Due to the fact that the great banquet of Cruxbel was going at the moment, the trial to rightfully judge the Bloodscales was not possible. In accordance with Cruxbel law, when the great banquet of Cruxbel is in motion, all legal issues are to be put on hold until the end of the banquet week.
This means that Bloodscales could not legally be put on trial for their wrongdoings, but Thews' input on the matter changed Mercy's opinion somewhat.
Thews said to Mercy as they were moving the Bloodscales, "I understand that everyone should be judged fairly, but I recommend execution of the Bloodscales over waiting for the week to end."
Mercy responds to Thews' words by saying "I also have a feeling that we should bend the law somewhat after hearing Perkele's threat. But I don't understand why you are so keen on killing them before anything else."
Thews says "I'm certain that Perkele won't let them have a peaceful death. I also don't expect Perkele to let them have a peaceful afterlife either. If the Bloodscales don't cross the reincarnation pool before the week ends, I fear that their fate would be far worse than you realize."
Mercy inquires "And if I may ask, how would their fates fair out?"
Thews grew silent for a moment before he answered "I… cannot tell you."
Mercy grew interested in what Thews was referring to, and made a guess that "So… Perkele has a way to take souls away from the afterlife. And in a way that you cannot control."
Thews' only response was silence.
Mercy thought for a moment and then said "I understand. I too, am fated to end up where Perkele's chosen go after they die. I'm just lucky that I will see the end of this era before I go."
Thews then inquired himself "So… Eleanora… Is that your…"
Now it was Mercy's turn to answer with silence.
The rest of the journey back to the city was filled with silence between the two.
Somewhere unknown, Perkele was methodically torturing people who looked exactly like the members of the Bloodscales.
The woman looking like Idril asked "Why? Why are you doing this?" As her skin was being peeled away by some unknown force.
The rest of the Bloodscales lookalikes were being twisted, stretched and turned in varying ways, while Perkele looked at all of them, sitting on a cacophony of corpses made to look like some grand throne with steps leading to the top.
But those corpses, as decaying as they may be, were all alive, stitched, molded and melted together in some strange way. Those who could moan, did moan in pain. Those who could scream, did so in agony.
In that strange place, no one could die. Not if Perkele didn't permit it.
But those Bloodscale lookalikes were but a mirror image of what the real Bloodscales were. Only looking like them, but not really them.
As burning hot chains wrapped around Idril lookalike's body, the chains burned away her ability to scream. The lookalike was only allowed the luxury to breathe. The rest of the Bloodscale lookalikes were twisted to ungodly ways. Arms coming out of what looked like a mouth. Organs all over the body, all visible. The beating hearts were wrapped in shards of all kinds of sharp objects, each heartbeat more painful than the last. And those who were granted the luxury of being able to see were only able to see their own mirror image.
And all of it was done by a calm looking god, who was filled with rage of ungodly proportion.
But what was that place? Even if they looked exactly like the Bloodscales, they weren't them. But why did their proper form look so close to all of the Bloodscale members?
It couldn't be that they were their souls, as they were now in prison in Cruxbel. Still attached to their own flesh.
Was this some other timeline? It couldn't be. Perkele who was mad at the Bloodscales, while other versions of him did exist that were mad at the Bloodscales at similar moments, the reason for this Perkele's wrath was for being seen making a mistake by Mercy herself. Mercy, who only could exist in one timeline and one timeline only. No branches could exist.
Did Perkele create life to make it look like the Bloodscales? That couldn't be. He wasn't a life giver. But they could almost be people who were twisted by Perkele's power to look like the Bloodscales.
Other people made to look like the Bloodscales? It was within the realm of possibility. The only issue is that quenching Perkele's rage that way wouldn't work. Perkele does enjoy torturing people for no reason.
Could they be people made to look like the Bloodscales? Let's leave it there to stew for a while, or else, the mirror might crack once more. The answer lies on Bloodscale's faces when they try to drink a cup of water next time.
In Cruxbel, Li was walking alongside Sarah and Lud. They were chatting about how there always were different kinds of stalls each day. Li said to the two "I heard from Mercy that people could only open one stall per week. But I did hear that they accept opening the same stalls if there isn't anyone new around that place at 9 in the morning."
Lud asks "Why would they limit it that way?"
Li answered "There is a lot of demand for people who want to open a stall in Cruxbel during the banquet week. To make sure as many people have the opportunity to open their stall during the week, they made those restrictions."
Sarah says "Wouldn't that cause a lot of inconvenience amongst the buyers?"
Li answers "It does cause trouble, but I heard that it is part of the banquet week's culture for not one day to look similar to the others."
Lud asks "Then why don't we open some stalls?"
Li and Sarah look at Lud for a moment and Li asks "And what kinds of stalls would you produce?"
Lud says "Oh, not me. I'm no businessman. I just thought that maybe some of our people might want to try it if they have any ideas."
Li ponders for a moment as he puts his hand on his chin "It would bring some fame to Elysium, but the fact that the gate between the middle realm and higher realm is under a lot of surveillance, we might run into some issues. Then again, going to the gate between the lower realm and the higher realm wouldn't be as much of a hassle security wise, it would mean more travel than necessary."
Sarah then suggests "Why don't we ask Mercy for special permission?"
Li is taken aback by Sarah's wisdom in that moment and says "That's… probably our best option. As for going to the gate between the middle realm and the higher realm, I suggest that we ask either Altair or Ao for ease of travel in that case."
Lud mutters "Of course we could just ask Maumar for help, but that is unlikely to…"
Then Maumar appears and says "I'm fine with that."
Lud and Sarah are startled again by Maumar's sudden appearance, but Li stands unshaken by it and says to Maumar "Wouldn't that cause issues for you?"
Maumar says "I'm fine with it. I was thinking if I should have told you that you'll have this idea later when the week started, but I felt like this would be the best in terms of… My reasons."
Li says "'Your reasons' huh…" And with that Maumar disappears.
Li sighs and says "Well I suppose he knows when we need him to come, so I'll go and talk to Mercy about your idea, my lord."
Lud says "Yeah. Take care."
And with that, Li leaves to find Mercy. Leaving Lud and Sarah alone to stroll.
Lud says to Sarah "I hope that our inquiry won't come at a bad time since the Bloodscales were just caught."
Sarah says "Tear did say what happened in the morning. Man I would have loved to feel the aura of Perkele at that moment myself."
Lud says "I don't think you would say that if you really had felt it. According to Tear, the feeling of your body trying to move in places where it shouldn't be able to do so isn't pleasant."
Sarah says "I mean who knows. It would have been something I haven't experienced."
Lud jokes and says "Why don't you ask Perkele to do that for you some time?"
Sarah takes this seriously as she says "I think I will some day."
Li went to the castle where the Bloodscales were sent. There he found Mercy and he asked "Could you spare a bit of your time? Or does this still require your attention?"
Mercy motions her attendants to leave while Thews still stays. Mercy asks "I have some time. What is it that you wanted to see me for?"
Li asks "The Elysium would like to open up some stalls in the city during this baquet. Would it be okay with you?"
Mercy says "Of course it is. You don't need my permission to open a stall during the banquet. In fact, the fact that you ask me this now is a bit of a surprise. You haven't done so already?"
Li says "The thought only occurred to my lord just moments before."
Mercy says "I see. Well, just go to the merchant's guild and ask them. I'll send a word that people from Elysium want to open up some stalls during the banquet week and you and them can take it from there. Is that okay for you?"
Li answers "It sounds about right. I'll send a word to our people immediately."
While Li is making some calls, Mercy asks Thews "By the way, what are your thoughts on my future husband?"
Thews answers "Weak."
Mercy is surprised and asks "Is that all?"
Thews answers "That is at least when I last saw him. That was before Nemesis was defeated."
Mercy says "I assigned him to the mortal portion of the tournament tomorrow. How do you think it will go?"
Thews answers honestly and says "He did manage to go farther than I thought when I did my little test on him, but in terms of combat, he has no chance."
Mercy asks "Do you know anything about who he might be facing?"
Thews says "If they were selected by your standards, then I don't need to know much else."
Mercy says "Fair point. But just so you know, I don't like you talking shit about my future husband."
Thews asks in confusion "What are you on about? I praised him moments before, didn't I?"
Mercy says "Well I think he will win at least one match."
Thews scoffs and says "So you are gonna make his first match fixed, I see."
Mercy says "If I didn't know you personally, I would make you pay for those words."
Thews asks "Am I wrong though?"
Mercy answers "Yes. I won't have any fixed matches during this tournament. I just honestly think that Faust has a chance of winning."
Thews says "So you tweaked his body to that level, huh. Must have made his cock bigger while you were at it."
Mercy says proudly "Oh there was no need to do anything to his lower part. If anything, I think he wanted it to be smaller."
This makes Thews look at Mercy with wide eyes for a moment, then he just blurts out "Wow."
Mercy smiles "Yeah. He has some serious package down there."
Thews asks "Is it decided who he will be facing first?"
Mercy answers "No. Why?"
Thews says "Make him face Thia in the first match."
Mercy has a disappointed look and says "The opponents are randomly selected. Didn't you just accuse me of having fixed matches?"
Thews says "Fixed matchmaking is different from fixed matches."
Mercy asks "Is there any particular reason why you want those two to face up?"
Thews smiles proudly "I… want him as my son in law."
Mercy is too surprised by this, she can't think what to say for a solid ten seconds.
Then Mercy asks "Don't tell me you want that because…"
But Thews was one step ahead and said "I want my grandkids to have big cocks."
Mercy asks Thews "You do know that I'm his future wife right?"
Thews says "What's the issue? I had multiple wives when I was alive."
Mercy says "Need I remind you that Miranda almost divorced you over it?"
Thews just brushes it off and says "She came around eventually."
Mercy says "I saw those divorce papers."
Thews just shows off his three rings on his left ring finger, shows some necklaces and says "Still married, bitch."
Mercy cannot believe the audacity of the man standing in her office.
Thews comes back to the topic at hand and asks "So are you gonna help me or what?"
Mercy retorts "I'm not fixing the matchups. If they face off, then they face off."
Thews gets a little annoying as he has a tone as he says "Ooh. Just let my itty litty baby have a little 'match' with the mighty cock man and I do you a itty bitty favor later on. How does that sound, oh the magnanimous cunt?"
Mercy responds by saying "I find it disturbing you refer to your child as 'itty bitty' while also implying she has intercourse with a man who has a huge package down there."
Thews gets a little serious and says "I don't see the issue."
Mercy sighs and says "No means no. And in the first place, I already had issues with my future husband's second future wife, so I'd appreciate it if you could be a little more tactful."
Thews laughs and says "Do you even know who you are talking to?"
Mercy stares at Thews for a moment and then says "I realize the foolishness of my request. But just have a private match if they don't meet in the tournament. How does that sound?"
Thews gets a little disappointed and says "Boring. I want to see how you juiced up my son in law."
Mercy facepalms and says "You already refer to him as your son in law."
The day goes on and before everyone realizes, it is already the next day.
And as it is the fourth day of the banquet week, it was time for the tournament and the dragon song to be sung. Throughout the city of Cruxbel, it started with ringing in the ear. Ringing in the ear, that wasn't quite something that really happened. Happened, but not.
The mute song had begun. The understanding of words unspoken. Movements interpreted. Like how a born deaf person imagines words that they have never heard. A born blind imagining the shapes and colours that they have never witnessed.
The words of sign language, one could say. The images flowed through the minds of the city people. Not understanding most of it, but somehow, still a little familiar.
Of course, the song had no real beginning, no middle section, no ending. It just was.
Like thoughts running through someone's head. Returning to one thought after repeating it over and over again, only to return back to it years later and having that taste in your mouth.
In one moment, a message, a voice, an interpretation was formed through the city people's minds… only to forget how it came to that… or forgetting what there was entirely just a millisecond later.
Ethereal. Mythical. That was what mortals could describe it as. Maybe… Maybe even godly.
Like thoughts of infinite. Like thoughts of where our minds were before we were. Like the thoughts that come when we no longer are.
Void.
Silence.
Darkness.
Like some incomprehensible… something.
Just moments before, there was voice, sight, taste, something. But now just… void.
The people in the city didn't panic. Even though they felt like they were in an incomprehensible void… they did not panic. The emptiness… somehow soothing. Not even their own heartbeat could be felt in that part of the song.
But which part was it? Was it the beginning, the middle, or end. No. There were no such things in this ethereal song. A language not spoken anymore.
Pet tit orn'ie'ten.
Pet titvï.
Pet tit vïtäl.
Pet arnekyan brenla lon yu'ëtka na kerontelk.
Mortak Atkåås. Kerontelk önârën Atkåås.
Mortak Trixtïtki'ïtus. Kul'uthar irlem. Vïtorën önârën kul'uthar Trixtïtki'ïtus.
Ma holtok ek slykos.
Ma yu'ëtka vittärmen.
Ma kyra orn'meralka pöt ka pey crimïïrin.
Ma orn'ek'ten orn'meralka ära pe
Ma pey crimït yu'um maka yu'ëtka na kerontelk
The words come to the people's head, through either sight, hearing, feeling, smell or taste. Not many know the language, but to those who know it, it is an old rhyme told before battle. Fitting, for this marks the beginning of the tournament. A call for those participating in it to come to the arena and be greeted.
But the cacophony of the dragon song ethereal rings through their ears, burns through their eyes, tingles in their skin and tongue, burns through their hearts.
For the audience, this will make even their heart pound like they were going to battle themselves. But the song sounds a bit different to those fated to be the audience. A song barely being able to be understood by mortal minds, feeling different to each person.
Even if a tourist came to the city knowing nothing of the banquet, they understood the message brought to them by the song.
How long the song really is or was is debatable. For some it felt and feels like an eternity in their mind palaces. For some it felt and feels like it was but a breath of air.
To some, this song may never leave them. To some, they may forget it and never be able to recall ever hearing it.
Thus is the nature of the dragon song ethereal. A once in a lifetime experience that could not be described by words alone. To truly get a feel of the song, one must be there to experience it themselves.
There are some who woke up to this song, having a nostalgic feeling after experiencing it once more. But those people may only be people… who transcend mortality itself.
To Sisu, this felt like she opened her very self to the city. Like she has done many times before. But at the same time, it wasn't she who sang it those times. Those times were her, yet weren't.
There were only a few, even among the immortals, who got the full scope of the song. There were only five people who understood the full scope of it. And those were…
Perkele.
Maumar.
Zolotifa.
Tokiko.
Ludwig.
Only those five people could understand it fully. Even Mercy and Sisu couldn't grasp it.
Many times has Mercy heard it, but never has she even grasped a spec of it.
Many times has Sisu performed it, but never has she even been able to grasp it. Then again, she was the performer all those times, yet she wasn't. They were only the messenger, the gate, the canvas, the frame.
That dragon song ethereal… What was it originally for? It was now only a song that dragonians sang at important times, but to even them, the origin remained a mystery.
It was a song sung by dragons, once upon a time. A time, when dragons visited the middle realm.
But to those in the prison, those Bloodscales who plead loyalty to Perkele and Perkele alone, they had one part of the song that only they could hear.
Kanssas kuljen, kanssas kierrän,
ympäri alati liikun.
Lampaan silmät välkähtivät,
kieli kimmelsi ikuisna.
Onko ansa ankarampi,
ansoista ylen pahinta?
Onko lieju laajempi,
helma hempeä syvempi?
Salaman jumala iski,
teurasteli härkäparan.
Jänis juurille putosi,
ansaan astui, loukkaantui.
Peilikasvo ilkkuu, nauraa,
räpeltää ja rähmii vielä.
Veren kautta, rauhan kautta
suurmaan portit aukenivat.
Minne tyhjyys katosikaan,
mihin ikuisuus haihtui?
Oliko se Perkelehen,
kaiken voiman vohkinunna?
Ei hän luovu, ei hän anna,
ei hän hellitä hetkeksikään.
Kaikki voimat, voiman mehut
loputtomuuden vanginnut.
Ulkopuoliset jumalat
mielisivät vähän maistaa,
mutta Perkelepä petti,
maailmoihin huijautti heidät.
Minne sankari johdatetaan,
mihin viepi tie urohon?
Sanovat: hän herraks nousee,
maailma on hänen valtakonsa.
Onko tuomio se tosi?
Onko turmio jo valmis?
Ei, ei Perkeleen leikit,
leikit lopu milloinkana.
Unelmoida vielä saapi,
se on ainoa hän antaa.
What was the meaning of that? Does it have a meaning?
Of course, Lud also heard a little different things. A song in language that was still foreign to him, but one day, he will learn what it says.
Whether or not it has any significant meaning is something he has to find out himself once he learns the ways of the abyss. Though now that he is sort of a bone of the world, it will be a tad bit difficult.
But what did he hear?
.
The signboard showed people who will face each other during the 1st stage of the mortal-cup of the banquet tournament.
These are the contestants for the mortal-cup:
Faust Ilumnos (Demigod) - Lucina Lirel (Dark Elf)
Loyrktoshthil Embershthir (Phoneix) - Tiara Culling (Transcended Human)
Zimelogos Ka'at (Transcended Demon) - Synthia Altrenas (Deadman)
Zaron (Human) - Algol (Transcended Star Elf)
Etiri Yuinli (God Chosen Human) - Yi (Automaton)
Shalaphinar Embershthir (Phoenix) - Re'ût Ekt Ömmash (Transcended Abyssan)
Robin (Star Elf) - Peretasha Xitolrta (Dragon Matriarch)
Magnus (Magical Construct) - Pinja Lowletr (Human)
Lockman (Human) - Archinsecutor (Angel)
Marora Riitti (Human) - Imushphen Esshankemer (Transcended Phoenix)
Impendus (Dragon) - Brutus Lidweg (Ancient Dragon)
Melek (Abyssan) - Brinnie La Ilinos (Elf)
Mercury (Star Elf) - Jamos Las Metiko (Beast Folk)
Noir Lumière (Caith-sith) - Lamba (Beast Folk)
Ilkokli (qUp) - Macabra (Chimera)
Ren Yiteck (Human) - Potik (Dwarf)
.
The signboard also showed people the godly beings who will face each other during the 1st stage of the immortal-cup of the banquet tournament.
These are the contestants for the immortal-cup:
Perkele (God of Debauchery, Depravity and Defilement) - Jyqbolos (God of War)
Avarumedel (God of Terror) - Godfreya Omen Dog (Transcended God of Chaos and Madness)
Mätuk (Familiar of Maumar) - Atkoosa (God of Suns)
Otzal (God of Ice and Stillness) - Werluum (God of Flames)
Cheesos (God of Tactics and Luck) - Ra'unt (God of Cooking)
Tonto (God of Dwarves, Handicraft and Mining) - Fates (Gods of Law)
Grey (God of Paintings) - Ferqu (God of Change)
Lemm (God of Elves and Spirits) - Taboo (Hex God)
Sahra (God of Sand and Time) - Li Last (Rell)
Miekel (God of Swords) - Zolon Tokiko Eishi Ilumnos (Archon of the Abyss)
Mathews Witsur (King of Death) - Trixtitkitus (God of Dragons)
Ao (God of Stars and Space) - Song Bai (Transcended Automaton)
Fein (God of Ruin) - Harlotte (God of Chaos)
Emer (God of Tyranny and Betrayal) - Me-Etis Cre Unuma (God of Magic)
Epithos (God of Remembrance and Reflection) - Delir (God of Falsehoods and Illusions)
Leeroy (God of Adventures, Journeys and Recklessness) - Karen (God of Persistence and Annoyance)
.
.
The announcer said "Cast your votes ladies, gentleman and gentlefolk! Who will win?! Who will lose?!"