Armoth

Novakillin shuddered at the thought. Why would they need to fight the primordials? He shook his head. "I....I...." Novakillin manage to get out. He couldn't just tell her. Only a few gods know of markavian. He was embaressed of him. And hated him self for it. Edna put her hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right Novakillin? You don't seem to be your self right now, so if you need some help or advice, come talk to me in my realm, you are most welcome to visit anytime for some tea if thats what you desire" Novakillin coughed. "I...I would like that....thank you." He shook his head to clear it. He felt like a pile of ass excrement. Markavian from his conscious said, Finally Nova got a girlfriend. Novakillin froze at that, feeling as though he should hurt himself bad, just so it could affect Markavian. Shut it novakillin thought.

Novakillin looked at Rasoc. Had he really just accepted a dinner invite? Now he has seen every thing. There must be some business to attend to between the two of them, but it really wouldnt be involving him, so he decided aginst asking why. But Pyrexus was here, finally. He nodded at Edna. "Yeah, apparently Klethi has came up with a planto murder the primordials...." He stoped himself before he said more. Only let the few know about Markavian. Novakillin thought.

{OOps}

Hazarmaveth sat and listened to the gods speak. He was not as surprised to hear Vescteseg decline. He was callous and proud, but not a buffoon. Years of war had taught him that there were times when a battle was worth fighting or not, and the level of uncertainty involved was unacceptable. Then Markavian surfaced from Navakillin and began raving, what poor timing it was. More madness than anything else, did not seem to care if it ended in his destruction or success, as long as it was chaotic. He shook his head silently. Then he hears Rasoc demanding his silence, he didn't blame him for the outburst, it was becoming... grating. He was glad to finally hear that Markavian had receded.

He saw Pyrexus walk in, quite late but her presence was at least a relief. He perks up, regardless of a visible expression, he seemed uncharacteristically jovial. "Ah! Pyrexus! I had worried you weren't going to come!" He says, his deep voice almost booming over the council. It wasn't that he was always gloomy, he had joys, but it was not often the family had been together, regardless the circumstances. Then he hears that she had to deal with the passing of a child. "Yes, the young are always... the hardest, a life, barely given a chance to flourish... but I presume the passing was made at least relatively painless?" He asks, his tone turns gloomy. More than once had a young life cut short moved him to to use reincarnation.

Hazarmaveth looks over, watching Edna comfort Novakillin, clearly confused on his outburst. He stands up and leans over, his hazey blue eyes aglow. "Didn't you know, miss Edna?" He says in a low voice, nearly a whisper. "Markavian is a twin soul, two separate minds intertwined as one but without balance. On one side, Novakillin the Inventor, who wishes only to create..." He holds out a hand creating a small rose made of blue flame. "...and on the other, Markavian the Mad, who wishes only to destroy." He crushes the rose fizzling it out of existence. "Unlike me and my brother, however, the side known as Markavian seems to lack any values of reasoning, compassion, or concern for himself or others. He simply does what he does because he revels in a world of ash and flame."

Montayzuomah simply zoned out from the meeting as the other gods gave their opinions and argued. All he knew was that Klethi wanted to kill the primordials. Not that it makes any difference to him, he created from the wills and beliefs of the mortals prayers as they wished for a god which could satisfy their begging. Although, putting it into a family perspective, most of these gods are descendants of the primordials, isn't it bad to kill a family? Damn, that's thinking like a mortal now...

Suddenly the words of Rasoc dragged Montayzuomah back into reality. Snapping him out of his daydreams of mass genocide, causing his head to quickly twitch and look over the place as he moved his free arm behind his head while his other hand fixed it's grip around the halberd. Facing Rasoc, Montayzuomah replied with heavy laughter, his arm quickly moved to cover his stomach -he learned his action from watching mortals- as he continued laughing. He stepped around the room as he started to loose balance from his laughter.

Finally, once he had started to calm down. Montayzuomah wiped the area underneath the eye slits of his helmet, presumably wiping tears. "Why would I have a say here? It makes no difference to me." He replied, looking around the area at the other gods afterwards, trying to find some cool words to say.
"I don't understand why you all want to kill those guys, I mean, they were responsible for most of your existences." He continued as he moved his attention down to the mortals which sat on the table, lowing his body as his relatively giant head stared close at the mortals. Allowing them to see through the eye slits and into the glowing deep red lights which hid inside.
"What's your views on this? Isn't it bad to kill your parents for whatever reason was explained?"

"Well, I can't say much to that, as I wasn't born to one of the primordials. But, obviously it's allowed for parents to kill each other, so why don't we drive them against each other?" Pyrexus said, looking towards Rasoc with a smirk. "It would work, until one is left alive. Then, we kill the last one living." It would not be an easy task, and everyone knew that. The primordial gods had very little purpose.

(For some reason I can't tag all characters here, sorry)

When his daughter stepped into the room, the god of death visibly relaxed a bit. "No need to worry, daughter" he greeted her back and watched her sit down across the table from him. The raging caustic green glow from his eyes softening a bit.

Turning his head to Montayzuomah, listening to what the god had to say, but ended up frowning once he was done. "Have you at all been listening to what we've been saying? Most of us are against the idea.. 'Tis only Markavian and Zeralt who seems truly interested in the plan.. And I'm still suspecting this to be a mere bluff from Klethi" the god of death growled, the tone of his voice was a deep baritone that had a gravelly shrilling undertone to it, underlining his annoyance.

Looking at his daughter in surprise, he straightened up in his chair and spoke "You surprise me, Pyrexus.. I thought you'd have more neutral stand in this.. Or at least disagreed completely..." Rasoc admitted, but continued "As it stands.. Most is unwilling to go through with this insane plan. Even with your suggestion, Pyre, it would most likely not be a success.. The all-father, Amo'lanainn, his realm can not be reached by any of us.. Not even by the other primordials.. So even if the plan mostly succeeded, we still wouldn't be able to get to him. Besides, as I said earlier before you joined, the chances of us to be killed by the primordials is more likely to happen, than the plan actually succeeding.." Rasoc sighed.

"Have anything to add, Klethi?" he asked the Lady of Luck, since she had been mostly quiet through this whole discussion.

Creep

Sleep. Something almost all beings can relate to each other in having. Mortals use it to relieve the growing strains of their thoughts and gods use it to relay messages to mortals as well as a means to regenerate. Often times when a god or goddess uses up too much of their power or is damaged bad enough they need to rest until they have rejuvenated themselves.

Creep just used it to occasionally feel human.

He laid in the dusty old bedroom of a long abandoned inn. The threads that the sheets were woven from had frayed apart at the ends and for the most part had fallen to pieces from the damages the insects have inflicted over the years. Sixty long years he's spent sleeping in this room. It was a surprise the floor hadn't collapsed into the level below given how many termites now inhabited the walls of this old building.

The dim dismal sunlight crept along his oddly clean shaven face just as it had for numerous days before, only changing with the rotations of the sun. This was an auspicious day however. After sixty years who could tell just how long he planned on staying asleep. As the rays of light met his shut eyelids however he started to stir, much to his occupants surprise.


After what must of felt like hours he finally yawned, reaching a hand up to rub the tiredness from his eyes. Pulling his hat down to block out the light he rolled away from the window and shut his eyes again. He was a determined sleeper, that much was certain.

"Masteerr... You've received a zsummoning." The insectoid voice informed him inside his head. There was a slight grumble deep down in his throat. I wanna sleep... He complained in thought, a slight pang of annoying registering due to the mild disturbance. "Undeerrzstood. Our zsinceerrezst apologieezs masteerr."

Brain symbiote were annoying like that. Always hearing everything he thinks and knowing everything he feels. They've always been careful enough to give the illusion of privacy to his thoughts so as to not raise his ire which was already pretty high as they were privy to something he had previously considered personal. He's never raised enough of a fuss to get rid of them, he's never truly understood the extent to which they know him. All he knows is that they are loyal beyond what most humans understand of loyalty. The queens would tolerate no less from company in this body they call their temple.


It was too late for him. Now that he heard of the news his mind was active, busy with thought. There was no way he was going to squeeze in some more sleep while he was distracted like this. Frustrated with himself more than anyone for this he slowly sat up, groaning before stretching his arms wide out. His back made a loud series of pops as he worked out the kinks. The bugs inside had long ago come to understand that their god occasionally does stuff like that, it's not something to be worried about.

But the motion and the results of said motion caused a stir within him. The entire population was active now that he was up. Before they were quite careful not to wake him but now that he was up they were free to wiggle about wherever they went. He could feel them inside him, always.

How long have I been asleep for? This place looks way older than it looked when I came in. He pondered in thought, knowing his thoughts were heard and a reply was in the making from his excessively close advisers. "Ourr anceezstorrzs have grrown up, grrown old and dieed many timeezs beeforre uzs" The head advisors answered back. So... Longer than a couple weeks then.


He couldn't expect them to keep a very precise track of the time. It was quite exemplary that they were as knowledgeable as they were, speaking to him as another human would though with a heavy accent as they struggled to duplicate all the same sounds. Vocal communication was not a large component of how insects communicated with each other. They had to learn how speaking actually conveyed information before they could even understand how to learn how to speak their god's language. Luckily for insects once a few insects learned the secrets of mammalian communication the queens only needed to eat their brains to receive the knowledge so they could pass it onto their offspring.

Not that Creep knew how they went about their business. He didn't really care to learn about it either. He wasn't much concerned with the affairs of insects unless it was a big problem. All he wanted to worry about was himself. He picked up each of his boots and tipped them upside-down, shaking out some stray bugs which were loitering inside before putting the boots on. Finally he stood up from the bed he had slept on for all these years. Miraculously it had never collapsed despite it's age, though it wasn't all that miraculous when taking into consideration the fact that the insects were more than a little encouraged to make sure their god was not roused from his sleep too early.

Out through the window he stared, gazing out into the rolling fields of golden wild grass littered with yellow and red leaves dropped from the nearby forest. Autumn, the transitory season marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter. To be put in more flowery terms, the end of life and the beginning of death. It boded ill to be called to the summit at this time as a distant feeling nagged within, worrying him. A sense that much like the season the purpose the gods gather will mark the end of peace and the beginning of tumultuous times. Ah heck, who was he kidding. The gods always wanted to stir chaos and strife whenever they could. Like big children with little to no restraint save for the threat of each other. He just knew they were going to just make life harder for everyone down on Armoth.


He went over to the door, grasping the handle gingerly. Having spent a while around insects he's honed his already gentle approach to a fine art, able to move around without disrupting anything. It helped him get around unseen which was quite valuable given how often trouble sought him. Stepping into the old hallway the first thing he noted was that while old and absolutely covered in dust it was relatively intact. If the dust hadn't built up quite so much he might of believed he had only slept a couple days.

He stepped towards the wall opposite from his room, careful with his feet as to not step on any of his followers. While he was no larger than the common man unlike the other deities he was similarly large to the insects, capable of crushing them if he missteps. He approached the old rusted dark iron torch holder, looking at it with an expression deep in contemplation. He could only wonder, drawing the tip of his right index finger down the side of the torch's metal frame, dust gathering under his finger. I wonder what became of that old innkeeper and that lovely daughter of his...


As he began down the stairs into the main room he could see that no one's been through there in a long time either. This place truly was abandoned, left to the wages of time. It was a strange feeling to Creep, trying to piece together the fate of a building which he had gone to sleep in in what felt like it was just yesterday. He could see the personal items which belonged to the owners were gone. The chairs and tables were all put away too. All signs seemed to point to similar fates. The old man and his daughter had closed the inn, taking everything and moving away. Obviously the young lady had kept her word about not disrupting his slumber.

At this point there was little to no reason for him to stay in this old empty building. He was at a crossroads, figuratively speaking. He knew he had received a summoning to attend a meeting at the summit however he wasn't sure he wanted to go. He leaned back against a wall, looking up as he debated with himself.

I don't want to go. I know they probably expect me to go but who would notice if I was gone? They hardly notice if I show up so I don't see why I should be obligated to appear. Any issues they might be discussing are matters I've little to nothing to say about anyways. Chances are they're just talking internal politics, stuff I couldn't care less about. Unless they're planning to off me I've little care whether they all kill each other or make friends. I don't think I've got anything important to say even it was something that mattered. I'm not qualified to make big world changing decisions, why should they hear from me?... Is it normal to talk to myself if it's just in my thoughts?


Ultimately he decided against going after a long obtuse period of internal dialogue. Instead he settled on going elsewhere in Armoth and just doing what he usually did. With a goal in mind, no real direction but a goal, he stepped through the door out into the great outdoors. In front of him all along the trees he saw thousands of hives along the trees, all brimming with bees and wasps. No doubt the ground was no less populated with insects of every variety. So this's where they all stayed while I was asleep.

With an upward motion of his hand the earth in front of him opened up, revealing a massive hole leading downwards diagonally. Given his affinities to the elements of earth and air he was able to exert some command over both. He stepped in and began his long trek down into the winding tunnels below. He had little trouble finding his way in such darkness, his senses many and quite capable of leading him through most if not all environments day or night. Through these tunnels all sorts of insects traveled. Most of them were small. A number of them were as big as him and there were some that were larger than him by far. The world beneath the surface was an active one, a busy highway for those who dwelt beneath the dirt. A large population of those entities were insects of course.





He eventually emerged from the earthen tunnels, coming out from an old abandoned mine shaft. He squinted and held one hand out to keep the sun from his eyes as he exited the mouth of the mountain. A couple minutes later his eyes were adjusted enough to see just fine.

He continued walking down from the mountain and through the forest below until he came upon a river. He followed the river until he eventually came upon a lovely sight. A tall flowing waterfall, showers of water running down the rocky face into a small pond which emptied into another river. All of this was of course surrounded by an environment of pure natural beauty. He took a deep breath of the fresh air which of course went into his lungs and escaped through the holes out from his body, not leaving the way it came in. It was hard to capture that comforting sensation of being human when he didn't even need to breath as even if he did his body was quite different than it used to be so long ago.

He gave a sigh of disappointment but nonetheless drank in the smooth sensation of the cool wind on his skin. Leaning back in the crook of a tree trunk he rested. He closed his eyes and just listened to the calming sounds of nature. The rushing of the waterfall, the singing of the birds, the buzzing of the bees, the buzzing of the flies, the buzzing of the wasps. It was difficult to listen to anything without the sound of insect wings beating all around. Just another fact of his godhood he had to adapt to. There was no power in this universe so great that it would come without any drawbacks.

Klethi returned to her seat, to watch and listen at the thrust of support and uproar of disapproval. It was beautiful.
The plot was one of her games, a blind bluff to see who would admit how much covetous material they'd been hoarding in secret. She expected the gods lacking in resources to consent, insofar as the redistribution would put them on equal footing with their nefarious opposites. She was disappointed when not even the gods who relished in death and grew in power with the volume of conflict jumped on the opportunity, but her face remained pleasantly amused as she turned her eyes between speakers.
Fenris was not amused. He was petrified, with a frozen face and burning ears. He sat, rigidly stiff, painfully aware of his mortality in the face of outraged creatures that haughtily called themselves gods and could kill him with thought. When he finally did move, it was to look at the only other mortal present for support, brows together and expression troubled. "Klethi..."
Fenris was ignored, as he normally was. Klethi sat back, crossed her arms, and waited for the room to quiet again. When it refused to yield, she was at first annoyed, then a smile spread. Maybe she actually would move on the primordials, just for the hell of it. Maybe now the other gods would observe a healthy fear for her powers, great and little. "Hoi." She raised a hand, not that she expected it to silence anyone. "It was just a suggestion," she mumbled to herself, willing to bask in the chaos just a few moments longer before standing again. "I am glad to see us all impassioned, for or against my schemes. For those of you who would accuse me as position pieces for another of my simple 'games,' recall past experiences where similar accusations have led to... unexpected and displeasureable outcomes. I do not stand before you in jest. This is a solemn matter. Many could die. One of us could die. Poor Fenris here, or Edna's gardener, or any of your champions could be lost in the tumult of war." She uncrossed her arms and shook her head. "In the tumult of an aggression initiated half-cocked. I am an ambition, impulsive creature, many of you would say. But none here who is sane would describe me as a creature of habit. I am unpredictability incarnate. My methods, though questionable, always achieve what I desire, and I desire an Armoth sans the primordials! I do not say that we gather the pitchforks and torches and march forthright. I say that we retire to our independent realms, take stock, and reconvene at a future date to consolidate and organize. It could be a millennium before our dreams are realized. But with a little luck, I believe they will be realized to our mutual satisfactions."

Light's flickered and a chill set in the area as a tall blonde with blue streaks in her hair entered she eyed the gods wanting to fight with disdain [bLementia][/b] frowned and spoke " our time will come, but I think killing and creating a world where we walk among the slaughter we created is wrong, since I rule over nocturnal creatures and winter I believe I am still neutral" she said a small whip of smoke came from her nostril's "since I don't have many followers, I mean who would fight for a draconic goddess, not many mortals" she let out a chortle her aura chilling those close to her. "why do we keep treating mortals like live stock?" she muttered, fingering her amulet.

Gazing about the rather defunct meeting, Vescteseg decided he was done with his fellow gods. Standing once again, he summoned his war-hammer, calling out above the din of his worthless compatriots "Well Klethi, if you have any more inane ideas aimed at wasting my time, I will not take it lightly. To the rest of you, fare well, I may see you within the next hundred years. Do not disturb me again." Glancing at Rasoc, he nodded, and slammed the butt of the hammer into the ground, cracking the floor all around, opening a rift back to the Corruption. At the same time, he sent a message to one of his priests, telling him to prepare a feast within his citadel, and to invite the most devout of the Alfar. He stepped through the rift, appearing back into his home. In the main hall, the ground was made of dark grey stones, and the walls were made of the same. A series of tapestries outlining various moments of Vescteseg's life lined the walls. A table of dark dark wood was the centerpiece, and braziers glowing a dark ruddy red lit the place. As a token of respect, he waved his hand and changed a few of the tapestries to pictures of Rasoc and his accomplishments. A chair made of obsidian appeared next to Vescteseg's throne at the head of the table, and the smell of cooking began to fill the air. Now all to do was await his guest.

Zeralt had become content to hear everyone else's points on Klethi's plan. They all had fair arguments as to why or why not, but it seemed the majority had been for the not side. Filing away all of the details for possible future extortion, he sat patiently awaiting any further points that were to be made. This whole plan was a good idea to him, but as he pointed out earlier it relied on those who wouldn't help, especially in the case of the more powerful gods. Oh well, they may come around yet, in the meantime there was something he had been planning lately anyway and it would be a shame for his preparations to be put on hold.

It seemed as though the meeting was adjourned as Vescteseg made his exit. Zeralt got up to leave, but a brief thought crossed his mind as he remembered something that had been puzzling him. Before making his exit he walked over to where Edna and Klethi were sitting with their mortals. "Hello there," he greeted them warmly "I couldn't help but notice you both brought your mortal champions with you and was wondering if you wouldn't mind if I ask them something? Nothing nefarious I promise, it's just something I've been curious about. You see a lot of my followers are people who would die for their cause and I can't help but wonder at that. Being immortal I don't really have a concept of this and was wondering if you could enlighten me?"

Lementia shook her head at Kleth's plan she muttered "I am not a pawn.." she noticed the other's had mortal champion's , she was only Deity with out a champion. It made her sad that she didn't have a champion, she moved to leave her hair streaming behind her like the night sky. She leaned back in seat and blinked amythyst eyes.

Valoel was listening to the deities arguments about facing the primordial gods. She was thankful that the plan didint get that much support so far, but her attention turned to Montayzuomah, the God of war and disease when he asked the mortals on the table if it was wrong to kill family. Sure he was intimidating and compared to him she was like an ant, but she remained calm and she soon stood up to give the God her comment about the subject. "It is very wrong to even think of such a thing! Your family is the one who gave their child life, so thinking of killing them just because they are on a "supposed throne" is wrong!" She had to call out to the god knowing that her voice would possibly not be heard.

After giving the god her opinion, she was going to sit back down if it wasn't for Zeralt, the God consperiancy, plots, and secrets greeting them warmly and asked the mortals a strange question. "You see a lot of my followers are people who would die for their cause and I can't help but wonder at that. Being immortal I don't really have a concept of this and was wondering if you could enlighten me?"

Edna and Valoel looked at the god. "I don't see much harm in doing so, Valoel would you be so kind to tell him your opinion on the subject?" Edna spoke and Valoel simply nodded at her before giving her opinion on the subject. "Think of it this way, if you knew you have at least 100 years to live and could die at any point in your life, would you just accept the fact that you are going to die at any time? Or would you do something to give your life meaning? Sure, being a champion may lower my life span, but when the time comes for my eventual death I can look back at all I have acomplished so far and die peacefully knowing I have done something to give my life meaning!" She called out to the god.

Edna smiled upon hearing her words, such a girl full of life always made her feel exited being around her. "Well spoken Valoel, I truly admire your spirit." She smiled before looking at Novakillin. What Hazarmaveth told her didint change her views on her fellow deity. "I guess that means you are just two separate people. Don't let it get you down, you are Novakillin, the kind inventor and the other person inside you is a an entirely different person. I don't mind your twin entities at all." She smiled at him then turned towards Klethi. "If we have nothing else to discuss, I would like to leave the meeting to go back to tending my garden and keeping watch over my followers." She spoke politely before carefully placing Valoel on her hand and producing a sphere which had the image of her realm on it.

Hazarmaveth stood before Novakillin and Edna, and listened to Zeralt's question. He had often wondered the same, but in a different perspective from which it was asked. It had always amazed him on what things made mortals defy death and keep living. He listened to Valeol's response, a spirited answer as expected of a champion of Edna. "Yes, to live a life to its fullest, to accomplish great feats and look on with no regrets... you are a fine soul, do not let any tarnish that." He spoke kindly, but something troubled him in what she said. Something that has troubled him about his own servants.

"But, mind you I pose a couple questions of my own, miss Valeol? Do you consider your life of less value than ours?" His pupils dilate, a clear infinity shape to them to them now, his eyes a glowing haze, eagerly awaiting a response. "Would you follow an order regardless of what it was?" His tone was one of curiosity, but hinting towards something of a darker nature in the extent of her loyalty.

Klethi didn't let her disappointment show, though there was much of it. She waited, once again, patiently for an opportunity to slip back into the conversation and take it in a more effective or fun direction. She was interrupted, though, when the great schemer decided to bother her about nonsense. She waved a hand dismissively. "That is fine," she replied, not giving him or Fenris's response much thought.
Fenris, who had sat silently with his hands in his lap, watched Valoel's outburst, and seemed disturbed by it, though he didn't say anything. He tried to remain as unnoticed as he could, but even in total, blank, boring silence, he couldn't escape Zoralt's attention. It was a real problem for him, constantly being a marvel to the things he tried so adamantly to avoid.
"You aren't immortal," Fenris corrected. He put his hands on the table and pushed himself onto his feet, then looked up at Zoralt, a cross between annoyed and perplexed. "You just haven't died yet."
"Ignore his inanity, Zoralt. He is an atheist. They believe crazy things. Fenris, I believe he'd like to know how it feels to know you will some day be dead."
"Well he couldn't answer it himself if he realized he wasn't immune to the same fate. No one here is. Just as you can plot to kill primordials, you in turn can be challenged and defeated."
"For someone that claims so wholeheartedly to want nothing to do with the realm of deities, you spend a lot of time studying, and insulting, Fenris."
"I'm not trying to insult anyone, and I apologize if I've done so." He was flustered, like this was an exasperating and common experience. For those that had dealt with Klethi enough, they were likely familiar with Fenris's disapproval or at the least how quickly and often Klethi got him worked up and made him say something dangerous. "Are you satisfied with his answer, Zeralt? If that's all, I see that I should cut my losses here, and move on my many plots with better allies."

Zeralt nodded as the two mortals gave their thoughts. After taking in their responses he answered Klethi's question: "Why yes I believe that this shall suffice for now, thank you both, I suppose I shall be off now." As he turned to walk away he paused for a moment and called to Fenris over his shoulder: "Oh and Fenris, my plots do often end in death and loss, but they don't always. You may do well to remember that my plans are often the instruments of change, for better or for worse." And with that he turned back and left, slowly dissipating as though he was walking into a thick fog.

Returning to his Castle in Nagroth, Zeralt paced for a short time going back over everything that had been said at the meeting. He wrote down some of the more important points on a scroll for later then set about gathering a few small things he needed, most notably a small vial of green tinted liquid. After his preparations were completed he donned his mortal guise; a jester of bright purples and blacks with a smiling mask to conceal his face, and headed off.

Pyrexus had returned to her castle, confused. But, at the same time relieved. "Obviously, Rasoc is far too ignorant to realize what I was trying to say. Bastard killed my own mother. I should kill him for this, but it would be pointless. It would do no use." She kept ranting on to her servant, when he butted in, "Madam, I do believe that maybe you should confront him about this."

"What, only to have him kill me as well. You'd have to be a fool." She replied angrily.

"Well, don't come back to me if you need any other advice." The servant said, luckily, she was close with this one. He was the first servant she had, and was there when Rasoc killed Pyrexus' mother. A truly gruesome event.

"Do me a favor will you. Fetch me a cold beverage." It would not matter what it was, but it would ease her mind. With that, there were other matters at hand.

"Okay then madam," the servant said as he headed off to get the drink.

"Darn." Klethi clicked her tongue. "Count yourself lucky, Fenris; there are occupants plenty of this room who would not take being accused of mortality so well."
"You sound displeased," Fenris observed, nervously wringing his hands together.
"Well. It may have been fun to watch divine anger being dispensed for so pointless an offense. But take heart; I'll never show ire to your many opinions. They're amusing."
"You're patronizing me."
"No. Just glad, and reminded once again, what fun it is to have you party to these meetings. Unfortunately this particular one has lost my interest." She rose again. "Goddess Edna, I do apologize for what fright I may have given you reason to express. When the time comes, if us gods do seek loftier offices, I'll remember your objections favorably. The other, less polite rejections I might not reward with such difference. Valoel, it was nice to make your acquaintance. Say goodbye, Fenris."
"We're leaving?"
"You sound disappointed. Would you rather I left you here, to fumble through even more embarrassing introductions with your new friend? It is better to leave now, and reserve some air of mystery before she's correctly deduced your status as a fool."
"The MacSweets?"
"You've served your purposes, and for that they shall be rewarded." Thrust into a situation from which he had no guarantee of survival, and still he thought about others before himself. He certainly must have been a fool.
"Will we be returning to Aerth?"
"If that is what you wish, though I could deposit you somewhere else. I will be making rounds pursuing what gods found interest in my schemes, however juvenile, many of which inhabit realms your mortal shell would be most uncomfortable in. Unless you'd like to see what Vescteseg does with your kin."
"Aerth would be preferable."
"...shame. I was hoping you'd find your courage. Their realms are boring, and worse, lonely. Perhaps I'll find a braver companion. Or Simon, wherever he's off to."
"He's probably still trying to balance the taxes for Aerth."
Klethi laughed and the preposterity of the endeavor. Balancing taxes for a city that saw thirteen civil wars a week and was invaded by demons every-other weekend? What an odd population her city housed. "He'd be quite busy, then. Perhaps you should seek him out, debate theology as you both so love to do."
"I don't love to debate it," Fenris defended, with his brows returned to the butted, upset state.
"I only tease. Besides: Simon talks circles around even myself. I understand not why he subjects himself to such a menial living in Aerth when he could be philosopher-king of any number of nations. Unlike your own, his skill sets are actually useful outside of my direct service. You're a nice person, Fenris, but that doesn't win you any friends. No friends that matter, at least."
Fenris offered a goodbye to Valoel. Klethi tried to interrupt the conversation again to share her own parting words, not that it would have been easy to get the room's attention again or that she particularly cared if she was missed.

Before Edna and Valoel left the meeting, Hazarmaveth asked a question directed to Valoel. "Do you consider your life of less value than ours?" His pupils then began to dial ate and showed the infinity symbol before following up his sentance. "Would you follow an order regardless of what is was?" Valoel looked at the God and decided to give him her answer. "I never once considered my life of less value than the Gods and Goddesses. It's true that you are capable of eliminating every mortal in a blink of the eye, but I belive that our life is of the same value. I never view the dieties as a sort of divine being who we have to devot our life's to worship, I view them as a sort of leader that we can follow." Valoel spoke before answering his next question. "It depends on the order. I would follow most orders like protecting a village from a large group of bandits or helping Edna in her garden, but I would not do something like jumping into a volcano." Valoel then finished her response.

Soon after Valoel finished talking to the God, Klethi rose and apologized to Edna for possibly scaring her. She then told Fenris to give his goodbyes since they would soon be leaving. After saying his goodbye to Valoel, she bid him goodbye before turning to Enda. "Shall we get going?" She asked. "We shall indeed be going but let me say my goodbyes." Edna responded before giving her goodbyes to everyone currently in the room and using the sphere in her other hand, she dissapeared in a blink of the eye.

Arriving back at The Lush Lands, Edna shrank herself until she was the size of Valoel since she much rather preferred to be small. "I'm sorry to ask this of you again, but would you please help me in my garden? I promise to give you a reward afterwards." She smiled and Valol nodded to her request.

Lementia Tammara straightened waved a good bye to Klethi than opened a rift in the stars, she stepped through, her great wings stretching, she looked out over The Shadow Forests her feet crackled under the ice that covered the ground. She had no followers but she wasn't that mad, after all she was in her element.

Draco Erebus Boreas stood at the shrine for Lementia his staff in his hand, he made an offering of snow flakes, he knew that the god's were having a meeting but if he waited in the forest he might be able to see his patron.

"You look sad." Fenris was glad he missed breakfast; it was difficult to speak without regurgitating so soon after teleporting back to Aerth.
His observation was not entirely accurate, as an immortal deity's unexplored mind could hardly be described by the moods and feelings of alien mortals. Still, the ambiguously elfish-human form she took to approach her subjects wore a disappointed grimace-frown. "Is that so?"
They were back on the little wooden platform with the pedestal and the book surrounded by expectant schemers, plotters, and other scoundrels with gambling addictions. Many of them, likely, expected Klethi to return amidst a thunderclap, or the sound of flitting of shuffling cards, or the rumble of churning dice. Instead, she and Fenris simply appeared. She walked to her throne (which was little more than a high-backed wooden chair with arm struts and a cushion on the seat) and sat, resting her cheek on her fist. She followed Fenris to the book with her eyes. "Yes. Did your meeting go less well than planned?"
Klethi shrugged. It as a hell of a thing, trying to motivate a bunch of selfish and vain creatures to risk their possessions and lives. They had much to lose, and seemed not understand how much they had to gain. "I was hoping for a wider call of support. But I am satisfied, nonetheless; my schemes never require the actions or inactions of others to be realized." She yawned (which was a meaningless expression; she had no need for sleep or oxygen) and scratched her chin. "Still. It'd be nice to feel liked."
"I like you," Fenris offered. She smiled and gave him a knowing wink. "I think they like you." He gestured, and the gathered crowd cheered their admiration and support. Well, those in the front did; the other hedonists saw Fenris point at them, and heard everyone else shouting, and reflexively joined in. Klethi smiled and sat up in response. "Yes, yes, we all like each other, that's wonderful. I am home now, among my many, many friends. I will admit, I did not realize how loathe I was to subject myself to the pretentious pretenders that call themselves my equals. But you are not gathered to hear my praise or my complaints; we are gathered to dispense rewards and the other rightful proceedings in accordance with Aerth law. Fenris, if you'd be so kind."
The elf opened the infinitely thick tomb and thumbed through pages of infinite density until he found the pertinent page. "In the case of 'Who will use the most prepositions during the meeting,' the correct bet was..."

It went on for hours. Most bets were resolved blessedly quickly in Aerth, but anything involving Klethi or potentially world-shattering events drew understandably and considerably far more attention than dice games or athletic competitions. Klethi did not preside directly over the entire reading, though; while she remained conscious of the proceedings, she manifested herself elsewhere in Aerth, alongside Fenris.
"Like I said before," he told her as they crossed an intersection, "the MacSweets are not well. Infirmity, debt, and misfortune. They're gracious, pious, devout, loving, wonderful people, Klethi."
"You say that about every mortal that asks you for help."
"No mortal asks me for help, Klethi. They ask you."
"You are my agent, and the most selfless of my subjects. I know you mean well, but your personal attractiveness and qualities have left you to be the paragon of good fortunes, not myself."
"I don't know that such a thing could be true."
"Then you are a fool. The looks you receive, how your name is spoken of so favorably in homes, how your titles and reputations are known across continents. A Gael and a Drean might not share a language, Fenris, but both know your name. It's almost enough to make a goddess jealous."
"Jealous? Well, Klethi, I never intended to upset you-"
"Upset me? The absurdity!" She laughed. He was sickly pale. She slapped his shoulder. He turned his head away. "Never worry, Fenris. If you were to upset me, you'd be smote by divine lightning. Or I'd leave you to Vescteseg, to become one of his little play-elves."
"I would not like that."
"Then try not to upset me."
The duo climbed their way up a steep and twisted road that seemed to follow the blocks of a mad city planner, despite a lack of buildings or obstacles on either side to justify such a roundabout path. It was a barren stretch that gave an impressive view of half the city. On the opposite slope was a cluster of retirement houses for the old residents of Aerth that had dedicated their lives to the love, math, and science of gambling and probability. They were some of the nicest people Fenris knew, and he was sad that so many would see their deaths before he was even rightly an adult. Humans lived lives far too short and gods too long. "The MacSweets live-"
"Yes, yes, I know which house. Damn the architect I hired to carve a road up this hill. Why he couldn't lay bricks in a straight line will never be known to me."
"I'm sure he had his reasons, Klethi."
"Wasting my time? I could just zap us there, goddess powers being what they are."
"I prefer to walk."
"That's because you're a crazy person."
"I think anyone who chooses to live in Aerth is a little crazy."
"All the more reason to be proud of it."

It had taken Zeralt some time to reach his destination despite his godly capabilities. Where he found himself was the capital of a quaint kingdom on the boarder of his own. He stole into the castle in the form of a shadow before returning to his mortal guise. Taking a few steps down a seemingly empty hall he started whistling a bent melody that made the air feel colder. He stooped and allowed a few seconds to pass. Then a similar whistle came, and a bald, middle aged man stepped out from an alcove. He looked around nervously to make sure that now one was watching before saying. "Yes, umm, you have it jester?" Zeralt tilted his head, the bells tied to the ends of his hair ringing ominously, his painted smile showing no emotions. Without a word he handed the bottle to the man who was still shaking.

"Maybe I shouldn't go through with this, the king isn't that bad right? Is the throne really worth it, and wouldn't people assume it was me anyway?"

Zeralt decided to break his silence, adapting a warm whisper. "Come now, this is what you have been waiting for, what you have been working for. You've gotten most of the courtiers on your side after all, who would suspect you? The throne will be well worth it... my lord" Zeralt had to try hard not to gag on his last words. He failed to mention the fact although the courtiers were in favor of him the peasants were becoming fed up with the aristocrats and shifty politics, having a mysterious death in the court would likely agitate them to the point of revolution. Then there would be no end to the amount of prayer and tribute coming to him. It had been a long road, spreading rumors in taverns to anger the public, grooming courtiers to try and take the throne, and aiding this one on his way towards killing the king. But in the end it would all be worth it...

Hazarmaveth's eyes dim, looks deep in his thoughts after what Valoel had said to him. He takes glances about, noticing that the meeting was disbanding. He then shifts his gaze over to Novakillin. He speaks in a low voice, "I meant no harm to you in what I stated, tinkerer. If anything, I had only hoped empathy to be her response." He then speaks more normally, "Would it be too much to ask for some manner of description regarding Edna's gardens? I do require a new subject in my art and I am becoming more and more doubtful I will be invited," his tone growing a bit glum. "Suppose it cannot be helped, given what I represent..."

He glances over to his brother, Rasoc. "On these matters, it would appear that foolish greed did not win this one..." He spoke quietly and cryptically so to avoid eavesdropping. "As for other matters, should I... try speaking in your stead while you have your dinner?" He of course meant matters with Pyrexus. He had noted her behavior being somewhat hostile, she was too fixated on her father to notice anything else. It was somewhat... disheartening to see his niece behave that way.

The death god simply sighed when his daughter left. Not paying much mind to what the other gods were saying, as his thoughts wandered off for a moment. Pyrexus had been too young to understand what happened back then and how she lashed out at him lately, that was partially his own fault, for not explaining properly.. But how could he? He loved his daughter, but he was immensely bad at expressing it. He needed to talk to her.. He needed...

His head turned to his brother who spoke to him.. "I.." a deep sigh "If you would brother.. If you would also explain to her, why it happened.." Rasoc asked, referring to back when he ended his daughter's mother's life. "I will see you around dear brother.." he muttered, got up from his seat and left the council room to get to the portal that led to Vescteseg's realm.

As Rasoc arrived in Vestenyos, the death god exited the teleportation chamber and into a hallway. Entering a large hall, Rasoc noticed the Vescteseg sitting in his obsidian throne, his steps completely silent as he made his way to the table and sat down in a chair. The scent of food in the air. The pictures on the wall of himself, earning a raised brow under the hood. Odd..
The gods didn't really need to eat, but once in a while they'd indulge themselves in the pleasure of consuming food. And consume food they could indeed, since they didn't really get the feeling of being full. It made Rasoc feel like a bottomless pit sometimes. Nodding in greeting to his host, he glanced at a brazier for a few moments before directing his attention to the god of corruption. "... 'Tis odd, that Klethi would suggest such a thing.." the god of death spoke, his voice dark and gravelly.