Cassandra Pendragon
Wrapped in a thick, woollen blanket, a cup of coffee in my hand and my stomach delightfully full I almost felt like myself again, even though the prospect of living through the nightmare I had just escaped from was anything but enticing. Ahri reached for my hand under the table and squeezed my fingers reassuringly, but still I hesitated. Even the demon seemed to understand my struggle and, despite his brash nature, he chose to offer me a brief respite:
"I imagine whatever you've stumbled across will take a while to dissect, so maybe it'd be for the best if we brought you up to speed first. You've slept for," his eyes darted to Ahri's as if looking for confirmation and when she nodded he continued: "almost two days straight. Considering the turmoil we find ourselves in it could as well have been a few months. Now, where to begin?" He raised his long fingers to his head and began to massage his temples.
"Sarai and I have been quite busy. She's currently with your mother. Remember the crystals the slug you befriended and his kitsune lover mentioned?" I nodded. It was pretty hard to forget something that could possibly revolutionise magical engineering over night. An arcane battery without limitations was either a gift from heaven or a trap from hell.
"Well, whatever you've come up with I'm pretty sure it's not the truth. They've… let's say acquired most of the deposits and Sarai is almost certain that the so called crystals are nothing but the fossilised bones of an immortal." My mouth dropped to the floor, but before I could voice one of a plethora of questions he raised his hand and continued: "save it. I haven't seen the gems in person and I wouldn't trust Sarai's analysis. That feather brain of hers isn't suitable for anything more complex, as she has proven before. In case she's right, though, I do wonder how… usually we don't leave any remains behind when we are reborn. When our core moves on the body it inhabited crumbles to dust. Unless our power is drained beforehand, of course, or another immortal keeps the destruction at bay. The female silver dragoness, Quenda I believe, is on her way here with a sample as we speak. I'll be able to tell you more once I've had a change to analyse the substance myself. Until then everything is idle speculation, but I still wanted you to know." He eyed me from the side, trying to gauge whether I was going to let it go. When I didn't react he shrugged and went on:
"The next important bit would be your overzealous fey knight and her suicidal wish to meet Amazeroth. I've put an end to that particular endeavour, but depending on what you've got to tell us I might rethink my position, but it's unlikely for reasons I'm going to explain later. For now she's plenty occupied with her stubborn children. Two of them are already here and she's trying to make them see some sense when it comes to their own importance and capabilities. Staying in a tree as large as most islands, which has grown overnight I might add, has granted her a few tangible arguments, but like I said, the fey are a stubborn lot. Which brings us to Free Land itself." He paused and his eyes lost their focus for a tiny moment while he ordered his thoughts.
"Your brothers are much more capable than I've given them credit for. Considering how they acted I expected to be forced to deal with two arrogant, shortsighted and frankly whiny buffoons, but they've surprised me more than once. Ever since I've been awake they've worked tirelessly and efficiently. The brute, Richard, is also surprisingly apt. We've had the chance to share a meal yesterday and I must say, he's retained most of the lessons his father has beaten into him when it comes to statecraft, bureaucracy and leadership. In case you didn't know, your tavern brawler comes from a pretty renowned family. Or should I say infamous? But that's beside the point. The city is doing… alright, considering the circumstances. As you might have guessed Greta's growth hasn't gone unnoticed and since last night there've been hundreds of ships arriving. Some driven by pure curiosity, others by greed. A few, I'm sure, are spies, but I don't think it matters. If another island deems it wise to challenge us, they're heartily invited to try." Another pause as he quickly went over the growing list of chores he, or rather we, had to deal with to make sure he wouldn't forget anything important.
"Some of our neighbours have already realised as much. Your human friends, the Brightblaze sisters, have received another message from the Burning Court, the government of their home. They'll send an entire ship full of high ranking emissaries to establish what they call cordial relations and what I call a prime position to kiss some important ass, as soon as they've decided whose ass is worth kissing, of course. Now, Amon, the elves, the dwarfs, the dragons and your now immortal sister and her fiery girlfriend… I'll save the first for last, because I'm sure you'll have quite a lot to say on that matter." I wanted to interrupted this time, but Ahri stroked my thigh and I kept my mouth shut. For now. "Your sister is fine. Sarai and I have cured Lamia and the two are out and about, exploring the tree. They've decided to bond with Pete's posse of street rats and since your ancient friend, Kana, isn't going to let the tiny goddess, Brianna, out of her side they've gathered quite the lustrous following." A deep blue hummingbird was passing by the window, skipping from blossom to blossom in its search for sustenance. We watched it pass before the demon continued:
"The elves are now, more or less, a part of this tree as well. We've sent their king back after a little talk and an even smaller demonstration of what immortals are able to do. He's taken a seedling with him and has planted it immediately. The war between the elves and the fey, aside from a few reluctant idiots on either side, was mostly over before it had even begone. We don't have the luxury to indulge in personal vendettas and neither do they. Which means he doesn't know about his son. Yet." A sly grin spread across his face as he continued:
"I've contacted Xorlosh and offered him a deal. Don't look at me like that. All fair and square and no souls involved. I've simply given him the opportunity to command the services of a fully grown immortal while he's making his case back home. Yours and mine, to be perfectly honest. In exchange he's agreed to return and use his considerable talents to help us grow and organise this city. In which capacity your brothers and Richard are probably negotiating right now. Second to last, Ignus has returned. The entire naming ceremony is more or less for shits and giggles right now, but the dragons are traditional creatures. If you have a moment, talk to him. I'm sure you can wrap up the entire farce in an afternoon. Then again, knowing you, you might manage to find and open another box of Pandora on the way." He sighed and focused on me fully:
"Lastly, Amon. We've talked and he's still alive. Go on, scream as much as you need to, but afterwards you'll listen." Silence settled in and the temperature seemed to plummet.
"I'll listen now," I replied quietly. "Depending on your story I might not stop at screaming when you're done, though." His eyes widened at my inflection, but then he gave a curt nod.
"Fair enough. I think I've acted in our best interest. Simply put… he's already the sovereign of most of this world. Don't interrupt. You said you'd listen. His empire is far larger and its inhabitants much more numerous than our side of the world. Unless you intend to let them all suffer in the coming cataclysm, which you won't, we'll need, at the very least, the structure and bureaucracy he has built."
"I'm sure he'll just hand over the keys to his kingdom, won't he," I couldn't help but blurt out. Honestly, what was that demon thinking?
"You'd be surprised, but that's hardly the point. After all, I haven't gone to all the trouble to talk to the puppet. I've tried to speak to my brother. He has listened and he has even replied. Now, listen closely, this is important. Amazeroth isn't bound to the Emperor, not really. He's bound to the empire. It might not seem like much of a difference, but it really is. It means he won't interfere in any kind of internal strife. He's forced to protect, help and guide the Emperor in any conflict that happens outside the borders, but a coup from within... In other words, if you want a shot a getting what you need without going through the most powerful demon in existence one of us has to orchestrate a putsch within the laws of the empire. A full blown rebellion wouldn't work, since that'd pose a risk to the nation itself. But if it isn't in danger, Amazeroth won't interfere."
"And he's told you that, has he? And you believed him," I asked scathingly. "Sometimes I think you're the moron between the two of us."
"Ouch," he complained. He actually looked hurt. Which of course infuriated me even more. "That was uncalled for. Do you honestly think that angels are the only ones who can commit to telling the truth? Think, Cassandra. I'm a grown immortal. So is he. There's no point in lying. Either of us would know. To cut a long story short, he showed me a very fuzzy memory of the contract. He didn't want to share everything, but I'm sure what I've said is true. Unfortunately there's more. I'm pretty sure I'm just a messenger at this point, but whatever the reason, Amazeroth is adamant about not meeting you. Here's what he's said: we're nearing the end. You've proven that you have the will and the strength. My sincerest congratulations. Now prove your foresight. I know about Earth. Figure it out. Once you do, my wards won't be needed anymore. You'll be free to do whatever you must. Talk to Lilith, she can tell you how long you have until the war truly begins. I surely hope you understand more than I, because to me most of it sounds like ominous gibberish. Except for the Earth part. That bit made sense and is also the reason why I didn't want Erya to go through with her plan. The goddamned stargazer already knows and he's not going to lift a finger. Which, unless you deem it necessary to scream at me, brings us to your own misadventures. Honestly, what kind of hornets' nest did you poke to have looked like a victim of lingchi?"
For a few prolonged moments I simply stared at him, but there wasn't much of a point in complaining. What was done was done, but I still had one question:
"Where is he now?"
"The demon or his mouthpiece? No clue where Amazeroth's body actually is, but Amon is still somewhere around the islands. He didn't stick around after our chat. Might have had something to do with the threats of eternal damnation I might have uttered once or twice."
"And you're actually fine with this," I asked the angel at my side incredulously. She cocked an eyebrow and even had the audacity to smirk as she languidly reached for a dark red cherry.
"Fine with what? Unless I'm mistaken nothing much has happened and I'm definitely not going to squabble over insignificant details."
"Insignificant… have you all had your brains knocked out of you? Or have you simply forgotten the nightmare our lives have been for the past months? Because I surely haven't."
"Is that your mind or your heart talking," Ahri quipped. "As daunting as Amon has been… he isn't anymore."
"And that makes it just fine? I can hardly believe what I'm hearing."
"I didn't say that. But if I catch a poisonous snake I'll think twice before I kill it. You can milk it beforehand quite a few times and we, once again, need every sort of help we can get. You've said it yourself. You could work with him, before you expedite him to the afterlife."
"I said that to make a point," I snarled. "I didn't really mean it."
"Too bad. People actually listen to you, me included. What's the fuss about anyways? Nothing has happened, yet, and nobody intends to forgive and forget. The demon's got a point, though. In case you come to blows with Amazeroth and the Emperor, in case you win, what's it going to be like afterwards? We have a decent chance to keep our part of the world from collapsing with all the work we've already put in, but the rest? None of us have ever been to the other continent and even though I know you did something when you transformed the last time, I'm sure you aren't blind enough to actually believe that there's some magic wand to wave and simply make them listen. We're talking about an empire the size of Earth, Cassy. Up until now it hasn't mattered, we've never been in a position to do anything but run. Now, though… is your revenge worth more than the life of millions, maybe billions of people?" She raised her hand to prevent me from interrupting. "I know you. You're angry right now and probably a little ashamed that you got your ass handed to you again, but once you calm down it won't even be a real question anymore. What was it you said? The needs of the living outweigh the debts of the dead? The dead are gone, Cassandra, and they won't hold anything we do against us."
I hadn't even realised that I had gotten to my feet. My wings had manifested and if the fleeting shadows around the room were any indication my eyes were shining brightly. I towered over them like a goddess of vengeance, but if there were ever two people who'd never be intimidated by me, it'd be those tow. Maybe Greta as well. I clenched my teeth and hissed:
"I need a moment." Without another word I turned around and marched right out the door, if you could even call the curtain of soft moss a door. Behind me I heard Mephisto's muttered complains that I hadn't told them yet what I had seen, but Ahri shut him down quickly enough. She knew me and my temper. In an hour or two I'd be back and probably much more affable.
"Sometimes she truly acts her age," were the last words I heard before the murmur of the wind and the song of tropical birds drowned out their quiet conversation. Screw them. Screw them both. And the worst part? I still felt guilty about what had happened to me and that Ahri had been force to stitch me back together. Again. Gods damned, blasted emotions. Hatred, love, guilt, anger… I didn't even know how I felt anymore. With a dry laugh I remembered Lucifer beating up a mountain range. He had called the spark of mortality we had taken in a poison. True, he hadn't meant it and neither did I, but right now I definitely understood where he had been coming from.
I wasn't paying much attention, I had simply taken to the air as soon as I had seen a speck of clear blue amidst the bright green leaves and now I was circling around the very top of the tree, a living spire that seemed to pierce the sky itself. Blossoms had opened all along its emerald facade and the sweet smell of cherries was strong enough to make me feel like I was constantly munching on the ripe fruit. With a weary sigh I soared closer, trying to soothe my frothing thoughts with the splendid vistas all around, but even that much I didn't manage.
As soon as I came close to the boughs I smelled something different, a hint of rot maybe, or a whiff of something spoiled, and when I focused a bit of energy into my eyes my gaze immediately darted to an almost invisible, but unbelievably thick spider's web. "You've got to be kidding me," I grumbled as I circled the green spire once more, searching for the eight legged creature I knew to be hiding somewhere. It didn't take me long. Hidden in the canopy Shassa was pretty hard to see, but to my enhanced vision she stood out like a sore thumb. Or maybe like a pitch black spider the size of a friggin truck. Her eyes were following me constantly and when I met her stare evenly she even beckoned for me to land, pointing with one of her legs at a branch without a single strand of her silk. "This day can't get much worse," I thought while I approached the prehistoric calamity.