The nightmarish screams of the eldritch squid that groaned through eternity came to a halt, a figure simulated out of the beast. "Orsen?" A man called, his mere presence capable of making creation itself bow in his wake.
"Tuydhelin, an honor to meet you as always. " Orsen mused, her tone flat as her starry eyes bore into his golden beads. Tuydhelin had been in a battle with the colossal squid, one of Solon's toys to keep him entertained in the higher realms of existence.
"You, have you finally made your decision?" He sensed that something was off with Orsen, she was much calmer and quieter than usual. "Yes, however I'm quite sad that this might be out last time greeting you." Her tone heavy and final. He let out a chuckle, dense with hopelessness and acceptance.
"So you have finally to fall into the godless abyss and be his toy. I wonder what you parents would have thought of this?" Orsen narrowed her gaze, the air around her now growing hostile. "They are aware of it and are pleased, we both know that we can't face him let alone beat him."
As much as Tuydhelin wouldn't want to agree, his silence said it all. "You should be pleased that it is I executing you, as we both know that Solon isn't as benevolent." The man didn't bother putting up any resistance, his eyes that glowed with purity and power dimmed. "Then make it quick, I no longer wish to be related with such a traitor like you."
Amidst the vast external expanse of reality, the two stood on top of it all, around them the ruins of pantheons and gods visible. Victims of Solon's cruel games. "Traitors? I'm sure that you would have made such a decision." Her tone now playful as she stretched her hand out. "Siding with the one that brought chaos to the grand order is a heretic that deserves eternal damnation!"
Tuydhelin hissed, gritting through his teeth as his eyes flared up, now seething with rage. "Countless have met their demise at his hands and yet here you are, ready to brush it off and side with him. I would rather die than side with you." Tuydhelin finalized his thoughts, the air around him sombre as he readied himself for his fate.
"It's true power at the end of it all that dictates what is right and what is wrong." Her words sharp and concise as the squid that had dissolved into her being shot out of her palm. Tuydhelin didn't resist, his state didn't allow it and the motivation was long gone. Death was the only alternative.
The cries of agony could be heard, the starry skies bleeding with heavenly gold at the demise of Tuydhelin. Orsen retracted her hand, staring at her palm as the squid melted right back. Her faint breathes light as she balled her fist and left the plane. Her decision was final, to lose herself in the bottomless abyss that was the Pale Sovereign.
*In The Third Dimensional Plane*
"He's not dead." Ignovar, the god of flames mused with a light sigh, pleased that Jarren had chosen to spare Brose with their encounter. "Consider yourself lucky, because I'm sure that he won't be as lenient next time.'" Azrith, the god of mind and madness commented.
The gods had their eyes on a sleek bus that cruised through the vast wheat plains. Those onboard apathetic as they mindlessly watch the world pass by them with a blur. "What about Reynolds? Should we kill him off or..." Azrith joked only to be shot skeptical glances.
Reynolds had been deeply engrossed with growing stronger, to the point that at first the joke was no longer amusing but rather dangerous. "If he keeps on growing at the pace that he is then it will be a matter of time before he can rival us, the gods of this world."
Velethar, the god of shadows mused, his face riddled with worry and contemplation. "Thanks to that freak out hands are tied." Ignovar sighed only to be interjected by Azrith. "Well we can't do anything to stop him but that doesn't mean that out champions are as restricted as we are."
Four champions had been sent to play Solon's game and so far only one had come in contact with him. The other three still in the choosing. "Sure he stated that we were meant to keep him entertained but twisting the rules a bit could suffice, don't you think?" As much as they wanted to go against Azrith's train of thought the muse now crept into their minds.
'If we could have some of these champions as equally powerful as his pawns then we wouldn't be exactly breaching the deal.' They all simultaneously pondered. "You do know what you are all playing with by making such a move?! If this agitates him then what will become of us?" The goddess of hunger and nature spoke.
"Theylune, do you really think that he will choose to let us go the moment he's satiated with our performance. What insurance do we have that he'll opt to spare us and move on. Seeing the tension on Our Maker's face, it would be probable that he'll end it and move on." Azrith let out, his tone light and casual.
"But I'm not forcing you to make such a decision mind you. I'm merely offering suggestions that can be taken down." Azrith brushed it off as he rose and took his leave. The silence that followed was palpable, filling the entire god haven. The gods glanced at each other before looking at the bus that innocently drove through the tarmacked path.
Most of those on board clueless with what the world would descend into by the end of the act. One by one they all took their leave, deducing whether to take Azrith's approach or refuse it. "What do you think of the mad one?" Solthuriel chuckled facing Ignovar as the two remained alone in the chambers.
"His point is risky. If he's not pleased with it then he'll end us all." His voice grim. Solthuriel continued, her light halo shimmering above her head. "We've all made risky moves into getting where we are so what is the point of holding back now? He'll kill us all sooner or later so what is the point of delaying the inevitable?"
Her head supported by her hand as she bore her amber eyes into Ignovar's fiery heads. Her smile calming, bordering seduction if glanced for far too long. Ignovar drew a heavy breathe, glanced at Brose whose resentment was still fresh in his teeth before taking a glance at the goddess seated across from him.
"In the end what does it matter?" His tone one of acceptance. Solthuriel tilted her head in curiosity as she looked at Callista before looking away. "Does she draw your interest?" Ignovar mused, the two now rising to their feet and leaving the hall. Solthuriel let her figure fall onto Ignovar's shoulder, breaking into a hum.
"Possibly, however wonder his interest in something so mundane." Her voice curious and yet scornful. Ignovar could tell that she no longer cared about the looming threat that was Solon. "I should ask the same with me. After all there are better candidates for you to choose from than me." A pause followed, neither ready to break it.
"Who said that I was drawn to you? I'm merely observing the choices that you will make as the Lord of the gods." Ignovar looked down at the shimmering tiles, each crafted with perfection glittering with glamour and primordiality. "Are you still bitter about your loss as the Lord of the gods?"
A harmless jab she laughed at. "Bitter? Why would I be bitter about some trivial title? Considering how close the end is. I wouldn't care who it would be, I'm merely curious as to whether you are fitting for it is all." Her voice light and yet something darker hid behind her words. It wasn't malicious nor ill intent, merely flat and sterile.
"I just hope that you have the strength to navigate the predicament that we are all in." And with that the romantic stroll came to an end as she broke away from his hand and left,leaving him with thoughts that refused to let him rest. Solthuriel, as the previous lord was taken down, the reasons vague by the creator and the title handed to Ignovar who carried out his duty.
He knew that she was far smarter than to target him for a title but something else seemed to drive her. Her playfulness and closeness was far to alien and disturbing for his liking. Squinting his eyes, he came to a conclusion that seemed way too improbable, brushing it off to the side.
'The chances of her under Azrith's corruption are unlikely with such a massive threat like Solon lurking. And besides the creator would have noted it already.' With a sigh his presence was engulfed in flames and vanished.
...
"I'm sure that she's in a better place." The words though deep with sorrow felt distant to the now troubled princess of Reuthar. Her hands were firmly clasped, her head downcast as she glanced outside the chopper window. It lacked the blades as it ran on malcore, on each side of the aircraft a thruster letting the beauty of technology sail through the sky with ease.
One of the many technological advancements that once intrigued her now out of her world of care. The news of her mother's death was shocking, a select few people privy to such information and now that she had come to learn it wanted to head back and take a closer look.
However his father urged her to focus on her training first and here she was. Heading to the haven promised to the victors of the tournament. Freya, Evara's personal maid looked at the distressed princess and stopped herself from stating her condolences as it seemed to make her all the more weary and downtrodden.
Instead she shifted the conversation elsewhere. "I'm sure that you're eager to meet Callista, after all the two of you are great friends." Diana fidgeted her fingers before breaking into sobs. Her figure lightly shuddering from her cries as Freya wrapped her arms around the girl.
Landing a kiss on her forehead, she gently coddled her. Swaying her side to side. "It'll be okay." She whispered, her breathes brushing across Diana's skin. The scene was raw forcing the soldiers on board to look elsewhere. Amidst the chic design of the aircraft, the sombre pair really stood out.
"We're here!" A servant mused, lightly bowing to Freya and Diana before brushed off. "Now look, I'm sure that Evara would have wanted you to train to your absolute best so don't let her down, okay." Freya mused, her words landing on Diana's ears. The girl kept on going with her heartfelt sobs, forcing Freya to clutch onto her even more.
"I'll do my best." Diana said, breaking away from the hug. "Of course you will, after all I'm sure that you'll make her proud.'" The two shared another brisk hug before finally breaking away from each other. Stepping out of the chopper, Diana look around to be met with a row of guards welcoming her.
The place reeked of modern design, akin to a facility shrouded in secrecy in the mountains. "Princess Diana, it's a pleasure to meet you at last." A voice rang through, the owner that of a man. Donned in a sharp black suit and in his late thirties, the man projected a light and comforting smile.
"Or course. It's nice to meet you." Her voice sharp and clear. "How could I be so indignant. My name is Eric Polker,but you can simply address me as Eric." The man mused, his tone light as his eyes drank in the figure of Diana. Not out of lust but curiosity as he extended his arm to meet hers.
The chopper whirled in the background as it left the pad. Diana was led through the halls, white and sterile before the two came to a room. Extending his arm for a card verification, the doors slid open to reveal a bunch of students, all facing the newly arrived guests.