other gods, he was the only one Revan actually saw as a brother. The only other immortal he looked upon with favor and thought of him as family. Revan had sent Corallium in to investigate his kin and to see which among them would have a place in his new world but he never imagined Kelmor would need appraisal. He was his brother, he would of course stand beside him in what was to come. Yet this arrival in the ancient chamber worried Revan greatly. If his judgment of Kelmor had been incorrect then he may have to go to lengths he did not want to in order to achieve his goal, damn him if he forced his hand, damn them all.

"Brother..."

Revan began as he took a step toward the judge of the dead, his head cocking slightly to show his confusion at his brother's presence.

"I must say I am surprised to see you here. I had thought possibly Athena or maybe that sprat Sargon I've been hearing so much about but not you. My dear brother Kelmor has hunted me down and tracked me here. I'm not going to lie to you brother, I respect you too much for that. You know doubt have surmised why I'm here. I will release the Leviathan onto Lorgaine. It is... a necessary evil but one that must be done."

Revan made his way to stand just a few feet away from his brother Kelmor as he spoke. Revan's demeanor was always kept casual yet the tension in the air between the two immortals was so prominent it could be cut with a dull knife. Revan's eyes watched Kelmor carefully as he spoke to him. The slightest move, the slightest twitch and Revan would be forced into quick decisive action. May the Moderator help Athena and the others should Revan be forced to strike down Kelmor.

"You know but half of the tale brother. You know what I'm doing but not the why and is that not what is truly important after all? Is the cause of any action not paramount to the action itself? Grant me a moment brother, let me tell you of the future I offer. Please..."

Revan asked, pleaded hoping in the depths of his heart that his brother would see reason and join with him once he'd heard his vision for the future.

Listening with shrewd interest, Corallium paid attention to Menoth's words. Accepting the glass of Wine he offered her but not taking a single sip after having a look and a sniff of the desiccate liquid.

There was no Wine that could compete with the one produced in abundance in her Providence of Lorgaine. Anything else in comparison looked dull and insipid.

“ . . . But my main concern is myself, dear sister; just between you and me, does his plan intend to harm the pantheon?”

Indeed, concern solely for himself . . .

Corallium could believe it, in fact she could in all probability rely on Menoth as an ally . . . If only were it not his loyalty to his true siblings that did not raise a flag. Yes, Menoth in all honesty could see Revan's vision but at the cost of going against Kelmor and Indris? She doubted it sorely and nor was she willing to take sure a risk . . .

“True words can easily change to falsehoods brother dear.” Corallium said to him flatly. “You say your concern is solely for yourself . . . Let's say the choice was between greatness beyond all reckoning and imagination and thus standing on the opposing end of the battle field to that of Indris and Kelmor . . . Would your main concern then be solely for yourself then, where do your true loyalties lie Menoth . . .” Corallium inquired with curiosity. “Speaking hypothetically, of course.”

She smiled wickedly as she tapped a red polished nail against the full glass.

“As for the pantheon and Revan,” Coral added offhandedly “I already told you I know nothing of this. Yes, Revan and I shared a 'moment' but like I said I barely know the man and as you probably know better then I Lord Justice is not a man to openly share confidences, do you truly believe he would share such things with me?”

She laughed coldly at the ridiculousness of the mere thought; hoping he would believe her bluff, yet not that concerned if he did not . . .

She had others to visit . . .

“Speaking hypothetically, of course.” She ended her thinly veiled taunt, her voice tinted by curiosity of her questions answer. His pale features stretched into a soft smile as he chuckled before listening to the rest of her convoluted speech.

"Perhaps our dear 'Lord Justice' may not openly share items of import, but to you I think he might make the exception when you are both hidden in the dark of his den. But no matter, whatever he has planned will most likely result in more souls to be dealt with. The outcome remains the same, at least for me, though maybe not for him."

He slowly takes a sip of the dark red liquid, and lets it linger on his tongue before swallowing slowly as he thinks over her words previously. After staring at the remaining contents of his glass for a few moments he stares at the goddess and locks his eyes on hers as he speaks.

"We of the Trimvirate have no cause to speak falsehoods, really what would be the point? You live, you die, and we collect what comes after. Then the cycle begins anew. What do I have to gain by spinning a web of lies? Spinning a web of unnatural life to set the balance is more within my ken dear sister, and the other is yours. But, 'speaking hypothetically, of course' you ask if it were to come to a battle with me on one side and the other two on the other where would my loyalties lie? Clearly by asking such a question you honestly know very little of me. Regardless of whether such an event would be possible, and I were to be pitched against my siblings, I wouldn't be on the battlefield. My role is to take care of what comes after, nothing more and nothing less."

He pauses for a moment and clicks his fingers, causing all the undead within the room crumble to dust around them. All save one, to whom he hands his now empty glass.

"I punish the souls of the dead, the living matter little to me sister. Oh. And one last thing, I judge every soul for its wrongs when it passes into my court. I trawl their lives, their very existence to find everything for them to be weighed up and found wanting. And while lying usually varies between noble and horrific, but it always errs on the side of darkness. So when my own sister tries lying to my face, she may want to remember that committing an act that I spend most of my time searching for it is rather easy to spot. May you have better luck with the others."

He slowly encases himself in shadows once more as his armour twists and becomes covered in spikes. Till at last only his smiling face remains, and he parts with one last sentence before vanishing from the chambers of Nemesis.

I bid you farewell Corallium, I'm sure you have much to do before this day is done."

---

You know but half of the tale brother. You know what I'm doing but not the why and is that not what is truly important after all? Is the cause of any action not paramount to the action itself? Grant me a moment brother, let me tell you of the future I offer. Please..."

He looked at the somewhat degenerate thing that Revan was becoming, and the sorrow in his heart grew moment by moment. Yet for all his sadness at these events, they were tempered by a slowly burning rage that his sibling would dare to unleash these primordial creatures upon Lorgraine.

"You know I cannot condone their release... We chained them here for all time and that is how we agreed they would stay. We swore they would never see the light of day." He moves carefully towards Revan, his face twisted in a dark frown. His eyes flicker with a dull glimmer of emotion. "I will grant you your moment but I ask you to be brief."

Revan nodded slowly as a serene smile dawned on his face, his brother was not lost to him... not yet. He could not allow that pious bitch Athena to swoon Kelmor with her misbegotten ideas of what right and wrong truly was. Revan would do all in his power to save his brother, to show him the truth of the world. His rightful place was by his side and he would seek to ensure that was where Kelmor stood in the final hours.

"You are stronger than the others... You show your strength by your willingness to first here me out."

Revan shook his head with a knowing smile as he turned away from Kelmor while he continued to speak.

"Not like the rest. They all see only a monster, only a beast off his chain that needs to be reigned in or put down."

Revan paused to lock eyes with Kelmor for a brief tense moment.

"You think I don't know what's going on up there? What they are all talking about in the darkness of your meeting hall Kelmor? They are deciding whether or not to kill me... Whether or not their purpose is great enough to shed the blood of a brother. Yet I see no purpose of theirs, no cause, no goal... I see only fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of losing their comfort in their stagnation, fear of change."

Revan took several impassioned steps toward Kelmor hoping to emphasize his point.

"I am that change Kelmor, I am the great flood come to wash away all injustice and what a task I have ahead of me. This world has become a breeding ground for criminality and corruption. The weak get weaker and the cruel get down right savage. Crime, despair? This is not how Mortality was supposed to live. For centuries I have been the only check against the wickedness of the mortals yet I can no longer sit by and call myself the lord of justice when I'm not willing to do all that is neccessary to achieve true justice. Our brothers and sisters would see my work as too extreme, too violent but violence is in this moment our only recourse."

Revan stood now just before Kelmor, his resolve unrelenting and resolute. This was his true form, impassioned and ready to change the world. This was who he was and in this moment Kelmor had just one chance to join him or be cast aside like all the rest.

"The Leviathan are but a tool that I will exploit to further my ends. They will use their power to busy this worlds defenders from my true work. Athena, Tché, Sargon... They will all fall in the final battle fighting in vain to save a world so decadent they cannot even see that the battlefield had long since been soaked through with the blood of the innocent. No one can save Lorgaine, not from me. The movement to salvation will be unstoppable. The Leviathan will be released, my revolution will sweep across the world, billions of people will die and it is all a necessary sacrifice to achieve true justice. And you... dearest Kelmor... My brother... This is your moment of growth and change. Why you have come here is unimportant, what you do now is. This where your take your rightful place for it is you who should be standing by my side as we save the world."

"I too miss the days before mortals, sister. It was precious time we could have used to do spectacular things. But, we were all too busy with ourselves. A sad thing, really." Librus says in response. Maybe, if they had talked more before the mortals came to be, they could have formed a solid understanding of each other and this rift between them wouldn't exist. However, those times were in the past.

"We must organize, even if we do not have any further plans as of yet. I will not allow this wound to fester. If needed, I hope no one will hesitate to amputate the limb." Librus says, knowing he wouldn't be the one to bring Revan down, which saddened him a little. His magic was strong, yes, but he was not a master swordsman or warrior, and Revan could quickly best him. It was time to drop his neutrality, and side with his brothers and sisters in this coming storm. Afterwards, maybe, he could resume his old ways.

"Well, no sense in sitting around without the others. Shall we send for them?" Librus asks the Pale Queen. Librus had a meeting to get to in Tharlamor, where the headquarters for the Catalogers was located. He had o organize his forces and set them to work. Hopefully, the Catalogers obliged. They'd be Librus' strongest asset, but he was sure that whatever Revan planned, he could have stronger. Librus stands, grabbing his staff, and prepares to head off. He waits for Indris' response.

Menoth said she knew very little of him?

No! The fact was that Menoth knew little of War.

Even the Mortals understood that when a battle was to ensue, all lifted their swords to fight. No matter who they maybe, Farmers, Medics, Scholars, even Priests. This was no different for the Gods.

By and by, those whom refused to pick a side would be banished down to purgatory for their cowardice to suffer until the end days . . .

"No Menoth." Corallium said chillingly to the air where he had been "You're wrong, when war calls, no one is spared the fight. Not even you . . . "

Alas, it mattered little to her now. Time and Fate would force even the hands of the most pacifistic of men, Menoth was no different no matter what he wished to believe. It was of little concern to her now.

Hmm . . . Time to make another call . . . Corallium's lips curled wickedly but first she was feeling a little too severe she decided looking down at herself. It would not do, not at all . . . At least not the company she would be joining.

With naught but the thought firmly in her mind, the black garbs she had adorned began to fall off of her body in large clumps disappearing before they hit the ground and in it's place a lighter lacy material took form swishing all the way past her ankles and heeled feet to form a new gown.

Making Corallium appear every inch the Temptation she was.

---

“So what do you think? Could this be tied to what is occurring now or is it just a dream?”

The dour voice filled with concern echoed lightly in the open air. Corallium's irreclaimable smile widened.

“Dreams, can oft times be related to the here and now . . . Then again, they could be nothing more then how much you give them credence.”

Corallium stated with a playful air as she strolled into the grand hall, making her presence known. The sounds of her heels and her leisurely strides reverberated through the large open room. Both Athena and Arabella turned in surprise to the intruder.

“It appears to me dear sister you have been wool-gathering . . . Have you not?”

Coral teased as she stopped in front of the pair, skirts swishing as she held her hands behind her back.

“Ladies . . .” She ventured with a slight nod of her head when neither women offered no greetings of their own or so much as a hello.

Their avid dislike of her was palpable. Coral could almost taste it in the air. It had a bitter, metallic taste . . . much like Gods Blood, she imagined.

Curiosity burned in their gazes. Athena's stare filled more with cold suspicion, Arabella's mild conjecture. No doubt wondering what on earth she was doing here.

All in good time . . .

“Oh! My apologies.” Insincerity thick in her honeyed voice. “Hope I wasn't interrupting anything important.”

Corallium smiled unrepentantly showing pearly white teeth.

"Well, no sense in sitting around without the others. Shall we send for them?" Asked of her as he stood, holding his staff close for support.

"I know I'm keeping you from your duties brother, but I think it best if you stay a little while longer. So that we can decide on our course of action as one, rather than adding our say in dribs and drabs." Indris turns and walks into each of the Alcoves, carefully inspecting each one in turn till they are filled with an otherworldly glow.

"Hear me sister, dear Athena. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. Your counsel is sought, as is your strength"

Next she reaches an alcove with a heart carved into the wall at its centre with a single white rose floating before it, and gently cups the flower in her hands as she whispers to it softly

"Hear me sister, dear Arabella. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. Your calming love for the world is dearly needed."

This alcove was filled with swirling spirals of vividly dark colours, clashing within a vortex of visuals which swapped and changed in seconds without fully manifesting. At it's heart was a black star, the eight pointed star of chaos incarnate. Indris lightly wrapped her long slender fingers around it.

"Hear me sister, Eirs. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. We need to heal our rift sister, and deal with what troubles us all."

The next alcove was filled with the faint howls of voices in argument and disagreement, each roaring to be heard over the other, and the walls are covered in handprints and words marking their view in this sea. At the heart beneath a pair of crossed axes is a singular handprint in blood placed in the middle of a triangle. Indris frowns slowly as she places her own hand above that of her brothers.

"Hear me brother, Tché I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss."

She entered an almost empty alcove, smoothed walls without any of the trappings that the others had held, save the same altar upon which the symbols of import had rested. And a smile curved Indris' lips as she stepped to one side and caused a faint gust of dusty air to enter. The moment it did the small altar became drenched in water and flour and a stone at the back spun to reveal a circle of metal with a grinning face engraved upon it.

"Hear me brother, Katergaris. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. And if you could refrain from performing tricks upon myself till this matter is concluded it would be a great favour to me."

Then at last she entered a darkened alcove, with a warm musty feel to it. Furs and antlers hung on the wall and a wolf's skull stood at its heart, two rubies red eyes glittering from its empty sockets. Indris softly caresses the smooth bone before speaking to its master.

"Hear me brother, Young Sargon. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss."

She steps back from this final summons and takes her place at the table, awaiting the answers to her call. She decided that she would greet the others then bring Corallium into the mix, as while the others would usually have issue with each other she knew that this sister had a tendency to cause more rifts than even dear Eris.

---

“"No Menoth.” Corallium said chillingly to the air where he had been “You're wrong, when war calls, no one is spared the fight. Not even you . . .” He smiled to himself as her last words filtered through to him as he made his way through the dark chambers of his realm. Howling beasts, for they were no longer men, threw themselves at the bars of their cages as he walked past, his clawed hands reaching out to toy with some of the more vicious ones.

"It will certainly be an interesting day for us, if the world is consumed in fire and death then I wonder if the balance will be tipped or completely restored."

---

"This where your take your rightful place for it is you who should be standing by my side as we save the world"

He'd listened to his brother's ravings, his face set and unmoving as he'd felt his heart sink slightly as he heard what he planned.

"I said I would give you a moment and this I have done brother." He closes the gap so that they are only a few feet apart, his hand resting upon the hilt of his sword has tightened as he was speaking. "Have you given any thought that bringing them back into the world could wake Torum as well? That they would summon him back from the edge of existence?" He shakes his head slowly and walks around his brother, keeping an even distance "I understand your pain at the state of the world but is the slaughter of your kin, your brothers and sisters truly the way to see it fixed? By drowning not only Lorgraine but all existence in the blood of gods the only solution? If they die I will guide them like I do all others but this seems folly. I stood at your side when we overthrew the old ones and I would do so again but I can't stand by and watch their release. The mortals may be deserving of destruction but that is not may place to decide, mine is to judge their lives and decide if they are to be given another. I'm sorry but I cannot destroy the world of the living, no more than I could that of the dead. Balance in all things brother, remember that there must be a balance."

He gently tossed a single silver coin in the air between them both, one side a pair of skeletal scales and the other a grinning skull, its arc is high and uninterrupted.

"The choice of slaughter is yours brother, I would ask you to find another way to bring justice to the world but you're set on this course and I will not allow their release." He bowed slowly to Revan, his cold blue eyes locking onto his brothers.

---

Thornwrath

As Sargon spoke to his generals and officers, he felt a sudden pull at his very being. Then the voice entered his mind..

"Hear me brother, Young Sargon. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss."

Sargon looked to his generals, all of which were used to their gods body language. They gave him a nod, signalling they would handle his affairs while he tended to the needs of immortals. Sargon smiled at his men's loyalty as he let the ethereal pull of his sisters voice pull him to the Hall of the Triuvirate....
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hall of Triuvirate

A chill entered the Hall of the Triuvirate, followed by the howls of wolves. A common signal that the God of the Hunt was near, as soon as the gods breath was seen on the air did the Dreadwolf appear. The form of a massive silver wolf, he padded his way towards the Gods. Upon reaching Indris, the wolf nudged its massive muzzle and head under Indris hand, showing the only affection he has ever had for another immortal. He padded over to his shrine, where his body began to change into that of his immortal form, a stout young warrior clad in Black Rock Steel, a silver broadsword attached to his hip. He touched the altar "Impressive" he muttered

His eyes flashed a quick silver as his vision traveled to that of his son and daughter, of his people's queen and the city of Tharlamor "Good" he smiled. Things were in motion...

He turned and walked to the table "Indris" he nodded "Libirus. What have you need of me. I'm sure a meeting of our kin is far more important than what I could possibly due to help" his words had venom, many meetings Sargon had been shut out due to his youth, and this would be no exception. He hated most of his kin, all save Indris.

As Revan Thanatos listened to the words spoken by his brother the fire within him began to take light. It sparked and each word uttered blew more life into it. The anger of a brother scorned was not one to be underestimated. Revan was more than angry, he was disappointed, he was hurt, he felt betrayed. To betray the God of Vengeance was no idle feat, Kelmor was either mad or unfathomably brave. Which Revan cared little now for as he watched his brother toss the coin in the air it seemed as if time had slowed. The Judge of the Dead and the Lord of Justice locked eyes as their hands went to their weapons.

Kelmor's face was one of resignation and determination, while Revan's features showed his lusty anger and eerie glee at the bloodshed to come. The coin spun in the air as the snarls and groans from the cage of the Old Ones filled the hall. The two brothers blood slowed as their both steeled themselves for what was to come. The coin reached the zenith of it's ascent and Revan spoke.

"So be it..."

Revan said darkly, his voice full of wicked intent. In the next moment he was consumed in shadow as his form darted for his kin. His rune blade was ripped from it's sheath in the fraction of a second it took to reach Kelmor and the blade was brought down, ready to cleave the Judge of the Dead in twain. Revan was one of the finest swordsmen in existence, second only to Athena. Both knew Kelmor was no match for him in a stand up fight. Kelmor would have to fight smart and put Revan down quickly if he had any hope of leaving this chamber alive.

Corallium bristled once more at being called pup by Athena, but she said not a word. She would get hers soon enough and it would be at her own hands!

Instead, Corallium hugged her so called sister back, tears spilling from her eyes and then pushed out of the embrace dramatically giving Athena her back.

"Oh Athena!" She cried falsely. "I do not deserve your kind words sister. I was wrong! So very wrong and what I did was unforgivable."

Turning sharply she stalked back to where Athena stood and grasped the War Maiden's upper arms in her hands.

The immediate future suddenly flashed through Corallium's mind. Her ire blazed into a bonfire of flames. It would appear Indris had called a meeting in her lair and had invited everyone except her! Well! Corallium thought in bitterness. She never needed an invitation to turn up where so ever she pleased!

Indris indeed . . .

However for now she must deal with the matter at hand first.

"But you must believe me sister, I did not do it on purpose. I swear to the Moderator I was . . . I was tricked." Coral stated adamantly before she began to sob again.

"That treacherous beast!" She spat in cold fury in-between sobs. "He spoke sweet words of love to me and told me he wanted to change! And the fool that I am, I believed him and thought I could help him . . . Change him! How was I to know he was a fraud! A liar! A lecher!"

With an inner smile Coral wondered how Revan would take to know she was cursing him to the high heavens. No doubt, he would find it greatly amusing. How she missed his wicked smile . . . She wondered how he was fairing? And more so with a little vexation, what the devil he was up to?!?

She did not like being left out!

Suddenly turning hauntingly gray red rimmed eyes to lock with Athena's Corallium swore loyalty.

"I swear sister I will help you anyway I can . . . Alas, I only fear I cannot tell you much about Lord Justice's disappearance. Though I was there I thought him meditating . . . trying to find peace within himself . . . but obviously I was sorely mistaken."

Casting her gaze down in repentance Corallium spoke in a very child like voice, sniffling while silent tears streamed down the apples of her pale cheeks.

"W-will you truly not let him harm me?"

Turning a gravely innocent gaze upon her sister . . .

"I'm scared . . ."

Eris

Eris was in the midst of taking a bubble bath, watching from her chaotic home the events that began to unravel hidden agendas. Her eyes were full of mirth at the sight of Corallium crying and cursing out Revan for tricking her "oh dear little sister had he done so I would have known and I see that you lie but ah well let Athena deal with you as she pleases" a wolfish smile played at her lips.

Then a voice interrupted her envisioning the coming chaos that would soon follow Revan as let his monsters free, hand in hand with her son Abaddon . . .

"Hear me sister, Eirs. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. We need to heal our rift sister, and deal with what troubles us all."

Her smile was replaced with a frown as she thought whether or not she should listen to Indris's beckoning voice. With a simple shrug Eris clapped her hands lightly, her bath disappeared. Now wearing a maroon sleeveless dress that showed her bare shoulders, Eris held in her hand a goblet full of Chaos and took a sip of it, while in her other she held a golden apple, letting it roll away from her. She kept her eyes glue to the apple as it rolled away from her, until it teetered at the edge of her realm and fell to the earth below.

The apple of Discord landed and bounced along the floor of the hall Indris and Sargon were in, only stopping, at her sister’s feet, only to be picked up by a small white hand. “Well what do we have here? Dirtying my apple with your disgusting floor Indris. Te hee I’m only playing witcha” a smile could be seen from behind the shadow created by the hood of her jacket that was adorned with cat ears and went down to her knees. Eris was in her Madness form, taking on the appearance of a small girl, purple hair peeked out from the hood that obscured her face from view save for her smile and mad filled eyes.

“so why have you called me Indris” Eris tossed the golden apple into the air, her insane grin grew wider with each toss.

Laughter shamelessly reverberated throughout the smoke-filled room, as Tché rose his glass to the speaker before downing its contents once again. “And yet my friend, somehow I doubt even a Siren could bring a Novgordian and a Livian to the same inn.” The god’s large-bellied host slurped into his own glass as he failed to repress his amusement. Tché smiled at the man, not for the first time admiring the benefits of godhood: namely the incredible difficulty of intoxicating oneself – although he had achieved the feat on a number of occasions. This would, unfortunately, not be one of them. Dage Georsan was a man well known within the higher circles of society, and more often than not for his lavishly thrown balls and celebratory parties; although a few would know him better for his ownership of one of the largest weapons manufacturers in all of the human kingdoms. Georsan had inherited Georsan and Sons’ from his father, a true entrepreneur who had not only built the organisation from a small merchant company to the industrial juggernaut it was today, but who had also pushed forward legislation that opened the doors to the capitalism and the establishing of corporate power that to this day drove the human kingdoms higher and higher. It would be no exaggeration to say that he was one of the visionaries who reaped the rewards of the industrial revolution and one of its greatest proponents; and Tché would not hesitate to claim some responsibility for that. In return for a little expert advice as to where the next big conflict would spark, Tché and Georsan and Sons’ had entered into a fruitful partnership. Tché created the demand, and the Georsans provided the supply, and if a few shipments went off the books, who would argue with the sounds of profit? It was one such relationship that Tché maintained with his mortal followers; the God believed that the mortal world should as far as possible be kept within a closed loop - self-sustainable without too much reliance on its deities – unlike some of his kin who seemed to far prefer willing things willy-nilly into existence. “So Dage, I can count on you to assist me in this matter?” The young man impatiently brushed aside Tché’s concerns as he greedily plucked at the dish presented to him by one of the more curved serving girls, although his attention seemed to be on anything but the food. Sighing, the God couldn’t help but reminisce; the man was little like his pioneering father and had chosen to surround himself in the luxuries of his status and wealth, leaving the day to day running of his assets to those beneath him. Since the passing of Georsan senior Tché had been steadily separating himself from the corporation, and he doubted it would last for Dage’s sons the way it was being run. Alas, it suited his purposes. The god clicked his fingers in front of the man’s face to draw his attention back to the matter at hand and away from the girl’s retreating form. “Yes, yes. I’ve been informed that the deliveries are proceeding smoothly. The Greenskin are quite the market, but the profits – or so I’ve been told – are particularly lucrative, although I wouldn’t put my money on this Sulgha fellow: too few in number if you ask me.” Tché made a sound that seemed to subtly imply that he had not, as he poured the last of the vintage. The god was hardly listening any more as he felt his mind pulled away: "Hear me brother, Tché I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss." Well, that’s an interesting trick. Tché recognised the voice of Indris, one did not easily forget a member of the Triumvirate, and he wondered if this had anything to do with whatever Thanatos had gotten up to. Either way he was curious, and even an immortal tried to stay friendly with the Gods of the Dead. Placing the half-finished glass on the table, Tché stood up and began to make his way to the door “A pleasure as always Dage, wish you the best!” Dage hastily waved away the God, far too engrossed in the smiling girl whom he had just drawn into his lap, “No, no don’t get up: I’ll leave you to it and show myself out.” Tché grimaced as he stepped through to Indris’ domain, pathetic.

Tché closed the door behind him as he glanced over the room. In its centre was a large table, and already it was surrounded by a number of his brothers and sisters. The God nodded in greeting to his siblings, quickly coming to the conclusion that this would be a meeting of all of his kin. Tché raised an eyebrow as his gaze settled on the altar closest to him, immediately recognising the design of the somewhat extravagant shrine, before turning to his sister. “I’m honoured, truly Indris, to have a follower of such stature, although I must admit I haven’t heard any of your prayers as of late. Nice to see you so soon again too Librarian, although I must admit I fear this isn’t a mere social gathering?” Librus seemed to be deeply concerned, a furrowed brow indicative of the worry that appeared to consume the God. Tché frowned; anything that so alarmed and drained the mind of the God of Knowledge would prove to be ill news indeed. The other two Gods in the hall drew extra attention from the God of Rebellion; he didn’t trust either of them as far as he could throw them - not that he thought any less of them because of it. Eris was, well Eris, as Goddess of Chaos and Madness to not distrust her would be an affront to her nature, and Sargon constantly seemed to be hiding something; in fact, the weight that seemed to constantly press on the man’s shoulders hinted at many things. The God let out a sigh, he’d find out soon enough. Walking forward, Tché took his place at the table before leaning back into the solid stone chair resigned to await the arrival of others and get some answers for what danger has befallen Lorgaine.

As the white lady stepped back from the last icon of her siblings she heard a voice from the darkened shadows and turned "Indris" Sargon nodded towards her and their other brother "Libirus. What have you need of me. I'm sure a meeting of our kin is far more important than what I could possibly due to help" Indris smiled faintly and gestured towards a seat carved and designed in a fitting manner for the god. ”Please be seated Sargon, we have a matter to discuss.”

“so why have you called me Indris” From the other side of the room Eris had materialised within the hall her smile devious and wide as she slowly and leisurely tossed her golden apple into the air. Indris turned to her sister and nodded her head in a slight bow of respect ”Greetings Eris, welcome. Please take a seat while we wait for the others to arrive. We have an important issue to discuss, all of us."

Her voice was answered by a resounding crash as the large doors to the chamber were closed behind the new arrival. “I’m honoured, truly Indris, to have a follower of such stature, although I must admit I haven’t heard any of your prayers as of late. Nice to see you so soon again too Librarian, although I must admit I fear this isn’t a mere social gathering?”
Indris smiled wryily towards her brother and shook her head slowly, a faint chuckle escaping her lips ”I bid you welcome here Tché, and I am not your worshipper brother but I understand your role in our world is as needed as any other. Please, take a seat." She once more gestured towards a seat tailored to his tastes.

Sighing softly she looked to each of them in turn before speaking.
” I had hoped that all of us would be present when I began but the others will turn up in due time and I’m sure Coral already knows of this meeting and will be with us shortly. But yes, we need to bring Revan to justice, and by that I do not mean we seek to kill him. Even for all his crime Thantos is no less our kin, our flesh and blood. We must attempt to show him the error of his ways. I would have us stand together in this endeavour. What say you?"

---

"So be it..."

Kelmor heard Revan mutter, his voice twisted with intent as his form was wreathed in shadows. His runic blade was drawn and readied before he had even closed the gap between himself and Kelmor. The disappointment that filled the grey judges eyes seemed to narrow as he focused on the approaching attack, while his hand carefully and slowly draws his dull metallic blade; his fingers entwining with the skeletal hilt.

"You are tipping the balance brother."

He whispered softly, turning at the last moment, his sword spinning round into a defensive stance; barely deflecting the runic blade in a crack of sparks and invoking a roar of fury from his brother. In response his sword hacked through the air; cutting and slicing through the fabric of Kelmor's cloak till little more than wisping strands remained. As his cloak vanishes his torso is laid bare, the armoured plate that usually covers his body gone to better favour his mobility as the still air around them is whipped up in this duel. The darkened blade of Thantos is a force to be reckoned with and while Kelmor's stance repeatedly pulls him out of its reach it is not always in time, as with each clash of brothers his body feels its bite. The ground beneath them is stained with blood; deep, rich and dark.

He draws back further before spiralling in towards Revan his sword clasped tightly in both hands, his strike aimed into an uppercut through his brothers guard. A faint hint of futility seems to reside in his pale eyes for a moment as he stares at the creature his brother has become. Almost as damnable as the monsters he seeks to release upon the world.

The duel of the brother gods was becoming more bloody and more brutal with each passing moment. Each move of Revan's blade was aimed to kill. Nothing was held back, Revan Thanatos sought blood this day. The Judge of The Dead fought admirably in his attempt to keep up with his murderous kin. The swordsmanship of Kelmor paled in comparison to that of his brother yet to his credit Kelmor did not yield, nor did he hesitate. He gave it his all and he surprised The Lord Vengeance with each step. Every time Kelmor's blade deflected that of Revan's his rage grew. The very idea that his inferior brother would even dare challenge him yet alone refuse to die was infuriating. Yet it was his words that seemed to enrage Revan all the more. He dared to say that it was Revan who tipped the balance.

"You know nothing of true balance brother!"

Revan roared as he brought his blade down, ready to split his brothers skull in two. The blow struck with such force that when Kelmor rose his blade to block it, he was dropped to a knee. In the next instant a blast of pure black ichor shot fourth from the cloud that was swarming around Revan and sent Kelmor flying backwards. Kelmor slammed into the wall and was quickly held enthralled as shadowy tendrils reached out to ensare his hands, legs and throat. Revan glared at him, sword in hand as he took several slow and purposeful steps toward him.

"Justice is balance Kelmor and therefore I am balance. The balance has swayed for centuries yet we have all been too weak to do what is necessary to correct it. I am the only one willing to plunge my hands in the filth to save this world."

He paused as he was now but an arms length from his ensared brother, all the while the black tendrils squeezing tighter and tighter around him.

"I should kill you, I should end your miserable life as penance for your crimes.... but... I think that would be to punish the hound with it not first learning it's lesson."

Those emerald eyes of Revan seemed to be searching for something only his eyes could see. It was a truly frightening sight for what one might take for madness what one could also see as the sharpest of clarity in the eyes of the Justice God.

"Yes... Yes you will watch as the world feels the cleansing fire of my influence. You will stand witness as your realm swells with the souls of all those not fit for my world, powerless to do anything but observe the coming of the new day. You will realize the folly of your actions and seek to grovel at my feet in shame and as you kneel amongst the ashes of the old world ... then and only then will you have my permission to die."

With that Revan turned from his brother as the darkness closed it's grip around him even tighter, forcing his head to turn and bear witness to Revan's deeds. Revan Thanatos strode the few steps to the cage of the Leviathan and withdrew the key from the folds of his cloak. The howls within began to hit a fever pitch as the denizens within the prison could feel the moment of their freedom was now at hand.

"And so I free you. Marking the beginnings of the end for this corrupt world."

With that Revan placed the key in the lock and turned it. The gate was now open and the mighty Leviathan whose power shaped the world in it's infancy were once again free. Their titanic power unleashed in all its unholy splendor. They poured out onto the world bringing death, chaos and destruction along with them. The world of men had not long now, Revan's plan was nearing it's zenith.

The storm that shot fourth from the cell in which held back the Leviathan cared not whom stood in it's path causing the Lord of Vengeance to act quickly. In an instant the black tendrils launched Kelmor at the fleeing monsters like a babe thrown to the wolves, granting Revan ample time to escape unscathed.

Hear me brother, Katergaris. I stand in the halls of the Triumvirate and hold your symbol. I bid you visit me here, for we have a matter to discuss. And if you could refrain from performing tricks upon myself till this matter is concluded it would be a great favour to me. The words penetrated his mind as he hung upside down from his throne wondering what exactly it would be like to be turned into cheese.

Katergaris lept up attempting to raise from his chair. His footing betrayed him in his very own lair and he tripped landing on his face however due to this being His lair and not the mortal world, he merely bounced back up as if made of rubber. The Trickster God called out to seemingly no-one. "Jack! I want a new floor! And could you please take me to where I'm needed?" The next thing Katergaris knew he was being loaded into a catapult and launched at a blinding speed. The God burst into flame as he flew over Lorgaine looking like a comet passing over the cities as the smoke behind his shifted and formed a large smiling face in the sky. The comet shaped God traveled and arrived through means unknown to himself at the place he was summoned.

"Hello Everybody!!!!!!"

Katergaris shouted his greeting and he announcement that he'd arrived, completely ignorant of the fact that his Jester costume was slowly burning away showing more and more skin. The Trickster God didn't know why he was here and he didn't care, he was getting lonely all alone in his lair with only Jack for company.