The pools of shadows faded.
They stood at the black table once again. Shadows curled like mist around the legs of the chairs. Darkness, seated with a teacup in hand, looked perfectly at ease, serene, smug, divine.
"So, you actually succeeded, Rhenvar." Darkness sipped her tea, not even looking at him. "I'll admit… I'm impressed."
Rhenvar rolled his eyes. "Honestly, it makes sense. There was an immediate threat. We handled it. I mean, imagine sending us there just to sit around for a thousand- GAAAH!"
He choked, seized up, then collapsed into a pool of shadows. Gone.
"Heeeey!" Viir zipped up, wings fluttering with alarm.
Darkness waved her off. "Oh, don't worry. He's fine. Serves him right for acting lewd with me."
Sinephilim stepped forward.
"We- "
"First," Darkness interrupted. "Sit and drink. Now."
All three did as they were told.
What is this? I feel… clean? I'm not hungry?
"The tea will have beneficial effects; it will keep you well fed and clean for the time being."
"So, we completed the mission. Do the gods grant us their power?" Sinephilim asked after sipping more tea.
"They do." Darkness set her cup down, glancing at the two new arrivals. "And I see we've gained some interesting allies… even one of them destroyed our world."
Her gaze fixed on Willow, cold and amused.
Willow lowered his head. "…"
"Uh your Holiness-" Veronica stood, bowing awkwardly. "I am Veronica-"
"I know who you are, why do you think you are here? And please, call me Darkness. Most Gods don't care for names, but mortals seem to need them. Just don't give us an insulting name."
Sinephilim cut back in, her voice tight.
"So, with their help… is it enough to restore our world?" Sinephilim asked.
Darkness reclined in her chair, her silhouette blending into the void behind her. "No. Not even close."
Silence.
She went on, casual as ever. "The Gods who gave you that blessing are powerful, yes. But restoring a Worldheart as powerful as ours? That's beyond a few divine favors. Our world was… potent."
Her gaze drifted back to Willow. "Have you unlocked it?"
He blinked. "…Unlocked what?"
"Ah. I see. Still dormant." She sounded more happy than disappointed.
Sinephilim sat back down, sighing. "So, we're going to be doing this a while, huh?"
"You expected a quick fix?" Darkness smiled without humor. "Our world had dense, powerful souls. Restoration won't be easy. Frankly, we don't even know if it's possible."
Just as Rhenvar said. It's a gamble.
Sinephilim folded her arms. "Then why hasn't it been attempted before?"
A pause.
"Because what god would care? Little sister." She said softly.
Veronica looked at her. "You're related?"
"Half-related. We share divine blood." Sinephilim said dismissively.
I do have questions about my mother. Maybe Rhenvar will allow me to speak to Karn again.
Darkness continued. "Other gods don't bother with broken worlds. Why mourn ruins when there are infinite, fresh ones to watch? They won't help… very few of us see the threat of Worldeaters."
"You mean Aucteros," Willow said.
Darkness nodded. "Yes. Although Aucteros isn't the only one and he's not nearly as strong as Calamity and Nightmare. And those are the two Gods talk about the most."
She sipped her tea.
"Oddly we communicate about these Demi Gods, yet my siblings as well as other Gods ignored the rising number of Worldeaters. I took precautions; Rhenvar was the perfect piece. An immortal no one could truly kill. A protector for eternity."
Viir scowled. "So, you used us. Had us sit in that creepy fortress just to act as… a protector?"
Darkness's smile widened. "Of course, and Rhenvar knew this. Had he stayed in my temple, our link would have been stronger. I'd have told him everything. About Aucteros. About his plans. About the book. A shame Rhenvar did not stay in the fortress."
Willow looked down. She did not miss it.
"Don't pout, Willow. All you did was listen to that poor, warm little heart of yours."
Sinephilim's jaw tightened. "What's next, then? Have you found more Gods willing to borrow power for our aid?"
"I have." Darkness stood, brushing imaginary dust from her shoulder towards Willow. "One world stands ready. It may or may not involve Aucteros again, remember, he isn't the only one."
"That book he has, the one he reads, does it really predict the future?"
"An interesting question," Darkness said. "I know as much as you."
"But- h- how don't you know?" Veronica asked.
"How could I? The book is a power outside my own world. It would be like asking me how Rhenvar's chaos magic works."
"Something that powerful, a book that can read not just our world but Veronica's, that had to catch your attention." Sinephilim studied Darkness.
"It caught my attention I assure you. I do have a few theories about it myself. Is it just a regular magic tome? Or a divine relic? Maybe it's the original world, before all others."
"Have you asked other Gods?"
"I have," she sipped her tea. "Some believe I'm a liar or a fool. Most don't care to entertain the possibility of a book that powerful."
"So, the Gods are useless?" Veronica asked, arms crossed.
Darkness' smile sharpened. "Careful, little girl. Don't play so loosely with your second chance. Gods vary. Some help. Some destroy. But all of us? We love a good story."
The table was quiet. The air hummed.
Darkness turned to them. "Your next world is a spirit world. Vast forests, mountains, skies, all teeming with soul-bound sentient creatures. Spirit beasts."
Viir grinned. "Sounds tasty."
Darkness glared at Viir but turned.
"When you arrive," Darkness continued, "each of you will face a trial. Pass it, and your beast will reveal itself. Your familiar. It will guide you."
"What about the Worldheart?" Sinephilim asked. "Did you get its location?"
Darkness raised her hand. With the flick of her wrist, Willow vanished in a shadow.
"Not Willow too!" Viir cried.
"He's fine," Darkness said. "Just silenced. A request from that world's God. They don't want Worldeaters to know."
Sinephilim stood, tense. "You don't trust them?"
"I do trust them," Darkness said. "But this god wanted… caution, who am I to disagree?"
She leaned in.
"The Worldheart resides within a massive spirit tree, an ancient one. It's more than a tree. It is a living beast, older than language, or so I was told. To reach the Worldheart, you must pass its trial. Earn its favor and it will give you a wish, use that and seal it. Fail, and… well. No one has ever returned to talk about failing that trial. This is a world where the chosen go when they seek power." She stood again and snapped her fingers.
Sinephilim and Veronica's attire changed. They were outfitted in athletic clothes.
"Gods above, these look like aspiring knights' clothes!" Veronica said in surprise. "Amazing, Gods can snap their fingers and create clothes. Even the colors are the same as our dresses."
"Yes they are," Sinephilim looked herself over.
If she can create things like this I'd prefer my armor.
"I simply turned your dresses into attire more fitting for the wilderness. I can't have you ladies embarrassing me by running around in heels and a dress."
"Now." Darkness waved her hand.
Rhenvar and Willow returned.
"Gaaaah!" Rhenvar was breathing heavily. "Ya know I very much hate being tortured."
She ignored him and stepped back. "That's all. Keep Rhenvar leashed. Make sure Willow doesn't lose that ring."
Rhenvar stood. "Wait what are we- "
A shadow burst around them.
"Best of luck," she said, already fading.
"And try not to fail the trials. This world has a thing for poetic justice, though in the end they are softies."
And they fell into shadows.