The Dance of Chaos [IC-Fantasy-OPEN]

[Ceystile]

Archbishop Cecily Ludo
Southern Arghyan Border

“Burn this tainted demon meat! Burn it all to ashes!” Cecily instructed the bishops under her command as the small troupe stood in a forest clearing surrounded by the bodies of both demons and Cult of Sins members.
“Yes, Your Holiness!” As several white-robed figures rushed about using their fire magic to set the bodies ablaze, the black-robed Archbishop of Charity straightened herself up from where she was gathering clues from the bodies. A demon attack, and one so close to their borders too...that was unusual, especially in a place like Arghyo. One of her bishops, a young olive-skinned man with sandy hair made his way over to where she was standing contemplating the blood on her attire. “Bishop Morstan, where do you think these demons came from? I mean they don’t just pop out of holes in the ground.”

“Your Holiness, my conclusion is that the cult of Sins summoned them here to try to infiltrate Arghyo’s borders.”
“I’d believe that too, but there’s no evidence of a ritual having been conducted. No summoning circles in this field, no offerings, nothing at all. Perhaps they were summoned in another location and then brought here, but...” Her emerald eyes, the only things visible through her mask seemed to gain a spark of tremulous hope. “Did you find anything? Any clues about...?”
“I’m afraid not, my lady. There was no sign of the Lady Kendra.”
“What about that one we left alive? Surely he must know something?!”
“He refused to reveal anything, and then immolated himself before he could be stopped.” Cecily froze, as if hit by a bolt of ice. “How could we let that happen? We just let a lead get away.” A purple-gloved hand clenched tightly around the emerald locket on her neck. “She’d be seventeen right now.”

“We’ll find her, I’m sure of it.”
“I’ve been telling myself the same thing for the last six years.” Her voice came out like shards of glass as another bishop used water magic to extinguish the fire so that it didn’t spread out of control. Damn those Sin cultists, they’d taken everything...not only from the innocent people of this land, but from her as well. And she’d have restitution, one way or another. “Come along, we need to go report to the High Priest what we found here. And maybe some drinks, and a bath.” Drawing her cloak around herself, she and her men rode the rest of the way across the border and into the gates.


Inside Arghyo
Temple of the Virtues
It felt good, coming home. It reminded her of what she was fighting for, both what was taken and what she still had. Her little sister Kendra had been kidnapped by the Sins six years ago, and that’s what started her down the road to becoming Archbishop. Returning her home, and keeping the rest of her loved ones safe was what kept her there. Speaking of her loved ones...

“Morstan, I’m going to make a bit of a detour if you don’t mind...give the results of our findings to the occult specialists, won’t you?” Cecily handed Morstan the hefty bag of evidence she’d collected as the two of them walked down an ornate corridor, on their way from having reported to the High Priest the surge in demon activity. But she knew that as Archbishop, it would ultimately be up to her to maintain defenses.
“Well..not at all, my lady. But, may I ask where you’re going?”
“I wish to go check in with the Headmistress Millia, she has books on demons and the Cult of Sins that not even the Church has. I want to see if there’s a correlation, and get some ideas on how we can strengthen our position.”
“And to go see your friends?” Morstan asked somewhat playfully. A lot of people forgot that their Archbishop was still a young girl. Just as fierce as the rest of them, but a young girl nonetheless. A flush the same color as her hair came over Cecily’s pale cheeks, and she was grateful for the mask.

“Yes, to go see my friends. Ever since...ever since Kendra was taken, Roter and Zed are all I have besides my parents and you all. I want to go inform them that everything went smoothly and that I wasn’t murdered.”
“You might want to wash the blood off your armor first, m’lady.”
“Yes, you’ve probably got a point. Well I shall be off then!” After taking some time to wash the blood from her armor and weapons, she took off toward Headmistress Millia’s house. She hadn’t seen Roter and Zed in a week, fighting demons didn’t leave a lot of time for communications and was looking forward to spending time with them.


Dr. Gabriela
Street Gang Compound
Anselm
“My gods.” was the first sentence that escaped the doctor’s disbelieving throat as she was shown the room where the ailing children lay. It was clear that they were making due with what they had, having little choice otherwise. When Filippo explained to her that some of them got sick from living near filth and eating garbage, her deep brown skin seemed to take on a bit of an ashen appearance. Conditions in Anselm had always been poor, but for Solaris’ sake! Had they always been this poor?! And why weren’t their lords doing anything?!

You know why. the little voice in her head warned her. The lords love their power too much, they’d rather see their people, even the most vulnerable of them sicken and die and live in fear rather than give up a dime of that precious, precious gold of theirs. Children are supposed to be our future, if that’s true then Anselm has a bleak future indeed. She was snapped out of her reverie by Filippo’s request, dark eyes blinking behind her mask. “Oh..yes. Most definitely. I’ll have Colombe and Corvus fetch some other physicians.” As she turned to go downstairs and relay the orders, she was stopped in her tracks by the boy’s next question. That one was...odd, to say the least. “We treat everyone. Rich, poor, and in between...at least, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. And yes, I know the masters of the Baker’s Guild and the Goldsmith’s Guild, why do you ask?”


Gryffin Archangel
Perigny, Duivene
Well, Father always said I had an enchanting voice. The blue-haired bard was walking down the street, lute strapped to her back and purse heavy with her night’s earnings...which she kept under her hat for safety reasons. The money was always nice, there was never anything to complain about getting enough to live in comfort, even luxury if you could. But that was only half the deal for Gryffin. She loved music, always had. What she truly relished was the spellbound look on the face of a child as she told tales of daring knights, the tears of the ladies as she sang of love and loss, the claps and cheers of the gentlemen as she strummed her lute to the sounds of old glory and the thrill of battle. Yes, music was the true coin earned after these. Music and immortality, what else could a woman possibly want?

[Dragos Bee]

Archbishop Cecily Ludo
Southern Arghyan Border

“Burn this tainted demon meat! Burn it all to ashes!” Cecily instructed the bishops under her command as the small troupe stood in a forest clearing surrounded by the bodies of both demons and Cult of Sins members.
“Yes, Your Holiness!” As several white-robed figures rushed about using their fire magic to set the bodies ablaze, the black-robed Archbishop of Charity straightened herself up from where she was gathering clues from the bodies. A demon attack, and one so close to their borders too...that was unusual, especially in a place like Arghyo. One of her bishops, a young olive-skinned man with sandy hair made his way over to where she was standing contemplating the blood on her attire. “Bishop Morstan, where do you think these demons came from? I mean they don’t just pop out of holes in the ground.”

“Your Holiness, my conclusion is that the cult of Sins summoned them here to try to infiltrate Arghyo’s borders.”
“I’d believe that too, but there’s no evidence of a ritual having been conducted. No summoning circles in this field, no offerings, nothing at all. Perhaps they were summoned in another location and then brought here, but...” Her emerald eyes, the only things visible through her mask seemed to gain a spark of tremulous hope. “Did you find anything? Any clues about...?”
“I’m afraid not, my lady. There was no sign of the Lady Kendra.”
“What about that one we left alive? Surely he must know something?!”
“He refused to reveal anything, and then immolated himself before he could be stopped.” Cecily froze, as if hit by a bolt of ice. “How could we let that happen? We just let a lead get away.” A purple-gloved hand clenched tightly around the emerald locket on her neck. “She’d be seventeen right now.”

“We’ll find her, I’m sure of it.”
“I’ve been telling myself the same thing for the last six years.” Her voice came out like shards of glass as another bishop used water magic to extinguish the fire so that it didn’t spread out of control. Damn those Sin cultists, they’d taken everything...not only from the innocent people of this land, but from her as well. And she’d have restitution, one way or another. “Come along, we need to go report to the High Priest what we found here. And maybe some drinks, and a bath.” Drawing her cloak around herself, she and her men rode the rest of the way across the border and into the gates.


Inside Arghyo
Temple of the Virtues
It felt good, coming home. It reminded her of what she was fighting for, both what was taken and what she still had. Her little sister Kendra had been kidnapped by the Sins six years ago, and that’s what started her down the road to becoming Archbishop. Returning her home, and keeping the rest of her loved ones safe was what kept her there. Speaking of her loved ones...

“Morstan, I’m going to make a bit of a detour if you don’t mind...give the results of our findings to the occult specialists, won’t you?” Cecily handed Morstan the hefty bag of evidence she’d collected as the two of them walked down an ornate corridor, on their way from having reported to the High Priest the surge in demon activity. But she knew that as Archbishop, it would ultimately be up to her to maintain defenses.
“Well..not at all, my lady. But, may I ask where you’re going?”
“I wish to go check in with the Headmistress Millia, she has books on demons and the Cult of Sins that not even the Church has. I want to see if there’s a correlation, and get some ideas on how we can strengthen our position.”
“And to go see your friends?” Morstan asked somewhat playfully. A lot of people forgot that their Archbishop was still a young girl. Just as fierce as the rest of them, but a young girl nonetheless. A flush the same color as her hair came over Cecily’s pale cheeks, and she was grateful for the mask.

“Yes, to go see my friends. Ever since...ever since Kendra was taken, Roter and Zed are all I have besides my parents and you all. I want to go inform them that everything went smoothly and that I wasn’t murdered.”
“You might want to wash the blood off your armor first, m’lady.”
“Yes, you’ve probably got a point. Well I shall be off then!” After taking some time to wash the blood from her armor and weapons, she took off toward Headmistress Millia’s house. She hadn’t seen Roter and Zed in a week, fighting demons didn’t leave a lot of time for communications and was looking forward to spending time with them.


Dr. Gabriela
Street Gang Compound
Anselm
“My gods.” was the first sentence that escaped the doctor’s disbelieving throat as she was shown the room where the ailing children lay. It was clear that they were making due with what they had, having little choice otherwise. When Filippo explained to her that some of them got sick from living near filth and eating garbage, her deep brown skin seemed to take on a bit of an ashen appearance. Conditions in Anselm had always been poor, but for Solaris’ sake! Had they always been this poor?! And why weren’t their lords doing anything?!

You know why. the little voice in her head warned her. The lords love their power too much, they’d rather see their people, even the most vulnerable of them sicken and die and live in fear rather than give up a dime of that precious, precious gold of theirs. Children are supposed to be our future, if that’s true then Anselm has a bleak future indeed. She was snapped out of her reverie by Filippo’s request, dark eyes blinking behind her mask. “Oh..yes. Most definitely. I’ll have Colombe and Corvus fetch some other physicians.” As she turned to go downstairs and relay the orders, she was stopped in her tracks by the boy’s next question. That one was...odd, to say the least. “We treat everyone. Rich, poor, and in between...at least, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. And yes, I know the masters of the Baker’s Guild and the Goldsmith’s Guild, why do you ask?”

Roter-Kaufmann Palaiologos and Zed Argentum

Once the Headmistress had let Archbishop Cecily inside, Roter and Zed perked up at her apperance, with both saying, "Cel!" and rushing over to hug her briefly before letting go. Then the two went over to pull out a spare seat for the tea table, all thoughts of recounting Arghyo's history forgotten for now.

"Hey, Cel," Roter said, "Zed has been having paranoid thoughts lately, and needs reassurance that we all care for him. That and he's also afraid that some of Arghyo's many enemies might seek to kidnap him and turn him evil by torturing him and feeding him lies. Can you reassure him that that won't happen?"

"Roter," Zed was stern, "Do not be insensitive to Cel - You know what she's gone through and the very thought of that happening to either of us is bad. That said, I have been having paranoid fears lately and I do want to know if there is a risk I might be spirited away into... A dark place where bad things may happen."

There was genuine fear iin his voice.

Kyle Perrin-Palaiologos, Arghyo, with NPCs in Anselm

Heyderkrug, Filippo

"Just a question," Filippo said. "Let's just say that our gang makes money to protect other children by spreading... News in a more reliable way than what the censors in Anselm would allow. And we can always use more customers. Basically, if you and they want more info on what's really going on in the city, just give us a call."

A faint smile.

[Ceystile]

Cecily was nearly knocked over when Roter and Zed bolted over to hug her, clapping her arms around each of their backs. “Hey guys, it’s been seven days! How are you, what did I miss?!” She then sat at the seat of the table that they offered, taking off the white half-mask she wore. In moments like this, surrounded by friends, she felt like a normal young woman almost. She barely had a bite of cake when Roter poured his question out onto her and Zed interrupted before she could reply.

“Zed, it’s okay.” Cecily said with a raise of her hand. “I appreciate it though.” Of course it still hurt, it would always hurt until her sister was found. After six years, most would tell her to stop searching but that wasn’t in her. There could still be a possibility that she was alive, and Cecily would cling to that for as long as she could. It was the main driving factor that kept her going. She then listened to what he had to say, sighing when he finished. “The Cult of Sins worships demons...and I regretfully have to say that yes, there is a possibility that you could be targeted if they ever found out what you are. But it’s not like it’s a widely known fact, nobody knows about your cambion nature expect he’s...besides, we wouldn’t let anything happen to you. I’d protect you, and you know damn well Roter would lay down his life for you. Anything that comes to threaten you can eat my flail, but so far the danger is minimal since you blend in rather well but...we still have to be careful. I can’t lose anyone else.”



Gabriela listened patiently to what Filippo had to say, the ways in which he earned money for the other children and himself. A secret news ring? When the surprise that he was trusting her with all this had abated enough, she found herself sympathizing with him. It was true, the lords of Anselm did keep things hidden from the public. The corruption had honestly gotten that bad, and if these brave young people were determined to stop it then she wouldn’t argue.

“I wish I had half your courage when I was your age, young man. I may just have to take you up on that offer...” A cough from behind her snapped her out of her musings. “I probably should be on my way to get those orderlies over here, the situation seems...dire.”

[Dragos Bee]

Kyle Perrin-Palaiologos, Arghyo, with NPCs in Anselm

Heyderkrug, Filippo

Gabriela listened patiently to what Filippo had to say, the ways in which he earned money for the other children and himself. A secret news ring? When the surprise that he was trusting her with all this had abated enough, she found herself sympathizing with him. It was true, the lords of Anselm did keep things hidden from the public. The corruption had honestly gotten that bad, and if these brave young people were determined to stop it then she wouldn’t argue.

“I wish I had half your courage when I was your age, young man. I may just have to take you up on that offer...” A cough from behind her snapped her out of her musings. “I probably should be on my way to get those orderlies over here, the situation seems...dire.”

Filippo nodded and said, "Yes, yes it is dire."

He had successfully sanitized his line of work, it seemed. Good, and it wasn't even 100% falsehood - From a certain point of view, it was true. Nevertheless, he continued, "Just remember, you'll be watched as you fetch your orderlies, we can't be too careless."

Unknown to him, several members of his gang were already being stalked by a Vampire...

[Fereni]

A little later
Somewhere else
A knight and an angel

Nysa never knew what he had almost done; she stayed blissfully unaware, drifting through darkness.

And when she did wake, she still knew nothing of what had just happened. As far as she was aware, one moment she had been under threat from a man she only barely knew, and now--what was happening? She was confused, how had things changed so quickly? But Illari was holding her, not that other man, and that meant--she wasn't going to go back with them. Right?

"I...Illari?" she asked, her voice quiet and plaintive. "Safe? Nysa... is safe?"

Wyzkia
A castle

When Alina heard the gate open, she flinched and pulled back, immediately trying to scrub away her tears, because it might be Rafal, and she couldn't let him see this--not now--it would only make things worse. But the voice that spoke was certainly not Rafal's, and so she turned, slightly, to see who the newcomer was, only to stop short.

She couldn't help but stare. The girl in front of her--she was like a princess, as if the stories Alina had once loved so much had come to life before her eyes. Beautiful and elegant, she was everything Alina had always tried so hard to be, and with this girl looking at her, she felt very small indeed. Small, and pathetic. But she tried to compose herself, tried to put on a brave face and smile, only for that attempt to shatter the moment the other girl introduced herself.

Despite her best attempts, she flinched at the realization. So this was Rafal's former fiancee. This girl, who hardly even seemed real, who was everything that Alina was not... Her hands were shaking. How could she possibly compare to this? She couldn't. She could never. It was an absolutely hopeless effort. Had the girl not been in between her and the gate, she might simply have run, in a desperate attempt to get away from the returning realization of just how absurd this whole thing was.

Returning to her senses, she realized with horror that the other girl--Anastazja--had asked her name and title, and she had just been sitting there, not even responding, not doing anything right, stupid, stupid--she scrambled to her feet, dipping into a deep curtsy, hoping that she looked somewhat more presentable than she felt. Could she do nothing right? Three chances she'd been given to make a good first impression on the people who were important to Rafal, and she was destroying all of those chances. Pathetic.

"My lady," she tried to say, but her voice shook so badly that it was almost incomprehensible. She cleared her throat and tried again. "My lady, I am... Alina. I do not have a title... I-I do, however, have the honor of being... Rafal Opalinski's fiancee... I am... I'm very pleased to meet you..." She could practically imagine the scorn that Anastazja must have been feeling at that. This was Rafal's new fiancee? This cringing, crying, pathetic nobody who couldn't even introduce herself properly? What a joke. She shouldn't even be here. She should leave. She should leave, right now, and never show her face near any of these people, ever again--should go and kill herself the way she'd been told.

But she couldn't move. She couldn't make herself move, no matter how hard she tried. She could only stand there, feeling very much like a condemned criminal waiting for the death sentence. A part of her dared to hope that it might be better than she expected--Rafal's mother had accepted her, had been so kind to her, and she supposed it was only natural that Rafal would surround himself with kind people. So perhaps she could be accepted by this girl as well... but her heart still felt heavy in her chest, and she could barely maintain eye contact. Please. Please...

Somewhere else entirely
A blind boy
Later,
Two Archbishops

Meta had once thought, on the Night of the Bloody Moons, that she had been the happiest she could ever hope to be. Having the one she'd loved for so long finally return her affections, and make such grand promises to her--if she could have dreamed, she would have thought it to be a dream. But for once, her eternal curse bestowed a small blessing onto her--the knowledge that it could only have been real.

She had thought, then, that she would never feel any greater happiness, but now she was proven wrong. Because this, this precious moment, with the warmth of the fire, the light of the moon, and her beloved lying next to her, watching her, holding her hands, and what they had done together still fresh in her mind... it was a happiness beyond anything that she could ever hope to put into words. Even if it might soon be taken away from her, for now, just for now, she could have something as wonderful as this. Even though his body was cold, she felt warm, like her heart was ablaze. She could not have asked for more. She didn't need to ask for more, because she already had everything she wanted. Despite everything, she still didn't feel tired at all--yet for once, her heart didn't ache at the reminder of it. She could stay here, with him, and never miss a single moment.

His request... it was so silly, she thought. How could she ever forget him? How could she forget the way that, even with Superbia influencing him, he was always so kind and gentle? The way that he had looked at her, with something akin to awe, the words he had spoken to her?

She smiled at him, gently, and spoke to him in a soft voice.

"Of course, my love." Letting go of his hands, she pulled him close to her again, even the chill of his skin just bringing her still more happiness. "You didn't even need to ask... I will never forget you. I could never, even if I wanted to. I know you don't always remember things, but from now on, you can tell me your memories... I will remember them, I will remember you, and I will tell you all of it again, as many times as you need me to. Even if you forget, I'll remember. So you don't need to worry anymore, my love... because I'll remember it all for you. No matter what, I could never forget what you tell me. I will never, ever forget you. And when it's all over, I will tell you about who you are... I will tell you everything."

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Anselm
Rural Countryside
"Freemen's Drink" Tavern

"I am glad to have alleviated your concerns for the moment then, Lady Nym. I also thank you for your confidence, Yakr."

, Adelheid said with a smile. She was actually, honestly, happy that things had gone over so well. Her father had shot her down, despite similar arguments. No adventures in the Fen, he said. The Unsterbs will be brought down politically, he said. Yes, totally, while they had a vice like stranglehold on politics and a, by Anselmian standards, clear name. Against the Unsterbs, direct action would have to be taken, the beast had to be wounded first before politics could drag it down.

Getting up from the table, Adelheid took her bag and all of her things before bowing slightly before the rest of the group.

"I will be retiring to my rooms now. You are...5, no, 6 people."

, she gave Yakr an apologetic glance.

"I will also be renting rooms for everyone for tonight. We are going to spend this night here and rest up. Eat and drink to your hearts' content, the bill will be mine to pay next morning. Yakr, I doubt they have rooms made for someone of your size so I will see about having them prepare some hay and perhaps blankets in the stables if you don't mind. Lady Nym, will you be requiring an own bed or are you more comfortable as a, well, an object?"

Fetching everyone's replies, Adelheid headed back off into the tavern, arranging for their overnight stay before, as she had stated, retreating to her room and preparing herself for the journey tomorrow. Well, that and counting the money she brought with her to see if she wasn't being a bit more generous than she could afford.

---

Anselm
Merckburger Fen
Approaching a village

The night had been quiet, the rooms as tidy as one could expect and the food and drink good. No disturbances had occured and after a light breakfast the next morning and Adelheid paying for all expenses, a frown crossing her face for only a split second at the sight of all the money she had to dish out, they would set out on the road towards the Fen in the distance, Adelheid herself riding a horse, its saddlebags quite full with what were presumably supplies.

By prenoon they were approaching what was arguably the Fen, fields with farmers or slaves toiling in them being traded for overgrown or barren fields which had clearly not been tended to in a while. The air got colder, a chill wind blowing from the direction they went into. Adelheid merely remarked:

"The locals tend to call this the Chill Wind of Death. We are close now."

And indeed, after passing through another small forest they arrived at what looked like a small village, a settlement of free peasants like they tended to exist out here in rural Anselm. They didn't live a good life, the settlement reflecting that in its make-up of a bunch of small huts, made from wood no doubt from the forest they had just passed. And beyond the village, with cold mists hanging above it, lay what was probably the fen, dead trees, high reeds and bushes sticking out of the mist. But for now the small village was of bigger importance.

As they closed in, it looked just as abandoned as the fields they had passed before, no soul showing itself and several of the building's roofs showing signs of caving in. No smoke rose from the chimneys either and several of the doors hung open, creaking in the chill wind.

Adelheid dismounted as they approached and urged any who had a mount of their own to do the same with a wave of her hand. Stopping for a moment, she said:

"Alright, spread out and and be careful. We don't know if anyone's in there that's friendly to outsiders these days. Try not to kill anyone that's there though, maybe they know more about this region."

[Dragos Bee]

Daniel and Leon Perrin-Palaiologos, Anselm

Daniel and Leon were disgusted at the slave plantations they saw on the way, and made no effort to hide their revulsion at, well, slavery. It was even worse when they saw boys and girls their age being used as slave labor, a sight which made them uncomfortable as it reminded them that all which seperated them from the same fate was wealth, rank, and magical ability. The two kept a tight grip on their weapons as they passed through, only relaxing once the number of free peasants they saw grew and only finally relenting as they reached the abandoned village.

"They should have a mayor, right?" Leon said. "Or is 'village headman' the right term? Either way, I and Daniel should go to the largest structure and look it through - If its abandoned, it can be our base of operations, while if its not, we can probably find someone willing to help us."

Daniel looked at the other members and said, "Yakr, Pynus, Lucia and Marina, was it? Any of you wish to accompany us?"

[Dragos Bee]

Kyle Perrin-Palailogos, Arghyo, with NPCs in Duivene - The Day of the Duivene Job

Perigny, Chat Blanc

Chat Blanc was one of the Palaiologos Trading Company's representatives in Duivene, a local citizen who had gladly accepted being in Kyle's employ as long as his pay kept coming. The business deals he had made in Arghyo with Kyle's late father had made him one of the richest folk in Duivene's capital, able to grant loans and ensure their reliable repayment. Even when, he mused, the person he was approaching for repayment was a denizen of the night, a creature of darkness who defied most expectations of what one should be like.

For his coach was approaching Alucard Ironbright's residence, and he himself only had an aide and two bodyguards, not enough to take down the Vampire should she decide to attempt treachery. No, the messengers tasked with revealing her existence to the Church should he not return in 24 hours were his trump card.

Not that Chat actually needed it, for he found Allison 'Alucard' Ironbright to be actually sincere in her business dealings and daily life, with hedonism as her main flaw. Hedonism and a love for beauty both of them shared, as the two of them loved jewels not just as things to wear, but things to value. As his carriage stopped at the gates of the Irobbright Residence, he sent his aide, a young woman, to announce hs presence to the hosts - He quite looked forward to the repayment of his and Kyle's loans, as well as discussion on the merits of emeralds versus sapphires, and jade versus electrum.

In short, he was looking forward to a nice dinner and a nice night with one of the few creatures of the dark who would allow such a thing to even be...

[Dragos Bee]

Kyle Perrin-Palailogos, Arghyo, Flash-Forward to Several Days Later

Eglamour hadn't sent him a message yet, but the latest shipment of money from Kyle's investments in Duivene had arrived, signifying that his legal investments were still safe. Repayments of loans from nobles and fellow merchants and a few yeomen, as well as returns from his investments in workshops and various artisans and craftsmen's guilds, those made up the amount of coin flowing into his coffers. This was a good thing, as from where he sat in his HQ in Světla, Arghyo's capital, it was clear that he risked going into the red and disappointing his adoptive family who depended on him. Money was also coming from Calaria, where he and his late father had made business partners with various glassworkers, sculptors, and those engaged in metalwork. Most of them were free folk, but a few were slaves looking to purchase their freedom from their owners and thus could use the help from elsewhere.

As he looked over the papers detailing his income and expenses, Kyle hoped against hope that he had managed to gain more money than he lost, because financing the largest slave revolt in southern Anselm's recent history was going to drain his coffers. The most recent messages showed that the initial stages of the revolt had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, with large portions of the countryside afire. The Army of the Free Soil had kept the rebels from falling into anarchy, directing the more militarily-minded slaves to cut off the Anselmnian forces' centers of communication and supply, seizing fresh stocks of weapons and food while keeping an eye out for the Anselmnians' remaining flying fortresses - If Namenlosen and Honeystead Abbey were attacked by them before the rebellion can secure a more secure headquarters - Perhaps a mountainous one - The entire revolt would shatter.

As for Leon and Daniel, Kyle was sending ravens to find them at great risk to the safety of his operations, telling them to flee to Wyzkia as soon as possible - They were no longer safe in Anselm's territory. He was not letting his little brothers get captured and enslaved or even killed just because of their own stubbornness, dangit!

Leon has a good head on his shoulders, he'll keep Daniel and himself safe. Plus they are talented despite their recklessness... Kyle still could not help but panic despite that, because if he let his little brothers get hurt, well that'd disappoint his parents from where they looked at him from the afterlife. Settle down, Kyle, the young man thought. I can ransom them if need be, thanks to my continuing financial solvency. And if they cannot be ransomed, I'll hire adventurers to retrieve them...

[Elysian Kentarchy]

The Witch of Hellfire

At his words of recognition a variety of emotions flicker rapidly in the Achysian Mage's eyes, some like loneliness and hate but the predominant ones are anger and sadness. But they are as gone as quickly as it appeared, subsumed under the mask of a polite noble lady that she normally wears.

Illania de Velira

I sigh inwardly, I guess I am not surprised the face I was born with was recognized. But any problems that could cause for me will have to be dealt with later. I don the practiced smile of the noble woman that I am. "There is no love lost between me and the Faith Keepers so I would be pleased to assist in such a thing. I also owe it to your princess that I am not dead yet and a de Velira's honor demands that we pay our debts, so lead the way Ser."

Besides, I might as well keep Solomon's rival safe and perhaps they can meet again. I think to myself, slightly amused as I follow after the man.

Melodie Beauvais

I bite down on the inside of my right cheek in frustration but then I realize something and speak, deciding to go for broke. "If you were going to kill the Princess you would have already done so instead of just threatening us... So the answer to that question of yours depends on if I can hit you faster than you are able to hit her." And with that I attack her as quickly as I can with my sword.

[Ceystile]

Kyle Perrin-Palailogos, Arghyo, with NPCs in Duivene - The Day of the Duivene Job

Perigny, Chat Blanc

(Image)

Chat Blanc was one of the Palaiologos Trading Company's representatives in Duivene, a local citizen who had gladly accepted being in Kyle's employ as long as his pay kept coming. The business deals he had made in Arghyo with Kyle's late father had made him one of the richest folk in Duivene's capital, able to grant loans and ensure their reliable repayment. Even when, he mused, the person he was approaching for repayment was a denizen of the night, a creature of darkness who defied most expectations of what one should be like.

For his coach was approaching Alucard Ironbright's residence, and he himself only had an aide and two bodyguards, not enough to take down the Vampire should she decide to attempt treachery. No, the messengers tasked with revealing her existence to the Church should he not return in 24 hours were his trump card.

Not that Chat actually needed it, for he found Allison 'Alucard' Ironbright to be actually sincere in her business dealings and daily life, with hedonism as her main flaw. Hedonism and a love for beauty both of them shared, as the two of them loved jewels not just as things to wear, but things to value. As his carriage stopped at the gates of the Irobbright Residence, he sent his aide, a young woman, to announce hs presence to the hosts - He quite looked forward to the repayment of his and Kyle's loans, as well as discussion on the merits of emeralds versus sapphires, and jade versus electrum.

In short, he was looking forward to a nice dinner and a nice night with one of the few creatures of the dark who would allow such a thing to even be...

“Allie, the client is here!” Zari peered out of the window to see a carriage pulling up to their house, a young woman walking out of it and up to their door. Alucard emerged in a cloud of mist, wearing an elegant deep purple gown and some of her newest pieces. “Thank you, dearest.” She bent down to kiss her husband and then opened the door to let the lady in.
“Ah, you must be an associate of Mister Blanc’s, are you not? Come in, would you like anything? Tea, coffee, wine perhaps? I’m Alucard Ironbright, lovely to meet you. This is Mister Zari Ironbright, my husband and the finest artist in Duivene.”

Anselm
Gabriela was going to protest at being watched as if she were some sort of criminal, but she realized that she probably didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. And if she were the boy, she’d probably be suspicious as well if she were in his position. Instead she gave him a nod and allowed herself to be escorted downstairs, the cart already prepared to head toward the Doctor’s Guild headquarters.

[Dragos Bee]

[
“Ah, you must be an associate of Mister Blanc’s, are you not? Come in, would you like anything? Tea, coffee, wine perhaps? I’m Alucard Ironbright, lovely to meet you. This is Mister Zari Ironbright, my husband and the finest artist in Duivene.”

Anselm

Gabriela was going to protest at being watched as if she were some sort of criminal, but she realized that she probably didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. And if she were the boy, she’d probably be suspicious as well if she were in his position. Instead, she gave him a nod and allowed herself to be escorted downstairs, the cart already prepared to head toward the Doctor’s Guild headquarters.

Chat Blanc, Kyle's NPC in Duivene

The Aide muttered a few impressed greetings and entered just as Chat Blanc reached the estate doors, giving a deep bow to Alucard and her husband as he said, "Greetings. I trust that my associate wasn't too flustered by your hospitality?"

He'd wait to be let in, for once he did, 'Mr. Blanc' was prepared to conduct small talk about the weather and daily life in Duivine, as well as how the nobility was doing. And of course, enjoy some coffee - Wine would just dull his senses. But once they were all settled, Chat would broach a certain subject, "Now, as for more serious matters - The Ironbright Family's business is booming, with several rich clients willing to pay for your wares. Does that mean that you can finally pay off certain debts incurred in worse years? A certain young man from Arghyo has decided to call in the debts I owe him, which means that I have to call in the debts you owe me."

Chat leaned in closer, "To be honest, I think that certain young man is immensely ambitious - I hope he learns his limits."

Filippo de Heyderkrug

After Gabriella had left, Filippo's office was unbothered at first, until one of his courier boys, Romeo, rushed in, covered in blood.

"Chief!" the redheaded street kid said, "Our lairs in Slum 3 are being raided by some child-eating undead... Thing. She's asking about you."

"As I thought," Filippo muttered as he said, "Stay here until the decent medics we've made a 'contract' with arrive. I'm going to open my safe."

At the back of Filippo's office was a heavy metal safe as tall as he was and even thicker which contained his personal cut of the gang's proceeds - Treasure kept loyalty, after all. It also contained long-lasting candy, but that was not important. Opening the safe, he took out three es containing gold coins and a precious ruby each, then rang a bell to call in three of his best couriers overall, Tali, Garro, and Sheppard.

Once the three kids came, Filippo handed them a pouch each and said, "You three, head for the Exile's Refuge, Castoffs' Ridge, and The Slaughtered Griffon Inns. Some of the renegade Wyzkian Hunters there owe me a favor. There might also be renegade Church folk. Hire them, give reminders of tipoffs I gave in better times, and send them after an Undead Bitch who is currently hunting us. If there are no hunters sweeping the slums looking for that bitch, I will personally assume you guys died or turned traitor, and if it's the latter, well, you'll wish for the former. Got it?"

And with that, he sent them off.

[Tracian Empire]

Apostolic Principality of Arghyo
Somewhere near the capital of Světla


The Headmistress nodded as a salute when Cecily entered the house, after the servants had opened the door for her. She had to be a little wary - the Cult of Virtues was directly under the authority of the Faith now, and despite the fact that it was led by an Apostle, Arghyo didn't always see eye to eye with the Faith and the Haliarchy.

"I was indeed here when Arghyo was founded, young Roter. Few of us are still alive after so much time, but I was one of the Harbringers serving our Apostle-Princess, fighting at the behest of Remigil, the first Emperor of Thorns. The stories that were passed down are true. They're only part of all that happened because few of us were willing to remember everything. None of you would understand. As horrible as the War of the Deceitful Flame was, it was but a pale shadow when compared to the darkness of the Age of Abhorrence." The Loroi woman sighed, and took a sip from her cup of tea. "The Gods punished all mortals equally for the arrogance and hubris of the Thyrians. Demons and all manners of monsters rampaged freely, and many fell into sin, and started fighting among each other. This is when the Karaki first appeared from the northeast, and all the races that had been hunted to near extinction by the Silver Throne returned in anger and revenge. Dragons, vampires, and beasts unnumbered. And while the Blight, the divine Blight, had forever cursed what had once been Thyria, it wasn't enough - corrupted monsters of lower Blight still appeared. Without the Gods directing it, it couldn't defile the very land and its magic like it had done in Thyria, but it could still infect and kill people, and there was no cure. I was lucky, I was born right towards its end. When the Gods finally listened to our prayers, and found us our saviors. You know how the rhyme goes."


Dark times and people in need
Crowns given to three,
Emperors of might, together they lead
The search for a golden tree

"There was a prophecy, that somewhere, there was a golden tree that could cure the Blight, and that by finding it, we could bring this Age to an end. And three heroes were found from among mortals. The Three Emperors. One was given a crown of thorns and life, and his name was Remigil, one was given a crown of flame and light, and he died, his name accursed, as the Mage-Emperor three years ago, at the hands of the Seven Heroes. And the third one was given a crown of ice and blood, but we do not speak about him for he was lead astray and abandoned his task. But the Three Emperors could not fight alone, so the Gods granted special powers to those with the purest hearts, and they became the Apostles, the servants of the Three Emperors, our Princess among them. And during their quests, the Apostles themselves granted power to those they deemed worthy - and that is how I became a Harbringer. Long we fought in this hopeless struggle, but the times were changing. I served under Remigil, and he was without question the bravest and most honorable knight that this world has ever seen. It was he who founded Tharnria, one of the first realms to appear after the Age of Abhorrence, and he and his knights formed what would become the Order of the Paladins. But he died during the final battle, and sacrificed his life to help the Mage-Emperor banish the last of the demon realms."

The Loroi smiled sadly. "But Arghyo was founded before that. You see, on what today is Světla, there was a castle of bones, held by a sorceress possessed by a demon prince. She had the magic to bind nature to her will, and her castle was surrounded by many wretched and monstrous plants. She attracted us into a trap, hoping to corrupt the Crown of Thorns that Remigil was wearing, and no matter how valiantly he fought, our Emperor lost that day. One of her creations was spreading a purple smoke in the air that clouded our minds no matter the spells we tried. Remigil had fallen on the ground, and right before the sorceress could strike him - our Apostle-Princess moved in front of him, and summoned a white rose. The sorceress laughed, and tried to cut it down with her blade, but while doing so, one of the rose's thorns pierced her hand. And as soon as her blood touched the plant, the Apostle-Princess' spell worked its magic, and drained her of all her blood, turning her into a weakened husk. This gave Remigil the time he needed to stand back up, and to pierce her blackened heart right with his jagged blade. We then burned the castle of bones and purified the land - but the rose that she had summoned, with a crimson stem and white petals, survived. As thanks for saving his life and saving us all, Remigil gave her this land to be hers forever, and the castle of Světla was built around the Rose, where the castle of bones once stood. "

The Headmistress took another sip of tea. "But of course, this was all a long, long time ago."

---

Grand Duchy of Wyzkia
Opalinski Castle

Anastazja hesitated to give an answer, but it wasn't because of scorn or anything of the sort. She was deep in thoughts when she had entered the garden, barely seeing beyond her own grief, only here because of the duty she felt she had. Rafal's mother's fate was in some ways, worse than death, and with Rafal so often gone, she felt like it was up to her to come here from time to time and to check on her, even if she was among the people that the baroness often forgot. So when she had entered, she had initially completely missed that Alina was even there, and when she saw the girl and more than that, she saw that she was crying, it completely threw her off. Her formal reaction was an automatism of sorts, learned through countless years spent in Wyzkia's ducal court, something to prevent a faux pas and to help her own standing from taking a hit.

Not something that she would have done if she had properly processed the fact that the girl in front of her must have been crying for a reason.

And then.. well, she couldn't help but be a little curious. The girl not having a title, and by definition not being a part of the nobility was a little confusing to her, especially since she seemed to be trained in etiquette, but it seemed that she was now Rafal's fiancee.. and she knew all too well what the red haired boy thought about arranged marriages. That then meant that the only possible explanation was that Rafal had found true beloved, and was marrying his beloved.. but she also knew all too well that the boy was almost fanatically devout to the Order of the Paladins and their code. So there was no possibility for Alina to be just a random woman who had seduced him.. and like that, most of her suspicions disappeared.

But her curiosity remained, and she had to carefully observe the woman who had stolen Rafal's heart. Anastazja looked at her, meticulously, as if she was analyzing her, as if she was trying to burn every single detail of Alina's appearance into her retinas.

Which of course, turned the few moments of initial silence into an entire minute of extremely oppressive and uncomfortable silence, even more so as the red haired girl was looking directly at Alina. Not that the baroness minded, as she had already turned back to take care of her flowers, but for Alina.. the air around her would have seemed to progressively get thicker and more difficult to breathe with each heartbeat, as Anastazja's expression gave absolutely no clue as to what she was thinking.

And then suddenly, the rose eyed girl herself seemed to have realized what was going on, how silent everything was and how impolite she had been, so she quickly turned red.

"I'm sorry for this, Alina, if I may call you so", she quickly replied, her voice still calm and soft despite her clear embarrassment. "I have to admit, I was a little curious - to see the girl who has stolen Rafal's heart. And to be completely honest with you.." She hesitated for a second, searching for her words. "I can see why he has fallen in love so quickly. You're like a princess!", she exclaimed, a warm smile on her face. "You would have been everyone's envy at the Grand Duke's court. We have so much to talk about! I can tell you many things about Rafal that you could find interesting, after all, we've been friends since we were little children, and while the court has never been my favorite place, my father always made sure that I was aware of all the latest fashion trends, I can help you look even more fabulous than you already are!" Her smile became a little sad when mentioning her father, but she quickly returned to her bubbly personality. "And of course, we can not expect Rafal to be able to find you a dress, he was after all one of the few who never found my passion for wearing armor to be odd. "


Carefully, she took a few steps forward and took Alina's hands into hers. "It might be a bit presumptuous of me to ask, but Rafal is perhaps my closest friend, we're nearly family. So if you are to marry him, it's only natural that you would be the same. Could we be friends?"

[Fereni]

Grand Duchy of Wyzkia
Opalinski Castle

It was almost impossible for Alina to keep any shred of composure. Anastazja was staring at her, looking her up and down as if inspecting her, and it felt so hard to breathe, just thinking about what might be going through the other girl's mind--what if she figures it out?! Alina thought wildly, suddenly having to fight not to start hyperventilating. In response to her terror, some of the flowers in the garden seemed to lose some of their vibrancy, drooping slightly. What if she realizes--what if she tells everyone--Without even realizing it, she found herself pressing her hands to her stomach, feeling sick. I can't--I can't--stop looking at me like that, I'm sorry, I really am, please stop--and she couldn't start crying again, she couldn't, she had to at least pretend that everything was all right, but it was so hard--

And then Anastazja apologized, and Alina knew with horrible clarity that she'd figured it out. Somehow, she'd figured everything out, because why else would she be apologizing? She knew, and she was going to tell everyone, because someone like Alina could never marry someone like Rafal, that was for certain.

"You can call me Alina," she said, even though her voice was barely audible. "It's fine..." Behind her, more of the flowers were clearly being affected by her fear, her despair. But her next words--to say that Alina had stolen Rafal's heart--she almost wanted to laugh at the idea. It was absurd. Rafal didn't love her, not like that. He couldn't. No one could. It was a miracle that he cared at all, but love? That was far beyond her reach. But she couldn't explain that. That would ruin everything. Somehow, this girl seemed to believe that Rafal actually loved her, that Alina was even lovable at all, and that gave her a little hope that things weren't about to fall apart before her eyes, but she was still afraid to hope at all.

But then saying that Alina was like a princess--it had to be a lie. It was something she was saying out of pity. There was no way that she could actually think that. After seeing Alina like this, disheveled and crying almost incoherently, a broken, unstable wreck that couldn't even be called a human being, she couldn't possibly think Alina was like a princess. Not this girl, who seemed straight out of a fairy tale herself. It was impossible, purely and utterly impossible. But even so, the flowers behind her seemed to brighten up again, because no matter how much she told herself that it was a lie, those words... they still made her happy. Even if it was nothing more than a lie, it made her happy to hear it. Everyone's envy at the ducal court... what an idea it was. She had never, could never be anyone's envy, much less the sort of people who would be found there. Still, the thought of it gratified her, imagining what that would be like. For once, maybe that man would even be proud of her.

Although, at the same time... this girl meant it in regards to her appearance, did she not? It couldn't be anything else. And that... it didn't bear thinking about. After Luxuria, she'd begun to hate her own appearance. She'd thought, once, that it was one of the only things she had in her favor--after all, at that time, she'd been expected to find a suitable husband, and that man had always told her that she had so little that anyone would want. But it had been her appearance that had drawn the attention of those cultists, hadn't it? She'd tried to change it, afterwards, even though there was little she could truly do. But she'd changed the way she dressed, had cut off her once-long hair and left it much shorter and more ragged, had tried to make herself different. She didn't want people to find her attractive. She didn't want to look like a princess anymore.

She didn't want to think about that. Instead, she tried to listen to what Anastazja was saying, and it was... it was nice. She seemed so kind, almost as kind as Rafal. Instead of being cruel, she was offering her help--offering to tell her things about Rafal, and while the idea of letting someone try to make her more beautiful was a rather frightening one, she knew... Rafal would still keep her safe, of course. She didn't have to be afraid. Even if someone looked at her like that again, he wouldn't let anything happen to her... and... it would make him happy, wouldn't it? Having a beautiful wife, that was something that men wanted. And she wanted to make him happy. She was taking away his chance at finding real love, so she could at least try to make him as happy as possible.

Yet the most surprising thing of all was certainly when Anastazja reached out and took her hands, and what she asked next. Could they be friends? Why would she--why would she ever want to be friends with Alina? Could this even be real? It made her happy... she hadn't really had many friends growing up, too busy trying to live up to the expectations placed on her, and after that... the idea of having a friend, someone even as close as family, filled her heart with a strange, aching warmth.

"I... I would like that," she finally replied, her voice still soft. "If you really... want to be my friend, then... I'd like that a lot." Her voice sounded choked up, she realized, like she was about to cry again. She forced herself to swallow the lump in her throat--it wouldn't do to cry now. "And thank you... for offering to help me. I want to be a good wife, and make Rafal happy... so if you know what I can do..." Aside from the one thing she couldn't bear to consider, the one thing that she knew was inevitable but feared so, so much. "If you can tell me how to keep him happy with me... I would be truly grateful. If it's not too much to ask..." I don't want him to regret doing this for me. I know he will eventually, but if I can keep him happy for as long as possible, then at least I'll have done something right. If I can do that... maybe I won't be completely worthless, after all.

At the very least, she could try to hope.

[Dragos Bee]

Roter-Kaufmann Palaiologos and Zed Argentum

While Roter and Zed had heard the story before, it never ceased to amaze them, especially Roter, who found the way the Headmistress/Harbinger told the story to be the most masterful storytelling he had ever encountered. The redhead began writing the story down, suppressing the urge to ask if the White Rose had survived until today - That'd be a state secret. Nevertheless, here were the thoughts he and his boyfriend exchanged through their soul link:

<Roter,> Zed said, <It's not actually stated how and where they found the Golden Tree, but it's obvious they found it. And to be honest, it's not strange to have the White Rose be a state secret - It'd be a powerful artifact of great power, after all.>

<Yes,> Roter was thinking about the other implications of the statement, <Also, the Golden Tree wasn't fully used, was it? Because the Blight survives until today, albeit in a somewhat-reduced form.>

But to the Headmistress, Roter said respectfully, "Wyzkia claims the heritage of Thanria, right? But Arghyo joined the Anselmnite Rebellion against it, or at least that's what my history lessons imply. Does that mean that Anselm wasn't as corrupt as it later became? Or rather, that Wyzkia's Grand Duke was a greater tyrant than the recent holders of the title were and committed acts which justify rebellion? For that matter, how did Thanria become Wyzkia, if I am permitted to ask that?"

<A strategic diversion, I like it,> Zed thought, <Making the Headmistress believe that we are not interested in the White Rose and the Golden Tree. Of course, if you got your history wrong, expect a stern lecturing.> Then a thought occured to the Cambion, <Hey, a thought, if the miraculous Golden Tree can purge the Blight, why can't somethig similar purge my demonic nature?>

He then looked at Roter, then Cecily, then at Headmistress Millia before making a final decision. "Grandmother and Roter, a request: Once Cecily is done with whatever business she has here, perhaps she and I can stay over at Roter's place for a while? The three of us haven't stayed together in the same place for a while and well... Roter's manor seems to be a place where we can do so without various observers assuming some secret struggle for power between 'certain parties', as well as without her presence potentially causing anxiety."

<Really now, Zed?" Roter was saying, <Using the tensions between the Hailarchy and Harbingers to get a sleepover between us and Cecily so that we can discuss the White Rose and maybe the Godlen Tree with her? That's devious - And I mean that in a good way!>

[Elysian Kentarchy]

The Last Admiral, The Flame Untarnished

I drum a finger on my desk in my cabin as I listen to the three Kartarans who I let on my flagship tell me why exactly they were searching for Achysians and wanted to board to speak with whoever was in charge, I had not anticipated Lady Alessia Hightide to still be alive and to have her reach out like she has... "Your story is definitely interesting, would you mind stepping out on deck and letting me think about it alone for a few minutes? There are logistical matters I must consider and magic to use to speak to an old friend." They seem surprised at my but comply. "You may leave us as well." I say to the guards and they leave. "Your thoughts?" I ask the Maiden sitting in her usual place, sitting on her knees on a cushion in the corner of the cabin, after they do.

"If she is still willing to fight for our cause, does it matter if she fled to her father's people or not?" The Maiden asks in reply after thinking for a few moments. "His Undying Majesty may be dead but Achysians are still Achysians if they remember who they are. And her and her father's people can cause chaos for our enemies regardless."

I nod in reply, belatedly remembering that after that she can't see the gesture so I speak up. "I see what you mean. Regardless I had best speak with Lord-General de Velira, if you wouldn't mind?" The Maiden nods, stands, and begins the ritual to speak with him, setting the cage on the ground and walking around it while holding her glass candle at eye level with her arms extended out.

After a few minutes the Maiden speaks. "My sister confirms the Lord-General is with her. What is it you wish for me to send?"

"Inform him about meeting some Kartarans who were send on behalf of Lady Alessia Hightide and she is wanting to discuss working together. I wish to receive permission to negotiate on his behalf should the opportunity arise."

The message is silently conveyed by the Maiden and soon after she speaks. "Lord-General de Velira expresses his surprise over this but he clears the meeting. Should you need to get in touch with him during this or if she must speak to him about terms he can be contacted through the usual means."

"Send him my acknowledgement and regards." The Maiden nods again and I go out onto deck with the Kartarans and speak with them. "I am still waiting for elements of my fleet to rejoin me but you can return to Chieftainess Alessia Hightide and tell her that I will be coming after they rejoin me and that Lord-General de Velira and Lord-Admiral Mavrakis sends their regards." I further outline my anticipated course that I will take to the Kartaran main island and how if they need to meet with me again they can find me along that route. After said outline they nods and depart and I begin issuing orders to the captains and sailors of my fleet to prepare for getting underway towards Kartara when the remaining ships rejoin us.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Anselm
City of Heydekrug
Slum 3 Street Gang Lair

The hooded figure that slowly made its way towards the secret lair of the street kids was swaying, swaying right and left like it was drunk. Harmless, weak, easy prey in the eyes of most Anselmians. Yet those few worthless lowlives who tried their luck had not gotten far, each of them scared off quickly by what could only be described as an inhuman hiss as the swaying figure continued its way through the dirty and dark bowels of the city.

It didn't take long for Friederike to find what she was looking, the lair of the gang she knew all too well. Normally she didn't care too much about the gang dynamics in the city above the sewers but now that they had invaded her home and were meddling with her mistress' plans...well...they had made it something she had to care about. She really didn't like when children hunted each other with dogs and sticks and whatever. That wasn't how it should be. Kids should be having fun in the streets...maybe have some beatings from their parents...maybe some knife fights among gangs...but such targeted hunts...oh no that rubbed her the wrong way. It made her think of her nightmares, of how she would be hunted. Authorities and mobs had already tried of course, tried finding the one killer that stalked Heydekrug's streets that left its prey not with a slit throat in a back alley or with a caved in head but rather with nothing but their skin, bones and hair. They had given her some kind of moniker but Friederike had to profess that she didn't care for it and thus let it slip her mind.

The hideout was unassuming...but atleast the door was sturdy from what she could see. Of course, she could have gone straight to the abandoned guild house which functioned as their main base of operations but she didn't have quite that much of a death wish. Too many things going on in that part of the city. No, it was better to attack here and draw them out, make sure they knew they were under watch.

A cockroach crawled up her arm as she slowly raised it, stitches and scars showing across her pale skin before her hand hit the door. Once. Twice. Thrice. Of course, nobody opened. She was quite sure that they had seen her approaching and drawn the appropriate conclusions. Not that it mattered.

Already on her approach she had seen what had looked like a window, shoddily nailed shut with floorboards and the like. No human would fit through it but perhaps a big cat would. That kind of space was really all that she required. Another pale hand, stitches surrounding her thumb as though it had been stitched onto the hand, came up from below her cloak and found a hold withint he old house's wall. Her other hand did as well. With a low hiss she hoisted herself up a notch, her feet also finding cavities in which to fit. Like some fat, black cloaked blob she climbed up the house's facade, her speed increasing ever more untill she almost looked like a spider walking up the wall.

When she came to the came to the window there was no waiting, no hesitation, her head fitting through and, with some hisses, the rest of her body somehow making it through as well, even without any bones breaking in the process. An impossible feat unless she was perhaps some form of expert contortionist or something like that. It didn't matter as she was now in the house, surrounded by atleast half a dozen children brandishing clubs and knives at the black cloaked stranger in their midst. An apologetic smile formed on Friederike's lips at their sight, the only thing the kids could probably see:

"Ah, I am so sorry about this intrusion, little ones. But see, your tactics got you my and my mistress' attention and my little friends here..."

, a spider crawled out of one of her sleeves, back up the sleeve on the outside and vanished inside her hood,

"...told me where I can find the likes of you...though not your boss but I am sure you are just dying to correct that, aren't you?"

The kids gripped their weapons tighter yet, steeling their resolve, their muscles tensening in the face of this unknown threat in front of them. One of them, a young boy, exclaimed:

"Whoever you are, you are going down. Now!"

The last word was shouted as an order and Friederike, her sight limited by her hood, did not see the club swung at her head from behind, from a girl who had positioned herself just behind the window she had just come through. It connected with a sickening, dull, thud, Friederike's head lurching forward and falling downwards, yet still being held by her skin, causing her to look like she had suddenly developed an especcially nasty hunchback. Yet, despite this clearly fatal injury, the cloaked woman still stood tall and a low chuckle emanated from below her hood:

"Hehehe...clever girl. Very clever but I am afraid that only earned you the dubious honour of being the first to die today."

Her hands gripped her cloaked head and hoisted it back upwards, the children watching in speechless terror as she tried to correctly position her head again. Then she turned to the girl behind her, her weapon clattering to the floor and her eyes widening as she saw something in Friederike's face that shocked her beyond belief. She didn't resist when Friederike grabbed her trembling body...she didn't even scream when Friederike leaned in close and...did something...

Then she was thrown aside like a puppet, convulsing on the floor, foam on her mouth for a while before becoming deathly still. Friederike just wiped her mouth with her sleeve as she turned to the other children, a leery smile on her face as she said:

"Now...who is next...?"

Of the remaining 6 children, only one got away...and that on purpose to inform their boss, their leader, so he would make a move. Meanwhile Friederike would prepare...the bodies of the children weren't her supper, oh no. They would be there for others to find...for others to eat. She just had to set the scene.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

(Image)
Kingdom of Duivene
Citadel of Chovers
The Two Towers

In the courtyard

Blood gushed through the air.

The Duivenian mage's strike had shattered the shield protecting the priestess, and as the Faith Keepers surrounding her were overwhelmed by the maddening assault of the Duivenian soldiers, Eric managed to close, and to deliver a second strike. His blade broke through the shattered remains of magic and might and brutally cut her throat. The gushing blood tainted him and the Duivenian mage who was nearby alike, and the veiled woman fell on the cold ground beneath, her white robes stained crimson, without so much as a whisper.

Her death seemed to shatter the morale of the Faith Keepers, and many of them turned around and tried to run again, in the victorious cries and shouts of the Duivenians. But in this moment of victory, they overlooked something rather essential - the magical circle that the priestess had created was now glowing crimson, seemingly absorbing blood from the pool of red that had formed beneath her body. Crimson like sparks of electricity appeared around it - and then it exploded, with a jade-red smoke. The force of the explosion threw a lot of people, Eric and Eglamour included.

When the smoke cleared - a huge silhouette was standing in the middle of the courtyard. It was humanoid, but at least three times as tall as a human, made from a dark substance that looked like hardened clay, with magical markings glowing a faint red carved on the entirety of its body in complicated patterns. What would have been its face was completely empty, devoid of even eyes. And even if it lacked a mouth, it screamed angrily, moving forward, and punching away five or so Duivenian soldiers, who were thrown into the air and crashed violently into the wall of the tower behind.

Victory turned to panic.

Eric de Villegaignon

Of course, the mage had an ace up her sleeve, one that he should've cut to pieces. The golem stood tall, an abomination crafted by magic that certainly wasn't registered in the books, as panic was now spread among the soldiers, who seemed to hesitate before jumping into action. There was no stiffness in the arms that held their shield, or firmness in the grasp that kept their weapons near them. And under the lack of an official...

Eric became one.

"Soldiers! Group together, shields close to one another, circle the beast! Don't spread, keep moving, stab and slice its hands. You are Duivene, and Duivene will not bow to the first monster that defies our will! Stand firm, trust one another, pay no attention the foul beast's screams, heed my voice, as this victory won't come to us easily! We must face it with our firmest determination, for failure is not something our spirits can afford! Onward, onward, your Princess awaits you all at her halls!"

A mix of feelings seemed to flood their hearts: of course, the foreigner who was revealed to not be a foreigner, a traitor that was loyal, a backstabber that fought and spoke openly, an old man that carried the vigor few youngsters had... the contradiction, who often sounded untrustworthy, now sounded human, and it appealed to their own humanity as a way of overcoming the beast.

Command after command, he shouted, under the bard's spell, that seemed to amplify his voice and the courage of the soldiers. Sword clashed, as the golem saw its maneuvering space being reduced, yet the deadly blow didn't seem feasible, even if the golem's hands were now drowned in its own "blood"... as the bard's song picked up its pace, the same inspiration that guided the artist's talent now struck Eric's mind.

"Soldiers! Align with me, I need your shields steady and above your heads! Side defenders, protect the front! Front defenders, angle your shields! I need a ramp!"

The soldiers looked at a faithful disbelief, as the mind of the man that now lead them to victory certainly had a idea, but their minds couldn't imagine what it was. Taking a deep breath that filled his lungs, Eric ran towards the improvised ramp, sword on hand, before lunging at the golem's neck, his magic once again covering his blade. The golem, weakened and held at one place, was struck firmly at his head, as Eric's body's weight pulled the blade down and swords could finally see a chance at victory again: as the golem fell to its knees, the soldiers attacked frantically until the beast's marks dissolved, the hardened clay no longer alive.

Once again they could, at least temporarily rejoice.

[Ceystile]

Roter-Kaufmann Palaiologos and Zed Argentum

While Roter and Zed had heard the story before, it never ceased to amaze them, especially Roter, who found the way the Headmistress/Harbinger told the story to be the most masterful storytelling he had ever encountered. The redhead began writing the story down, suppressing the urge to ask if the White Rose had survived until today - That'd be a state secret. Nevertheless, here were the thoughts he and his boyfriend exchanged through their soul link:

<Roter,> Zed said, <It's not actually stated how and where they found the Golden Tree, but it's obvious they found it. And to be honest, it's not strange to have the White Rose be a state secret - It'd be a powerful artifact of great power, after all.>

<Yes,> Roter was thinking about the other implications of the statement, <Also, the Golden Tree wasn't fully used, was it? Because the Blight survives until today, albeit in a somewhat-reduced form.>

But to the Headmistress, Roter said respectfully, "Wyzkia claims the heritage of Thanria, right? But Arghyo joined the Anselmnite Rebellion against it, or at least that's what my history lessons imply. Does that mean that Anselm wasn't as corrupt as it later became? Or rather, that Wyzkia's Grand Duke was a greater tyrant than the recent holders of the title were and committed acts which justify rebellion? For that matter, how did Thanria become Wyzkia, if I am permitted to ask that?"

<A strategic diversion, I like it,> Zed thought, <Making the Headmistress believe that we are not interested in the White Rose and the Golden Tree. Of course, if you got your history wrong, expect a stern lecturing.> Then a thought occured to the Cambion, <Hey, a thought, if the miraculous Golden Tree can purge the Blight, why can't somethig similar purge my demonic nature?>

He then looked at Roter, then Cecily, then at Headmistress Millia before making a final decision. "Grandmother and Roter, a request: Once Cecily is done with whatever business she has here, perhaps she and I can stay over at Roter's place for a while? The three of us haven't stayed together in the same place for a while and well... Roter's manor seems to be a place where we can do so without various observers assuming some secret struggle for power between 'certain parties', as well as without her presence potentially causing anxiety."

<Really now, Zed?" Roter was saying, <Using the tensions between the Hailarchy and Harbingers to get a sleepover between us and Cecily so that we can discuss the White Rose and maybe the Godlen Tree with her? That's devious - And I mean that in a good way!>

“That...that would be lovely. It’s been a terribly long time since I got to spend quality time with you guys.” Cecily smiled, and then threw a subtle wink in Zed’s direction. “I don’t have a lot of things to do around the church today, but there’s something you may wish to know. Before we got here, my team and I had to deal with a demonic force sent by the Cult of Sins just outside the border. We took care of it but I do fear that there’s a possibility that they may come back. We should take steps to make sure the country and Zed she thought, are safe.”

Alucard Ramey-Ironbright
She and Chat sat down at the dining room table to well...to chat. The conversation quickly turned to those loans that the merchant boy, Kyle had loaned her when she first got off the ground. She hadn’t forgotten about them, especially since Zari stressed the importance to her of keeping positive relationships with your suppliers. Dwarves were also notoriously good with money, and Alucard got up from the table, walked over to the china cabinet and unlocked it. “I actually do have your repayment, we haven’t forgotten.” Coming back with a good-sized black chest, she set it in front of Chat and went back to her wine. “Here it is, everything should be right there.”

[Dragos Bee]

Roter-Kaufmann Palaiologos and Zed Argentum

Roter and Zed's gazes hardened turned flinty, and the former said to Cecily, "We should discuss what precautions we should take, then. I don't want to disturb Zed's normal life as much as possible, so we might still want to do the sleepover assuming proper security precautions can be taken."

As for the latter, he felt it, the sudden doubt in his boyfriend's mind when it turned out that his worst fears were coming true - No, risked coming true, not actually coming true, damnit! So Zed said, "To be honest, we shouldn't have second thoughts over this. And by that, I have second thoughts now, considering the fact that... I don't want to be close to Demons. At all - It might bring out something in my nature I don't want to come out."

Roter looked at Zed kindly at that and patted the other boy's head, before he turned to Headmistress Millia, saying, "It's your decision anyway, Headmistress. What can, or should, we do?"

---

Perigny, Chat Blanc

"Thank you," Chat Blanc said as he had his guards take the box back to his carriage. "I'll count the money later. Now, how are you and your husband doing today?"

[Elysian Kentarchy]

A Maiden of the Eternal Flame, General de Velira's camp

I begin the conclusion of the ceremony I am performing in front of the soldiers and, as per tradition, I recite the day the Apostle and founder of my order, the Blind Priestess, met our Undying Emperor to the soldiers. It is a message of hope and the glory of our nation, of the past world and the horrors our Undying Emperor saved us from along with Emperor Remigil and the Emperor Who Strayed. Normally this ceremony is supposed to be accompanied by a chanter and dancer but sadly my sisters are stretched thin as is so I can merely recite things.

"The darkness of night had come again and with it came that maddened horde of murderers, thieves, and things so much worse, oh how worse they were that lesser minds would break upon seeing them. They had come once again to pillage and plunder and drag away the survivors to fates best not dwelt upon, fates that no one sane would ever wish upon another. In the face of such things coming many hid themselves or fled as fast as their legs would carry them, indeed, why would they not? There was no hope for tomorrow, that died with the Silver Throne. There was no hope for salvation, for the saviors died or were corrupted. However not all bought into such things. The brave and the strong stayed outside to fight, to protect those who could not protect themselves, to become saviors themselves. Despite the certainty of their death, despite knowing they could become corrupted and kill those they were trying to protect, they elected to fight, and their memory should be honored even though we no longer remember their names."

"And while the brave made ready to sacrifice themselves the faithful gathered together in the old church once more and prayed under the guiding words of the Blind Priestess. To pray for the end of madness, to wish for a world that made sense again, to beg the Gods to be saved from the evils that haunt this land. As they heard the fighting, the screaming, the mad laughter of the damned, they prayed all the harder and their prayers were finally answered for He appeared. In dazzling light He joined the fray killing the corrupted with the powers of His magic while wearing a crown of flames and light on His head that drove back the darkness around Him. The battle was short indeed for none could stand against His magic and the brilliance of the crown that seemed to repel all evil."

"The survivors, those few brave souls that were willing and able to sacrifice themselves for others, were unsure of what to do at this turn of events but most of them fell in supplication before the one who had saved them. And, indeed, why would they not? They owed Him their lives and knew He could kill them easily if He so pleased. Before He could say anything to them however, a few of the faithful hurried the Blind Priestess out of the church to speak with Him because surely she would be able to make sense of things and speak where they could not. Even though she was blind, having ripped out her own eyes in denial of the evils of the world she saw, she could still feel the radiance of His crown on her skin. And she fell on her knees, sobbing, crying out that salvation had finally come for them. It was then that the faithful knew everything had changed and, for once in a long time, changed for the better."

I am supposed to speak the conclusion, I am supposed to give the message of hope, I am supposed to say it confidently in order to inspire everyone but I can only get it out between sobs. Because the hope this message is supposed to convey is no more.

"With His arrival and His and Remigil's triumph, our sorrows have ended, the Age of Abhorrence has passed, and now we can look to the future under the light of the Flame guided by His hands. Find joy in that future children for the darkness shall never take us again as long as He is with us."

---

A Maiden of the Eternal Flame, somewhere in Fallen Achysia

I take the baby from his mother and I sing him the song of blessing I created as I pour the elixir that will save his soul into his mouth.

Hush child and close your eyes. The world is changing for the worse and you must be saved.
Sleep child and you will awaken in a better place soon. The light has failed us, the darkness is coming, and all is lost.
The Flame of Protection has been extinguished and its Keeper has died, the evils of years past advance. We have failed to keep it safe, we have failed to protect you from the agents of the Blight.
And with our failure comes our atonement, our responsibility to all. For we love you and all who live in this world.
Forgive us child for our failure and what we must do to keep you safe. Rest in paradise, safe from the nightmare that is to come.

I hand the still baby, his soul now saved from what is to come, to his mother, and I address my followers. “Bring the next child who is to be saved. If we have already handled the children then we can move onto the adults who wish to depart to safety with them while we continue our work in this world.”

Soon after another child is brought to me and I save her, as I will save everyone in this world as our beloved Emperor and Emperor Remigil did before, I will lead my flock to salvation as the Blind Priestess before me did. Because that is the only way we will triumph over the Blight now.

[Tracian Empire]

Apostolic Principality of Arghyo
Somewhere near the capital of Světla

"In a way, yes. The Grand Dukes of Wyzkia were named as Stewards of the Crown by the last of Remigil's line, Cenric the Strayed. Giedymin, the Duke at the time, and his successors attempted to keep the realm together during the Wars of the Vanished Crown, but they failed to stop Calaria's rebellion, lost a war against Duivene, lost the loyalty of the Knights of the Hollow Sun, and Morizia stopped recognizing them as their liege. In name at the very least, at this point, Tharnria still existed, but it was an empty existence. They couldn't even its use its banners, with the crown lost." The Headmistress sighed. "As for the War of the Dying Gryphon....the Grand Duke at the time, Kiejstut, tried to force through the election of a new Emperor of Thorns, crown or not. But at that point, many nobles, and especially the cities of Anselm were content with the simply symbolic dominance of Wyzkia and had no wish to return to the times of old. So they rebelled. Arghyo didn't necessarily join, it just.. did not fight. It answered no one's summons. And as for why that happened, only our Princess knows, and she never told us why, but I'm sure she had her reasons. We were sworn to help Remigil, not his bloodline, and certainly not his dying realm. And as for Arghyo joining the League of Anselm after the war, that wasn't something the Princess herself did, but it was a choice of her Chancellor at the time, in order to ensure our protection from Calaria or Duivene."

The Loroi woman seemed to remain focused on her thoughts for a few more moments and only answered Roter's question and Cecily's remarks a little later. "Ah, there is no need to worry, young Cecily. Your assistance with Arghyo's defense is appreciated, but demons will find it very difficult to enter an Apostle's realm. And even if they do, the Harbringers and the Seers will be taking care of them. As far as I am concerned, you can spend some time together wherever you want in Arghyo. The realm is safe, and we care not for the opinions of the Faith. "

---

A little later
Somewhere
A demon

"A demon prince protecting an artificial angel? How.. curious.", Estelle said in a low voice, carefully looking at Az. "But very well, you have my word. I swear on my banner, that if you do come with us, we will stop looking for this girl." She gestured for him to follow her, just as another group of soldiers, living and undead, appeared from the forest around them, but unlike the group which had been with her before, this one also contained what by their robes seemed to be members of the Cult of Sins, serving Invidia, and maybe even one or two who seemed to be serving Superbia. "Trust me, you will not regret this..", she told him, a smile on her face, as the entire group started to move.

---

Somewhere else entirely
A meeting of Sin

The forest was quiet.. which wasn't very surprising considering the distant circle of figures wearing black robes, completely isolating a glade and a relatively large space around it from what was happening elsewhere. All of them were chanting in low voices, creating a magical barrier that would hide what was going on behind it, and that would allow a select few to pass through. The demon prince would have experienced this firsthand. Estelle and her troops brought him right to the edge of the circle of cultists, and wishing him good luck, Estelle motioned for him to get in. One of the cultists temporarily stopped and took a step back to allow Az to enter the circle, before returning to his duties. Behind the circle and the invisible barrier, another masked figure in a black robe was waiting. It bowed, and it guided Az towards the center of the glade.

The glade itself was clearly not natural. It looked as if it had been created by a fire, but the flames had burned so violently that they had turned everything to ash, and yet stopped exactly in a perfectly circular shape. The ash that had accumulated was covering the ground in a rather thick layer, and someone had drawn a large shape representing a seven-pointed star in the ash itself, covering most of the glade. There were no torches or lights, but the light from the moons above was more than sufficient. As the Loroi man entered the glade, a lone figure was standing right on the top of one of the rays of the star. It was a boy, not very tall, and wearing the attire that one would expect a priest to wear, a tunic, an embroidered robe, laced cuffs, and a mantle, but unlike the priests of the Faith, all of his clothes were simply white, without a drop of color. His hands were pale, and his white hair was arranged in a ponytail behind his back. His face was however covered by a mask, a blank one, without any decorations or expressions, only with two holes cut into it for his eyes. As approached, the cultist looked at him with his silver eyes. Or more exactly, looked in his general direction. Even in the moonlight, it was fairly obvious just by how hollow they were that he was blind.

"I am the one who has called this meeting.", he started to say, but it was as if he wasn't talking to Az. "I have no name, but I am the Archbishop of Pride. As the first servant of Superbia, the first of the Cardinal Sins, I call upon the other Archbishops of Sin and the others who have accepted our invitation to come here. Come, and announce yourselves."


A moment of silence followed after his declaration, and then a few more figures appeared from the line of trees. The first of them was a little taller than Pride. He was wearing what looked to be a black with crimson priest's attire, but similarly to that of the other Archbishop, it was unlike any of the priestly orders of the Faith. His odd attire was completed by what looked to be metallic cuffs around his wrists and a metallic collar around his neck, with obscure magical symbols engraved on them. His hair was black and messy, but he was wearing a black, bird-like beak mask, covering his face, his crimson eyes being vividly visible through the glass openings for the eyes.


"I am Celio, the Archbishop of Envy. As the first servant of Invidia, the second of the Cardinal Sins, I have answered the call.", he replied in a soft voice, stopping on one of the other rays of the star drawn in the ash. Pride nodded as to acknowledge his presence, and Celio looked right at Az. "I hope you enjoyed killing me, demon prince.", he said, bowing mockingly. "But I hope you will in turn indulge my curiosity. Oh mighty demon prince, what is your sin?"

---

Somewhere else
Earlier
A blind boy and a girl with eyes of glass


A boy and a girl were walking through a small town, in the early hours of the morning, holding hands. At first, nothing would seem astray about them - after all, they were not the only couple walking on the street at that hour, heading towards the morning market that was just opening, perhaps. A more careful inspection might have revealed a few slightly odd details. He was wearing white, priestly robes, but that was once again not too weird, since not all of the priestly orders of the Faith were bound to oaths of chastity. She was wearing an elaborate and absolutely beautiful dress, so much so that she looked like a nobleman's daughter, but neither noblewomen nor richer town girls dressing as such were unheard of. And an even closer inspection would have revealed that the boy's silver eyes were hollow and not looking in any particular direction, and that he was letting himself be guided by the girl - something that could only add to the compassion that someone might be feeling by watching the scene.

To be completely fair, Pride didn't need to be guided around. He was certainly blind, but he was more than able to move around on his own. However, after they had left the village where they had spent their night, he had really wanted to ask her if she wanted to hold hands.. but it would have been way, way too embarrassing for him to actually ask that. So instead of that, he went back into Archbishop mode and ordered her to guide him around by taking his hand. It worked, but the white haired boy had to make serious efforts not to blush, something that would have been way too obvious on his pale skin, and his embarrassment ensured that he was unable to properly say anything, which also led to them randomly entering into this town, wandering around without a particular purpose. The town itself was probably pretty nice looking, homely and peaceful, and filled with friendly people, but he couldn't see it of course. He could still however enjoy the calm atmosphere, especially since as long as they didn't use any magic, no one could easily tell who they really were.. it was a moment of peace that they could rarely stumble upon. And the weather was nothing like the freezing cold of the night before, it was so pleasant that he could almost ignore how cold his body still was.

But as they were walking, they finally approached the outer limits of the market, and one of the merchants, owning a small stall filled with beautiful flowers, stepped forward. "Greetings!", he said excitedly, bowing respectfully. "Welcome to our town! I hope you and your lady are enjoying this beautiful morning, but if I might give you a little piece of advice, she would deserve a gift, wouldn't she? What about a flower?"

Normally Pride wouldn't have listened to the chatter of merchants, but this time something seemed to have attracted his interest, as he turned around and looked in the merchant's direction. Smiling, the merchant took out a bouquet of roses close to the boy, and he gently and softly touched them, trying to imagine how they look like. It took a few moments, and still not letting go of her hand, he used his other hand to take one of the roses out, but one of the thorns pricked his fingers, and a few droops of blood started to drip. Not even flinching however, he turned around looked at Meta, remaining quiet for a few moments as he seemed to be gathering his thoughts.

"Meta..", he started, saying her name in a soft voice, "Would you.. would you want to go with me. on a.. date?", he asked, as he offered her the rose, unable to properly hide his blushing.

[Fereni]

Somewhere else entirely
A meeting of Sin

The next to come forward was a girl, tall and slender, long green hair tied back with black ribbons. In contrast to the other two present, she did not wear any sort of robes--instead, she wore an elaborate gown, voluminous black silk and lace with silver patterns swirling across it. That, combined with the deep blue-violet rose carefully wound into her hair and another rose of black silk at her throat, made her look far less like an Archbishop of Sin and far more like an aristocratic young woman who had wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time. What broke the illusion was the small vial of a strange blue liquid that she wore around her neck, and, more startling, the delicately painted glass where her eyes should have been. She spared a brief moment to glance at Az, but her gaze swept over him quickly and with clear disinterest, turning instead to the boy in white as she took her place on the star--in what might have been a slight breach of the proper order, she chose a ray directly next to the one on which he stood. She curtsied deeply, more as a formality than anything else, and announced herself in a soft, slightly dreamy voice.

"I am Meta," she declared, "Archbishop of Sloth and Despair. As the first servant of Acedia, the fourth of the Cardinal Sins, I have answered the call."

She observed the formalities as she knew she should, even though she hardly saw the need, considering the changed circumstances. Still, it had been made clear to her that, at least for the time being, their relationship had to be kept a secret from the other Archbishops; she supposed it made some sense, as being openly in a relationship with a technical subordinate might undermine his authority as the Archbishop of Superbia, and her desire to express her love for him openly did not outweigh her wish to support him. So she stayed quiet, even as a part of her longed to embrace him before all present, to make it clear, he is mine, and I am his. But she could be patient. She was always very good at being patient. And for now, she would be content to know the truth, even if no one else did. It was between the two of them, after all, in the end.

Somewhere else
Earlier
A blind boy and a girl with eyes of glass

Meta was having a delightful time. True, they weren't really doing anything, simply walking through town, but that hardly mattered. Like this, with their hands clasped and no one the wiser as to their true identities, she felt... she felt happy, and normal, as if they were just any young couple.

She smiled at him, even though he couldn't see it. She knew, of course, that he didn't actually need her to guide him--it was adorable, really, how he'd pretended to command her to do so. You could have just asked to hold my hand, she thought, a bit amused. I wouldn't have minded.

It was hard to deny the slight thrill she felt at the merchant's words. 'You and your lady'... Yes, that was absolutely right, wasn't it? And a gift... well, it was unnecessary, it was certainly unnecessary, but a small part of her did hope, a part of her that was overjoyed at the way her companion turned towards the merchant with some interest. It was such a small gesture, really, but that didn't matter. In this small, peaceful town, with the one she loved presenting her with a flower--it felt so romantic, and it made her slightly dizzy with joy. For so long, this sort of thing... it was all she'd ever wanted. The sins she served had warped her mind until nearly everything seemed meaningless, but had left her love dangling just out of her reach, an impossible desire that only served to fuel the despair inside her and give them even more power. The idea of him actually reciprocating had never truly been considered as a possibility, but now, with one of the only desires they had left her with finally fulfilled, it sometimes became hard to even think through the happiness she felt.

The flower itself was beautiful, a richly colored rose of a shade caught between blue and purple. It made her think a little bit of the night sky, and she smiled brightly as she looked at it. Even though he couldn't see, he'd still chosen the perfect one, she thought. But-- "Oh, you're bleeding," she observed, fretting a bit even though it was only a few drops of blood. Still, she took his hand again and pressed her fingers over the wound gently, waiting for the bleeding to stop. She didn't even fully register his words to her at first--not until she noticed how he was blushing.

Her eyes widened with shock. A date? With him? Would she want to--

"Of course I want to!" she exclaimed. "Oh, you didn't even have to ask--" She took the rose from him carefully, before throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I'd love to," she whispered. "Nothing would make me happier."

[Elysian Kentarchy]

???, a meeting of sin

Almost immediately after Meta's arrival from the woods emerges a woman seemingly gliding across the ground but really it is just deliberate movements on her part, those of a hunter but also someone who is completely confident in everything she does, as if nothing could harm her. Her clothes are clearly chosen to reflect three things: higher class, the beauty of her body even if her face is covered with a silver mask, and her devotion to her sin.

The style of her dress is almost modest in a sense, something you would probably find on a high noble girl in Duivene who is skirting on the edge of what is proper, being of deep red with black frills and such while also displaying her milky white skin that is free of blemish and ample breasts that is framed by her long, thick and straight, blonde hair that stretches down to her waist, though, if one looked extremely close, they would see traces of her hair once having been a dark brown. Based off of everything one can see, they would not be mistaken to think that the face of the woman beneath the customary mask worn by the Archbishops to these meetings is truly beautiful. What is most notable about her clothes however is the woven symbols into them, the symbols of Luxuria surrounding desecrated symbols of Castitas and other such blasphemies. Her mask is that of a beautiful woman with a mixed expression of ecstasy and contempt and in the eyes sockets someone could see that her eyes are a mix of dark blue and dark purple but they do not give a hint to her true expression under the mask.

After she stands at the customary ray for Luxuria at the circle of ash, standing so she can face Pride as directly as thing kind of circle would allow, she speaks and when she speaks her tone is that of a clearly refined woman, her voice sounding soft and almost kind and understanding but there is an undertone of quiet amusement, as if she was aware of a joke that only she could understand.

"My name changes by the day and with the form I have elected to take but for now I am Evangeline, the Archbishop of Lust who embodies the sadism of my Sin, as one of the twin servants of Luxuria, seventh of the Cardinal Sins, I have answered the call."

Looking over the already assembled Archbishops and, seeing the Archbishop of Sloth, Evangeline slightly moves her hand as if she was adjusting herself, and Meta hears a warm and familiar voice whisper in her ear furthest from Pride "it is good to see you Meta."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Az'goxaak and Auryon Rakhasa
A Sinful Encounter

---

Was he fazed by the unnatural glade? Not really. What really affected him was how the cultists reacted to him. Specifically the bowing. Beings bowing to him, it reminded him of the past. The past Az wanted to leave behind. Despite this, he did not react as he entered the glade.

He also did not react when the blind boy announced himself as the Archbishop of Pride. That said, he was slightly amused with the fact that the Archbishop of Pride was blind. However, he showed nothing. Even when Celio made himself known.

"Well, you are obviously not dead, so..." Az said in response to Celio and shrugged, "As for my sins... Those are my own."

It was then that another person made themselves known. Az watched as the women known as Meta. He followed her gaze after it passed over him. It was clear to Az that her attention was elsewhere, on someone else. Specifically on Pride, the one who had attracted her gaze. While Az took note of this, he saw no reason to react to it, instead remaining silent.

Yet another arrived, a masked woman. She introduced herself as one of the twin servants of Luxuria. Now, this was interesting to Az, the rest of the Archbishops had not made it known if they were the only Archbishop of their given sin. This word choice told Az that the followers of Luxuria were slightly different in their leadership than the other sins.

I guess that makes Sitri the other one... Az thought to himself just as a cold wind blew through the glade.

The coldness of the wind was not the only thing Az noticed about it. He also smelt it, blood and flesh. There was nothing natural about it. It was after a moment that Az heard it from behind him, the clinking of chains. Turning he saw a short, emancipated, white haired girl in a torn black robe. Her mouth and hands where red with blood. Chains were wrapped around her, which made Az question why he did not hear her approach. It was then he saw the half eaten torso of a man she dragged behind her. Az realized who this was, but said nothing.

"Is this why we have been called?" She said, looking to Pride and then back to Az and licked her lips, "Perhaps this ones flesh can satisfy the hunger?"

It was then that she seemingly realized that she needed to observe certain formalities. Sighing, she walked to her place, taking a bite from the torso she dragged before speaking.

"I am Auryon Rakhasa." Auryon started, "The Archbishop of Gluttony, the Beastal Butcher, the favoured beast of Gula. I have answered the call... Despite the hunger."

It was then that Auryon looked at the Archbishops that had arrived, waving at Meta before sitting down where she stood and started eating the torso she had brought.

---

Pynus of the Wind, Nym, Yakr Rugma
Merckbirger Fen, Anselm

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"Yakr likely can't fit." Yakr said in response to Daniel and Leon, "But Yakr can keep watch."

"While they do that..." Pynus said and looked to the area around the village, and pulled out the Blade of A Thousand Splint' Ars, "I'm going to talk to some weeds."

With that, Pynus wandered to a patch of grass, and took a seat in front of the grass. Placing the Blade of A Thousand Spint' Ars on her lap, she closed her eyes.

Alright Nym... You ready? Pynus spoke in her mind so that Nym could hear.

Ready when you are... Nym responded.

Alright, grass... what happened here? Pynus started as Nym repeated it to the grass.