The Pantheon

Acanthus sat on a stump looking at the world around him. Having just been born he marveled at everything he saw. He relished nature and concerned himself deeply with the beauty and wonder of it all. He looked to the heavens and imagined all that there was and all that was open to him. He became the first philosopher then, and also the first theologian and the first alchemist. He considered great mysteries for time immemorial before he felt that the time was right for action. He got up, stretched and began strolling through the vast untamed wilderness. Even though this great place seemed chaotic, Acanthus knew that all was structured and ordered.

He marveled at the mysteries of his own power for a time, devising new magics and spells of all sorts. Then he thought of a way to give this power to others. He sent out a pulse of magic into the world. After hundreds of years of quiet contemplation, he had never thought to feel what he had now. Divine power, spread throughout the word and condensed into small seeds. He realized that he was but one of many, he had brethren.

In his joy he filled the world with new power and vigor. Some creatures absorbed this into themselves and changed. Some animals became intelligent, some creatures grew to be a hundred times their old size. These creatures, though rare and far between were amazing and powerful. These magical beasts were the first creatures to be changed by a god and the intelligent ones worshipped Acanthus for the magic that had changed them.

Acanthus began to prepare the world for the new gods. He created many places that held great and powerful magic items and relics of all sorts. He created tomes filled with the knowledge and wisdom he had gained over time and scattered them around the middle realm. After all this was complete he sat back down upon his stump and waited for his brothers and sisters to wake up.

Cragin would walk soundlessly through the forest, a spooky image in his true form. He would have done this for a time, without need of sustenance. The wilderness about him his only concern, for the task he had been burdened with was to protect. He knew not exactly what he was, or even that he held power but that he was to guard this vast cover, that masked the Earth at it's roots. The beds of it's rivers. That housed creatures in every crevice, that kept the world innocent and untouched by corruption. That kept the air fresh and the world beautiful.

And then he felt it, a strange flare of power. He had felt dead, a part of the wild, part of the world before this, this rejuvenation. This revival that made him feel not as part of the innocence itself but a creation with domain over it. He felt the change of the creatures and beasts and nothing was alike it was before in his now opened eyes. He took his branch and the carvings of it were no longer without purpose, now radiating a pale green.

In his enlightenment he felt that his purpose was beyond just the wilderness and staring at the branch he created a creature before him in the shape of a wolf, but different it was seven feet in height and stood on two legs. It rippled with muscle and bristled black fur, it's hands, elongated and clawed. A tail forming at it's lower back. It's jaws long in length and it's eyes cold, yet with a gleam of care and loyalty. He made this beast able to change, to fit into a mortal being, to talk and reason. He created a handful of these creatures and gave them great strength and speed, he colored them all differently and then set them to the task of protecting his wilderness.

Then set to his own task of finding the source of this great change.

The woods seemed to grow and become alive around her. They creaked and groaned, a beautiful symphony in Lyandra's ears. She became alive with the forest, finding herself at home amongst its branches. She sampled the fruit of the wood and found that it was to her liking. However, she soon grew bored, with nothing but the sound of the trees to keep her company.

She stood, allowing for all to see her perfect form, white wings stretched for all to see. Her beautiful body glowed in the dampness of the trees. It beckoned the life of the forest to come to her, lulled them in close. When nothing came to bask in her beauty, she realized how lonely the woods were.

'Something must be done about this'. It was a decision. She willed them into being, small animals to feed on the greenery that grove contained. They loved her and stayed close to her, keeping her warm.
She loved the animals in return, but they were not enough for companionship. They could not think or reason. She wanted something more to fill her time.

She pondered on the solution to such a problem, making herself comfortable in bed of grass, surrounded by her new found furry friends. She felt at home in this magical place.

Mathias awoken to see, smell, hear, and touch for the first time. He was unsure of the world around him as he moved about the trees and heard the sound of nature. Mathias soon saw small creatures running about eating upon the greenery and climbing up trees. He wasn't sure what they were but they did their best to ignore Mathias. When he came to close they would scurry off and hide in trees and bushes. Mathias continued his walk and saw more of the same thing. Trees, animals, plants, and nothing else. Sure it was peaceful no doubt but Mathias felt confused. He wasn't sure if he should enjoy it or discard it. The worse of feelings he was receiving was that of belonging. He felt a great pressure well up in his chest as he viewed the world around him. He felt alone in the woods and wished to be else where. Mathias continued to move trying to see an end to the forest as he soon came upon an open field. Mathias stepped out of the woods to see vast stretches of land and immediately the pressure decreased. Mathias felt a little more comfortable being out of the woods but he still had the sense of belonging. Mathias walked into the plains and felt lost as he viewed the world. The land was populated with forestry and where it was not there were plains but the biggest thing Mathias noticed was emptiness. Aside from the creatures that lived on the land there was nothing else.

Understanding the emptiness Mathias longed for more. What more could their be though? Even if he entered all of the forests and all of the plains he found nothing satisfying. Mathias continued to wander until he found a tall structure in the distance. It was a huge piece of earth that jutted from the land and came to a point. Mathias felt alleviated to see a new sight as he walked closer to the structure. It was larger than anything else he's seen and it appears to be very proud and majestic. Mathias liked the piece of earth but still hasn't fulfilled his desires. There was more that should be but what? Mathias pondered at his dilemma as he moved away from the mountain.

Rage.

That was the energy left over from the old world. When the traitorous fallen son betrayed the All Father, he corrupted the world with the concepts of malice, greed, hate and self entitlement. These concepts twisted the minds of the first mortals and turned them against the all father, and he was forced to vanquish the wicked creatures they had become. Yet still their rage and blood lust lingered on, a phantom reminder of the old world.

When the first specks of thought were reborn into the world, this rage was also effected like other concepts that lay dormant in the world. This rage, no longer content to stew silently in the abyss it was banished too, latched onto the concepts of thought and take form as something new.

It contorted, twisted, and thrashed like a wild beast in the abyss. It sprouted bone and cloaked it in flesh. It grew limbs that clawed and pounded upon the prison of its birth place. With a wild frenzy, it sputtered and crawled up from the depths of the abyss, with fire burning upon it's skin and sharp rocks scratching it's flesh. Slowly it raised itself, breaking free from the prison it had been left to stew within. Finally, after ages of straining against the elements that bound the beast for so long, it was free. Though it was only half-formed, it was now it's own self. And with the new sense of reason it knew what it was.

It was battle. It was blood shed. It was conflict. It was ferocity. It was the claws and fangs of beast. It bleeding wounds and broken bones. It was rage. It was violence incarnate.

With a new mouth that formed from it's lips the beast raised its head and roared. A thunderous boom, echoing with the sheiks of promised death and pain emerged from it's great jaws. It sounded around the world and across the plains. Animals of the wilds quaked with fear and terror, trembling before the might of this great behemoths wrath; a challenge to contest of strength that none dared answer.

Seething with this rage, but with no way to vent it, the beast broke away from the fiery pit and up into the neutral realm to seek what could satisfy it's lust for violence.

Acanthus remained seated for a time, feeling outward with probes of magical power. In his conciousness he felt the waking energies of his brethren and smiled. He had waited for so long. He felt the creation of new mortals and new animals. They were learning so quickly!

Acanthus stroked his mighty grey beard and waited for the one who was searching for him. That one had been the most receptive to the change that his magic had provoked. As he waited with the unsurmountable patience of one who had been born to wait, he heard an unearthly roar. He looked towards the sound and reached out with his mind. What he found was something he had never felt, pain.

As his mind came closer to the owner of the roar visions coarsed through him. He saw thunder and lighting, blood flowing as if from a river, screams and fire as weapons clashed and bones were broken. Shaken, he released the image and fell back into himself. This was truly a monster. The others had felt more like his own mind did, calm, inquisitive, lonely, creative, but this once was only violence.

Acanthus cleared his mind and began to calculate, already there were four others. He could feel more coming. It would be unwise for him to seek all of them out, and clearly not all of them would seek him out. However, he could create messagers and holders of wisdom, that the other gods might see parts of Him in his creations and in turn seek him out. He longed to know his kin, even the violent one, for he knew that there must be more beyond that.

So, Acanthus set about creating. He took a handful of black powder and out of it sculpted a body. This new creature, standing on two legs, had skin as dark as coal and it was devoid of any fur or eyes. He shaped it to look like himself though it was shorter and less defined, more like a pillar of sand than an actual creature. Acanthus drew into the flesh of the creature many magical runes, giving it speed and many spells to cast at will. When he had finished he breathed life into the creature and it dropped to its knees.

"My lord," the creature spoke telepathically as it had no mouth."How may I serve?"

Acanthus nodded at his new creation, pleased with himself. "You are the first of many. I will give you very long lives and a wisdom like no other mortal might have. You will be my messengers and the soothesayers to many generations of mortals to come after you. I will give you magic that you may add to your ranks willing creatures of any species that you deem worthy of your position. I name you Prachians. Go out and find my brothers." With that he brought up seven others and sent them out as well.

When he finished he returned to his seat, content in his work, and contemplated the structure of life.

She felt the quake of the world. She felt it shutter as rage filled the skies. Lyandra was suddenly severely aware of the world around her. No longer lost in her own world, she felt the others around her growing, moving. She was not alone in this world. As if on cue, a dark faceless creature appeared before her. Lyandra said nothing at first, watching this creation closely, cautiously. Her golden bow was drawn, string pulled tight in her strong hands. Her eyes gazing down the glistening arrow. When it bowed before her, she lowered her weapon.

"My lord, I am one of the Prachians. I come with a message from my master." Lyandra was puzzled by how the thing was speaking, since it had no voice or vocal cords, she could hear it speaking directly to her mind. She felt a little violated by the intrusion into her consciousness.

"Go on," she commanded reluctantly. Her voice was they way beauty would sound. It was like what music would be crafted to sound like. IT was also strong, filled with a ferocity that was unmatched.

"He wishes me to tell you that he wants to meet with you," he flashed a mental image of Acanthus' location in her mind. "and to find him out if you so wish." With it's message told, it quickly bounded off to find it's next target.

Lyandra thought about it for a moment, it was as good a plan as any, perhaps it would shed some light on the changes the world was undergoing, and her birth which remained a mystery to her. She stretched her white feathery wings and used them to ascend into the sky. It felt good to soar. Her wings catching the air and allowing her to travel quickly. She wanted others to feel this sensation, and as she thought it, so it was. Some of the clouds around her began to form and make shape. Soon feathered friends joined in her flight. It was peaceful, other than the sensation of malice that she could not shake.

She saw the old man on the stump through the trees and landed gracefully in front of him. His face was inquisitive and she knew that he contained much knowledge. She felt a bond with him, although she was not sure what kind.

"I have responded to your request old man." She greeted. Her body glowed in the darkness of the forest with a golden light.

Trelàs contemplating the creation that spread before many his eyes, each of which had its own way of seeing things, the colors and shapes that Trelàs could perceive weren't something that could be put into words, at least Trelàs has no intention to do so but was something so wonderful and unique that he could keep gazing forever, but got bored after a few moments.

The Asymmetric God felt the energy wave that engulfed the world, one of his eyes was able to see as his maniacal laughter echoed through the lands intoxicated by the excitement, there were more like Him remnants of the old world or maybe newborn, interesting, he headed towards the source of the wave but stopped, here in the land of fog, where what you see doesn't exist and what exist can't be seen, there was a rock that looked far more interesting, it was large, gray and had no regular surface .

He extended his left hand, if that limb covered with eyes and some teeth could be called hand and from his fingers emerged strings that stuck on his shoulder, that was the moment that world met the music, the melodies with which Trelàs delighted the lifeless and soulless rock varied alongside with his emotions, sometimes exuberant and fast, sometimes slow and melancholic, many years passed before the concert ended.

The God began to feel the thoughts of many beings, minds, someone created thinking beings, What a wonderful idea! Trelàs thought with a smile but soon was filled with envy and decided to create his own race and the rock that accompanied him during the years would be perfect to meet that purpose , With his bladed right hand ripped off an eye of his left arm and squeezed it on the rock.
In the center of the boulder surged a great eye and cracked something like a mouth, without limbs it couldn't move so just made meaningless grunts, Trelàs observed his unfinished creation and change his mind, didn't really want a race of one-eye stone beings, it had proven to be very noisy so he decided to leave it to his fate, at least until He felt something he hadn't felt in this world, Rage, someone was willing to bring chaos to this structured world, THAT was interesting.

Once again turned his attention to the stone with the eye, the mouth on his left hand began to suck the fog that surrounded them and his right hand lifted the limbless being and tossed into a group of rocks then spitted the mist in the form of a sphere,

"Stand up, Amentia"

The stone being stood there surrounded by the mist that hid his appearance of over six feet, in the center the great eye, capable bring madness, was clearly seen glowing with a yellow tone, his steps were earth-shaking and Trelàs was delighted with his work.

His shoulder saw a black and uninteresting figure, his crooked smile reappeared on his face "My lord, I come to-" the God heard enough "Look Amentia a voice in my head but I have enough of those" Amentia took its first steps and attacked but the black thing was too nimble for the newborn "Tell me, tell me, Why were you born?, Can you see?, what does it feel to be a puppet of your creator?" his smile widened "We are all puppets in some way or another but at least some of us have the illusion of freedom" the creature was gone before he could finish questioning.

Trelàs jumped over Amentia and began to play his music hidden in the fog while his many eyes glowed with many colors and the stone monster walked aimlessly.

Mathias stared into the palms of his own hands as if searching from some hidden words. His mind was focused on curing his loneliness and emptiness he felt in this world until a roar shook the land. Mathias quickly turned towards the direction of the horrible sound. It's owner he felt was nothing more than a mass of rage and aggression. Painful as it was it sought to deliver pain upon others and strangely, Mathias felt connected to it. The connection however was still undefined. Mathias felt a new emotion as he felt drawn to investigate the roar as to a means to make sure pain doesn't occur. He wasn't quite sure about but despite doubt he walked towards the direction the roar came from. Mathias felt determined to find this source of rage and chaos, but what would he do when he arrived was still to be decided. As he made his way towards the origin of the roar he was soon to be halted by a mysterious figure.

The creature itself was completely black and had no facial features. The only thing notable about was the strange aura of power emanating from the creature. Soon Mathias would hear a voice. "My Lord, I am one of the Prachians and I was sent to give you a message." The voice spoke.Mathias looked at the creature and understood the voice was indeed created by this, Prachian. Mathias stared at it intently and then gave a single nod to the creature allowing it to continue speaking.

"My Lord I was sent by my creator to give you the message that he would like to meet you." "I shall impart the whereabouts of his current location." The Prachian spoke as he telepathically sent him an image of an Old Man on a stump further behind Mathias. Mathias saw the image fade as he knew exactly where the old man is in this world. "I hope you will meet him soon as for now I must leave to continue my task." With that the Prachian left nearly instantaneously disappearing from Mathias' sight.

Mathias now felt torn from this new development. Mathias oh so desires to learn more about where he is and what he is doing here from the Old Man who is undoubtedly wise. Perhaps, he can even reveal a purpose for him but the roar still weighed heavily on his mind. He felt a need to still discover the roar but at the same time his questions could be answered. What should he do? Mathias conflicted look back and forth, form the point where the Old Man is and the general direction the roar originated. Mathias reached a compromise, while the roar should still be a priority perhaps the Old Man could give him information on both the roar and issues concerning himself. Mathias reluctantly turned around and headed for the location the Prachian showed him.

Cragin would be followed with a trail of pale glowing light that seemed to the point of love, following him soundlessly. He felt the rage of the world arise and something within him knew this threat was long since apparent in the realms, as if by his own creator, the All God had made apparent the violence that could threaten his creations and he knew, not why, but that he would guard the untamed beauty of the wilderness with his life if it should come to it. He felt the energies through the living forests, unkempt fields, the cold lovely mountains. He was not excited at first, more anxious as if every force could be a threat and was it not likely that power should not be trusted? Change was a chaotic good that brought the decay and recreation of beings in different images, and the balance of the world would be hectic in the wake of so many of these beings imposing their will.

Suddenly a creature of odd sights would be before him, creeping through the trees as if in search, though it would seem no vision, no sense of sound. He would marvel at it a while as it picked it's way towards him. Something within his chest that he knew not to be there would ache at the sight. Could he not behold the beauty of the world in which they lived? And he felt pity, and loved the creature for it's difficulties.

"My lord, he sends to you a request of meeting." The voice would sound distorted in the depths of Cragin's ever brooding mind, and it would be strange to him to hear it, a sudden stone in the way of a flowing river of thought process, never stopping it, but splitting it into two separate streams, meeting at a point beyond it. He would look at the creature, his pale gaze quizzical. Then he would nod curtly, beginning a heavy trot until suddenly he was upon a clearing. Coming to a stop at the sight of a powerful being at a stump.

Kreios formed out of the mud where a seed of a new god landed in the mud where the old god had bled, and moved in to the forest close by, he liked the forest it was going to be home, he saw small animals and gigantic plants, but his mud body wasn’t fun to move in, so he changed into a giant tree rodent, after a day being a tree rodent wasn’t fun anymore, so he decided he wanted to pet a tree rodent, but he got bored of that quickly so he stretched it and the rodent stretched, he realized that this was a new game. He molded the tree rodent from a short squat plant-eater to a long, sneaky predator of his old species, he called it weasel. Then he sat in the grass twiddling it between his fingers, morphing that patch to be a predator, too it be so funny to see what would happen when a tree rodent or weasel, entered it he sat right in the middle, waiting for the grass to catch a victim; but it was not one of his forest creatures that walked in to the grass it was a strange black figure “My lord, I am one of the Prachians. I come with a message from my master." Kreios liked that things form much better than the giant rodent form, so he matched its shape, and was given the location of a playmate. The Prachian tried to move but was stuck by the tangle weeds that Kreios had created, and the second it took him to cast a spell that freed him Kreios had got a hold of him. Kreios projected in his mind that the Prachian was his toy now. Kreios’s molded him to what he thought the Prachian to look like eyes to find new toys, tangle weed fur to catch new toys, claws to make toys behave, and the only duty it had was to find new toys for Kreios, he was the Kreiochain.

The trip to the playmate was very boring to him until he found a flying beast of pure white, Kreios sent his toy the Kreiochain to catch it, the more the beast struggled the tighter the weed choked it and till it died Kreios tried to change it, but it would not change or wake up. And he threw a tantrum, until he saw another of the beasts and made sure the Kreiochain got it, and brought it to him alive, and since he thought that the dead beast was a waste he decided that his new beast would eat the things he could not change, and made it black as night, he finished it and brought it along to show to this new playmate. When he saw the playmate he like its form so much that he copied it, but he changed the color of the hair, and got rid of the wrinkles, because he didn’t like those features of his playmate; but he was really really happy when he saw there was another playmate here also. He sent his thoughts out to his new playmates while showing off his new toys“look I made these toys better, even the toy you sent to me is better. Do you have any other toys to play with, I love new toys?”

Everytime his messengers contacted one of his brethren, he got a ping. Within several hours, he had already recieved 4 pings. His workers were indeed working hard. He chuckled to himself and created a few more Prachians from the dust around him. These he told to go to the places of high power that he had created and wait for any mortal or god who might stumble into those places. He made these stronger and more solid and gave them comand of destructive magic.

"Guard the high places and artifacts from the foolish, bow down before any of my brothers who would pass you."

He sent them off with the flick of his hands and they went obediently. After a time he heard the flapping of a great many wings coming from afar. New, flying creatures touched down in the trees around him and wild animals filled the woods outside the clearing. He felt her approaching, his entire essence quivered with the coming of one who was like him.

"I have responded to your request old man." She said as she touched down. The animals around the clearing began to be filled with excitement, some making noises that Acanthos had never heard before. He looked up, and saw the most beautiful creation he had ever seen. Long white wings filled most of the clearing and in the center was a young woman. Her blonde hair and bronzed skin seem to glow golden and fill the woods with grace and beauty. Tears came to his eyes as unspeakable joy flowed from him. He had never felt the presense of another god and he relished in it.

Acanthus stood. "Welcome child!" He said with delight. "I have waited countless centuries for another, and you are the first I have seen. What a delight! For I belive that there might be nothing as beautiful as you in the two and one realms. Tell me, are the winged ones your creations?"

After he asked his question he felt the presence of another. This one was more like a turbulent river or driving rainstorm than a god. He looked across the small clearing and saw another god. This one cloaked in black and hooded. He wore on his waist a weapon that glowed with Acanthus' magic. Even happier was he, because he was now in the presence of two of his kin.

"And here is another already! Welcome to you too. Come closer if you please! I have spent such a long time in solitude it is hard to remain calm when there are two other gods here with me!"

A third creature entered then, talking about toys and changing shape to look like a younger Acanthus. This one dribbled with nonsense and chaos came from its center. He saw the changed Prachian and was saddened over it's loss of self and wisdom. The bird that it had changed was even scarier.

"You are of my kin as well. Do you think that those creatures were not good toys in their old shapes? Do you find the creations of your brethren to be so boring that you must change them?"

Mathias walked on as he was nearing the destination of the one he hoped had the answers. Mathias entered the forest once again as he followed a trail between the trees. Mathias felt something more than just the Old Man, there were others. Mathias wasn't sure how he would react to so many people but what ever my come he will ask his questions. Mathias soon stepped into the clearing to see the Old Man standing before a beautiful woman with wings and a man in a hood. Mathias also saw a strange, old man with a creature following him like a shadow. For some reason Mathias felt particularly weird around the crazed, bearded man. He feels almost similar with the roar he heard earlier as if he should watch this fellow closely. Still Mathias was not going to deviate from his plan as he walked close to Acanthus.

Mathias stood before Acanthus with inquisitive, yet determined eyes as he spoke. "I feel for you, that you are glad to see us." Mathias spoke in a respectful tone. "Yet, I must ask questions of you, wise man." "Who am I?" "What is this place?" "Why am I here?" "Who are these other beings?" "What purpose do they serve?" "What purpose do I serve?" Mathias bombarded Acanthus with questions hoping to get answers for most of them. Mathias doesn't mean to be so forthright but his curiosity is so compelling. Once Mathias has obtained everything he needs then he will leave the man in peace and continue onward to his next priority. Which also reminds him that he must ask about the roar as well.

Mathias stood there as he felt the power coming from the man is astronomical. He could feel that Acanthus is everywhere as it seems the world took some of Acanthus' power. Such might, it's nearly unbelievable. The other beings though are also mighty as well. He could feel power coming from the woman, the hooded one, and the suspicious one. Mathias wondered if he had powers as well? He felt connected to them in some way so he might be like them. He hoped he was like them and then again not completely like them. His thoughts were all rather confusing and he felt the Old Man wants to help him. Mathias silently stood there as he awaited the answers.

Cragin would come to a halt, the sight of the most lovely thing he would think he had perhaps, ever seen. In all her winged glory she was what drew his gaze, but if only for the slightest moment before he was summing up the being that had perhaps given him life. The old man seemed to radiate with power, magnificence, and he listened to the desperate pleas for answer of the man that of all the beings here, Cragin was drawn to destroy. A natural instinct to silence this man. His grip would tighten on the dark, wicked branch. The slight glow of his gaze becoming darker. He was not mindless, any longer. No longer a beast to act without thought and so he reserved himself from a natural instinct to attack, taking a half step back he would drift from one being to the next summing them up before with a dart of his eyes he was looking upon a younger old man in his own strange glory, powerful. An air about him childish and playful. Though his essence reeked of corruption. He felt a twinge of guilt.

Before knowing exactly what he was doing his own voice would sound, distant and alien to him he would then take another step back with the horror, "I would like answers as well." And he did want answers, through his own horror. Despite his apparent discomfort the voice would be sincere and pleasant, the voice of a young man, proud and assertive. He would look to the wise old man before him, his gaze slackening as he felt a sensation of purpose. Of trust.

Kreios saw the old playmate’s mouth move and heard sound come out of it, and he copied him “creatures were not good toys, boring that you must change them. Watch what crow can do.” Talking was as easy as sending thoughts, suddenly an armored playmate he walked up to the old playmate and asked him questions that were boring. Kreios came and touched the armored playmates hands trying to see if he was also a toy but his powers didn’t work on him and walked back over to his toys. He took the body of the flying beast out of the tangle weed and threw it on ground, the crow flew off his shoulder and started consuming the dead beast, he looked over at the birds and animals and pointed “Kreiochain, get new toys get another white crow, get more of toys.” He then saw the winged playmate and he liked the wings she had, so he grew some that looked like hers, but they were brown as the mud Kreios was born from, and when he tried to fly he didn’t even glide. This upset him and he threw another tantrum, but suddenly he saw a shiny on shy playmates side and he walked over and said “trade shiny for toy, trade shiny for toy” and called the crow over to him and stuck it out like a gift “nice toy for shiny”.

Lyandra was completely caught off guard. As the old man looked her over, she knew for the first time that she was beautiful. The way his eyes looked at her made her happy, not uncomfortable, she welcomed his gaze. As tears welled up in his eyes, she felt a smile snake its way across her perfect lips.

"Welcome child!" He said with delight. "I have waited countless centuries for another, and you are the first I have seen. What a delight! For I believe that there might be nothing as beautiful as you in the two and one realms. Tell me, are the winged ones your creations?"

“You are kind old one,” Her voice was soft and sweet, the bond she already felt lowering her guard. “Do you like them?” She asked, stroking one of her creations. “I couldn't bare the idea of no one else knowing the feeling of flight.” Before she could get to the real questions she had, she felt others appearing.

She felt the gaze of another and turned to face him. He seemed to be made of the wood itself, it put Lyandra at ease. She loved the woods and the aura they contained. He radiated it. He looked at her in a way similar to the way the old man did, looking over her form. This felt different, causing something to stir inside her that had not happened with the elderly man.

"And here is another already! Welcome to you too. Come closer if you please! I have spent such a long time in solitude it is hard to remain calm when there are two other gods here with me!" The old man was filled with so much excitement it was contagious. As if they were all destined to arrive here together, another being was soon entering the clearing. His image bother Lyandra, the way he morphed and changed was unnatural. She was suddenly very guarded. When she saw what he had done to one of her white fliers, she was outraged. She did something very womanly then and did not react, but stewed in her anger. It was easy to see despite her attempts to hide it, almost seeming to hang in the air.

You are of my kin as well. Do you think that those creatures were not good toys in their old shapes? Do you find the creations of your brethren to be so boring that you must change them?"

“Yes,” Lyandra added. “..especially 'toys' that aren't yours to mess with.” A fourth presence interrupted her. He came into the clearing with much authority. He was strong looking and had a sense of bravery around him.

"I feel for you, that you are glad to see us." Mathias spoke in a respectful tone. "Yet, I must ask questions of you, wise man." "Who am I?" "What is this place?" "Why am I here?" "Who are these other beings?" "What purpose do they serve?" "What purpose do I serve?" As he asked the questions Lyandra was filled with her own. Who was she, and did she have a purpose of her own?

"I would like answers as well." spoke the hooded man.

Lyandra grew furious watching the monstrosity, but kept her anger at bay.

“Tell us what you know wise one, we are hungry for the knowledge you have to share.” she said in her lulling voice.

"Who am I?" "What is this place?" "Why am I here?" "Who are these other beings?" "What purpose do they serve?" "What purpose do I serve?"

"I would like answers as well."

“Tell us what you know wise one, we are hungry for the knowledge you have to share.”

Acanthus chuckled. So many questions, and these the very questions that he had pondered himself for such a long time. He motioned the others to sit and then sat back down on the stump.

"I will do my best to answer your questions young ones. But first..." He raised up his old weathered satff into the air and created a glowing rod. It sparkled and shined in the sunlight and would give off a light of its own at night. He floated it towards the child-like god asking to trade for a shiny. "This is for you. It is a shiny like no other, and I do not even want to trade. It's a gift!"

"Now," He said turning to the others, "Let me tell you a story. Once, There was a powerful being. More powerful than any that has ever come into existence. He created children, giving them powers like his and letting them lay dormant in the world for a time. Then he left to create more and watch over his children from a distance.

You and I are these children. We are gods, born of The God. The All Father created us to be like him. This much I have been able to tell from his creation and from studying myself."

He looked at them for a few seconds, admiring the perfection and power that these beings possessed. Then he continued, "This world that we are on is one of three realms. This is the middle where good and evil, law and chaos combine. The one above us is Paradise and below us is Unspeakable horror."

He shuddered, remembering the brief period he had spent there to understand what it was. "As for our purpose, alas that is something even I do not know, though I am full of ideas. Perhaps we are an experiment, or perhaps we were meant to govern this world, or perhaps we are here to fill it with creatures and structures. Of this I cannot be sure unless the All Father would come and tell me himself. Even I have my limits." He finished speaking then and waited for them to respond. He had given them three hundred years worth of self contemplation in all but a few blinks of the eye. It must be a lot to take in.

Sanguine

Sanguine awoke for the first time amidst the mountains of the world and for the first time could peer through eyes of its own. Its body lay motionless lying on the rocks and sand of a high mesa overlooking the valleys below and in that instant a thought filled the young gods mind.

~Uncomfortable~

In small jittery motions the god lifted itself upon arms it newly discovered and brought its body from the earth and in doing so left a large red impression from where it awoke. Sanguine's body was covered in a thin sheer of translucent red flesh that could barely make its form recognizable as something normally seen on this world and as the child took as step forward the rocks underfoot struck Sanguine's mind with that same word.
Then in that moment of wishing to be rid of that feeling raised one long red arm and swung it down towards the ground, as if to wipe away that which was displeasing it and in a great collision the mountain shook beneath it. The ground hand been shaped through its action from a dotted spiked mass of rocks, to an almost marble smooth dip in the side of the mesa. Sanguine stood upright one more and ran its toes back and forth along the smooth surface as a coo of delight came from a mouth less face.

~Much better..~

Sanguine was pleased with the outcome of such an action and for the first time of using its godly might was even more pleased at what it could do to shape this world. This was a new sensation for Sanguine to experience and in that method it did so again by striking the earth several more time and with each strike turning the land it stood upon into a flat separation from the mountain all together. But Sanguine did stop, because a wind coming from the valley below struck up the side of the mesa and went flowing around Sanguine itself. The feeling of the air made Sanguine arch its back and almost fall directly onto its back with such a new feeling, even realizing so much as to turn in place as so the wind brushed against the face and chest.
Even the sound was intoxicating to Sanguine as the echoing and hauntingly soft sound cut through the cracks in the earth and made a small symphony all their own for only Sanguine to hear.

It was in the moment that all the wind had stopped that Sanguine felt a deep stirring inside and was driven by a sharp desire pouring out from the back of its mind.. ~More...~

Looking far down into the vast valley below Sanguine could feel the urge to head down to where such a delightful sensation could have come from and maybe.. just maybe there where more sweet sensations to be found from that place. The valley from here was covered in large plush fields of grass and large patches of sprawling trees that at the time Sanguine could only interpret as sheer color and even in that tone they where tantalizing to look at.
So in that moment Sanguine's mind was made clear to search out new and more glorious feelings and sensations in that place below, something that could feed its mind the ultimate delight and maybe even find something better then that.

Sanguine walked toward the side of the mesa and looked down into the edge of the valley below the mountainside and the only way down was the one way Sanguine could see. So in that same spirit Sanguine leaped from the top of the mesa and fell fast towards the earth below waiting for such a new adventure to come.

Cragin would listen intently, his interest peaked and his mind open to the knowledge coming so quickly, more stones in the river of his mind where before obstructions had been eroded and changed to drift lazily along it to a steep drop at some unseen end.

"..You and I are these children. We are gods, born of The God. The All Father created us to be like him. This much I have been able to tell from his creation and from studying myself." His grip would tighten in shame, perhaps he wasn't like these beings at all, perhaps these were only threats and the All God did not mean for them to be, and perhaps he wasn't meant to think. If he were the tool he once was, unbroken and bowed, perhaps he would have attacked them all already. He would glance around briefly summing the group up once more. Though, he felt others, he knew there were others. In the vast wilderness, their energies undisguised and loud. He would turn pacing suddenly.

"This world that we are on is one of three realms. This is the middle where good and evil, law and chaos combine. The one above us is Paradise and below us is Unspeakable horror." He would perk beneath the hood to hear it, to re-hear it, and to hear it once more. Something clicked inside of him and at that he would go about a small pace, his movements silent and powerful, his mind drifting from one place to another, and yet, never leaving this clearing. And then he would stop, turning suddenly with a big sweep he would go about twirling the branch in his right hand contempt to stay and watch the other's react to the knowledge they had been presented with.

Mathias felt a great disturbance when the Strange One touched him. Whatever it was Mathias abhorred it. He was about ready to speak out against Kreios' to give him warning to never touch him again. Yet he moved away with a disappointed look upon his face. Then he moved towards the beautiful, winged woman and tried to copy her graceful appendage. He grew wings but seeing as he could not lift himself off the ground, the bearded man threw a tantrum. He may look similar to the Old Man but he ironically acts the opposite of him. For some reason Mathias was disgusted by his childish ways as if his behavior bothered Mathias. Sure he seems innocent enough but acting out that way was wild and undisciplined. Mathias supposes he has trouble accepting the man's behavior, his conduct is deplorable. He should learn how to better behave, how to accordingly act to situations. Then all of a sudden a glowing rod appeared before the strange man and the Old Man said it was a gift. For some reason that bothered Mathias. The bearded man shouldn't be rewarded for acting this way, no he should be....should be...scolded? Yes, he should be told to cease his actions and learn to act better otherwise he will suffer something worse next time. To give him a fair warning before taking any further actions.


Before voicing any opinions the Old Man told them to gather round and hear his story. Mathias sat and listened intently as if the rest of the world only existed in the man's words. He listened and he pondered at each bit of information, each more revealing than the next. Upon hearing The Old Man's words he came to realize them and accept them as truth. The reason being he felt that the Old Man is the authority now that the old leader the All Father, their creator is now gone. As child of the All Father, Mathias came to understand why he felt these feelings of power all around him. The All Father was all mighty and now they are the mightiest they are now gods. Mathias felt great sense of enlightenment that he understands he has power but what to do with power? He wonders what can power be used for? Mathias thought about asking more questions but the Three Realms also brought interest to Mathias. They are in the Middle Realm it would seem by what the Old Man speaks of. Then there is the Upper Realm, Paradise, it sounds wonderful and then the Lower Realm, Unspeakable Horror. Mathias shutters at thinking what could be Unspeakable Horror be like? Whatever it is, there can be no good can come from that place.

Then the moment Mathias awaited was met with even more a quandary. Even The Old Man knew not what their purpose is. Mathias felt disappointed but understood that such a question is rather vast to consider. Mathias listened to the Old Man's ideas on what they are supposed to do but one caught interest.

"or perhaps we were meant to govern this world,"

"Govern?" Mathias thought. He felt that perhaps they are meant to be the new authority of the Realms since the All Father left. It's probably why he left, he felt comfortable that we can take care of things on our own. After all we have his power, we are his children, and by birthright we do own the Realms. Mathias looked around to see his siblings and each of them were different and yet similar as well. Mathias saw the Hooded One speak to himself and then suddenly paced about. His movements swift and subtle, such a skill Mathias sees as very useful maybe even threatening. He felt a slight twinge as he stared at the Hooded God and felt some sort of sensation of uneasiness between them. Still they are his siblings and perhaps he should make connections, even with the temperamental even though it seemed to go against his better judgement. Mathias stood an spoke to Acanthus.

"I appreciate your time and words, wise one, but may I ask, what shall we call you?" Mathias asked interested in an introduction. For some reason it felt right to exchange names as a means of connecting to one another. Thinking about it he should he call it a meeting? No, that doesn't sound right. Should he call it a connector? No, sounds even worse. Perhaps he should leave it at introduction but he was unsatisfied with that. He went back to meeting and though of a word similar but different. Where a meeting is people coming together, where people wish to introduce themselves it should be called a...greeting.

The old playmate, gave Kreios a shiny and he got to keep his crow, he didn’t even want the shiny of shy playmate anymore. This shiny was too pretty to change he would treasure it, he looked up and heard something about “what should they call him?” he didn’t know what wise meant but he was pretty sure that what he was “I’m Kreios”.

He then saw the Kreiochain it had caught another pre crow and it had a tangle weed vine around a forest creature’s neck and was leading it to him. He took the vine off the beast’s neck and started to change it he stuck his hands in head and pulled out bone horns he liked trees so he made the horns have branches, when he heard a howl and for the second he was distracted it ran before he could do anything else. He got so mad at this that he changed into his true form, the ball of mud, for a few seconds.

He had lost interest in this meeting but he was not ready to head back to his forest, he decided that he would go towards where the shy playmate had come from maybe he was hiding toys. “Bye bye I’m gonna look for more toys” and took the pre-crow to start changing it. he stopped "bye bye pretty lady, bye bye old man, bye bye shiny man" he stopped and looked at the man in the hood. His face turned more serious "you are like me an echo of corruption" then his face took the stupid look again "bye bye echo, I’ll play with you next time."

"You are like me, an echo of corruption." The child's voice would sound and would put him on edge.

Cragin would follow the child with his gaze, never faltering, the branch dipping down and coming up suddenly just to be grabbed with another long, finger. His voice would be inquisitive and it would still shock him, but he would stand firm against his fear this time. "Corruption will sound in everything. If just the faintest whispers, or the loudest cries of pain." He wasn't sure exactly what the man meant by 'playing' and so he would stay silent, turning back to the rest of them. For a moment the winged beauty would catch his eye and his gaze would drift haltingly down her body, and he knew there was great danger in the curves of her bodice, the look in the pits of her most lovely eyes.

He would pry his eyes away to look to the armored man and he would vaguely recall the man's proclamation of titles. Then his mind would drift much farther into it's own depths as he came to realize he had no title to extend to them. He would look at the being set in his gaze, how was it this man's image was so different than his own, all of them so different. The branch would stop suddenly as he grabbed it holding it still, his nervous tick dispersed. This man reeked of some uniformity, some headstrong air of power. Cragin would pull the branch up, the faint glow growing stronger and he would stare at the man and then to the wise one. He would slide silently to the ground the branch seeming to vanish, sprawling out and linking his fingers together he would use them to prop his head up. Staring up, the trees creeping into his view but the gentle blue sky centered. He would seem to blend with the Earth, still only vaguely tuned to the three around him.

"I want to meet the black thing"

With that comment of nowhere Trelàs stopped playing his music and started looking for some trace of the strange creature, Amentia didn't care and walked aimlessly "Help me search it" the Stone being grunted and after hitting the floor a couple of times he keep walking, Trelàs instead started playing again using his arm as a musical instrument until he saw beings who flew through the sky, it was beautiful and attracted his interest.

"Fly Amentia!" The one surrounded by mist jumped just to fall precipitously to the ground making everything shake and then groaned.

"Don't give up, if you want it you can do it" Trelàs began to laugh and kick him a a few times in his rock body, Amentia hit back without hesitation and the God went flying several meters still laughing.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?" he shout in a fit of rage, his left side began to move viciously especially his arm and almost all his eyes were on Amentia who hit the floor and grunted to show he wasn't daunted.

"Look there's the black thing" even though his appearance was somewhat different, no doubt, his eyes never deceive him though some of them saw things that didn't exist or contradicted each other but even so Trelàs walked in that direction followed by Amentia who forgot the conflict as quickly as the god.

Trelàs walked between the trees and Amentia just tossed them as he passed, suddenly came near the strange group and overhear a few words but didn't care, the black thing disappeared completely from his mind and his face had a twisted smile, his eyes rolled with excitement while he said.

"I'm Trelàs, guardian of the time and the elements, giver of life, an existence more ancient than the world you see" gave a spin over his grotesque left foot and his smile widen even more "Well, maybe I was born yesterday, you can never be sure of anything", sat on the floor and started drawing nonsense with his right hand on the ground, his shoulder's eye focused on the kind-looking old man, the yellow one that was over the mouth of his hand stared to the beautiful winged woman, too different from his grotesque appearance, two of which had in his knuckles looked at the hooded and the one with the shiny armor, but at least for now the ground looked more interesting.

Lyandra took the information in the best she could. She wasn't sure what it meant for her yet, as she processed it within her self, the others moved around her, reacting. She was stone faced, not showing any of the stirring emotions within her.

She snapped back to reality in time to hear everyone exchanging their names. She did her best to keep her cool as the bubbling man ruined another of her angelic creatures. Breathing in the damp air she stilled her anger.

"You are like me, an echo of corruption." The child like one was speaking to the hooded one. The one who had stirred her with simply a look of his eyes. She could see how it bothered him. She smiled inwardly, men were so easy to read.

Another made himself known. He was disfigured and strange, looking nothing like the others before her. It saddened Lyandra, she pitied him. After hearing his introduction.

“I am Lyandra,” She finally spoke. Her voice seemed to bring warmth to the dark clearing, the animals got excited at the sound. She noticed, she was different in a lot of ways. In this moment, she knew what a woman was, and how she was the opposite of man. The opposite, but the same.

“I am the first woman.” She introduced herself, looking around at her kin.

As they all introduced themselves and gave themselves names, Acanthus wondered. Where had they recieved their names? Who had given them? Indeed, How did he know what his own name was? Ah, but there it was, lingering in the very essense of his being. He was Acanthus. He was magic incarnate and the reciever of wisdom. It was not just a name, but a source of power.

There before him were five others, Kreios, Lyandra, Craigin, Trelàs, and the one in shining armor. They had explained themselves, but truly, it was their names that revealed so much more.

The child-like corruptor and changer of creations, Kreios: Acanthus felt the inner being of this creature in his name and knew much about the will to corrupt and change the creations of others.

The protector and creator of animals, the lover of children, the proud woman, Lyandra: In her name he felt the fire of her pride in what she was, he felt her caretaker's nature, the strength that comes with understanding her own beauty, and the strong will of one who was not to be defied.

The staunch guardian of all that was and is wild and the forebearer of change, Craigin: Acanthus felt in that name the inner peace that came with knowing one's responsibility, but also the inner turmoil that defined the conflict between protecting what is and allowing it to change.

Madness and chaos, pain and joy, destruction and unmaking, Trelàs: The unease that swept through Acanthus when he heard that name was unlike any other he had felt before. Even the torment of the Inferno had some rhyme and reason, this creature seemed diametrically opposed to everything that Acanthus stood for.

The one who stood before him had not yet given his name. But Acanthus could feel the power of Order seeping from him. The armor that he wore and the weapon that he carried pointed towards mortals and as yet unknown gatherings of multitudes of them. This one was meant to be a leader. Then the name came to him, this one was named Mathias.

It was with this discovery and the unveiling of the others' names that Acanthus learned the true value and power that was in a name. Especially the name of a god. The names of the gods reflected their true essence, and gave them unseen deffinition.

"Lyandra, Craigin, Trelàs, (He nearly spat that name out of his mouth) and the long-gone Kreios. It has been an eye opening experience indeed to meet all of you." He paused and looked straight into the eyes of the armored god before him. "As for your question, Mathias, I am Acanthus. I am the ArchMage and I am the Wellspring of Wisdom."

Mathias stood silently only enough to gather each of the names spoken as he immediately whipped around and stared intently at Trelàs. At that moment in time nothing else existed in this world except Trelàs and as if by instinct he reached over his left shoulder and drew forth a long metallic, weapon. It is blunt at one end and has an imposing, sharp point at the other end. He twirled the spear with his right hand and slammed the dull end upon the ground. The slam created a resonating shake that Mathias had did not mean to do but that was unimportant. Without thinking he raised a finger and pointed it directly at Trelàs. Mathias began to shake as if trying to fight this feeling that some how is leading him to be unusually confrontational, but it was something about Trelàs. From looking at him he is receiving the same feeling of unpleasantness, disgust, and a stronger feeling altogether. It was the same as when Kreios touched his hand, when he heard the roar that shook the land, and when he felt uneasy just by looking at Cragin, Trelàs was a combination of all of those times. Mathias spoke directed at Trelàs as he lowered his finger.

"I...don't know what's happening, but....there's something...wrong with you." Mathias spoke as he waved his finger. "Are you really...my kin?" Mathias spoke as if he was in denial then Mathias began to sweat, "Why do I feel...so compelled to do something?" "It's like something's telling me to...to...be cautious of you." "Something...wants me...to be prepared." "I don't know what but...I am going to warn you...don't touch me, don't speak to me, don't even look at me...I can't abandon this feeling." Mathias said as he looked down and the back up to Trelàs. "If you ever harm...harm...me or something...I'm not sure what of, but I will...stop you?" "Yes with this..." Mathias paused to see himself holding a long object in his hand, something he didn't even realized was in his possession, "....this..." Mathias held it up to the sky as it shone brilliantly off the sun's rays, "...this...spear!" Mathias proudly shouted as he brought it to the ground once more. Mathias breathed deeply as the sweating stopped. He felt relieved that the moment passed him as the if wind just flew by his hair. Mathias realized that there were others around him once again. All of a sudden he felt a new emotion, as if he felt ashamed acting that way in front of the others. Mathias turned to every one, "I apologize." He spoke sincerely. "I do not know what happened but I apologize, " Mathias paused and looked at Trelàs, "even to you Trelàs." He said as he felt a slight twinge in the back of his mind. Mathias sheathed the spear upon his back as he turned to Acanthus.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you Acanthus...," Mathias paused, "...you are truly wise to guess my name...yes Mathias...that is what I am called." Mathias said as he closed eyes thinking upon that name. "My name is Mathias!" Mathias spoke as he opened his eyes. Another surprising gesture appeared as he bent his torso over in front of Acanthus and then stood straight once more.

The many names were mentioned by the old man without attracting the attention of Trelàs until he heard his own name, Trelàs, it was the first time he heard his own name so applauded a few times making a weird sound then the armored one reacted in a wonderfully strange way, that was new and very different from what he had seen in Amentia and the black thing.

Trelàs stood up and lunged against the named Mathias ready to hit him in the same way that Amentia had hit him before but stopped after a few step with a crocked smile, since the moment that the spear slammed against the ground Amentia had begun to tapping the floor in a rather rhythmic way that seemed much more interesting, Trelàs started to laugh loudly for no apparent reason but didn't last long and he stepped back with a few hops and sat down again.

His left hand became instrument and he began play at the rhythm of Amentia, suddenly some intangible figures began to appear which take the appearance of those gathered there and walked towards the real ones.

"Use the spear!, he will bring us trouble!" the Fake Mathias spoke with an hysteric tone "Pierce him now that he's defenseless!"

"Why do we have to live with these beings so horrendous when we are so beautiful?", the Fake Lyandra looked at the others in disgust and after touring all over her body with her hands added "This world just needs our beauty"

"Listen to me since I am the wisest," spheres of light appeared in the hands of Fake Acanthus who started juggling them "You just have to pay attention to what I say as good kids and everything will be alright"

The false Cragin began to growl and put his hands on the ground like an animal, the other Trelàs leaned against the original who still playing said.
"You're pretty ugly"
"Haven't you looked in a mirror?" retorted the fake with a laugh
"What's that?"
"How the hell should I know?"
"Then don't use that word"
"Hmm, Your words have a deep meaning" the Fake sat down and began to meditate, then his own left hand grew and the mouth devoured the fake Trelàs whole, the euphoric melody accompanied with the laughter echoed all over the place.

Kreios was going through the forest when suddenly he heard a beautiful sound behind him. It was as chaotic as his mind; they were having fun without him. Running full speed he broke out the forest, and saw fire figures dancing. He saw the new playmate he seemed like he would be more fun than the others, and then he ate his fire figure and this delighted Kreios. He summoned his crows and the Kreiochain, he ignored the other four, and especially the armored one because he had seemed too stiff, and to of not liked him much.
He heard the other fire figures mocking the others and that was funny to him, but he then showed his things to the new playmate. He showed his creations off to the new one hoping he would be more impressed then the other four had, and his prized possession, the shiny, which he pulled out of himself where he had stored it. He also showed off his shape shifting ability by pulling in the useless wings and morphing his hand into the same shape as his new friend’s hand, but no sound came out when he tried to play it. Maybe his new friend would make him a fire clone now too that would say funny thing about him, or show him how to play his transformed hand.

Cragin would lay peacefully on the ground, more focused on his thoughts than the fools attempts at mocking him. Of course he was not the animal this man portrayed him to be and so why should he be on edge at the misconception, the ignorance? This man knew none of them but the clear half formed opinions would be evident and he respected the bold move. Surrounded by powerful Gods and yet he found it within him to come forth and make jokes at their expense. Cragin's gaze would dart the slightest bit to catch Kreios running back to the clearing, before it drifted lazily back to the sky. He would take note of the gentle wisps of white making up the clouds and he would sense a brooding storm in the depths of the sky in all it's splendor. Something within him knew that, the sky was a wild that could never be tamed, only ever attacked and corrupted over time. His body would stir the slightest bit with a pain to his chest.

He would look over to sum up the fool for the first time and there would be a look in his eyes of content, to have this man as kin. He would realize then that no matter what he was meant to be, he would be himself and act on what his own free mind would think. So if not by fate, by loyalty to stay true to these people around him. His mind would drift to thinking of their paths and their potential to do great or horrid things and he would dwell on Acanthus a peculiar feeling of trust, and then Lyandra for what seemed like a long moment before he would move on to thinking of the swift movement and natural reaction with the spear, and he knew that Mathias was a predator, and predators can hardly ever go so long without a fight. He would be the slightest bit confused at Kreios and Trelàs but he would trust that they could do well, if not their own nature bring them to sorry fates.

Mathias stood there looking at the mirage-like copy of himself as it stood there mockingly. It's appearance was shocking to Mathias as this is the first time he would see a reflection of himself. Although he didn't appreciate Trelàs trying to insult him he was a bit stunned to be looking at himself. It's not so much vanity but more about wonderment, it is a new experience after all. Mathias didn't like the copy's choice of words and then Mathias thought it fair to warn it.

"I would advise against you attacking me, if you do I'll have no choice but to respond with force." Mathias calmly warned the duplicate, but he had the feeling it really didn't care at all. He's finding that most things that come Trelàs really have a sense of apathy towards others. Mathias turned his attention towards Trelàs who ate his copy. Mathias found it disgusting but it seems that would be normal of him. Then Cragin did his best to ignore the copy who was acting like something out of the wild. Mathias saw the other copies mocking the others that look like them, trying their best to get under their skin. Mathias decided he would ignore the copy as well but if it attacked then he will fight back. He saw that Kreios came back, as if things weren't already odd enough. Kreios tried to copy Trelàs by growing an arm like his and tried to copy the sounds it made as well. As with Lyandra's wings, Kreios could not produce the same abilities as Trelàs' hand. This made Mathias think a little. While Kreios could make himself look nearly exactly of anything he chooses to be, he cannot ultimately duplicate the same actions of what he sees. For some reason Mathias chose to remember this tidbit of information for future reference.

Acanthus, more used to a slow and steady time of meditation, was a bit taken aback by the rash actions of the gods around him. It was not for him to decide their actions, however so he let it be. He looked at all the other's copies, ignoring his own for a time. At first it seemed that they were hurling insults and mocking the originals, but after a few moments, Acanthus realized that the new god was actually just portraying his brothers as he saw them. In that crazed mind, these depictions were just as good as reality.

Acanthus then turned to his own copy. It seemed to be superior and haughty, showing only false knowledge and wisdom. Acanthus knew that wisdom was not something one could copy, only gain over time. If his wisdom seemed overbearing and presumptuous it was because the younger god did not understand what true wisdom was, or true magic.

"Suhtnaca," Acanthus named his body-double, "You bear a semblance of life but are not alive. You bear the likeness of a deity but are not a deity. You claim to have wisdom, but do not. Everything that I have you lack, therefore you are the opposite of me. Not like me in any way but form. I banish you to leave this place and go back from whence you came. You will not get a rise out of me."

Cragin would rise suddenly, the smooth branch appearing in his hand with the graceful movement of his body. He would peer around at the Gods a moment before walking over to the portrayal of himself he would pause a moment before with one swift swing he would drive the spikes at the end of his weapon into the depths of the hood. The crouched version on all fours would slump suddenly having looked up at him with wild eyes a moment before, it would become lax against the end, the tenseness and low growl dying away, and with a pale flash of green light the clone would be gone, dispersed. His grip on the weapon would tighten and with a nod of his head, to all of them, he would turn walking away and into the forest, he had the arrangements of protection to all within his natural vicinity to approach.

He would be a blur of movement as he broke through the tree line of the clearing, erupting in a run towards the mountain he could see through the canopy of leaves and branches above, but suddenly he would stop at the sight of something peculiar. A cave of sorts, set in a gentle rise of the earth, nearly hidden. He would raise the branch casting an eerie glow before ducking into the darkness, brushing ivy and growth aside. It would grow only wider as he would travel farther in, and suddenly the walls would split farther, then as the air around him became less constricted, the room vast. With several flicks of his wrist, pale green balls of light would hover about the room, setting it ablaze with flickering light.

He felt at home here, comforted, there was a drip in a corner and the sound of a small body of water at the farthest corner, he would wish to be here always for a moment. He went to work then creating a guardian, constructed of the strongest stone and sturdiest wood, it would be mangled and wicked wooden branches would cover an inside of stone, darkness at the pits of what seemed to be it's face in the form of narrow slits. It would be broad and at the least eleven feet, covered in the ivy and vine growth that had covered the entrance, and he would name it Graren and with a touch from his gentle hand he would give it life, resting his forehead against it's hand it would know. To protect this entrance, and then he would give him the ability to think and then he would create a companion for Graren, because he knew loneliness, and he wouldn't wish it upon anyone. The companion's appearance, slightly different, the branches smooth and angled in a way they were less fierce and he would name this one Tranren, giving it life and compassion before moving ever deeper into the cave.

Mathias' initial wonder was all but vanishing as he looked at the double. The incessant prattle coming from it was beginning to annoy him as he decided to turn to Trelàs. He couldn't expect him to call them off or to destroy them or something like he did with his own, but the irritable look upon his face shows that he isn't amused. After shooting Trelàs a crossed glare he turned his attention back to Acanthus who spoke out to his duplicate. He called it Suhtnaca and explained how it comes off as the exact opposite. Look at Suhtnaca he could see the point in his declaration and understands it's cheap imitation of wisdom. In fact Mathias actually found it quite humorous how Acanthus depicted it so. He was almost tempted to ask of him how much his double is different and hopefully in a similar humorous manner. Still the presence of both Trelàs and Kreios was starting to get to him, the same ominous feeling he can't seem to escape from. Besides he felt the time to depart is nigh and decided to speak to Acanthus one more time before his departure.

"Excuse me, Acanthus." Mathias respectfully spoke. "I am about to take my leave of this meeting and it was a pleasure to meet you, might I add." "Yet, there is one more thing I would like to ask of you." " I'm sure you won't be in the same location twice and I'm sure you have many a important things to attend to." "So how does one find you and when will it be alright to find you?" Mathias asked. "Should I look for a Prachian or will you send one if you need us or what is your preferred method of communication?" Mathias stood there in the same rigid, yet stalwart manner he has accustomed himself too. Mathias pondered asking how he may find his kin even though he has the same ominous feeling that they don't personally care. He really didn't want to ask Trelàs or Kreios, mainly because he just doesn't feel comfortable around them. Mathias wasn't sure about Cragin, his silent, kind of mysterious visage makes Mathias wary of him. Perhaps Lyandra, maybe if she spoke out more. He had the feeling there are others but they have yet to reveal themselves. At this moment he was only concerned about Acanthus since he is the one he trusts the most.

Trelàs was concentrating on his music so didn't pay much attention to the new god who came, a smile appeared on his face when the new change his appearance to try to mimic the hand that now he was playing, Trelàs made a pause of about moments to explain him how can play, but how he knew a way to produce these melodies?, shrugged and kept playing, it wasn't really something important, the duplicates seemed to have fun with the originals and Trelàs wished that his duplicate were here to see it, a tear run down his cheeks, followed by a slight laugh at the sight of the shiny thing that the new god had.

Trelàs was about to create a new copy when one of the gods did something unthinkable, just see it made Trelàs, like his music, tremble: Acanthus took the correct course of action, well also the hooded killed his copy but that wasn't so important, the melody became sad and slow.

"Acanthus the wise indeed" all copies said in unison, including Cragin who reformed himself out of nothing and spoke for the first time.

"A whim becomes test" said Ardnayl
"A Test reaffirms the existence" Saihtam
"A murder doesn't erase that existence" Nigarc
"And a name is always necessary" Suhtnaca
"Even if it's just the Form we have a link" spoken in unison
"You can not ignore yourself" Ardnayl
"You can not threaten yourself" Saihtam
"You can not kill yourself" Nigarc
"So what can we do?" asked the three.
"Simple, you just need a strong will to face yourself and don't lose" Suhtnaca replied "If you ignore, threats or attack yourself then you're one step closer to losing" a smile appeared on the face of the old man.
"Wouldn't it be better just get along?" asked the three again .
"He gets along with himself" Suhtnaca pointed Trelàs as an example who was playing with closed eyes the sad melody.

"By your will we shall disappear, Acanthus" everyone spoke and bowed and looked at their respective original, except Nigarc who had no one to see. "The question is: Will you be able to win again?" all smiled and vanished at that moment.

Trelàs stood up and looked at the toys along with their owner, one of his eyes revealed the muddy nature of this god, it was that or he was just seeing things you can never be sure and it doesn't matter
"I'm Trelàs, lord and master of manufacturing, Guardian of fire and powerful blacksmith" he introduced himself muttering a lot of words that whispered his inner voices, he didn't really heard voices but he liked to think that he was "Your toys are adorable or grotesque, I still haven't decided , but I have one toy too" he pointed to the cloud of fog which was some meters far, Amentia didn't pay attention to anything that had happened and began to do his things hidden by the fog that surrounds him, not even Trelàs could see it, "His name Amentia and is a pile of stones, has one eye and can barely see where is walking, is slow, weak and stupid"

A great blow crushed Trelàs against the ground, the rocky arm hidden in the fog was the culprit, the owner of the arm was the first being with whom he had spoken, who besides having inherited flesh and blood of a god seemed to share the same mental state that its creator, that's why he couldn't have any kind of loyalty to anyone and probably would self-destruct before giving someone the pleasure of control him.

It didn't ended with just one, Amentia hit him repeatedly creating a deep crater.

From the hole came the left hand of Trelàs bigger and hideous than ever, the repulsive thing quickly grabbed and the stone being and Trelàs's figure was visible on the surface again, all his eyes were glowing and had a sinister smile on his face
"Apologize" Amentia babbled some growls of repentance and Trelàs throw him through the skies with great force, "Like I told you, You can fly!" screamed and laughed, several minutes passed, "I wonder where will fall" spun around and bowed in front of those present there "I guess we'll meet again" and he began to looking for Amentia who could easily be mistaken with a particularly fast cloud right now.

Cragin would stand in a massive cavern, thirty feet in length and at the least twenty feet across. The high ceiling would be strung with hanging vines and growth. There would be only the light of floating balls of energy drifting about the room and with a focused aim of the branch-like weapon in his strong hand he would go about creating a section in the back set against a dark sprout of water coming from a dark tunnel, it would cover the entire end with a pool of pitch water, and he would aim at the tunnel and soon green light would erupt from it in an impervious shower casting a more clear fluorescence about his home. He would then aim to the pool of water and with a gentle rise there would sprout in a layered formation a collection of rock in the form of an open faced box that would fit his body within. It would come at the top layer of a natural formation of stairs. The eruption of light behind it would creep from the edges making the formation a silhouette.

Cragin would step soundlessly up to the box and turn taking in the peaceful cascade of water from the tunnel, some of the cool liquid showering him as he would turn falling into the depths of the stone coffin, the branch would disperse as he would lay against the back, noticeably at a slight slant, his hood would dip down to hide his eyes and his arms and legs would relax as ivy and plant life would grow from the stone, wrapping him in a cocoon and creating a fourth wall, hiding him all together from the labyrinth he had constructed.

His mind would be ablaze with thoughts as he would drift soundlessly into a state of peace. Not sleep, by any means. But serenity with a clear mind, put to rest.

Sanguine

After a rather spectacular fall and an even more spectacular landing there was no absence of thought in Sanguine's mind that this place was full of wondrous and inspirational experiences. So despite the rather steep and wide hole that the landing had created Sanguine was ready to exit and discover the whole of the world at large.
Sanguine's fingers rounded the edge of the wholes top and soon a head was popped out looking at the area around. Sanguine's red shelled form had remained well intact despite the rather large amount of violence that occurred when its form collided with the earth. The ground to its surprise was a rather soft color of green, a color that Sanguine could not really wrap its head around as it was a sharp contrast to the form it was currently holding. But after a few steps into this new place Sanguine could feel a new sensation that coursed over and under its toes and tickled the underside of its feet.

Stopping dead its its tracks Sanguine fell back and landed against the ground with a thud emboldened by the softness of the grass below and for a moment began rolling and writhing like a dog scratching its back against the ground.

~Soft... so soft~
This thought stuck with Sanguine as it still just rolled around sliding its face and hands along the ground taking in the feeling of all the green grass around.
The a sound came from out of no where that caught Sanguine off guard, and thick and huffing noise that invoked a sense of realization from Sanguine notifying it that something else was there in that place as well. Sanguine rose snapping up into a stance settling itself on all fours finding that it was now looking straight ahead at a creature that looked quite savage to the eye.

The creature sat on all fours and had a lowered posture as it was leaning in towards Sanguine, it growled and leered as much as physically possible and began to bear down in Sanguine's position.
In actuality the creature was a wolf and it was most likely thinking that Sanguine was just another source of food in this world. Sanguine on the other hand didn't really know how to comprehend what was happening or for a better word what was about to happen. The beast lunged at Sanguine in an attempt to sink its teeth into the neck of its target and tried to wrench against the force of Sanguine's body. However the fact that Sanguine's red outer shell was quite soft, the wolf could not break through the membrane that was the actual flesh.

Sanguine could not really understand what was going on as this thing was pinning it against the ground and still trying to pull it apart by the throat. But in a sense Sanguine could understand that what this meant was that the creature was attempted to do something that Sanguine hadn't seen yet.
It was at that time that Sanguine noticed the creature had something more then what Sanguine itself had possession of. It was the whole in the head of the creature that was line with dozens of little pointed white bits and as Sanguine looked on it realized that in lite of what was happening, it wanted one as well.

Then as if responding to the arch of thought that coursed within Sanguine's mind a sharp tearing motion could be felt running along its face and it soon had gotten its wish. A large gaping maw had opened on the front of Sanguine's head and it to was lined with sharp little bits but in Sanguine's case these teeth where formed with sharp little jagged pieces of bone.
So in the same spirite of the creature Sanguine opened its new added feature, tasting the air for the first time in its life and then for the first time tasting the flesh of another creature. In the throws of discovery Sanguine sank its new teeth into the wolf pinning it and in one massive bite had cleaved off almost a quarter of the beast form.
Sanguine rolled and eventually pinned the wolf under itself, rolling the taste of what had happened over its new tongue and marveled in the very sensation jostling around inside.

Sanguine paused for a moment and came to a very strong realization inside..~MORE!!!~

For a moment Sanguine could not help itself, the intense feeling of delight roaring inside its mind as it reached down and began to assist in this new pleasure by dragging more pieces into its new mouth. It shoveled in as much as possible and in the throws of excitement even managed to scoop some of the earth into its mouth, not stopping in the least as it continued to fill its gullet.

"It was a pleasure to meet you as well Mathias." Acanthus responded to the god. He smiled kindly, giving this young god his full attention as the others were either lost in thought or taking their leave of the clearing. This one was going to leave too. Acanthus was not surprised. Mathias seemed prone to action and though he he seemed to be restless, Acanthus felt more at peace with him than any of the chaotic gods.

"How does one find you and when will it be alright to find you?" Mathias asked. "Should I look for a Prachian or will you send one if you need us or what is your preferred method of communication?"

Acanthus created a ring and gave it to the god. "This will allow you to communicate with me no matter where you are in the two and one realms. Just say my name into it and I will respond. As for where I will be? I have been idle for a very long time. I believe I will be shaping the magic that I have gifted this world with. I have many ideas and they must be done before there are too many mortals."

He nodded to Mathias and let him be off. Trelas was playing music then, Acanthus had not heard deep in conversation with Mathias. The sound was unlike anything Acanthus had ever heard and he surprised that such sweet sound could come forth from such a hideous looking being. Though he knew better than to judge simply on what he saw. The copy of himself began to speak with all the other copies.

"Acanthus the wise indeed" all copies said in unison, including Cragin who reformed himself out of nothing and spoke for the first time.

"A whim becomes test" said Ardnayl
"A Test reaffirms the existence" Saihtam
"A murder doesn't erase that existence" Nigarc
"And a name is always necessary" Suhtnaca
"Even if it's just the Form we have a link" spoken in unison
"You can not ignore yourself" Ardnayl
"You can not threaten yourself" Saihtam
"You can not kill yourself" Nigarc
"So what can we do?" asked the three.
"Simple, you just need a strong will to face yourself and don't lose" Suhtnaca replied "If you ignore, threats or attack yourself then you're one step closer to losing" a smile appeared on the face of the old man.
"Wouldn't it be better just get along?" asked the three again .
"He gets along with himself" Suhtnaca pointed Trelàs as an example who was playing with closed eyes the sad melody.

"By your will we shall disappear, Acanthus" everyone spoke and bowed and looked at their respective original, except Nigarc who had no one to see. "The question is: Will you be able to win again?" all smiled and vanished at that moment.

Acanthus had not thought to hear such wisdom come from Trelas either. He wondered at the words that it had spoken, feeling somewhat pleased with himself. He had not thought it a competition, only a matter of putting what was right into words.
He thought only a while longer on Trelas, until he began to feel uncomfortable with the chaos and madness that that god had portrayed, that that god was.
After all the others had left Acanthus looked at Lyandra who was still there. “You have been silent on all of this. What do you think? What will you do with the wisdom you have received?”

"I do not know what to think," She said honestly. "The world around me and all the things that inhabit it are changing so rapidly. I don't know much about it, or myself. Compared to you old man, I feel foolish and naive, and I don't care for feeling like that at all. " She sighed retracting her wings, she stood in pure woman form. Other than her painstaking beauty she had nothing to show that she was a goddess, even if she didn't know what that meant.

"I don't know what to make of my strange kin, or the strange visions that they create. This world is more vast than any of us have given credit for." she sat in the wood, overcome by her confusion and heart wrenching loneliness. She seemed to radiate her pain so all could see it as well as sense it.

"I have one question for you wise Acanthus," She looked at him her grey eyes brimming with sadness. "I have noticed I am different in ways from the rest of them. Yet I feel drawn to them in strange ways, they make me feel things internally that I do not understand. How am I different?" She was sincere and looked to the only one she really trusted out of all the strange kin she had acquired, for answers.

Acanthus looked into Lyandra's eyes, his stare piercing but soft. He saw that she was truly unsure of herself compared to the others. He smiled softly and took her hands in his.

"Child," He said kindly, "You are different, but the same. You said it yourself. You are the first woman. The rest are all just simple men," He chuckled here, "Yes, even me. You are more complex and beautiful than any man could hope to be. The others create feelings in you because you are different. These feelings, I assume, are want and desire. All animals show feelings like this, though I expect that in mortals (and especially in gods) the feelings are deeper and more complex emotionally and in thought." He released her hands and stood up.

"You are truly a gift to this world. So I will give you a gift." He waved his hand and created a silver feather, lined with gold. He handed this gift to her. "When you create mortals, if you have the desire, use this and it will give them wisdom that comes straight from the heart, a woman's intuition if you will." He said with a wink.

Then he made another communication ring. "Call upon me whenever you wish child. I will answer."

Lyandra understood more as the man spoke and was put at ease. She accepted the gift graciously and stuck it in her wing for safe keeping. She knew then what she had to do. This world needed women, they were wise and were needed to keep men in line. It was then she knew that men needed women. Women also needed man.

"Thank you wise one," She thanked as she put the ring around her finger. With that she was off to find the one named Cragin. She was curious about these feelings she had, The one of the wood had stirred them the most. She wanted to explore this further and understand herself better. Once she knew what being a woman was about then she would create more. She would not leave them as clueless as she was.

Mathias was once again disturbed by the abilities of Trelàs. The words these copies speak, did nothing but unsettle him. He had a strong, ominous feeling coming from this encounter. Mathias felt within his mind something terrible will come to pass and it may very be brought about by these, naturally turbulent gods. Mathias felt that something must be done in advance to defend themselves from the potential threat that both Trelàs and Kreios present. For some reason Mathias felt that is the correct thing to do. Once he leaves he is going to plan some sort of preventive measures to take against the day one of these gods could turn aggressive. Not just those two but maybe the others as well, he feels confident that Acanthus isn't the threat, in fact he considers him to be an ally. Mathias could tell that he too feels uncomfortable around them, it's kind of hard not to notice it when he is always feeling it. When Mathias has his plans he will consort Acanthus on them, he is sure he will provide meaningful input.

Thinking of consorting Mathias looked at the ring Acanthus gave him. He immediately placed the ring on his gloved finger. It felt uncomfortable and tried to adjust it where it felt better but something was obstructing it. He could see the material of the gloves scrunching up against the ring. Mathias removed the ring and then the glove to see his hand. His hand was firm and large bumps were protruding from the base of his fingers. He clenched his hands and made a fist, making the bumps bulge more. He felt them and they were hard, like stone and for some reason Mathias felt proud he had such strong hands. He placed the ring upon his finger and then the glove back over it. Mathias turned to see Acanthus walk off after he told him how to use the ring and what he will be doing. Acanthus was deep into conversation with Lyandra. The beautiful figure retracted her wings as she seemed sad about something. Mathias was too far away to overhear their words but he knew it not right to eavesdrop.

Mathias decided to take his leave as he saw Lyandra leave, without her here the feeling of staying near the others didn't seem worth it. Mathias walked off feeling Acanthus was going to be busy for a while. Mathias made haste as he wished to be out of these woods. Mathias quickly found the forest's edge as he came upon an open field against the backdrop of mountain ranges. Mathias walked upon the field as if he was searching for a specific spot, a place to make a habitation. He wasn't sure where to go. The world is vast indeed but he felt that this world can offer him little in his endeavors while it could prove useful in others. Of course this how he has felt for hours now. No where to go and longing to be some where. Mathias found it...right to return to that one particular mountain he was fond of. Mathias wandered back to that mountain, he recognized it for it was the tallest he could see. Mathias felt a connection of some sort as he felt drawn to do something. What could it be though?

As everyone left the clearing, Acanthus left too. Waving his hand he disappeared from the clearing in a flash of light. He returned to one of the places of power that he had set up. This place was high atop a tall mountain. Here he created a great hall. Outside the wind was cold and thin, but inside it was warm and comfortable. The walls radiated with a soft glowing light and in the center of the hall there was a long table with many chairs. Off to either side there were many rooms. They were extremely malleable and would become on the inside whatever the person who entered them wanted them to be, once. Once any room had been changed it would stay that way forever.

After Acanthus had created this place, he went into one of the rooms. When he entered it became like a large library filled with books that had yet to be filled. There were large bookshelves across the walls from top to bottom. There were many rows of bookshelves as well. Acanthus walked down these rows and under a balcony. In this room there was a fireplace and a chair. He walked up one of two symmetrical sets of curving stairs. From the balcony he could see all of the rows of books. From here the ceiling, which had been visible from the lower level, had completely vanished and the stars were clearly seen. Acanthus focused on one and the ceiling stretched so that that star was much larger, so large that it almost covered the whole ceiling. He relaxed his view and the ceiling spread back to normal.

Acanthus turned and walked into the back room of the balcony. There was a great round table, magical runes were written throughout it and they glowed with a light blue light. Around the edges of this table were many tools, wands, staves, and weapons. There was also a large tome in the center of it. As of now it was blank. Acanthus cracked his knuckles and stroked his long beard. That book would not stay empty for long.

Mathias began to circle the mountain as he arrived around the other side. While examining the mountainside he sensed something, a certain twinge as he immediately shot a glance up to the sky. Something was going on up higher and Mathias was curious as to what it was. Seeing no defined path Mathias decided to scale the mountain. Mathias hoisted himself upon protruding crevices as he began to climb up higher and higher. The air began to grow colder and soon began to deplete the higher Mathias climbed. He began to feel some sort of strain as he felt weaker, the longer he decided to scale this mountain. His vision began to fade as his breathing became irregular and soon his hands began to shake.

What is going on? Mathias thought to himself. He stared up to the sky as the wind was freezing and biting, he then began to shiver. He felt so weak but...he had to see the summit, he just had to. Using pure conviction he pushed himself higher and higher as he rose above the clouds. The air was thin, and every breath Mathias made it felt as if even more air was escaping than gaining. His vision became blurred as shapes and colors blended and melded. This made it incredibly difficult to climb any further. How could he if he could not see what was clearly in front of him? Mathias decided to use his sense of touch as he carefully placed a hand over the next ledge. His ascent was much more slower than earlier but the difficulty didn't lessen. Mathias reached greater heights as the summit would soon come in close proximity but even with the end nearing his body grew incredibly heavy. He felt great weakness as his body became numb and limp and his vision was all but gone.

"D-damn..." Mathias blurted out as he slipped. Mathias fell as he felt all consciousness slip before him. Despite the rapid decent back to earth, everything seemed calm to Mathias. Mathias soon entered into a slumber as he began to dream. His dreams however brought forth interesting images. He envisioned a bright land filled with marvelous architecture as the sun shown brightly over what seemed to be a cloud-like environment. His mind entered a stoned courtyard decorated with fountains, bushes, and marble pillars. It was beautiful, he entered a domed building and within a round room with high walls. At the top of the walls were exactly twenty-six seats. They were gathered in a circle looking down upon a table. The table itself had an other-worldly glow radiating from it. The table sprouted a translucent image of a round mass, what it was he did not know. It showed areas of land and...water? Yes, it was some sort of geographical device. Mathias could barely see figures sitting upon the chairs. What or who these figures are is unknown to him but as it soon faded away Mathias gained another vision. He imagined great, vast amounts of beings all with beautiful wings like Lyandra's, but outfitted with armor that looks like his. Some of them carried spears like his and some with other items he had not seen but they too were made of a similar material. As this vision soon faded Mathias snapped awake.

Realizing he was still falling Mathias drew his spear, and with power he had not used, willed the spear to grow as it elongated and pierced the mountain side. Mathias hanging upon the spear he looked down below, he must have fallen more than half way down as the ground became visible. Mathias looked back up the summit, renewed with determination Mathias furrowed his eyebrows and began to climb once more. Mathias would not be stopped, he will conquer this mountain, he will triumph. Facing the same strain once again, the trek was perilous but after much time he managed to reach the summit. What he found, was unbelievable. He entered a majestic hall, it was luxurious and the warmth was oh so comforting. He slouched about the hallway as fatigue was about to over take him once again, but he could not help but reach the center. There he found a long table accompanied by many chairs. He placed, the now normal length, spear upon the table as Mathias dropped to the ground with a loud thud. Mathias had finally passed out next to the table.

Acanthus
In the Library all was silent save for the scribbling of Acanthus. His handwriting was nearly perfect as he wrote spell upon spell into the tome in ancient runes of his own design. He put every spell and incantation into different schools. He made powerful spells require special materials and some even required blood or the very souls of the caster. Magic was versatile and Acanthus formed it into many different types.
The schools were Protection, Summoning, Calling, Creation, Healing, Teleportation, Divination, Enchantment, Influence, Energy, Enervation, Innervation, Illusion, Necromancy, and Transmutation.
The types of Magic were then added.
He made learned magic; that of the highest order. If it was studied it would grant amazing power. One had to spend many years to learn the secrets though and anyone with the will to study could become a master of these arts. He limited the ability of this type of magic so that one had to focus in a single school to be able to become truly powerful in their short lifespans.
He made magic that could be given away by the gods. Typically, a creature that received magic straight from their patron could only use spells that correlated with that patron’s portfolio.
He made innate magic, the kind that comes from a child born with a connection to the magic of the world. This seemed wild and unruly but in essence the mortals with this ability would be shaping magic from its raw form and therefore it was lawful in nature.
Remembering the power that he had felt in the names of the gods, Acanthus made true name magic. When a creature called upon the names of anything, in the language of the runes in the Tome, they could control it with a cost to themselves. If a mortal were to call on a god’s true name, they would surely be torn asunder by the power that lied therein.
He made magic so that it could combine with material objects. Gasses, liquids, and solids could all hold magic within them. Objects that were more solid could hold more magic. Gems, being condensed earth in crystalized form could become almost conduits for pure magical power.
He changed some magic, remembering the beautiful sounds that Trelas had made, and let it flow with the sound of music. Powerful musicians might cast spells with the sounds that they made.

He gave magic three Laws.
1. The more powerful the spell, the greater the cost.
2. No mortal can have under their control more than 5 schools.
3. The more schools that are under ones control, the less powerful they can be in any one category.

He paused there and looked back upon the Laws he had written and upon the spells and schools. In his eyes they were good. Then he put a special rune at the end of the book. He modeled the rune after Craigin’s name in the Rune language. Magic was given the ability to change. Mortals and gods could change it as they wished, without breaking the Laws he had created. He gave magic the ability to combine with itself in new and interesting forms. Then he relaxed in his chair and meditated for some time.

Kreios had lost Trelàs’s trail, he had gotten distracted when the Kreiochain had brought him the thing from the river, it was new it had no limbs and as he held it, it wrapped around his arm and as it squeezed it went into his arm. He swung his arm and the “snake” flew out, but it had been inside him being hit with pure chaotic energy, more than he had used on any of his past creations, this was interesting, would it die or how would it change if he didn’t direct it. The snake thrashed and started growing out of it grew eight more heads and it sprayed him with a liquid and everything around him including one of his crows melted. “What am I, what are you, what did you do to me” said all the thing heads, “You talk you name yourself, me, I think the old one said I was a god, but I say I’m Kreios, and the most I did was be a pile of chaos, you dug yourself in my arm”. “I’m calling myself Hydra, do I owe you anything?” “I will come to you to play and you will help me, I would be angry that you destroyed my crow but I’ve made quite a few of them, so I’m not too angry but you have taught me something, how fun it is to allow fate to change things” as he turned to leave a female voice yelled “You have created a creature that will ruin my hunting ground, DIE” and a giant snake head lunged out at him but Kreios caught the top and bottom jaw and twisted and a snapping sound was made, he followed the body and found a hole with three eggs and he took them and buried them in some of his mud, “now I’m actually leaving, but don’t kill those eggs I want to see what happens when I change an egg, I’ll return soon, actually I changed my mind were going back to my forest it’s that way, eat the big snake if you want but we’re going back to my forest.” He took his mud and put them in himself and led the things he had created back.

Cragin would appear from the depths of the stone chamber, the vines and growth pulling away. He would feel a loneliness in place where his thoughts had left understanding. He would raise his right hand as he descended the steps; cascading water covering him in a delightful rejuvenation of tantalizing cool. In his hand would appear the branch, a glowing symbol of pale green power.
His deep knowledge of change would hang in every inch as if a woven fabrication both dividing and combining individuals in the way of the world. A constant change in the air, the substance of the way of things. Perhaps if only and with this he would step off the last uneven step and a thick and complete block of stone would rise in the eerie glow of the cavern. Cragin would tap the branch at it's end and an array of materials would appear before him arranging themselves in a blurred confusion. He would give the device knowledge and his shaded figure would seem to blend becoming vague.
The creation would become solid and complete resting on the table as a broad spiny spider, skeletal and wicked. With a silent movement Cragin would grab it delicatley lifting it and for a brief moment holding it to his abdomen. There would be a muffled click and a burst of green light before it subsided and the room was once more peaceful.
He would think for a moment to Acanthus and he would give deep consideration. This God was for now the only one he trusted and he had but one question. And it demanded answers.
He would vanish from the world for a moment, appearing in the change of a vast hall. Warm and welcoming it would be arranged with chairs and a large table. He would sense something and looking to his right discover much to his dismay Mathias collapsed. Perhaps he had gotten it wrong. It would require work, then..

It's been a few hours from the time Mathias collapsed to the time Cragin entered the hall. Mathias' eyes opened as he slowly stood to his feet. He rubbed his head briskly as if one had grass stuck in it. He turned to see Cragin standing only a few feet from him. Mathias stood there silently for the longest time as if trying to analyze Cragin until he finally spoke. "Came to investigate this place as well?" Mathias lightly asked trying to break the ice. "I noticed something happening upon the top of this mountain, I am particularly fond of this mountain and I had to see what the occurrence was." Mathias continued to speak. "It seems someone was very busy and I believe I know who it could be." Mathias then paused as he took the spear off the table and holstered it to his back once again.

Mathias wandered the hall, still listening to Cragin if he chooses to speak. If he doesn't then it wouldn't be a loss, it's not like Mathias cares if Cragin decides not too. Although it would be rude on his part it's not something Mathias will argue over, then it will be a waste of both their times. Mathias was impressed with the design as he finished his walk around of the table as he came up to Cragin once more. "I found passage ways to other rooms of this great place." "I believe I saw something more inside that one over there." Mathias pointed to the room where he caught a glimpse of bookshelves. "I assume your looking for the architect of this place as am I." Mathias looked towards Cragin. "Shall we proceed?" Mathias asked if Cragin wished to accompany him. Sure, he didn't feel all that comfortable around Cragin but he shall be willing to make a consensus with him. Might as well appear friendly before one turns hostile. Whether or not Cragin would come, Mathias must still see who he is guessing to be Acanthus, inside that room. His visions have stirred him and he would like to know more on what he saw. He really hoped Acanthus could answer those burning questions he himself provided in his unconscious state.

Cragin would stand indifferent, calmly watching the man's spurratic movement about the Hall. Listening to the man's words one at a time and analyzing them sound by sound. He would measure the depth of them, and measure the very essence of the man as well. He seemed curtious enough in his words and in his body language. Though there seemed a look in the God's eyes that had him gripping the powerful branch as if ready to use it.
The nature of Cragin would be calm, his silence allowing Mathias' steps heard well and his words to echo the slightest with the vast hall. He would ignore the first few statements and questions as the last seemed to come. He would catch a glimpse of the spear and he would twirl the branch about an elongated index finger as he would step silently after Mathias. His voice fluent, "Lead the way."

"Excellent." Mathias responded. As he walked ahead of Cragin towards the great library. The image of him twirling the branch still vivid in his mind. He wasn't sure if that was Cragin's weapon of choice, it seemed a little low-tech but he did wield it gracefully. It almost reminded him of his sudden movements with his spear when Trelàs appeared. If anything it proved how capable of a fighter Cragin could be. If it ever came down to a skirmish between them, there is no telling what damage could be caused. Still Cragin's frame isn't as impressive as Mathias'. Sure Cragin is well-built, athletic, lean, but compared to Mathias he has considerable height and muscle over the more compact God. Perhaps thats what it's meant to be. Cragin is lean and quiet while Mathias is bulkier and vocal. Two opposites, thats how it appears to Mathias but even though it's Cragin, he is not like Trelàs or Kreios.

Mathias entered the great library not checking to see if Cragin was still following him. He just assumed he would. Mathias stared at the vast rows of books as he wondered what they are. It's the first time he has seen anything like this and he wondered what function it serves. Even with his sight seeing Mathias did not halt as he continued to enter deeper within the room. Eventually Mathias walked underneath a balcony and came upon a room with a fireplace and a set of two symmetrical spiral staircases. He looked at both and then to Cragin. "It would seem he walked up one of these...circling planks that leads up to a higher room." Mathias commented as he walked to one of them. "Just in case they lead to different areas I'll ascend one set and you can ascend the other." "If one of us finds something or nothing then we'll meet back here." "Unless you wish to ascend one set together of course." Mathias spoke as he stood next to the staircase on the left. Mathias had a feeling that Acanthus was up this set but it's better know the truth than just assuming. Mathias awaited to hear what Cragin wishes to do.

Cragin would be quiet as he followed the man, his thoughts all too loud. He would dully note the hall impressed to say the least. But the structure not quite enough to pull him from the vast expanse of the wilds. His heart disturbed at an unnatural feeling. Suddenly his view would be that of one of his werewolves. The sight of an abomination collecting animals of the forest. It would fade, his gaze unfaltered. Mathias seemed to walk with a proud strut, loud steps to the studious ears of Cragin.
"I'll take the left, then." He would seem to direct it at no one but would give a slight nod to Mathias as he walked forward, past the man and silently up the spiralling left staircase.

The silence of the library was disturbed by visitors. Acanthus was roused as the two rounded the spiral staircases in front of him. He closed the Tome, signaling the end of his work on magic, until such time as he would have to return and continue his work. He looked at the visitors.

"Mathias! Cragin!" Acanthus said with joy. "Welcome to Hléradr, the shelter of the gods. I haven't been expecting guests just yet, or I would have prepared a feast." He motioned towards the rest of the library. "This is my room, as you can see. You can stay here if you wish, but you both have your own rooms in the hall, as do all of the others. I have even prepared for new arrivals, even of gods who have not yet been born." He looked at the two calmly. "Would you like a tour?"

Sanguine

Several hours had already passed since Sanguine first discovered that it was possible to do such a thing as feeding and on the other creatures of this world no less. The bout of ravaged feeding that continued on was hectic to say the least, after the wolf was done Sanguine reached for the nearest object and still with the desire to devour it with the intent of discovering new flavored sensations just could not contain itself. Mouths began to manifest across its body as the form became stretched and twisted to accommodate the new influx of mass. Woodland creatures, small insects and even rocks and foliage were no match for Sanguine's appetite as all fell victim to an iron grasp and then the the consumption within its body followed such a small interaction.

It was not long before Sanguine was almost indistinguishable from its own original form and now it resembled a massive bloated tumor with teeth jutting from several openings, while small tendrils had erupted from the sides to assist in the catching of food it was now apparent that there was none left. The area around Sanguine a rather large circle was now almost completely clear cut and dug almost a heads length into the earth.
The more aware animals had vacated from the present of such a hunger and found shelter somewhere else and it only took five bites for the young god to realize that it rather didn't like the taste of dirt despite the fact several tasty things could be found crawling through it.

Sanguine soon realized that its current form was not useful for doing such things as moving and soon found itself wanting to be like it was before, then to its surprise the excess weight began to disappear almost metabolizing away into the gods form. Sanguine found itself quickly regaining the form it once had but the mass it held once before could still be felt deep within its own body, as if it where just locked away for a more prudent time.

Stepping out of the entrenched hole Sanguine could feel that something was on the wind, something that was not there before all the changes began. Lifting its head to the air and letting the breeze brush by its face, almost on cue the same thing began to rise somewhere inside Sanguine. A feeling of no knowing and it was accompanied by the want to find out what exactly was going on in this world. For the first time Sanguine wondered if it wasn't the only one of its kind, was it as unique as the others it could feel in the back of its mind.
Sanguine reared back on its heels and began to run off into the distant land ahead not abiding any distraction in order to find those among its kind that walked this world.

Sanguine gains speed rapidly and its form compensates for the hectic travel as its body begins to loos definition as the wind keeps coursing by. Soon the form Sanguine had was only roughly humanoid and with very few sharp angles, this allowed the air to flow past cleanly as its form buckled towards the ground to claw out on all fours. Large digging talons grew from the hands and feet to allow for greater grip and Sanguine just continued to run in some desperate attempt to find the source of this feeling.
It wasn't long until Sanguine could no longer feel the familiar air behind it and realized that it was now in a new land altogether, climbing a vast and steep mountain range it was easy to see the objects gaining ahead of Sanguine's pace. That was until a large obstruction appeared in Sanguine's way and had this not been of some interest to Sanguine it would have easily skirted about the edge and passed. But as Sanguine stood this large structure gained an intense stare from the God, it looked on and realized that whatever was giving it this feeling was not this thing but something that was contained within.

Sanguine strode around the outside of the structure and drug its clawed hand across the surface of its face as it did. There was no opening only just solid sheets of stone and this puzzled Sanguine, how does one gain entry to such a fascinating place and in where would they do it.

It puzzled Sanguine so much that eventually a young and primal sense of anger began to rouse from within it, being that frustration and denial were both new feelings to the god it could not help but feel the will to indulge them and in a spat of rage lashed out at the side of the structure with its talons cutting three sharp divots into the surface.
Having exacted its rage Sanguine could now feel the anger subsiding seeing as it spent a small portion of the strike, but more questions soon raised within its mind when the three large cuts made by its claws slowly began to glow white and disappear leaving the outside of the structure unscathed once more.
The cold air and wind bit at Sanguine's flesh as it tilted its head to one side in estranged disbelief.This ended with the young God sitting down right outside the structure to ponder what just happened, it was obvious however that in some way that this was the work of one like itself.

Mathias walked up the right staircase and before he could move further footsteps echoed from down the room. It wasn't Cragin but it was Acanthus himself. Once again a bright smiled appeared on his face as he was over-joyed to see us once again. Acanthus began to speak very excitedly over what he has accomplished and Mathias would be as well. It certainly is an accomplishment, very beautiful, very majestic, and very strangely inspirational. In fact this "Hléradr" was the only place Mathias felt comfortable at all in the whole world. It was strange, even with vast forests and expansive stretches of land he much preferred this single construction. He was much intrigued by finding his own world, if Acanthus' room was this grand then perhaps his is just as well. But before he became distracted Acanthus asked them both a question and Mathias looked towards the elder god as he asked about a tour.

"Oh I must apologize." Mathias spoke up. "Although having a tour of Hléradr sounds fine, I'm afraid both I and Cragin have come looking for answers." Mathias spoke make light hand gestures. "Anyway I'll go first." "Originally I noticed something strange happening to this mountain and decided to investigate." "After a long climb I must have passed out some where along the way and I saw something, something I have never seen before." "The experience itself was unlike any other I've had and it left me confused." Mathias explained his dilemma. "After I awoken, I stopped myself from falling further and resumed the climb once again." "What I saw during that period was...odd...I saw a construction something not natural like this building and a table in the middle of a round room." "I saw figures high above and from their it took a new direction, I saw vast rows of armored figures with wings like Lyandra's." Mathias paused for a moment as he furrowed his eyebrows. "When I reached the summit I passed out near the table in the hall and," Mathias paused once more , "I was visited by another vision and," Mathias paused and looked at Cragin and then backed to Acanthus, "Well if you don't mind I would like to speak of that later." Mathias suddenly backing out of his tale. Mathias awaited to hear what Acanthus made of it.

"So if you wouldn't mind me asking, what do you make of it?" Mathias asked. Before he heard Acanthus answer he sensed something else. A strange presence...something....unpredictable...it made him uneasy. Mathias decided to hide his discomfort he didn't want to disturb either of the Gods but perhaps they already sense it as well? If it is an enemy then Mathias is prepared to meet him, perhaps he will go quietly? Mathias mentally prepared himself nevertheless.

Cragin would resolve himself to listen, crossing his arms over his chest and setting his gaze upon Acanthus. He was happy to say the least, to see the wise man happy, over joyed. And Mathias seemed overwhelmed as well. Like a young pup appealing to his father. You know that it comes from admiration and trust, but it seemed beyond that and for the first time, Cragin was taken aback by the draw of these Gods. His ears would perk at a sound that was vague, ringing out somewhere in the Hall. He would look down a moment as if challenging himself to leave, his focus distinct. He sensed that his werewolves were still following a potential corrupter of the wilds and he sensed a danger only beside him. And perhaps this man's curt look and resolution to with hold his latest 'vision' was an act of distrust. He wasn't offended, though he didn't see how the man would care.

"Thank you, for the offer." Cragin would look about a moment before continuing. "It appears you've already answered my question, and I thank you for that as well." He was slowly losing grasp and flashes of Kreios and the abomination obstructed his vision. He would look to Mathias and give him a nod, and then to Acanthus giving a small wave before his focus faded and returned in a different place. With an explosion of pale green light his physical form would be vaporized, reappearing before the child-like God.

Craigin and Mathias greeted Acanthus and he was pleased that they had arrived. He nodded at Craigin when he thanked him and then let Mathias tell his story.

Acanthus listened intently to Mathias' vision. The strange creatures and constructions interested him greatly. He pondered the meaning of this, nodding throughout the short speech. When the younger god had finished, Craigin vanished without a word and though Acanthus was sad to see him go so soon, though he knew he would see him again soon enough. He turned to Mathias, eager to hear what else the younger god would say before he would try to perceive the meaning of the vision.

However, before they could continue the conversation, a large claw struck through the roof, distorting the view of the stars that had been displayed there. The claw retracted and Acanthus waved his arm, repairing the damage with a flick of his wrist. He turned towards Mathias.

"Yes, lets complete this talk later on. For now, let us greet this guest and see what new knowledge and wisdom it has to offer us. If that if alright with you."

He walked down the stairs and out of the door, through the main hall, and outside into a blizzard. He cast a spell of enduring elements onto himself and Mathias and then walked around the Hall so that he might see what had torn a rend through the great Hléradr, though he felt the familiar twinge that came with kinship. What he saw was an amazing sight indeed.

A young god sat outside, its flesh red and steaming in the cold. It had no real face, it seemed to be mostly teeth.

"Hail," Acanthus said, over the blizzard. "Perhaps you should come inside through the door, instead of the wall."

Kreios was half a day from his forest, but he was already bored with the crow, the eggs hadn’t hatched, Hydra hadn’t done much but complain if didn’t have the ability to talk he wouldn’t of left him behind, and Kreiochain was about as smart as he was when he had made him. he was realizing that he had been incredibly stupid at the beginning but had been gaining intellect for a while little by little, corruption by corruption. He had released all the crows but one stayed, from what the only reason this one had stayed was loyalty, still it and Kreiochain had spied the followers that is why he had stopped. But if he had followers that must mean someone sent presents after him, so Kreios burst with speed at his followers and yelled “TOYS” and the wolf beasts ran but not before two of them were caught he did the exact opposite of what he did with the tree rodents instead of making them bigger and more ferocious, he decided to make them smaller and cuter maybe then he would enjoy them more. We warped one to a rat like size and the sound that came out of its mouth sounded like squeaks, the other one was changed into a bigger size but was as long as one of his weasels. He put them down and said “Go back and show them how good I made you” they wanted him to change these things that’s why they had sent them to him. As the sun set he entered his forest and started changing it to his liking it would be the perfect home for him, ignoring the attraction of chaos that came from far away.

Cragin would appear before the God, his stance becoming angry, the glare of his gaze extreme in it's color at the sight of his creations mangled and changed. His own area of the essence of the world disrupted and used for the corruption of his own creatures. His arms would shake slightly at his sides and he would twirl the branch with gentle ease in an attempt to calm himself with a medial task. He would plant his feet the branch stopping abruptly in his firm grasp, he would be pointing it at the child-like God with a savage display of hostility, a low growl escaping the depths of his hood. He had known combat for years upon years, protecting these very wilds, a beast in his own right. He wouldn't underestimate this adversary, but he knew from the deepest places of his chest that he could win against any foe placed before him.

His voice would be edged with a feral anger, indignant and pained. "How dare you." He would walk forth and there would be a stir in the forest as his guardians edged their way to the treeline of the clearing. He sensed six or seven of them watching, their fur bristling, barred teeth and twitching muscles. "What can you say for yourself, then?" He would demand answers from the man, his grip tightening, his left fist slightly raised at his side, curling and uncurling.

Sanguine

The time spent in the cold was a nuisance at most and Sanguine could barely even register the fact that crystals were forming across its flesh and even more wind began to surmount as time went on. Looking at the tall imposing structure it just could not wrap its mind over the fact that this place was here.
Did those like itself really want such solitude?
Or was the fact that this was such a place because the one inside thought it was a necessity of all things.

Eventually something did happen, Sanguine looked on as the solid mass of the wall began to crease down the center showing that it was in fact built to be some kind of opening and a light began to shine through its new path to freedom.

Sanguine sprung up from its lower stance and made its body ready for something to happen, being that the last entity that it tried to interact with did not end well this called for just as much ease in deliberation.
"Hail" the sound of a voice came from over the wind and an image began to show through the haze of the snow, glowing as if something encase it within light.
"Perhaps you should come inside through the door, instead of the wall." The being showed Sanguine a path behind himself and the young god was all too willing to comply springing forward over the others shoulder and into the confines of this new place.

Sanguine's clawed feet and pads slid slightly on the smooth flooring as its form hunched slightly and soon began to relish the feeling of a new warmth wafting over its body. The inside of this massive structure was so open as Sanguine stood to look around, several movements of its person made the frozen sections snap off and fall down to the floor where most shattered on impact.
Stretching and feeling the release of tension fall away from its body Sanguine was actually quite please how the first few moments of meeting someone new was turning out. But it was with the end of that the God looked over at its new acquaintance. The being was a strange looking one with slightly pale skin and a strange growth on its face of some kind of fur, and not only that its skin seemed to be made of something else apart from itself entirely. It was then that Sanguine realized that the person was actually covered in something that actually wasn't part of its body, which caused to young God to pause and tilts its head as if a dog listing to a distant sound.

It hit Sanguine then, that the God before it most likely preferred to wear something over its form which only made Sanguine more aware of its apparent lack of such. Despite the fact that Sanguine did not really have a body to distinguise itself as a being of any reason it was aware that lacking some sort of cover for itself was most likely a determent.

Sanguine looked on at the other God as the door closed behind them and latched locking the furry of the snow storm behing. The young god took in the image of the other and new that it would be easier to deal in retrospect if it looked somewhat similar. So taking in the image of the God before it Sanguine began to concentrate on shifting its own to meet a more preferred state of appearance.
The edges of Sanguine's body began to smooth out as it stood and cupped its hands together, the iced section that fell quickly melted thanks to the heat and where now small puddles of blood that soon crawled their way back up Sanguine's legs and onto the body. The sounds of the shifting going on under Sanguine's body and the bones rearranging below the skin gave way to its form normalizing and small spindles of flesh began to web out from its shoulders.

The small strands of flesh began to spray out and weave themselves together forming a very thick fabric that in actuality resembled the other Gods clothing despite the fact Sanguine's was rather red and dark.
Finally Sanguine took its hands and grasped down on its own face forcing them back to slide up and over its head. The force brought upon a new change where Sanguine's mouth sealed shut and left only a pair of dark crimson orbs for eyes and the excess feathered out into long thin strands of dark ashen red hair that flowed in long ribbons being its back. The final transformation happened as Sanguine's skin began to shift from read to a lighter color to almost match the other Gods own appearance.

The change complete Sanguine now bore an appearance that it thought would apply more to the others taste, despite the overall humanoid and lighter skin Sanguine's fingers still ended it deep red sharpened tips that still revealed its bestial nature.
"Better"

Sanguine looked on at the new God and gave a slight tilt of its head as if in recognition of being there.

Mathias followed Acanthus to the entrance, prepared to meet whatever has arrived. He didn't like the feeling he was receiving and almost wished Cragin still remained. He certainly could have used such a nimble ally if it were hostile, but Acanthus will suffice. When they reached the entrance Mathias saw a dreadful beast. It was large and red-skinned, in fact it's skin was more of an armored casing. It also had a huge mouth with rows of sharp teeth and Mathias was surprised Acanthus was welcoming such a thing. Mathias bent his head towards Acanthus' ear and whisperers, "You sure it wise to welcome such an aberration?" "It looks like something from Kreios and it has a foul smell on it's breath." Mathias surmised as he looked at it. He wasn't sure if this was a god as well. At least Trelàs had a facial appearance despite his grotesque extremities. Before Mathias could voice his opinion further the red creature wandered in and made itself comfortable. It seemed to stare at them for a long time as if trying to guess what they were. Mathias didn't see any eyes, how could it look towards them without it? "I think letting it in here was a mistake...it's not even..." Mathias cut himself off as he saw it transform.

Much like Kreios and Trelàs it was shifting it's form and no matter how many times he's seen it, it still disturbed him. He saw the creature resembling a frame much like his and Acanthus', apparently it wished to look like them. As Mathias watched it assumed a form similar to there's but with notable differences. After it finished it continued to tilt it's head towards them, still looking at them. "Uh, dismiss what I was about to say." Mathias quickly spoke as he watched it. Mathias wanted to know what it wanted or even what it was. Was it a monster or a God? Mathias decided to speak towards it. "Greetings...I am Mathias...and I am a God...", Mathias paused, "What matter of being say you?" Mathias asked morphed creature, hoping it could speak otherwise Mathias is wasting his breath.

Sanguine

Sanguine could feel the more reasonable and apparent feel this body gave it, the ability to stand firmly on two legs was a better method then that of constantly switching between that and four. But the way it perceved the world now had changed as well with the addition of better eyes and the influx of color was more then enough to peek a certain interest within the young God.

Out of nowhere though Sanguine heard another voice and the image of another God approaching it, this one looked more formidable in terms of body then the other and a certain amount of unease could be seen dancing across his face.

"Greetings...I am Mathias...and I am a God..."
"What matter of being say you?"

It was obvious now that this one was introducing himself to Sanguine in some fashion and then asked what Sanguine was in return. Which caught Sanguine off guard, that was a question that itself had yet to even begun to understand.
~God?~ Sanguine thought.. If that was what this new person was and they both where like it in some way then the idea that came to mind that Sanguine must be one as well.

Sanguine looked down at its own hands and body realizing that itself was something in that nature, the realization filled itself was such a fascination emotion as it wanted to speak and share its joy. Sanguine reached up with its hand and began to trace a line across its face with one of the clawed fingers, this caused a fissure to form and shallow out which soon became a new mouth for the young God. Even though the new orifice was not as beastly as before, many of the jagged pieces of teeth remained as this was actually the only way Sanguine remembered for this body part.

Once again Sanguine could tasted the air and inhale new scents from all around, only for it to open its new mouth and speak with words it never knew it could use.

"A.. God?" The voice that echoed out from Sanguine's lips was unknown to it, a mixture of low toned voices that sang from both sex's. It seemed that the Gods nature was only really definable from its own speech and that no matter how much Sanguine tried it could not alter the voice to just one, or even more simply to match that of Mathias or the other God.

Sanguine pressed both hands against its own chest as if to gesture towards itself.. "Then so.. am I"

The creature, which Acanthus had felt was a god, leapt up and entered Hléradr without problem. Thus, Acanthus was sure that it was his brethren for only gods could enter this sacred and holy place. This was a sanctuary and meeting place made solely for the purpose of housing all of seeds of divinity on the mortal realm when they were birthed. Mathias had been whispering about the wisdom of his actions but all Acanthus would say to the younger god’s counsels was, “Be patient.”

Then the creature began to change, it grew hair and straightened its stance, its skin became more like Acanthus’ and Mathias’. It did not seem to be able to take on a specific gender. Even its voice was the combination of both genders and sounded more like one of Acanthus’ messengers. It grew clothes and stood before them, having mimicked their forms while still holding on to aspects of its own.

“Better.” It said slowly though no mouth could be seen.

Mathias’ whispers stopped, "Uh, dismiss what I was about to say," and Acanthus simply nodded. He could feel no real malice from the genderless god. Mathias, however, was not one to simply let his guard down. He approached the other god cautiously and introduced himself.

The other raised its hand and opened a new mouth for itself. "A.. God?" it said slowly, as if coming to a realization, "Then so.. am I."

Acanthus nodded in assent, pleased to see it come to this realization on its own. “Of course you are, this hall is made for gods. None other may enter. I am Acanthus. May we know your name, so that we might be properly introduced?”

A bare mountaintop. Not the tallest around, but high enough that it's peak has passed through the clouds, and high enough so that you could see for miles around. Suddenly though, a flash of light and a wave of power. A divine seed, bringing life from it's power. And just as suddenly, the flash is gone, the bottomless power dormant once more. But now, a shape is laying on the ground. A shape that starts to move, and then stands up.

His hair falls forward as he does so. 'Is this...hair? I know the word, somehow, but it's white, and blue! No, not white, blonde! That's the wor-' he broke off mid-thought as he finally looked at his surroundings.

"Whoa." was all he could say when he saw all the land laid out before him like this. It was so beautiful. He wanted to get to a better vantage point, so he stepped forward. When he did so however, the rock gave way beneath him and he started to fall down the mountain. Free-falling itself wasn't something he had anything against, but when he saw the sharp spires at the bottom of the ravine he was falling straight towards, he started to panic. Looking around frantically for anything he could do, he saw the edge of the ravine getting closer and closer. Once he fell into it, there wouldn't be anything he could do, so out of sheer instinct, he spread his wings.

They spread fully out and he almost immediately snapped to a stop. "AH! Wings don't work like that!" when he started to fall again, he realized that the wings didn't catch the air, they simply lifted when he willed it. So he willed, and sure enough, rather than fall, he started to fly, away from the cliff. "Amazing!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, with the air whipping into his face. It was then that he heard an odd howl. He turned his head to follow the noise, and saw that it came from an enormous forest very nearby. He slowed to a stop in midair to think.

"Should I go check it out? But then again, I know just about nothing at the moment, I might only cause problems, and I'd hate to bother someone I haven't met. Wait, if there's someone to bother then there's someone else! And if there's someone else then I have to meet them." his mind made up, he resumed his flight, but this time down into the forest.

Mathias looked at the creature who apparent is a god as well. He didn't think it true but from hearing what Acanthus speaks of then, it must be true. Mathias looked at the creature and began to slowly release the tension in his body, even though he still has suspicion in his eyes. Mathias' countenance changed when he looked over at Acanthus, he looked ashamed as he turned to him with an apologetic gaze. "I apologize for questioning you wisdom, Acanthus." "I did not mean to question what you thought as truth." "I was only skeptical of the creature, who is a god that stands before me." Mathias said as he turned to the new god. "I also apologize for questioning your identity as well, red god." Mathias slightly bowed his head towards the genderless god. "I only ask you both forgive my impetuousness." Mathias spoke respectively and humbly as he bowed to both.

Mathias looked towards the creature, still with curiosity. He still wonders who it is, even though it's a god it's still a mystery to him. What is it's origin? It must be born from a Divine Seed but what purpose does it serve? What is it's nature and how does it act? So far it seems confused and curious as well. It looks with eagerness and interest in it's surroundings. It wants to learn more and well, the god did arrive at the right place to do so. Acanthus could bring it into the fold with his knowledge as he did with himself and his other siblings. Yet, Mathias was also interested in knowing of it's name. It would be more comfortable for him if he could call his mimicking sibling a name. "Yes, I too am interesting in hearing your name." "It would be a great pleasure to hear it, if you mind that is." Mathias spoke as he waited to hear it's name.

Besides the god in front of them, Mathias slightly notices some other interactions beyond them. One of them was definitely Cragin, he could sense a similar disturbance with in him as he had with Trelàs. Someone has upset him greatly and he didn't know for sure but he has his suspicions. Just as the world changed a new presence could be lightly felt. Mathias has no knowledge on who or what has arrived but it didn't ignite any alarms from within him. So in effect Mathias' allowed the presence to slip from his mind, not giving it much thought.

Sanguine

Sanguine stood before the two new God that looked upon it and could feel a small link of spirit between them, almost as if it had known them before for far more then spoken. The two began to discuss something between them but Sanguine was lost for the time being in a daze of how different the place was on the inside and how well it was made. Every nook and cranny was overtaken with light and there was not a dark corner in the whole of the building, the floor and walls gave off almost a polished feeling as one gaze upon them and Sanguine was in a state of rapture just learning of this new location.

That was until the two Gods spoke back to Sanguine which instantly caught its attention, strangely enough they wanted to know of the young gods name and that was a shock for it to even comprehend.
After all this time of being in existence had never even contemplated such a thing.. "Name?..." the slight question shot back from behind its teeth.

It was something that only drove on the young God to question more inside its own mind and for some reason words could be felt budding into life from within. The god took the fingers on its right hand and began to slide them together gather some of its own red liquid flesh between and pushing it around amongst its fingertips.

A moment of intense thought began to run though its mind as words of mixed voices began to bubble forth from within, each with its own passion and question of being..
"Blood..."
"...Flesh.."
"...Life..."

The God could not halt on one word and several others began to echo out from under the ones before as it there was an entire village inside its mouth and each resident where calling out for someone to answer.
That was until one word came to mind.. "Sanguine..." the word ended with a inept draw for air as if the whole of its body took a gasp of breath. That word was something unusual to the young God and strangely familiar as well. Elegant in nature but underlying macabre as well.

The young God took a step towards the two others and asserted itself in this new light "Yes... I am Sanguine" this one moment the voices spoke, unified in a massive word of recognition. "I am Sanguine and I wish to experience all this world has to offer.." This was Sanguine's claim to being and statement of justification for existence.

In a wide, open, grassy plain, something stirs. Only moments ago he had materialized in this world without a single thought in his mind, some time passing before he could wake from the sleep of nothingness. He opens his eyes for the first time, gazing into the sky, clear and blue, with only a hint of gray in the distance. He decided he should wait a bit before doing anything, maybe attempt to get a few more minutes of sleep, not bothering to dwell on how he happens to be aware of the concept of rest. Some short time later, there was a sudden darkness around him.
He awoke to investigate this sudden development, to find that the sky itself had turned black. The air around him felt cold, almost unbearably so. The cold hit him in pinpricks, and it took him some time to figure out what it was. Rain. It was raining. He dwelt on the fact that rain was uncomfortable for a few moments, only to find that he was suddenly holding a hat. He didn't understand how he knew what a hat was, only that hats were meant to be worn on your head, and that they could protect you from the weather. He donned the hat, and felt relief from the cold and wet.
The rain fascinated him, how it managed to take him by surprise, appear so suddenly. No, it wasn't just the rain, this place was interesting, the colors of the grass, the sparse trees that provided shelter for the odd creatures, all of it, so fascinating. Wait, he thought, maybe there's more out there. This can't be all there is, there's so much more you haven't seen! For reasons he couldn't quite understand, he shouted, at the top of his lungs, barely audible through the wind of the storm: "What should I see next!?"
Amidst all of this excited thought, he hardly noticed that two more items had appeared in his hands. In his right, a long, beautifully decorated stick with a greenish, glowing cube at the end. A walking staff, he inexplicably understood. And, in his left, an odd contraption. Three grayish rings within each other, with a pointed shape in the center, of the same color as the end of the staff. "Compass", he thought to himself. These two items would prove useful, he thought. Something to lean on in difficult terrain, and something to guide him. He glanced down at the compass, and saw that it was pointing at a large mountain in the distance. "Alrighty then.", he responded to the compass with a smile, as though heeding an intangible request.
And with that, he set off.

"Amentia disappeared, Amentia the Second", God was sitting once again in the land of the fog talking to a completely normal stone, "Hm? Are you saying it's my fault?, How is my fault?, Amentia left me willingly I didn't did anything," his mind reviewing the memories of the meeting with his brethren trying to find some reason why his first creation had abandoned him, "That damn Mud doll!" Trelàs stood furious remembering the God that had toys "I will crush him, no, I will eat him" mouth on his hand grew viciously "Yes, I'll devour him for kidnapping Amentia" his laughter echoed through the place "What are you saying Amentia the second?, it is clear that he kidnapped Amentia" He looked back at the stone "I toss him through skies? as How can you think that?, I would never do something like that, probably you're tired" he walked in circles forgetting senseless revenge.

The ground shook harmoniously after each step of the stone being who returned to his birthplace, the God stopped his maddening walk and keep silent while waiting, there was no doubt: the yellow glow of eye could only belong to the being hidden in the fog; Amentia.

Trelàs ran with arms raised and hugged Amentia "I missed you rock pile" Amentia first was delighted with the reaction of his creator but didn't like the insult so groaned and hit him again, "I have no need for you, I have Amentia the second!" Trelàs lifted the stone as he shouted, Amentia advanced and completely destroyed the stone "Me... Amentia" his raspy voice declared his first words to the surprise of Trelàs "Well I'll forgive you," when the two made their peace a gust of wind blew, thing rarely seen in the land of fog.

The wind cleared the revealing the rocky terrain, land could be considered even fertile but Trelàs wasn't interested in such things, the wind had given him an idea, another way of creating music, his left hand ate dirt and rocks and after a few moments spat a cylindrical object with several holes, Trelàs put it in his mouth and blow, a sweet sound left the instrument called flute and the god laughed merrily, his appearance changed to harness the full potential of the flute, a body like those of the others gods but his clothes were different and he had something covering his head, interested in his new look began to dance around Amentia while played his flute.

Acanthus nodded, accepting Mathias' apologies. "There was no harm done, I am sure." He looked back towards the red god, waiting for its response. It seemed to be pondering the question itself.

"Blood..."
"...Flesh.."
"...Life..."

The creature was describing itself presumably. Perhaps it was searching for the right word to name itself with. Acanthus absorbed the knowledge that it seemed to be more than one and yet completely one at the same time and stored that for future contemplation.

"Sanguine..."

Acanthus gasped at the name. It dripped of passion and lust for life that he had never felt throughout the many eons he had spent alone in the world.

"Yes... I am Sanguine... I am Sanguine and I wish to experience all this world has to offer.." Acanthus felt the name and knew true desire. The power of a god's name was indeed complex and almost overwhelming. This one was no different.

After the initial power of the name passed over him, Acanthus looked at the new god. "Sanguine," He said, letting the name roll from his tongue, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I welcome you as my kin to Hléradr and to this world.

He turned to Mathias, and motioned to the both of them. "Would you like a tour? I am quite sure I have rooms perfect for the both of you."

"Where did that howl come from? Hmm...AGH!" he suddenly shouted as a drop of water hit him on the head. "Water?! Where did that come from?" at the very moment that he asked that question, a shadow seemed to come over the world. Looking up, he saw the clouds stretching out across the sky, and he felt despair.

"The light," his voice only came out as a strangled whisper,"Where did all the light go?" for a moment he was able to do nothing more than stare at the clouds in horror until the rain started to truly pour down on him. "A time when the world goes dark, how awful." he murmured, a terrible sadness evident in his voice. Then a determined look came upon his face.

"Well then I'll just have to shine a little brighter." and so his wings swept back, and the light they were made of seemed to explode outward. Continuing his search, he now flew through the sky trailing bright light just like a comet. But he was unsatisfied, because to make up for the lack of light, shouldn't the light be more...well, more? He thought about it for a moment, before sudden inspiration struck. So he clapped his hands together, and suddenly the sky was filled with color. All the drops of water had started to refract the light, so color raced all across the sky from every drop that was shone upon.

"Maybe this is a bit excessi-" There it was! He looked almost straight down, and sure enough, there were figures where he had just heard the howl coming from. A wide grin suddenly appearing on his face, he flew down as fast as could. Unluckily for him, that was fast enough that he couldn't stop in time. So he slammed into a tree branch before finally landing on the ground in an undignified heap. Quickly standing up and brushing off the twigs clinging to him. he looked up to see two odd creatures staring at him. One, a strange canine beast walking on two legs though it looked like it could use four if it needed to. The other however, was a more monstrous looking thing. A massive serpent, with nine heads. What really drew his attention however, was that only eight of them were looking at him, the other was still looking at the beast. Suddenly the head tensed, and he knew that it would attack while the beast was focused on him. There was no time to warn, or attack, all he could do was dash forward as fast as possible. So when the head struck out, he put himself in between the beast and the serpent. But what could he do, he needed something to defend with, anything. So he raised his right arm to stop the serpent, and when it tried to bite straight through it, it instead bit the first thing he could think of. Covering his arm was graceful fitted armor that had a pauldron in the shape of a snarling wolf's head, the only image his mind could create in such a situation.

The serpent's head recoiled with a hiss, and he could see that the armor had burned it's flesh where it had brushed against it. Looking at the armor, he could tell why. So inexperienced was he that when he made the armor, his godly power, 'leaked' into the armor. As he saw the same markings that adorned his skin suddenly appear on the armor, he understood that it was now a part of him just as much as the arm beneath it.

Mathias nodded in acknowledgement of Sanguine's name, even though he found it odd on how it discovered it's name. Mathias stood there as he processed what Sanguine said. It wishes to experience all the world has to offer and rather assertively so. I suppose anyone would like to discover new things, especially if they have just begun to live. Once again Acanthus seemed affected by the hearing of one's name. He noticed it back in the clearing and now here on Hléradr, while the name invoked some thought it didn't affect him so greatly. Either way Mathias was content to call it something else besides it or god or whatever word based on description. Mathias looked towards Acanthus as he asked if he and Sanguine would like a tour. While Mathias still very much wished to speak of his visions and what Acanthus interprets them he decided to graciously accept his offer.

"Yes, I shall welcome the opportunity to take a tour." Mathias spoke as he looked towards Sanguine. He assumed Sanguine would like to experience the tour and find a room of it's own, like Acanthus. Mathias remembered how grand Acanthus' room was. He wondered if his room would be similar? There was only one way to find out. Before he would proceed he noticed another flicker of power. Someone else has entered this world but whoever it was also didn't pose any intense signals like the other flicker earlier. Perhaps the string of rather chaotic gods has come to an end? Mathias hoped that to be the case, already his mind would retract to the intense feeling he had felt from a few of the gods in existence. Mathias wished to assess the threats present before moving on to new ones and he was grateful it seemed to be only the few. Then Mathias noticed some more disturbances coming from one of the new ones. A clash somewhere...he could gain details but it has something to do with a corrupted force. Not Kreios himself but something he made.

Before he thinking more about he decided to keep his focus on this tour they are about to take. If something dreadful comes up then Mathias couldn't help but feel obligated to intervene. "So when ever you and Sanguine are prepared to commence the tour, I shall follow." Mathias spoke looking towards Acanthus and Sanguine as he slightly bowed in confirmation.

"Why are you interrupting my meal godling?" the hissing voice of the serpent shocked him out of his reverie. He turned to stare at it in amazement.

"You can talk!?"

"Hsssss, of course I can talk, I am Hydra. But who are you to speak? A mere godling, barely older than the rainstorm above us."

"Who am I?" a rather shocked look came about his face, because he hadn't stopped to consider it before. So he sat down, ignoring the downright offended look on Hydra's face, er, faces, and started to think. 'Obviously I exist. Which means there must be a word for me. A word that symbolizes all that I am and all that I could be.' but the more he thought about it, the more he realized he couldn't quite find an answer. It was infuriating, but he just couldn't think of what his name was. Suddenly standing up, he turned to Hydra. "I'm not sure, but more importantly, what gives you the right to eat this thing!? It's a living breathing creature just like you! Would you like it if someone came along and ate you?"

"Him, not it."

"W-what!?" spinning to look at the beast behind him, his eyes widened with shock at the sight of a man, about his size, with a sort of ageless quality about him. "Your hair is green!"

"You're a simpleton aren't you? No nevermind, it doesn't matter. The point is, I'm a werewolf created by my master Cragin, a he. NOT an it."

"S-simpleton? How rude!"

"You have blue hair, how strange."

"H-how rude!"

"Exactly."

"HSSSS! Enough of this nonsense! I'll simply devour you both!" with that, all nine of Hydra's heads struck out all at once against the two of them.

Sanguine

~A tour?~
Sanguine thought, though the idea did sit well with the young god it was strange to think that the one named Arcanthus would have someplace suitable for them both. Strange that he would be more willing then not to allow them entry and room in this place.

But Sanguine was sure that it would lead to better things eventually so with a tilt of the head and the softly spoken words of.. "Lead on.." Sanguine gave itself in resignation to Arcanthus.

Kreios was minding his own business when “Echo” appeared before him “How dare you, what can you say for yourself, then?" Echo yelled at him. Kreios was taken aback “what are you talking about you sent me toys and part of the game was catching them wasn’t it?” He felt something behind him and turned around and sensed one of the wolf men, Hydra and a new something talking or fighting. Kreios said to Echo “I’ll play with you in a minute there is someone new over there” as he ran over he saw a man with shiny stuff all around him and had the things the pretty lady had on her back. “Hey don’t mess with Hydra, he is an interesting toy, but who are you I’m Kreios, this is my forest, behind me Echo might follow” he turned to the unfurry wolfman “oh you feel like a wolf man but look like me, let’s see if I can change you” he reached out a hand and stuck his hand inside the wolfman's chest “ok I feel the changing ability and I feel the beast let’s see what happens when I take the wolf and ” he reached out and touched the hydra “replace it with hydra.” As he changed the wolfman he screamed in pain and the hydras heads screamed and thrashed but as soon as he removed the hands they both collapsed. He turned and looked at the new person “I love playing with my toys but can’t make toys so I take others and change them, except when they stop moving then they don’t change though my other toys like to eat them.” He reached out his hand to greet the new person.

Cragin's eyes would flare and a low snarl would sound through the hood as he hunched over with mad laughter at the hurting of his creation he would rise holding up a hand and his werewolves would charge from the treeline looking to tear apart and damage the God's creations as he had did to his own. He would be a blur of speed, nearly indistinguishable and silent amongst the sudden chaos. He would appear behind the child-like God, suspended in the air in a great and powerful leap, it would almost seem that he had teleported, his body would emit a troubling glow and a world shaking kick would be released at the back of the man's head that had corrupted his creations. Who had the audacity to do such things. The kick fueled by anger and sudden hate would pull oxygen from the area for a moment, emitting a large pulse and blowing the trees of the surrounding forest back and creating a whipping sound in the air. The rain and darkness of the night creating a strange effect on the landscape, and creating a strange array of colors on Cragin's mass.

Acanthus led them to the table. "Here I envision all of us, brothers and sisters, dining together in perfect peace and harmony. What could be better than a grand feast with all of the gods together?" He smiled imagining that future time. Then he snapped out of his reverie. "Onward then." On either side of the Great Room were hallways. He went into one of the hallways and turned to the others. He pointed in both directions at the long rows upon rows of doors with empty name plaques. "Feel free to pick any room, that one will be yours to keep forever. Think of this place as your home away from home, wherever that might be."

He grinned, knowing that the rooms would shape themselves to fit the exact liking of the two gods. He was glad to give them this surprise, and he was a bit proud that he had thought of such an ingenious way to give any god he met exactly what they might want. "Hurry and pick!" He said, prompting them into decision. He had to admit, he was quite interested in whatever their rooms might become. He had ideas about what they might be, but really it was all up to their subconscious minds to form the rooms into whatever they might.

The attack of Hydra made Kylian start to dodge, until Hydra zompletely froze, all nine pairs of eyes focused on something. So he looked, and sure enough, there seemed to be some sort of creature running into the clearing. Behind him the werewolf started to growl. Hydra's reaction interested him the most though. One of heads seemed to be overjoyed to see the creature. Then 3 were trying to eat it, but couldn't move much with the 4 that were trying their hardest to run away. The nin-

Kylain ducked and rolled out of the way since the ninth seemed to remember how it wanted to eat him. He was safe just out of reach since the serpent couldn't move when it was so conflicted. It was trying to go 3 different directions at once and so it couldn't even go in one.

Looking at the creature had engendered such an odd response, he found himself struck by an odd feeling of familiarity as he examined it. Along with a faint sense of, 'wrongness'. To his surprise the creature ran right up to him.

“Hey don’t mess with Hydra, he is an interesting toy, but who are you I’m Kreios, this is my forest, behind me Echo might follow.” then he looked to the werewolf next to him, "Oh you feel like a wolf man but look like me, let’s see if I can change you.” then he reached his hand into the werewolf's chest! Kylain was shocked, but should he do something, he didn't know what was going on. Though he saw the shocked and horrified look on the werewolf face and started to move forward, deciding to try and do, something. "Ok I feel the changing ability and I feel the beast let’s see what happens when I take the wolf and," he reached out and touched one of Hydra's heads that were reaching for him, "replace it with Hydra." suddeny; both Hydra and the werewolf started to scream in pain. Completely sure that this creature was doing something very bad, he ran forward and pulled the werewolf away from it. It's hand slid right out of the werewolf's chest, but then the werewolf collapsed just as suddenly. A large thump indicated that Hydra had collapsed as well. And there was the creature, standing there with it's hand out towards him like nothing had happened.

“I love playing with my toys but can’t make toys so I take others and change them, except when they stop moving then they don’t change though my other toys like to eat them.” he was furious, this creature was just standing there acting like it hadn't just caused so much pain to these two beings. He could faintly see the light in his skin flaring up as his anger grew. At that moment though, with a flash, another one showed up about to kick the first one.

A group of islands to the south of the mainland contained a massive variety of plant life. Open fields resided at the center of each island containing a rainforest, clean lakes dotting the that area, as well the rest of the island. The largest of these islands was where Adarani was born.

She awoke from beneath the lake at the center of the open field, naturally curious about her surroundings. The array of fish, eels, and other forms of underwater life fascinated her, yet she felt such company would not be suitable for her. She could talk to these creatures, yet they could not respond with words. In the end, it would only be lonely for Adarani. Not that she did not mind any creature of the lake staying by her side, they seemed to enjoy being around her. She just could not handle not having anyone around who could understand what she says to them. Thus, she swam up to the surface.

Once out of the water, she straightened her light blue dress as best she could, which is kind of difficult when clothing is soaking wet. It was then she noticed a parrot, literally starving to death. There was a tree next to it, which she imagined fruit being on. Surely enough, a mango appeared. Adarani reached her hand out to it, the mango falling perfectly into her hand. Smiling a little, she offered it to the starving parrot, which began to eat it. It began its attempts at flying after its belly was filled, yet could not do it. It was only when Adarani gently touched the wings that the poor bird flied.

She sat on the ground with her back to the tree so to ponder on what else she could do. Letting out a deep sigh, there was yet another question: where did she belong? Adarani pondered on this question for a while, which only led to more loneliness.

After ages of confinement, he was finally free from his's damning prison. Free to bring suffering and shed blood. Free to play with this the weak and bend them until they break. Free to bring change and scar the world with his mad perfection. He tested his new growths and appendages as mad joy spurred in his mind. Long, thick fingers attached to equally powerful arms, perfect for gripping tightly to weapon as they sink into flesh. Powerful, supportive legs to carry him on his grand war march and to tread upon his enemies with. A mouth and tongue to issue orders and decree his greatness with. Ears to hear the pleas of mercy from his foes and the songs of praise from his subordinates. A pair of blood shot eyes with black, cat-like pupils to witness his enemies cower before him with. As he pondered in his own perfection, he suddenly realized that the ground beneath his feet was sinking and turning black as if a great heat was burning clean through the earth. He took a curious step and saw this event occurred in the fresh patch he stood in as well. It seems his own strength was too much for this fragile world to handle and while it would be ever so easy to watch the degeneration, it would also be very dull. Such simple change by simple means wasn't the least bit entertaining. Perhaps restraint was required.

Without a moment's hesitation, Genocide drove one fist deep into the corroded earth beneath him and felt around the dirt's depths. This simple act shoot the valley he stood in and the mountains that surrounded him on all sides, causing violent shifts of snow and stone. After mere moments of searching, his ragged and burnt fingers found what he was looking for: a pocket of pure, liquid hot metal that had buried next to his damnable prison since the Old Time. When Dark God was taken away by the All Father, he left behind many dark children of sin and vengeance that were nothing more than thoughts and ideas embedded into the very earth. Countless ages had past and they grew to understand what they were as well as began taking shape. One was Genocide. Death and destruction on a large scale by name. He was war. And with war, one needed tools.

He brought up the great ball of rapidly shifting steels from the ground, heating the air around him and killing the nearby grass as it shriveled and died. Without a second thought, he closed his eyes and poured the mix of molten metals over his head and down his body. The pain was immediate and intense. His already crisped skin met with unbearable heat again, causing painful waves of agony to weave through his body. But this pain also brought triumph. So long in the pit had cause great discomfort against his will. This was the first act of suffering by choice. As the quickly cooling steels spread over him, the heat bound the metal to flesh while the surface began to smooth and form. Time continued on painfully slow as the dire metals finished their task and after what seemed like a lifetime, it was finished. Genocide's eyes opened again to see through the slits of a helmet clung tight to his skull. He moved his arms and legs and heard the clink of metal against the ground. He sat up, feeling every shift in the steel bound to his blood. There no was difference between the bone, blood and metals that made up his form. A worthy suit for the great warlord. After he inspected his impressive new form proudly, he surveyed the damage his transformation had caused. The earth had turned from blackened and rough to smooth and transparent as the great crater of glass dug into the ground, making the relatively untouched mountains seem ever more massive. He forced himself to his feet as he felt the shift of his own power being clung to his form by the fel suit he now wore, saving the land around him from the wrath of his presence. "So it begins," he said to himself in a booming and grim voice as it echoed unnaturally in his helm, making his voice sound corrupted and steely. With no sense of direction or purpose, he pulled himself out of the glassed hole in the earth and made his way through the rocky terrain. The Great Warmarch had begun.

Edit:
Kreios was smiling at the new god when suddenly a foot went through him, it didn’t faze him and turned around to greet Echo when he realized that one of the eggs he was holding inside him had shattered. His smile suddenly turned into a frown and he yelled “you broke one of my toys, YOU BROKE ONE OF MY TOYS”. Of all the tantrums he had thrown this one was the worst he didn’t lose his shape this time though, it was much worse he released a pulse of pure chaotic energy. The only two things within the forest that wasn’t a god that didn’t change were the Hydra and the Kreiochain. Every plant and animal within in the distance the pulse had released warped; over half didn’t survive the change, the rest changed to monsters. Trees grew fruits that if you ate it would warp you, or became carnivorous, insects became have minded swarms that could strip flesh in seconds, or big enough that one could fight equal with a wolf, tangle weed became tangle vines, the three werewolves that survived one grew two more heads, another wolf form grew four times its regular size, and the final one was stuck in a human form except with the speed strength claws and teeth of a wolf. Kreios didn’t even see what was happening because with the little strength he had left he shot a beam of chaos energy at Echo away with what was left of his full power. The beam used up what little power he had left after releasing the pure chaos explosion, then Kreios passed out and turned to a pile of mud, sleeping to regain his strength.

Wandering

After several hours' journey, he had nearly reached his destination. It was difficult to breath in the great aerie, but he noted that the lack of air did nothing to him. The Hat really did come in handy, it would seem.
He'd not quite expected to reach this place quite so quickly, though he isn't quite surprised. The Staff, Hat, and Compass seemed to have some interesting qualities to them that he hadn't yet taken time to experiment with.
"Maybe once I reach the summit", he thought to himself. Off in the distance, he could hear many things. Large sheets of rock and debris tumbling down the mountains as they accumulate too much weight, undiscovered creatures howling in triumph as they catch their evening's meal... And, oddly enough, something that he could almost make out as speech from an intelligent being. "Amazing", he thinks the mysterious voice said. Must've been awfully loud to reach someone from so far away. Luckily for him, he was nearing the top by this point. It sounds as though the shout has triggered several other landslides. A strange place, indeed. All the more reason to reach the top and get a better view of things. And, with that, he had made it to the top. To the north, he could see the grassy plains in which he had awoke. To the east, a great forest stretching to the horizon. To the south, rough and unforgiving badlands which held a crater, clear as ice and black as sin. And to the west, a strange fog, encompassing all land as far as his godly eyes eye could see. He sat a moment, allowing himself to take everything in, down to the finest detail, such as the way the sun reflected off of the westernmost peak, or how the winds from the east carried with them the faintest hint of melted snow and blooming wildflowers. After a great span of time had passed, he stood up and got to work. He'd told himself he was going to discover precisely what he was capable of, and he intended to follow through on that. Then, he had an idea. Perhaps some soul will, in the future, stand upon this very same peak. But what if the flowers aren't blooming? What if the sun isn't out? What if something that is here now is not there in the future? With this thought, he resolved to create a way for future travelers to know of the wonders that lay here. Almost involuntarily, he snapped to his left and focused with his staff, using it to draw a great block of stone, many times larger than him, to his location. "Will ye ever cease to amaze me", he said aloud to the object, which now seemed more like a trusted assistant than a possession. Once he had set the block down, he began to shape it, carve it, mold it. Tools of uses that had not yet occurred to him appeared and disappeared in his hands as needed, and soon, he had completed the object. It was a stone chamber, with nine solid walls, and another possessing a short passageway to allow access, and space enough to allow five of himself in the chamber with room to spare. He'd carved an intricate mural on the wall directly opposite the door, detailing the sights and experiences he himself had been witness to atop the mountain. He'd also created a glassy orb of a deep blue color which now lay embedded in the ceiling, and carved a shallow impression, barely shin-height, into the floor of the shrine, for reasons that weren't quite apparent to him. Now, it was time to put it where it belonged. With a twisting gesture of his staff, he gently moved stone aside to make room for the shrine, and embedded it in the mountain, careful not to drastically alter its shape. With this task complete, he noticed he had some spare stone left over from the process. He decided to put this to use as well, crafting a path down the mountain for the sake of easy access... and then, something else. He couldn't quite grasp why, but he wanted to make a small statue. Perhaps the shrine needed someone to watch over it. The statue ended up resembling a creature of similar shape to himself, just over a third his height, but with curvy, exaggerated features, and intricate patterns traced across its whole body. It sat with its legs crossed, arms on its knees, and stared at the doorway with hollow eyes, awaiting any who would come to see the wonders of this place. Now that his work was complete, he felt that it was time to set off. This time, his compass pointed downward, to the west. Of course. How else was he going to know what lay behind the curtain of fog? Pointing his staff skyward, he set off toward the distant, unknown land...

...and left behind the first of his great works.

Sanguine

Sanguine looked down the long corridor and watched as the doors went on as far as the eye could see, maybe it was some kind of trick or it was just an inaction of Arcanthus's own powers but the invitation to take one as its own was enough to garner Sanguine's own interest.
After taking several steps Sanguine was looking at each door to see what a difference each bore but not one was indistinguishable from the other. That all changed when Sanguine stopped and actually laid hands upon the frame of one door and the most interesting thing took place, the door itself began to creek and moan as the wood changed in form to match what Sanguine's mind reflected. The wood took on a dark maroon shade with light circular engravings embroidered all over its surface, several small places on the woods surfaces began to engrave with the image of a tear and a large silver plaque appeared on the top of the door that simply read ~Sanguine~

Sanguine looked upon the transformation with glee and began to run a hand over the new indication of its name, never having seen its own name in words before was an actual treat to behold but as Sanguine rubbed the plaque it turned out not to be silver at all. It was actually a rather well polished section of bone that had the name Sanguine etched into its surface. It was obvious this was indeed to be Sanguine's room and the impatience to see inside began to mount, however Sanguine could not see any real way in. With the original transformation the handle for the door disappeared into the body work beforehand and so in aspiration Sanguine ran its hand over the maroon door absentmindedly until something fantastic happened.

While running its hand over the door a small lump began to appear and eventually the lump split like a budding plant revealing a small but well crafted handle, itself made of bone as well and it appears that this one is the shape of someones femur. The nob was beautiful, a small well defined orb with lashings of silver around the circumference of its shape.

Sanguine gazed at the intricate working of the entire door and soon grew all too anxious to see inside, so with a quick twist of the handle the door was cracked and Sanguine peeked inside. That section of the hall began to flood with a dim white light as a cacophony of sounds began to ring out of the opened frame.
Screams, moans, and gleeful noises made by all manner of creature could be heard ringing out as a sweet scent of honey due crept out into the nostrils. That itself was not the only smell within the confines of that room as other emanations could be sensed as well, some just as sweet but others more then not had a tent of vileness to it.

Taking a large breath Sanguine reeled back and shut the door before more could escape and stood there for several moments. It seemed that this door was an abjuration to the idea that Sanguine wished to experience more of the words happenings and in a sense the room contained much in the way of feelings and emotionally responsive elements. This caused a smile to creep across Sanguine's features, despite how difficult it was for the current features to show a smile the emotion of happiness was still present in the Gods eyes.
With a slow turn of the head and a deep look back at Arcanthus, Sanguine only spoke three words.. "Wonderful.. simply wonderful."

Adarani remained seated next to the tree, saddened by the lack of company, thinking about where she belonged. Her train of thought was interupted when she heard a thud in front of her. She instantly ran over to the wounded figure and realized there was no face. This placed her in a sudden shock prior to noticing what the caused the pain: a sprained ankle.

"I... I'm going to fix that!"

"My lady..."

"You'll be fine, I promise! Just, try to relax!"

Adarani closed her eyes and began to summon her healing powers to mend the bones in the person's leg, reconnecting the ankle properly. As she did so, the faceless man said to her, "Many thanks, my lady! Now, to the matter at hand. I have a message for you, from my master, Acanthus."

The innocent young woman nodded in acknowledgment. "Mm-hmmm...?" She did not know how the man could talk without a face, yet this was not the best time to ask questions unless they honestly mattered.

The man got up and bowed to Adarani, which made her raise an eyebrow. Why is he doing that? What makes me so significant? Now that I think about it, why would he address me in the way he does? She thought she would get the answer to those quesion once the message was given.

Alas, instead of answers, the faceless man said, "He wishes to see you personally. Can you find your way to the great hall from here?"

Adarani nodded after a moment of thinking. "I'll try, at least." She noticed the man leaving, so she called out to him. "Wait! Where you are going?" To was no use, he was already gone. I never even got his name...

This was no time to bury herself in thoughts of the lack of company, though: If this Acanthus wants to see her, then maybe it would be worth the visit. With that in mind, she transformed into a dove and flew, using the trace of arcane energy to guide her. Her destination rested on a mountain, where a massive building rested. She transformed back to her actual body upon landing at athe entrance. The magnificence of the entire structure amazed her. Admiring would have to wait, though. Adarani did not want to keep Acanthus waiting. Hesitantly, she knocked the door three times.

The Great Warmarch was starting off much more entertaining than Genocide could have ever had imagined it in all his time in confinement. He'd crossed the land, hot and cold, dry and humid, high and low and there he had found opposition. Creatures of flight and fleet foot, mortals who had gotten in his way or attacked the dark clad stranger who entered their territory. All of them fell with barely more than a glance and a flick of the wrist. The Bloodfather hadn't even bothered to forge a weapon as of yet. Not that he needed it. The crimson splats the decorated his armor were all the proof of his unquestionable power. "This filth has soiled my perfect being," he stated to himself before letting out a maniacal laugh that echoed across the woodlands he was passing through, causing many of it's inhabitants to run in fear. That's when something caught his attention.

A creature approached him without the smallest show of backing away. A bland little thing of black hobbling around on two legs with nary a feature to mention. It stopped a distance from Genocide just before the feeble mind of a mortal invaded his thoughts and said, "My lord, I am one of the Prachians. My master-" It was abruptly cut off by the booming voice that came from the god's helm. "Do you know who you speak to?" The creature hesitated as it truthfully did not fully comprehend the strangers it's master had request. "What do you-?" It's projection of words were interrupted as the god stepped towards it faster than any mortal could follow and snatched it up from the ground in it's massive hands and began squeezing it's gauntlet tightly around the parchian's form. As it tried to give pleas and apologizes, Genocide held it up to his cowled face and spat out with poisoned words, "I am Genocide. When you approach the True Warlord, you throw yourself to my mercy after showing me the proper respect." The god's grip tightened as all the poor mortal could do was shake pitifully, knowing struggle to be pointless. "Be merciful I know not your kin, welp. They'll have to wait for their end to come. You, on the other hand..." He applied the last bit of pressure and squeezed the very life out of the pathetic creature as it turned to the power it was birthed from.

As it's life was taken, the knowledge it was given flowed into the god's steely shell and from there, his mind. Many petty things such as it's duties and understandings of magics. Almost all of it useless. Almost. This creature was not a simple creature of the land. It's presence was brought about from a power higher than the lowly lives of this fragile realm. A god had created it. As his information sunk in, Genocide's good humor returned to him as another devious chuckle echoed from him. "So, this old cod of a being wishes to find his poor, scattered kin, hm? It's so fortunate that it's poor excuse of a subordinate was able to do at least that." He looked down at the black powder still cupped in his hands and said, "You had some value, god creature. Be relieved..." He placed one hand on top of the other and pressed his palms against the black powder. "You get the honor of becoming my first trophy." He squeezed down hard, putting great pressure on the remains for just a moment before pulling his hands back, revealing a pitch black piece of cloth folded in his hand. Taking the rag-sized piece of material in his fingers, Genocide wiped the blood of the creature that had come before until his armor was spotless before holding the soiled cloth by it's corners as stretched and weaved it expertly until it was a grand cloak that he proceeded to drape over his shoulders. "This will serve nicely. Now were was it again? Ah, yes..." He turned sharply and began walking towards the mountains he saw in the distance. "That's where you are, Sage God." The Great Warmarch continued.

At the bottom of the Sea, a single clam containing the silver seed of a god planted by the All Father sat, the currents of the Sea flowing around it and the waves crashing above. There was no telling how long it sat closed for there was no one save the One Who Sees All Things there to observe it. After an indefinable amount of time, at last, the clam opened.

A being stepped out onto the ocean floor and looked around. He had a strong, sculptured body and glowing mane of dark hair and blue eyes the color of the water around him and yet shined with the brightness all its own. He did not know how long he stood, for the being felt his senses flowing out into the currents of the water, following them in every which way for the currents seemed to go in different directions, traversing the world until at last they met. At last, a single thought entered his mind, It is empty.

The being was distressed for he knew that this wasn't right. Life large and small alike, plants and creatures alike. Images passed before his eyes of the sea-life that was supposed fill up the ocean deaths. He was dismayed, but then, he knew what to do. He raised his hands and willed plant-life to come forth across his domain for he knew that was what was needed first, but he knew not how he knew it. Seaweed, algae, red algae, seagrass, and a multitude of plants began to take shape and for a time, the being spent his time cultivating this life out of love for this new creation and in expectation for what was to come. He knew not how long he worked, but he did not tire and to him, it only seemed a little while. When plant-life had taken root and flourished, he began with animal life: first corral and then with plankton and tiny organisms that fed on the plant-life before giving way to larger organisms such as fish and mammals, seals, crabs, sharks, and an innumerable amount until, at last the being rested, his task done.

He watched his creation and contemplated. He took great joy in these creations and yet, he felt empty. Perhaps it was because the ideas that popped in his head seemed to come from somewhere else or else because he felt something was missing. For the first time, he contemplated himself. Who was he? Words popped in his head: Ocean, Sea, Water, Current, Creature, but none felt right. Was he the only thing that thought or spoke for he had discovered towards the end of his labors words, but they were different from the song of the whales or the rush of the waves, though both made a part of it. At last, something unexpected appeared.

A dark, faceless creature appeared and he knew that it wasn't one of his creations. He bowed and spoke, "My lord, I am one of the Prachians. I come with a message from my master."

The being nodded approvingly, “Go on.”

“He wishes to meet with you,” he told him, adding, “On land.”

At once, images of forests and trees, beaches and mountains filled his head until, at last his mind focused upon a particular structure, a hall upon a mountain along with an elder... an elder of his kind.

“I thank you. I shall meet him, but how?” he asked and the ocean current responded, swirling around him. His eyes widened, bu the creature reassured him.

“Lord, this is but a spell of my master, for he knew there were gods far away.”

And with that, the Being and the Prachian vanished and reappeared in wave of water within the hall of Hléradr.

Sanguine chose its door and the door changed instantly. It grew what looked like bones and the color of the door changed to crimson. It was an interesting sight to behold, and odd because Acanthus’ door looked exactly as it had when he created the hallway. Even after the insides had changed the door had remained the same. “Perhaps that is because that’s just the way that I like it.” He chuckled to himself. Without even opening its door the red god seemed to know what was inside and it seemed to be delighted. When it did open the door, Acanthus heard strange noises coming from inside. Sanguine seemed pleased, however, so Acanthus was gladdened. Acanthus smiled. "Mathias," He said, "You should-"

He was interrupted by three knocks at the door outside. They were so light he was surprised that he heard them at all. “-Excuse me, my friend. You may choose a door at any time. I wonder who that might be…”

Acanthus walked into the main hall and was greeted by a large volume of water. He stood dripping wet before new guests. The Prachian was slowly dissolving and Acanthus shook his head. “You should know better than to enter this place foolish Prachian. It is too much for your kind to handle.” He waved his hand and sent it away from the hall. As it was sent he regenerated its form with a healing spell.

A new god stood before him. This one was also soaking wet, but it seemed to Acanthus that being in the open air was what was really new for this god. “Greetings brother.” Acanthus said. He clapped his hands and a large wind dried him off. “My name is Acanthus, welcome to Hléradr. Were you the one who knocked? Ah but of course not. You must have come,” Here he sniffed the air, “from the sea yes? And the Prachian transported you straight here. Maybe it was not as foolish as I had thought. At any rate…” He raised his hand and beckoned to the doors. They flew open and a young and beautiful goddess came into view.

She did not have the sharp and feminine beauty of Lyandra, instead this goddess was beautiful in a more innocent way. She seemed a very gentle heart indeed. “Ah, welcome sister. Please come in.”

Adarani was startled by how the doors flew open, revealing an old man. "H-Hello?"

“Ah, welcome sister. Please come in.”

The young woman nodded. "T-Thank you, sir." As she walked inside, she spoke to him in a more relaxed manner. "Are you Acanthus? I was told by a faceless man to see you. He sprained his ankle, and I could not just stand by while he suffered through that injury, so I healed him. Who was he?"

As she explained how she became aware of Acanthus, she noticed the great hall with all its doors and chairs, even the table. It sparked her curiosity even more. Again, admiring would have to wait, since a good guest must be respectful and not wander off where there could be trouble. Besides, she desired to know why she was here, to begin with.

Cold. That was the first thing the being felt as he stood in the great hall for he had never experienced the sensation. Within the Sea, he had never been cold for the water around him conformed to the temperature he preferred even in the darkest, coldest depths. Here, though, he felt the emptiness around him which he knew was not emptiness, but air, for the mammals within his domain routinely leaped over the surface of the Sea to breathe and even the cold-blooded creatures deep beneath the surface absorbed the air intermixed with the water to live. He himself had walked upon the surface of the Sea to watch his warm-blooded creatures leap in the air, but the vapor from his domain always surrounded him. Here, however, the space around him felt empty.

However, it was not empty. He beheld a place unlike anything he had yet seen in his life. I was like a cavern, but he knew that it was not. It looked like it was shaped by the will of another rather than water or wind. Forgetting his discomfort he marveled at the hall. There was a fire roaring in a hole in the wall with its smoke being funneled up tunnel above it with chairs around a large table that he knew was for discussion and socialization. There was an energy about the place, an energy that he recognized the source as the being before him. Instinctively, he knew that this being was kin to him, a being like that and upon recognizing that, he smiled slightly. He had found what he was looking for.

He inspected the man before him. He was older with silver hair gracing both his scalp and the front of his face, but the biggest difference between himself and the elder was that he was covered in some sort of material that seemed neither plant nor animal. Clothing, his mind told him. The Sea God inspected his body and, while he marveled at his own perfection, he felt it wasn't... proper to be bare. Thus, he willed himself to be covered in robes an ocean blue with silver trimmings in homage to his home. He glanced to see the old man open the door and smiled slightly at the sight of a new person. She was beautiful, but somehow soft. Like the light of the sun peering down through the very top of the sea.

"Greetings," he found himself saying and, deciding not to dwell on the sound of his own voice, turned his attention to the old man, "Who are you? What is this place? Who am I? What am I?"

Although his questions were short and respectful, it was clear that he expected them to be answered. He was important, he knew. He was Lord of the Sea. He was the sea. He filled it with life and beauty and ruled over it and yet, it seemed as though he was following a sort of plan. Was it this old man's, this Acanthus' plan? He wanted answers. He had so many questions and there seemed to be more out there than just the Sea. He didn't like being ignorant, he decided.

Cragin landed with a soft thud, twirling the branch as suddenly Kreios turned around after a pleasant, crack from somewhere within his head. He said something inaudible in Cragin's calming rage and began to hunch over. Suddenly something sickening was about as waves of corruption were emitted and the near forest began to change, as did his creations and for this, Kreios must pay. The werewolves behind him were abnormal now, mutated from their limbs to the way their snouts set. Ugly beasts so far from the perfection they once knew. Suddenly Kreios raised a hand and power radiated from it. Cragin's analytic mind would pick up the slight movement, judging the depth of this new attack, and something clicked, he pivoted into the raised arm grabbing it at the wrist and redirecting it to his right, it would erupt with a beam of energy, and their would be a warped sound as it first hit the ground, then the trees, and was launched into the sky as Cragin struggled with it, bringing the staff up to assist in the raising of the God's arm. And as it dissipated, Kreios in his trance-like state would begin to sink into mud much to the Guardians surprise.

And he would turn letting go of the clay as it began falling apart and charge forth ducking beneath a swing from one of the corrupted werewolves bringing up the branch in a devastating blow to the creature's abdomen, the branch would radiate with power and the beast would explode in an array of green colors. He charged forth yet again sweeping away a strong clawed hand with the end of the mangled weapon before engaging a spin, he would drive the end into the werewolf's chest knocking it back, then holding it out, an array of flared color would flare from the end setting the corrupted beast alight. It would spin away snarling, being put to rest. And in this moment more of the guardians of the forests would rush through the trees setting about the clean-up.

Cragin would look back seeing a young man, that looked to be a mortal aside from faintly glowing markings and a large set of wings. He would look to the man sensing great power. There was confusion about him as his creations set to the task of killing Kreios'. "I sense a great power in you, and can only infer that you're my kin. I ask for your assistance, in the purging and clearing away of this darkness this brother has set upon the All Father's wilds." Cragin's voice would be solemn, calm now and stern in the request. He would look about at the darkened trees, he knew evil now, in the form of such degradation. He would walk over to the pile of powerful resting clay and his hood would move slightly as if he'd cocked an eyebrow. He would lower the spikes to it, and it would seem a carbon based cage would begin to form out of a solid and yet, ether like green metal leaving the thinnest slits, as it began to form around the God's resting remains. He would bring the villain unto Acanthus, the wise God would know what to do, surely.

The kick that came from the man would've shattered any tree in this forest, yet to the creature in front of him, all it did was momentarily distort it. The creature obviously wasn't as solid as it looked. It turned to the new one, a smile still on it's face. Not quite the look he expected it to have towards one that had at least tried to hurt it, possibly kill it. When suddenly, he felt a surge of power. The same kind of chaotic energy that he'd felt when the creature had touched the werewolf, but this time a thousand times greater.

"You broke one of my toys, YOU BROKE ONE OF MY TOYS!" he had no idea what the creature was talking about, but he could tell it was furious. Suddenly the chaos he felt surged outward in a massive wave of power. He understood right away the evil that was this power. But even now it changed the other werewolves, when the wave reached him, he lifted his right arm, the marks of the armor glowing brighter as the wave broke against him slightly pushing him back. He needed to do something, just a pinprick of the power let forth could caused such pain to the werewolf and Hydra, he couldn't just let this happen, because who knew how much devastation would occur because of it. And then, in response to some instinct he couldn't quite understand, he shoved the power back just long enough for him to spread his arms wide, his wings flaring as he poured his own power out. Light began to pour forth from his hands, speeding past the chaos, fast enough to begin spreading out in a barrier 50 feet across, to contain the power.

Holding the wall was straining but he could manage despite that. Then the wave hit him, and it felt like he took a hit to the stomach, but he could stand it. Then the wave collided with the wall, and he felt like he was being torn apart. He was fighting as hard as he could just to keep the barrier up, he couldn't understand how the creature was able to release such a steady amount of such great power. It felt like his body was slowly being ripped apart, but he had to keep the barrier up, he couldn't let the chaos infect the rest of the forest. After what seemed like an eternity of this, finally the power died off, and he collapsed to his knees as the barrier shattered. He looked towards the creature and saw only the new one standing over a pile of clay.

"I sense a great power in you, and can only infer that you're my kin. I ask for your assistance, in the purging and clearing away of this darkness this brother has set upon the All Father's wilds." Kin? Indeed that would explain the sense of familiarity he got from him. As for help, well, he'd try, but he didn't know how much he could do at the moment. He stood up, though his whole body burned, and walked over the man. He held out his arm to him.

"I feel that you have some tie to this place. So use my power to set it right again." the man hesitated for only a moment before grasping his arm. And then his power flared outwards. The twisted and warped forest and creatures slowly began to twist back into how they were before. Soon the forest was back to the way it was before, but not soon enough. Because he almost immediately collapsed after the man fixed the forest. The other man looked winded, but that was all. Whereas he could see his vision blacking out and his body going limp. In the corner of his eyes he could see his wings dying down to a mere flicker, and the markings on his skin going dim. "Damn, way too much has happened today, I'm just gonna..." and he fell over as he passed out.

Acanthus

Acanthus beckoned the young goddess in and shut the door behind her, cutting out the cold of the mountain. He nodded to the two gods, acknowledging their status. He beckoned for Mathias, wishing for him to greet these two as well. Sanguine seemed much too interested with its door to pay attention, but Acanthus beckoned for it as well. He felt that all his brothers and sisters should enjoy each other's company. In this sacred place at least.

"T-Thank you, sir." The beautiful goddess said, "Are you Acanthus? I was told by a faceless man to see you. He sprained his ankle, and I could not just stand by while he suffered through that injury, so I healed him. Who was he?"

Acanthus was amused by her shyness but he smiled and said a quiet “You are welcome child.” Then the wet One spoke. His voice sounded like rushing tides as he clothed himself with a blue robe.

“Greetings, Who are you? What is this place? Who am I? What am I?"

Acanthus, used to receiving such questions by this point, responded in kind, answering both of them. “As the Prachians who sent you here may have mentioned, I am Acanthus. I know not the name of the one you healed, I did not see it. The one that I just sent away was known as Yldrich. It is far too curious for its own good.”

“I am known as the Arch Sage, among other things. We are all gods. Divine seeds that have grown thanks to the care of our All Father, who may return one day. This place is simply my gift to my brethren. It is called Hléradr, a shelter and a home away from home for the gods.”

“As for who you are,” Acanthus chuckled, “How could I know? I am not all seeing nor all knowing, though I suppose the Father might be. What names do you call yourselves? That is far more important than whatever I might call you.”

Jute

Fire and brimstone surrounded a single statue in the Inferno. The statue began to melt in the amazing heat and over time a deity stepped forth. Shining like gold in this fiery place of gnashing teeth, Jute felt no pain from the hatred filled flames around her. She enjoyed the heat and lavished in the dark places of that realm.

When Dark God was taken away by the All Father, he left behind many dark children of greed and anger that were nothing more than thoughts and ideas embedded into the very earth. Countless ages had past and they were always growing and consuming. Always taking and learning. One was Jute, malice and hatred fell forth from her in a shroud, but she gathered it inside of her and made herself lovely and innocent. She was smart enough to know that her true self was repulsive.

She looked around at her home and was angry. It was not enough. So she built a city, a huge burning city of brass and filled it with many evil creatures of darkness and hatred. Then she sat in a large throne room and examined her creation. It was nice, but it lacked something. So she filled it with lamenting souls, damned from conception, and she had her beasts torture them in the worst possible ways imagined. Then she rebuilt their tattered remains and began again.

Eventually she grew bored of the repetitive nature of their screams. She could only make so much and her creations reflected herself too much. She wondered if there were others, and if they created. If so, she would torture their creations as well and even them. Her eyes shot upward. There was more to be had, more to be sought after. This place was not enough to satisfy her. She began contemplating her ascent.

Cragin was pleased at this help. This boy seemed to be good by heart, not so much as Mathias, but a light hearted good. He was fatigued and his body ached with the cleansing of the forest, even with the help from the boy it had been a large feat. Troublesome. He looked down at the cage and then the passed out boy. He crouched placing a gentle hand on both. It took a moment, he wasn't quite sure if he could even transport several people at once. It was difficult, and required several moments and the entirety of his focus. Soon enough though they were all gone from the forest, his werewolves were tracking the corrupted creatures. Looking to exterminate any of their kin that had been turned to an abomination. They deserved far greater. They left in an explosion of green light and appeared in the hall of Hléradr. He appeared standing, holding the cage at his side grasped by one of the slits and held the boy gently by the neck in the other, he would walk forth setting the young God in a chair before turning to look at the others who had found their way here. He set his eyes upon Acanthus and came forth giving a small heave he would set the cage upon the ground, sliding over to the feet of the Wise one.

His voice was calm, and he would cross his arms despite the urge to rest, standing tall and with dedicated poise. "Hello, Acanthus, Mathias." He would look to the rest of the Gods there and be the slightest bit surprised at how many he did not know. He would nod to the rest of them, "Hello all." He would look at the cage, casting his accusing gaze upon it. "Sorry to interrupt, but I bring this brother here to stand before you all for judgment. The offenses against me and the All Father's wilds, and creatures. The damaging and distortion of our own creations. His wrongs to be righted."

Nylia

From the blood of the Dark God, the tears of the humans passed, and the power of the All Father, Nylia arose. All she felt was sadness, loneliness...She felt alone and she did not enjoy that. She looked around at her surroundings, she was engulfed in darkness, the only things to be seen were midnight blue spires, some how she could tell she was in a cave, and this was her home. She had been there for so long and wondered if anyone was looking for her, for she felt the energy and power of her brethren. She didn't want to go outside and step into the light, but she didn't want to be alone, she didn't want to keep this sadness to herself. So, she broke four spires, and gathered two rocks from the cave and put them together like a jigsaw puzzle to serve as a body. But she didn't want to bring life to it yet. She wanted it to see and speak freely, but how would she do that? How would she be able to bring a marvelous life to her creation? For now all she could think of was to carve a mouth into it's head, that way at least it could speak, just as she could.

Before she could continue thinking about eyes, another creation entered the dark cave. Nylia was startled, making clothes for herself fairly quickly so they wouldn't see her bare body "Who enters my home? What brings you here?" Nylia asked with an angry booming voice. "My lady, I am one of the Prachians. I come with a message from my master." Nylia stopped abruptly and looked closer at the creation, it was speaking to her, so she thought that one of her brethren must have found a solution to her eye and mouth problem, but alas, she assumed the creature was left to just be a telepathic messenger and nothing more. She did not want that for her creatures, she wanted them to grow and prosper, and be whatever they wanted to be. "Very well, tell me your message," Nylia responded. "My master, Ancanthus wishes to see you personally. He is residing in the Great Hall. Do you need assistance finding him?" The creature responded, giving its message. "Yes, assistance would be appreciated," Nylia said, grabbing her unfinished creation, hopefully she could find something for eyes along the way. The Prachian grabbed her hand, and headed her towards the Great Hall. On her way she could see and feel the disarray already beginning, and although she didn't want to feel it, she felt the slightest bit of joy about it. "Why?" she wondered ton herself, hopefully Acanthus would know.

Eventually, she made it to the Great Hall, and the Prachian ran away, probably to find its next target. Nylia stepped through the door and looked around her. It was quite a marvelous place, but she worried about the mortals. Why weren't they given such and extravagant place? Nylia felt very out of balance here, but she didn't know why! She was about to charge over to Ancanthus, but something in her head told her to be more smart, more cunning about how she acted. She suddenly felt as though something hit her, the name Ancanthus, she could tell he was very wise and gifted with magic, he may have done a bad job with the Prachian, but maybe she could use him to make her people. But what if her name made him feel odd, what if he started to not trust her. She had no choice, she would have to take the offensive. She stepped faster, over to Ancanthus and the other Gods. It seemed as though they were in the midst of a trial. She stood quietly and watched.

“I am known as the Arch Sage, among other things. We are all gods. Divine seeds that have grown thanks to the care of our All Father, who may return one day. This place is simply my gift to my brethren. It is called Hléradr, a shelter and a home away from home for the gods.”

The Sea god nodded, taking in the place. Hléradr. It felt foreign on his tongue, though it wasn't entirely unpleasant. This place was a refuge for himself and his kin, but under the rule of its creator, Acanthus. That felt right, he decided. He would defer to the Arch Sage in all matters pertaining to this place and give him the respect he is due. Already, he felt a certain right to his Realm. The other gods were welcome, but they were to treat him with the respect of a guest due to a host and he in turn would be generous to his kin when they visited him.

“As for who you are,” Acanthus chuckled, “How could I know? I am not all seeing nor all knowing, though I suppose the Father might be. What names do you call yourselves? That is far more important than whatever I might call you.”

He smiled slightly, marveling at the freedom he was given. He thought about what to call himself. He was the Sea. He was water. He was life. The life that emerged from the depths. He was...

"I am Ulmo," he announced and he could feel the Sea wash against the shore of all the lands of the world as he said so. His eyes widened at the sheer power of a god's name spoken for the first time. However, he scarcely had time to marvel at this when other gods arrived.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I bring this brother here to stand before you all for judgment. The offenses against me and the All Father's wilds, and creatures. The damaging and distortion of our own creations," a new god announced, bringing in toe a caged being that rubbed him the wrong way and a sleeping youth that seemed to him innocent. He could sense a kinship towards the god for he sensed their natures were similar. Seas of forests flashed through his mind, confirming in his mind their kinship.

"The distortion of that which isn't his is a grievous crime. Should he do so in my Realm, I would punish him myself," he announced as he stepped back to allow the proceedings to take place. And beside him was a new goddess, one who had just entered. She was beautiful and he felt but different with long blonde hair, horns, and wings. And he felt she had some authority in this matter, though he knew not how.

"What say you, milady?" he asked, "Should the criminal not pay back what he owes?"

For eons, he had slept.

Pristine forest covered the face of the world, it's natural glory unmatched in purity and perfection. Lakes sparkled with cleanliness, innumerable trees swayed in a gentle breeze of pure air. Creatures and mortals of the realm moved about, heedless of what lay beneath, buried under countless tons of stone, earth and water.

It all began with a shiver, a raised hackle, a sense of anxiety..all was not as it had been..something had changed. Mortals and animals alike felt something. A shifting of awareness, a new presence that was as old as the land itself, yet had not been seen in countless generations.

As if in answer to the mortals, the land itself stirred. The land jumped. Birds took flight, crying their distress and indignation at this untimely disturbance. Creatures and mortal alike froze as the ground shivered, swaying the very foundations of the world itself

But now, his time for slumber had ended.

It all began subtly, a warming of the soil underfoot and the cool crystal water of the lakes and streams of the peaceful valley. The land began to shift, the soil shuddered as another great shiver shook the valley, startling man and beast, both of which gave flight with cry and call. Great vents burst from the ground, clouds of steam shooting into the air with terrifying force. First a dozen, then hundreds, then thousands, casting aside rock, tree and form aside with belittling ease. Steam so hot it cooked on contact, searing flesh clear to the bone. The lakes began to steam, then to boil angrily as the land shook again. Where steam had once billowed, fire now spewed, igniting tree and the ground itself. Smoke, black smoke, now billowed from the valley below, darkening the sky, cutting off the merry light of the sun. Fire spread, consuming everything it touched, lighting the blackened sky with a orange glow. Not even the air itself could escape the heat of the ever growing flames. The dull roar of the fire was suddenly drowned out by a much deeper rumble. The burning trees rattled together as the charred earth beneath shifted, swelling as something beneath began to shift. The cracking and splinting of wood filled the air as their roots broke and them tumbled to the ground with a crash. Higher and higher did the bulge grow, stretching up and up into the sky like the peak of a fiery mountain, overshadowing the snow covered peaks that made up the rim of the once pristine valley.

The lakes were overturned as the ground shifted, super heated water spilling over the sides and flooding the burning valley with steaming water until it too disappeared in a gout of steam. Magma wept from the side of the great mountain, the charred earth rumbling and cracking as chunks of partially molten rock tumbled down it's quickly growing slopes in a hellish avalanche. Into the clouds the burning peak rose, the dark thick cloud of smoke illuminated with a red glow. The peak could be clearly seen from hundreds of miles around, it's rumbling and thunder heard just as far.

Then, without warning, the peak split in a blinding flash of light and fire,dark clouds of ash and smoke billowing up and up, miles upon miles into the sky. The land was swept clean, the peaks of the snowy mountains around the valley melted in a instant. The pyroclastic flow, that demonic wind of fire and ash would spread for hundreds of miles, searing the the land and consuming tree, stream, flesh and stone. Great chunks of land were hurled miles and miles around, falling like burning stars on the land thereabouts. Amidst the rumble and thunder of the exploding valley, a new sound arose. A mighty roar so great and powerful that it silenced the thundering of the earth itself. A form shifted within the pillar of smoke, stirring the roiling black with great sweeps of glowing red horns. From the smoke, a great fiery claw appeared, gripping the mountain peaks themselves as he climbed out of the deep chasm . His vast form like a living volcano, his skin shone with a hot orange light, veins of super hot white covering his form.

The God-Dragon had awakened, his birthing throes had levels the land,scorching it black for as far as eyes could see. The living mountain of destruction, who's great horned back touched the clouds, his great clawed feet could level entire cities with a single sweep. His eyes burned like the sun, raking the land in fire as his gaze wandered. No weapon of man could touch his glowing skin, all burned at his touch. He was Malus Do Makakhan, the first predator who's heart burned like sun, the essence of Destruction made flesh. Malus clambered over the valley peaks, shaking the earth as he set foot on the charred earth below. Once freed, he shook himself ,sending a rain of molten earth on the ground below. Snorting, he peered across the land and the destruction he had caused and saw it was good. The First Dragon would set off , his glowing fiery form visible for miles and miles around, heading towards lands yet untouched, to begin his endless trudge through the new world and fulfill the purpose given him countless years before

Nylia

As Nylia watched the trial she felt inclined to provide judgement. But she stayed quiet, she felt that it may not be her place to speak, as this was Acanthus' kingdom. Then, a God by the name of Ulmo spoke, he seemed powerful and hearing his name made her think of oceans strong and wide, she assumed he was the God of the sea.

"What say you, milady?" he asked, "Should the criminal not pay back what he owes?"

Nylia at first was unsure, but it seemed as though it was her calling to decide. Nylia was unsure of whether or not to say her true name, it was possible they could use that against her but there was no other way around it...she knew eventually she was going to have to say it, and maybe, that would bring her more clarification of who she was, for when others said their names she could tell what they were, so hopefully the same would go for her. "First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Nylia," she said, and when she said it she knew that at least one thing that she was a Goddess of was in fact revenge. "As for the matter at hand, I believe that the fact that this man distorted those defenseless creatures is uncalled for and simply beyond reason. Just because we are Gods does not mean that we can do whatever we please. These creations have souls, and we have no right to distort them without their permission or good reason. It's simply unjust," Nylia decreed. "As for your punishment, I would need to know both sides of the story. Why did you distort another Gods creations?" Nylia asked, she wanted to cover all the bases before reaching a sentence.

She still needed to know more about herself though, she had to speak to Acanthus before the day was done. She also hoped that Acanthus would have a way to bring sight to her unfinished creation that she was still clutching onto.

Kreios started to regain consciousness, retaking his shape and heard others talking. “Why did you distort another God’s creation?” Was the first thing he heard that made sense then he remembered the forest, and looked around he saw the old man, echo, the armored guy and others he didn’t recognize. He passed through the bars and went to the old man “well I was in my forest playing toys and then echo came and we were playing because he sent me presents. I saw a new friend and went to say hi, then I was making a new toy then Echo broke one of my toys.” at this point he was crying and sniffing, and took out the two eggs and the shell of the third “and I guess that I got mad and maybe hurt echo, but but that doesn’t mean he was right destroying it.” As he looked around at the faces he had seen before he saw what he thought was regular their regular faces, but now he thought they weren’t happy with him. “Do you hate me do I not make you happy the others look at me with faces, that make me think they hate me, it’s just I can’t make any toys myself, I’m just able to make toys different”
Then a giant white crow flew in “Master, master your land the Wolfmen are killing everything, beside us crows nothings left anything not unchanged has been killed, the hydra is a snake and the Kreiochain is ripped apart, you must return”. Kreios collapsed too weak to move much, but the tears flowed and said “I’m too tired to help, let me rest and I’ll go and remake the toys” he passed out still crying.

Mathias felt a swirl of new sensations as more gods rapidly awoken, it was almost too much for the young god to handle. Many of them had powers and capabilities that are wide and vast and this made him uncomfortable. He looked upon all of the newcomers analytically. He was unsure of the God of the Seas and the Goddess of Love but whoever they are or what they plan, Mathias will make mental notes of them for future reference. As of now many events are greatly disturbing him. First off he is feeling the same force that made the earth-shattering roar from earlier, is moving towards them..., ....Then he could sense the powers radiating from the skirmish between Cragin and Kreios. Finally, he sensed a dreadfully destructive force, who he sensed is nothing but fire and heat. It has the potential to burn all of the land and this power is something Mathias must keep track off. So many powerful gods each dangerous in their own right and Mathias must make his plans sooner rather than later. Mathias turned to Acanthus. "I...apologize but I must leave you all for the moment...," Mathias paused, "...I am going to make my room and I will be busy their for a while." Mathias then directed his full attention to Acanthus, "If I may so boldly ask, Will you visit my room as soon as possible?" "I must discuss my visions...I feel this is very important, for all of us." Mathias spoke with urgency in his voice.

Before Mathias could find his room Cragin appeared with Kreios in a cage and unconscious god. He placed the young god in a chair and brought forth Kreios making strong charges. For some reason Mathias lit up as if excited for this turn events. He became a bit hyped as he felt he should make an inference or a comment about this new situation, without thinking Mathias spoke up, "I see...yes I felt the battle from here." "It would seem that what you accuse him of sounds to be true." Mathias walked to the table and looked at Kreios in the cage. "If you mind Acanthus, I have been overcome with many an action to do in this particular situation." "If you mind I would like to take control of this procession." Mathias asked Acanthus obviously eager at this chance. "If you wish to take care of matters then by all means I accept." Mathias respectfully bowed at Acanthus to show his comfort with that decision. Still the look in Mathias' eyes was undeniable, he wished to prove himself here and now.

Mathias kept on looking back towards Cragin, and Acanthus, looking as if one of them will allow him to do what he wants to do. Mathias never felt this feeling before and hoped he would be allowed to pursue this new passion but it was only if they allowed it. If they didn't then Mathias will stand aside, maybe reluctantly but he will nevertheless. Mathias tried to calm himself in preparation for rejection, to spare him from to strong a feeling of disappointment. Mathias gave deep breaths as he stood there silently and proudly like a mountain, being as calm as possible. While his face may not give it away it was easy to tell Mathias wanted to judge Kreios. For reasons he can't explain he needs to do this.

When Foteea developed a form of consciousness, the first thing she felt was warmth. The heat seemed to flow around her, and whenever she willed herself to move it moved around her. As she began to move and extend herself, she wanted to see just what this heat was. As she willed it, she acquired a sense of sight. She didn't have eyes to open, but she could still see, and what she saw was marvelous: as far as she could see, orange, yellow and a little bit of red cascaded together, swirling and moving to currents the goddess did not yet comprehend. She soon learned, however, and despite the fact that she felt something of a commotion above her, she concerned not; the large flows and movement of the liquid metal was more than enough to occupy her, for a time. Too soon, she knew what each and every metal felt and looked like and the activity above seemed to inspire a stronger sense of curiosity than it had before. She looked up, and willed herself toward the activity that she could feel even at this depth. During this journey of sorts, she met resistance, a layer of rock stood in her way. The imposing wall was rough to the touch, yet the longer she kept her hand against it, the more it softened until it joined with the rest of the orange liquid around her. Collecting some of the metal around her and heating herself up, she pushed against the rock and it parted before her. It wasn't long before she broke the surface, the metal and liquid rock that she had melted followed behind her, creating a small volcano.

When she first met with the air, Foteea staggered from the shock of the chill of the wind. Her molten form began to cool, and she looked at herself for the first time. Her form, which had once looked undistinguishable from the magma below the earth, was covered in a metallic shell the color of iron, her inner fire causing red patterns to shift across it. The goddess looked past her hand to the magma that she was floating slightly above. The orange of the metals was slowly giving way to red and solidifying into black stone with tinges of silver colored ore. This discovery that metal solidified stole her attention away from any activity of her brethren. She floated herself toward the mouth of the volcano and stuck her hand into the lava and pulled out a blob of molten metal. As it began to cool, she pulled and shaped it, making it longer, thinning it out, and pulling it apart; the final result was a large silver disk several feet in diameter with a golden border with a flame pattern. Foteea looked into this disk and saw her faceless reflection. Her jaw-line was a border of black that continued past where her ears would be, curving backwards and tapering off into antler-like protrusions, and where her eyebrows would be is a V shaped bar of metal, and all else was a large flame. She turned her head and watched as her flame flowed behind her head, flickering in the wind. She was pleased with both her work and the way she looked, yet as she continued to look around her, she felt a little exposed to the cold and wind. Carrying her mirror behind her, she floated down the side of the volcano, searching for a place a bit more secluded.

Soon, about midway down the face, the goddess found the perfect place, a deep cave. Foteea moved to the far end, laid her mirror to the side and placed her hands on the floor. She willed the magma from below to come to her, and before long there was a crater of molten metal in her new home. With a dip of her hand, she placed a dollop of metal on the wall and attached her mirror. With that done, she rubbed her hands together and set to work. Soon, she had made a work table, a couple of buckets as was beginning work on something more complicated. She began with several large rings several inches in diameter and approximately 2 inches wide. She bent several niches into each, and connected them together, fitting into each other like a puzzle. She continued to make smaller rings to each side until one end tapered to a point and the other ended in a serpent’s head. The longer she looked at her creation, the more she felt as if it was incomplete. The goddess turned it this way and that, the links complete, the motion smooth. At last, an idea struck her. Holding the serpent’s head close to her face, she blew an ember into her creation’s mouth. With a shudder, the serpent came to life, an orange glow escaping its mouth and eyes.

It was shortly after this that a stocky, black creature entered Foteea’s abode. Before she could begin to wonder why it was there, it bowed before her and spoke, “My lady, I am one of the Prachians. I have a message for you from my master.”

Foteea tilted her head to the side, the words were ringing in her mind and it unsettled her slightly. It took her a moment, but she soon responded in a voice of a kind alto, “Greetings, Prachian, and welcome. What is your massage?”

“My master, Acanthus, would like to meet with you.”

The goddess gave the proposal a moment of thought before replying, “I believe that I will.”

The Prachian bowed before responding, “Wonderful, my lady.” There was a flash of mental images that would help lead her to Hléradr. He bowed once more in farewell.

As he was turning to leave, Foteea interrupted, “Thank you, and I hope to meet you again.” She bowed her head in farewell.
“And I, you, my lady.” Without further interruption, the Prachian was soon gone.

Turning her attention back to her newly made creation, the goddess cooed, “Hello there. I have to leave now, but you may do whatever you wish to do while I am gone.” The snake made a noise that was a mix between a hiss and the shifting of embers. The goddess nodded in agreement and replied, “Very well, until we next meet.” She laid the snake on the ground, which promptly slithered into the lava pit and disappeared.

Foteea began her journey towards Hléradr, levitating above the ground and leaving a small trail of flame. Much of the journey was uneventful, that was until the first snowflake fell upon her metal skin. The goddess stopped in her tracks, as the coldness of the snow was oddly painful and a great surprise. She knew at that point that she would not enjoy this trip.
~
The goddess Foteea looked dreadful as she approached the entrance of Hléradr. A majority of her flame had disappeared and her skin was black as coal, the only shifting was where her remaining spark was located, where her heart would be. She felt dreadful as she pushed open the door. Warmth washed over her once more as she crossed the threshold and she took the equivalent of a deep breath, taking in as much of the warmth as she could. After a few moments, her body was back to normal and she became aware of her surroundings. She looked at the group of gods that was arranged before her and spoke, “Hello there, I apologize if I am interrupting. I have two questions, though. First, why is he in a cage?" She pointed towards the now crying Kreios. "And the second is for Acanthus, why would you build your meeting place in a place of cold and frost?”

Acanthus

Ulmo, the name swept through Acanthus like the tides. He had thought this god came from the ocean, but Ulmo was the ocean incarnate. He felt tranquil beauty and yet massive strength and temper from the god. The power was like a rogue wave threatening to overturn him. He let it break upon him and stood silent for a second.

He looked at the ocean god. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Welcome.”

Then, Craigin appeared with a new god and Kreios in tow. Craigin asked for judgment because Kreios had distorted the wilds that Craigin was in charge of. He wanted Acanthus’ wisdom. Acanthus considered his request and though he was humbled greatly he decided to accept the offer.

However, before he could respond Ulmo asked the opinion of another newcomer. She introduced herself and Acanthus felt a new wave of power come over him.

Nylia, he could feel her then, a manipulating seductress with a penchant for taking revenge. He felt revulsion but then knew her sorrow. She longed for companionship but was seemingly unable to obtain it on her own. He was not extremely surprised, and though he felt that she may not be trusted, he still felt the bond of kinship with her.

She suggested retribution, of course. But Acanthus felt differently. “Greetings sister, thank you for your input. “

He listened to Kreios’ explanation, and though the god seemed unable to understand, Acanthus did.

“You seek justice. I am truly honored that you would ask me for my opinion and judgment, though I think you will not like it. You feel that you were wronged. How so? Are you not the god of change as well as the wild?”

He paused for a moment, “Has Kreios not simply changed your creations? He changed one of mine, but you do not see me attacking him because of it. Though I was saddened I did not seek revenge because he must do what he must. He cannot control his actions in that way. He must corrupt. He does not understand that he is harming your creations, but only fixing them to his own form of perfection.”
“In attacking and destroying his corruptions have you not then wronged Kreios? He was doing simply what he was made to do. Should he punish you for guarding the wilds or for causing the slight changes in nature that allow it to thrive? Should he punish you for destroying his altered creations?”
“You say no. Of course it is not wrong for you to do that. It is simply your revenge. But if you simply want revenge, why ask for judgment? Do you need someone to justify your anger? I will not, because I cannot see a fault in his actions.”

He looked around at the group gathered there and saw a large array of emotions.

“I am not finished.” He said calmly. “Obviously you two cannot exist together. Craigin, my wisdom for you, if you choose to accept it, is that you should give Kreios an area of his own that he might change it and corrupt it to his pleasure. Give him creations that you see unfit for yourself and allow him to play with them as he will. Show him the difference between gifts and your own possessions. He will leave the rest of your creations alone.”

Here he cast two spells of restore fatigue, one on the Kreios and one on the newcomer who had fainted. He waited for them to awaken. His expression was calm and contemplative. He wondered how those gathered would react to his judgment. He may yet have to change it if it would not make everyone happy. But it was more likely that no one would be happy due to the judgment. That, of course would be what made the judgment fair.

He watched as the door to Hléradr opened and a greatly wounded creature walked in. He watched as the newcomer was slowly rejuvenated by the warmth and regenerative nature of the hall. It was a goddess of embers.

She asked questions about Kreios and the hall itself. He chuckled at her direct nature. "Welcome, sister. I am sorry to have wounded you so, the cold gives me a crisp clarity in thought and it distracts unwary mortals from stumbling upon this place and perishing. I should have considered the needs of my brethren when building it, but alas I could not have known that you would be hurt by the trip."

He pointed to the god in the cage. "This is Kreios, you have walked in upon my very first trial. Please sit and relax for awhile while we finish matters. I have questions for all of the newcomers here, and a gift for everyone."

Cragin wouldn't stir, only be quick to response. Acanthus in all his wisdom. A smile would seem to play along his face. "Ah, and this in your wisdom is mislead. It was wrong for him to do it outright, this "playing" with my creations is wrong, yes. Because the souls of those I hold dear should be in my hands alone, and not in his own paws. The All Father wished these wilds not harmed unnaturally, I believe there is a place for corruption and destruction and the pain he caused the beings he corrupted, the Inferno. I only wish to undo the suffering of my own creations, and to restore the wilds to the state they deserve. Change is my area of knowledge, without your's. I know it well and I see it everywhere, here and there, perhaps I understand it better. It should come with gentle ease and not in pain, in the way of things and not in the will of those who wish to hurt. For how is that fair?" Cragin would close his statement, noting Mathias' excitement.

He would cast his gaze upon the man, "Your input then, Mathias." He would look about the room. "And do know I don't wish for justification, because even the Wise one should know that I am not one so impressionable. But with an open mind I wish for guidance on how to go about this. Not whether I should or not." His gaze would fall back upon Acanthus and he would give a slight nod. As if to try and let the man know he honored and accepted his words as an opinion. But not the law of this trial for all of his kin should have and would have say in the matter. As it should be.

Nylia

Was this God truly as wise as he seemed? Or was it all just what he was labelled, what the All Father wanted them to believe? "My apologies Acanthus but that judgement has its faults," Nylia said, it was in her blood to use her words to sway opinions and she used said gift unconsciously. "Why is it that any creation we see to be unfit is sent to Kreios?" Nylia asked feeling sorrow for the poor creatures. "Our creations have emotions and feel pain, how can we, as their Gods subject them to such torture?" Nylia asked pleadingly. "If Kreios wants to corrupt, he should corrupt inanimate objects, that can't feel pain. How can you call yourself a God of Wisdom if you can't understand the feelings of the creations you choose to discard?" Nylia didn't understand why she felt so close to the creatures, even though she didn't even know them. She understood how they felt out of place, but she didn't know why. Why did she feel so out of place?

She turned to Ulmo, he seemed to be an extremely powerful God so hopefully he could help her. Putting one hand on his chest and wrapping the other around his back she pleaded, "Ulmo, please tell me you understand, please tell Acanthus this is wrong," Nylia said. Was what she was doing wrong? She didn't know but it felt so right, so she continued pleading to Acanthus to change his judgement, and Ulmo to help her.

It seemed as though Cragin disagreed with Acanthus as well, maybe his judgement would be edited.

Mathias heard Cragin wishing to hear his input. Mathias would jump at the chance but now that sentencing is over, he felt no desire to continue this matter. Still Mathias did have words to say and while they may not be over Acanthus changing his mind he will present what he believes should be done next time. "Well...there is so much to say...I, I feel that more can be done, that should be done..." Mathias paused collecting his thoughts, "What just occurred here...I know there is so much more to it." "What transpired here has many more layers to it." "There is so much more actions, procedures, tactics, regulations, rules!" Mathias spoke excitedly with everyone. "This is just the surface, there is more than just presenting a felon and giving him a quick judgement...no there is more delegations...more presentations!" Mathias began to pace about as if being overwhelmed with emotions. "I know that there is more than can be done and should be done...I believe we should have more to delegate, more evidence, testimonies, many, many things!" Mathias took a short breath and looked around.

"As for now...I'm afraid we must agree with Acanthus' judgement." "He has spoken his final word on the matter and Kreios should be allowed to walk freely." Mathias spoke being frank with everybody who disagrees. "We may not like the decisions made, but they are made and therefor they are law." "Kreios has been cleared of his charges...for now." Mathias ominously added. "You see Kreios is now allowed to move freely but...if anything like this should happen again, then Kreios will be brought forth once again, if and only if he is the perpetrator." "If he is alleged to do such things, then he must be placed on trial to determine whether he is rightfully or wrongfully accused." Mathias spoke with much care in his words. "I hope everyone understands this." "We should have more gods participate in these trials and tribulations." "Whenever occurrence like this begins once again we must bring the accused to a place of judgement." "Their he and the accuser shall present themselves in an orderly fashion and discuss the crime committed, evidence to show whether or not this is true, and delegations to decided what judgement should be placed on the accused." "Guilty...or Not Guilty." "Then and only then, will the leader of the procession bring forth the final sentencing to end the trial." "This will either absolve the accused or punish the accused." Mathias spoke firmly as he finished his thoughts. Mathias looked at everyone as he bowed to them.

Ulmo observed the trial with interest and with a little surprise as Kreios awoke and cried almost like... a child. Yes. The god was a child without understanding of his actions or of the feelings of the very creatures he changed. And yet, he heard the earnestness and distress within the Crows that flew within this realm, risking death and the anger of the gods for his impertinence, all for the sake of their creatures. He contemplated Acanthus' judgement. He seemed fair and would defer to his judgment.

"My apologies Acanthus but that judgement has its faults. Why is it that any creation we see to be unfit is sent to Kreios?" Nylia asked feeling sorrow for the poor creatures. "Our creations have emotions and feel pain, how can we, as their Gods subject them to such torture? If Kreios wants to corrupt, he should corrupt inanimate objects, that can't feel pain. How can you call yourself a God of Wisdom if you can't understand the feelings of the creations you choose to discard?"

Ulmo frowned slightly. She made a good point, one that he had already known at the back of his mind. It was as he was pondering this when Nylia did something surprising. She appealed for his input, placing one hand on his chest as the other wrapped around his back. It was a strange, but not unpleasant warmth that seemed to spread through her touch, like geysers of hot water that could be found on the ocean floor, providing heat and life in the otherwise cold depths. As he pondered this, Mathias spoke and he found that he made a kind of sense as well. The trial was altogether too quick.

"I feel that Nylia and Cragin both have a point. The creatures should not be subjected to unwelcome pain and change because the gods deem them undesirable," he found himself saying, his hand drifting to grip the goddess' on his chest. Nonetheless, he felt his mind sir like a whirlpool at the end of his sentence. That wasn't right either. Kreios had a role too. He found himself looking at the goddess apologetically before continuing, "Change should be according to the will of our creations. Kreios should be able to change our creations, but only with their permission. The All-Father has... given each of us from us, the gods, to our smallest creatures a free will. We should be mindful of that."

He turned to Cragin, "Your anger is just. Kreios should not have changed your creations based solely on his whims. But you are sending your creations to hunt their former brothers for being different. I feel that is unjust. They should be treated as innocent unless they have committed a crime other than simply existing. And they should have a choice to stay the way they are or be changed back."

Cragin would watch, Mathias. Disappointment clear on his features as the man hesitantly allowed his opinion made for him. He would look about then at the man who smelled..Like salt and faintly like..like fish, and the growth of the ocean. Ah and again, someone seemed to try and think for him, this bothered him. "My guardians have but one purpose in this world, thus far. To protect the wilds, and the pain that comes with being corrupted and changed to stray from that path. The psychological catastrophe of it, they're warriors that would sooner die. You may ask how I know?" Cragin would stand a moment looking down at Kreios then getting a vague sense of destruction somewhere far off, he would unbind his hands to slide them gently together and crack them sickeningly at the knuckles. He would lock eyes with the man noting a distortion of his thought process, his eyes travelling further down to the Goddess that had spoken out with the Wisest words he had heard throughout the whole trial. Reason. "I understand them, feel what they feel, hear what they hear, see what they see. And so who are you, then? To tell me that wishing to undo the wrong and end the suffering of my werewolves is something I shouldn't do?" His voice would be calm and somewhere in the pits of it, would lie a wicked undertone. It would be a way of asking the man's name, because to propose a solution, he felt he should know a name.

"I value your opinions, whether I think them reasonable or not. And so I will be fine with Kreios leaving, so long as he knows I won't allow it again." Cragin would crouch extending a hand to Kreios, a friendly gesture to offer to help him to his feet. He felt to weep at the feet of your peers was something to be ashamed of and perhaps he would help save the God from such shame. "Extending to him land and 'gifts' would be over my nonexistence. I won't allow the Middle Realm to suffer so easily."

And for the first time he would notice a fiery woman in all of her splendor, beautiful in her flickering light. He was suprised not to have noticed her before. His gaze would play along her features a moment before returning to the task at hand.

Darkness. Panic and fear. Where is the light? ...where is the light?

Deeper darkness, and all thought is gone.

...

Warmth, sudden rejuvenation. He could think again, he was becoming more aware, coming back to the world of the conscious.

"This is Kreios..." a sudden shock went through his mind. The name had power, it had a feeling, a feeling of corruption, of things changed to evil. He knew in an instant that it was the name of the creature from before.

"The All Father..." a stronger jolt. He knew that name, somehow in the depths of his mind, he instinctually knew this name and what it represented. Then he heard the voice. His eyes snapped open as his head lifted slightly off the table, his eyes moving to the source of it.

"Why is it that any creation we see to be unfit is sent to Kreios?" her! His eyes widened, for she shone like the sun. So beautiful was she that she had to be right, if the rest of them were disagreeing, he'd have to force them to agree, and-

SMACK! He let out a light groan after slamming his head back down onto the table. His head hurt, but his mind was clear now. Something about the way she spoke, it had clouded his mind, made him think in an odd way. When she spoke again, her voice was still pleasing to the ear, but he was more aware now, and her voice didn't have the same effect that it did before. Regardless of the effect, he found himself agreeing with her. Ulmo, the name made him think of water, a plain of it. 'The sea!' he realized, 'It's called the sea.' Then a new voice, one that somehow sounded of order. It said a name as well, Acanthus. A feeling of age spread over him, of wisdom brought together through ages uncounted, wisdom unobscured by emotion or anger. And a deep power, one that reached back to the dawn of time. Yet another voice, one he somehow knew belonged to Ulmo. And he agreed with him.

He recognized this voice! It was the voice of the one from the forest. His kin! He had realized by now that they were judging Kreios, and figured he had better say his part. So he stood up from the chair he had been put in. How he got to where he was a question that could be asked later. As he got up, his markings and wings reignited, the room brightening with the new light. He laid a hand on the table to steady himself, he'd have to remember to be careful in the future, using up so much power obviously wasn't something easy to recover from. He looked to the various beings assembled before him, all of them varying so widely that he could barely believe they were kin, yet he could feel deep down that it was true.

"Kreios didn't mean to do anything bad, and one should not be punished for something they don't know they did. But the kind of pain he's caused can't just be forgotten. If he could change it would be different, but when I heard his name, I knew, it's in his nature. He'll continue to cause pain if we don't do something about him. I agree with Ulmo, he should be only allowed to change that which wishes to be changed."

Mathias stood there in silent contemplation. He could tell the disappointment, outrage, and disapproval in each of their words and faces. Mathias too felt that Acanthus was indeed wrong but it isn't for him to say that he must change his mind. Sure, Mathias could speak on behalf of everyone and also tell Acanthus has faults in his words, but he can't just erase what has been said. Who is he to assume such power and make everything Acanthus spoke of as complete nonsense. It didn't seem right. Even though it didn't seem right to disregard others opinions for they believe more should be done. This trial is too short. So much more had to have been done before so readily sentencing Kreios. They continue to speak out and of course they feel that this isn't over but it is. Mathias continued to think that something must be done for if this were to happen again. If someone made a sentencing and it didn't seem all that just or correct, then a higher group of analysis and judges would review an, appeal, to decide whether the decision stands or is reversed.

Then it dons on Mathias, his visions, it means to create this higher court in a higher land...Paradise. Mathias must reach Paradise in order to create the court for which reviews and gives a judgement on a decision itself. Yet, how does one arrive at Paradise? Mathias must ask Acanthus on this matter, hopefully he could tell him how to reach it. As of now, this isn't the best time. There is a flood of opposition to Acanthus' judgement that he must answer, Mathias cannot just barge in and request that Acanthus speak to him alone. Besides Mathias is curious to see what he will say. He wonders if he will stick by his original decision or will he change it?

The other gods present made very intelligent and thoughtful input, many of which Mathias wishes was spoken before Acanthus made a decision. Yet, Mathias will not discard these words, they still hold value. If Acanthus decides to restart the trial, then Mathias should judge the decision. Decide whether or not it should be affirmed or reversed. Right now it's up to Acanthus to make a new decision, Mathias will stay silent until he hears otherwise. He does grow anxious as he clings to what could be considered a futile effort. Yet, Mathias understands Acanthus some what. With the amount of disagreement and anger, it could pain Acanthus to see his kin so upset with him. He might allow the trial to resume just to appeal to everyone. That or he will not, standing strong and confident in his words, believing what he said is right. It could happen that Acanthus will have pride in his ruling, but that has yet to be seen.

Adarani took a moment for the knowledge to sink in. So... we are Gods and Goddeses? She was about to say her name when a trial began. All she did was remain silent. So many different personalities, so many opinions. As everyone said their piece, the young goddess pondered over all the convictions.

Once she had the opportunity, she said, "I say Mathias has a point. We should at least have some way of getting all the facts before doing anything about the accused. As for what Ulmo said, I agree with him, also." As she spoke, she kept her distance asdue to her shy nature around immortals. "Oh! I almost forgot! My name is Adarani!"

As she said her name, she felt her own aura swelling inside her. It was at that moment she realized her calling. Adarani is the embodiment of love in all its forms, being for friends, family, romantic interests, even for strangers. Not only that, but her duty is one of fertility, in addition to healing. In her, hope for mortals to live lives without sorrow or torture is seen. When she opened her eyes, she looked around to see the others, backing up whenever they got closer.

Cragin would tire as he helped Kreios to his feet giving the God a warm smile, though it would appear wicked by nature. His kin and the display of tears had enlightened him. The God had meant nothing by it, it was in his nature, yes. But he deserved to be righted and told his wrongs. It appeared that perhaps this display would teach him and the situation his punishment and eradication. He looked up noticing Adarani for the first time, her shy nature had kept her back from the trial for the longest time, and her innocent beauty conflicted that of the raw appeal of the Goddess mere feet away. It reminded him of the forests and then brought him back to the corruption of it. "Enough, everyone. My resolve is this," His voice would be assertive, just enough to make his usually silent nature uncomfortable, but enough to break the tension. "Kreios you've done wrong, I demand your respect in this." His voice would hold a hint of care and repeal. "If you wish for an area to corrupt I ask that you see me personally, and because you are my brother, I will give it to you willingly and without opposition." It pained his chest to think of handing it over for the hurt of the world, but in a way Acanthus had shone wisdom, while he didn't know change in this sense, change would have to occur. Even if it meant the disappointment of the All Father. He had his own will now, correct? Correct.

"I expect you not to corrupt my creatures, you will never get such permissions from me. In doing so you would openly declare war on me." His gaze would darken and he would look around at everyone. "Thank you all, for your opinions and input. Your help in this matter." He would be silent a moment and in his own calm madness, overwhelmed with thoughts as his guardians pleaded for his interjection at the sight of some of his kin wreaking havoc the branch would appear in his fingers, he twirled it medially, the familiar motion bringing him comfort. "Kreios can go without my disapproval." He would then have to will himself from falling back into a chair, standing tall though exhausted at the sudden demand for restraint and need of level headed thinking.

Kreios woke up a little all the voice talking to him didn’t make sense. he heard his name, the world corrupting, and something about judging. Then echo tried to help him up and after Kreios was standing Echo started to talk to him, but Kreios wasn’t listening he put his hands over his ears, and said “la la la la la la la la, not listening to mean echo, echo break all of Kreios toys” and ran over to the some of the new pretty ladies, he looked at the glowing one she felt really warm, then he saw the younger one she had some kind of glow and went up to her and said “your pretty”, but his attention span was short so he went to the last of the pretty ladies “you you’re like me, and echo, and Trelàs” and gave her a quick hug. He then ran to the god looking at the door, “your door is nice I’m Kreios who are you?”. But he didn’t stay long enough to hear an answer, because he ran to the blue man “you have long hair and you smell weird. Then he saw outside there was white stuff on ground “come on crow let’s see what that stuff is and ran outside to play” but before he left he looked at all the gods and made a face at them and said “your all mean, no one seemed to like me, you all give me mean looks I’m gonna go find more toys and make me some more toys. Old man can I have another Kreiochain?” and then started to play in the snow.

Acanthus listened intently to all of the arguments pressed before him. He had known his judgement would fall on angry ears but he had felt that that was needed to be said. He listened and watched all of his kin conversing, taking in every argument, every word. Mathias felt that he was the final word, Acanthus knew that true wisdom was in being able to change your mind. Ulmo and Nylia felt that he should do more for both sides, Ulmo wanted to give the mortals a choice, Nylia wanted Kreios to be punished more. Acanthus considered for a longer time then the others felt necessary. Craigin began to wrap up the trial and he gave his peace to Kreios. Kreios began to leave and asked for more toys, but Acanthus raised his hand for silence.

"I agree with all that has been said. I rescind my judgement. I will put forth a new one, If that will be allowed. " He looked at Mathias, then back at the crowd, "Given more information I see now that it was wrong to ask so much of Craigin and so little of Kreios." He stood, his bent back creaking as he put his weight on his staff. "We shall send Kreios to a place where he can corrupt to his heart's content. Where he may have every toy he needs because mortals willingly send themselves there. Let us send him to the Lower Realm. He shall go to the Inferno where his play will serve as punishment to evil or unrepentant mortals. Is that judgment more fair? Perhaps there is even more that we do not know. But Kreios will not change or heed our orders. He must be moved by force."

Acanthus stamped his staff upon the ground. "That is my final judgement."

Cragin in his silent disapproval of Kreios running without so much as acknowledging that he had spoken was taken aback and impressed by Acanthus' sudden change of heart. The ingenuity and wisdom he expected from this older brother now apparent. He would look about and then to Acanthus in the eye giving a slight nod of approval, feeling to tired to speak.

Nylia

Nylia was overjoyed that Ulmo agreed with her. After, that a God with blue and blonde hair agreed as well. The whole trial was very difficult to go through, and eventually Acanthus reached his final judgement, that Kreios would torture and corrupt mortals who had done wrong and were sent to the Lower Realm. Nylia knew she was pleased with this judgement and hoped that Kreios would abide by it. If he didn't though, Nylia knew that she wouldn't respond as peacefully as she did now, but didn't verbalize that fact. Thinking back on the not so professional matters of the trial Nylia smelled Ulmo discreetly, to her he smelled more like a sweet ocean breeze than that of a murky sea. She moved in closer to Ulmo, "Thank you for your help, you have my gratitude," she said resting on his body.

She then looked towards Acanthus, perhaps he was wise and still just wasn't used to dealing with public disputes. She started moving away from Ulmo, sliding her hand down from his chest, slipping away at his midriff and bowed to Acanthus. "I came here seeking your knowledge and have many questions I would like to ask you. Is there any time we can meet?" Nylia asked, still judging her eldest brother.

Genocide made his way up the side of the mountain, wrapped tightly in his newest prize as the warmth from the blood he had spilled so readily fought off the bitterness of the frigged air around him and marched onward with his head held high. The land was inhospitably cold as air stung viciously at his lungs while the harsh wind tried without hesitation to find any gap in the cloth and steel wrapped around him. Genocide was impressed. This so-called Sage God appeared to be true to his name. If the morals he had run into him were any indicator of their fragility, then not a single one would be able to survive such a harsh trek to this hallowed hall. Another gust of wind futilely slammed against his cloak as a grand hall appeared before him through the flurry of white. He felt a great abundance of power, wisdom and cunning as he approached the door. Was this Sage God's construction truly that grand? No, no. The dark skinned whelp he had sent out was searching for his kin, inviting them to this point. A gathering had already begun. This could be quite a spectacle.

Without so much as a knock, Genocide shoved the door open roughly and stepped into the bath of light and warmth waiting for him inside. Still wrapped fully by his cloak, he let the door shut behind him as he looked left and right as his eyes grew use to the light. He was met with quite the sight as he saw no less than half a dozen gods gathered together. A hooded man adorned in forest green speaking to a mad old thing that smelled of dirt and disease. An armor clad knight who reeked with self righteousness as well as a young man with bright wings and blue hair that had the look of a fool on his face. A strange creature of crimson flesh who seemed lost in her own happiness. A lady made of fire and steel as well as a man with chiseled features as bright eyes who had clung to his chest a voluptuous woman with light hair and a smile full of lies. His attention was pulled towards a small figure who stood with the rest of the other deities as his eyes saw the young, gentle beauty of the blue clad girl with the soft eyes and simple smile. Unlike the other woman, she seemed to radiate innocence and good intentions unlike the dark look he caught in the other women's eye. He had to pry his eyes from her to see the old man who stood in the center of them all. The only face he'd seen before now. The old god of wisdom.

Genocide stepped forward as he extended one metal clad hand hand from the folds of his cloak, being careful not to expose himself fully to these strangers, and spoke to the wise god as he waved his hand at the walls of the great hall. "This is quiet a magnificent dwelling you have here, old one," he said in his steely rough voice, trying to sound as warm as possible as he stepped towards the group. "Strong walls. Comfortable decor. Plenty of space." He gripped the hand he held extended into a tight fist as he stared down at the bearded one. "A strategic location only the strong can reach with plenty of space to hold the trophies of the fallen." He pulled his hand within the folds of his cloak again as he stopped mere steps from the crowd of deities. "It would make a fine home... were it not so..." He scanned the group over with his sharp eyes before letting out a dark chuckle. "Crowded."

Mathias heard Acanthus alter his judgement as a new sentencing was brought forth. This new judgement showed greater wisdom than the first. While it still gives Kreios an odd sense of reward it also punishes him as well. Sure we are allowing him to continue to corrupt and cause trouble but they are sending him to a place where it is allowed. A place where others are not forced against their will to be corrupted but their will chose them to be corrupted. It certainly was an intelligent decision. Mathias sees why he looks up to Acanthus, he truly does his best to make right. That is all anyone could ask he supposes. The problem still exists though, they have to deal with Kreios. He wasn't sure how Kreios would take to being force to the Lower Realm. Most likely he will not like it and may in fact resist. If he does there are many of us and not even he could take on such a sizable portion of gods.

Upon reviewing Acanthus' words this is why he must make this higher court. For times when previous decisions are challenged they can be submitted for review to create the final say. Once the choice is made it can no longer be challenged. Another subject matter Mathias thought upon was Crime and Punishment. Kreios has committed crime and now we are giving out punishment. Mathias felt there could be confusion with this matter. One shouldn't just punish someone if the crime does not justify the punishment. The punishment must be made to fit the severity of the crime committed before sentencing is given. There should be a list of many possible crimes, their severity, and the types of punishment suitable for each severity level. Also it should be noted the restrictions on punishment. A punishment must be only used for the severity given and the punishment must also be fair. Anything cruel or unusual for the sentencing of a specific crime shouldn't be tolerated.

Mathias was very deep in thought over law systems. Ever since this whole trial began Mathias has been more lost in thought than anything else. Not really paying attention to the accused, accuser, judge, jury, and spectators. This whole situation opened up a new realm within Mathias and he was all but lost in it. Mathias felt his place to continue this practice and continue it he shall. It must be what he was placed in this world to do. To create laws, enforce laws, and interpret laws. Mathias was very eager to do this and decided the best place was the room that Acanthus had offered him. While bits and pieces of his visions are still unclear he has understand the majority of it. He must create courts for this reason when crime challenges law. But first he must record his thoughts and write actual Law instead of just thinking it up.

He was pulled from his daze when another god entered Hléradr. It was the one he has been sensing for a while now. When he appeared he could sense bloodlust and violence within the god. He certainly is brimming with frightful power and this made Mathias very uneasy. This time however Mathias is not going to repeat his mistake as with Trelàs. No, just because they have the capacity to do wrong, he shouldn't make brash actions until they have committed a crime. Mathias still couldn't help but shoot a glare, warning him that he is watching.

'I have to have a name.' his thoughts had wandered off in a random direction. Despite being rather random, he felt it was an important thing to know, which he didn't. But as he thought about it, and about all that had happened, all that he had done, slowly a word began to form in his mind. But he was distracted by a voice.

"I say Mathias has a point. We should at least have some way of getting all the facts before doing anything about the accused. As for what Ulmo said, I agree with him, also." he turned to look at her and felt himself blushing. She was beautiful, yet somehow in a less, aggressive way than that of the woman clinging to Ulmo. "Oh! I almost forgot! My name is Adarani!" he realized why then. Her name spoke volumes about innocence and love, though he still didn't quite understand how he could understand someone so completely just by hearing their name, but he knew he could trust his instincts on these matters. She looked shy and rather overwhelmed by all that was happening. He was considering going to talk to her, when Acanthus made a new decision. He didn't completely agree, but something needed to be done. He was thinking about it when suddenly the door to this place opened up.

Then something came through, clad in metal and reeking of blood, and he was gripped by some strange anger. The thing looked him over, and it's gaze, so dismissive, so superior, made him even angrier. He started to glare at the thing as his hands gripped into fists. When it's gaze settled on Adarani, he instinctively stepped in front of her. Insolence pouring from the glare on his face. Then it spoke to Acanthus.


"It would make a fine home... were it not so..." it scanned the group over with it's eyes before letting out a dark chuckle. "Crowded." He reached out with his right arm, and light extended from the markings in the armor. Coalescing in a long blade of pure light. He leveled the tip of the blade at the being.

"Well then I suppose you leave shouldn't you?" he said a low voice.

Ulmo regarded Acanthus' new judgment approvingly. It seemed right full of the wisdom that was Acanthus' domain. Inferno. The name almost burned upon his lips. It was a place of unquenchable fire and torment in which no Good could dwell, but only the Evil, trapped in their self-imposed torment with no pleasure save for that dark pleasure of another's suffering. Yet, even now he knew that it served a purpose and one day, he too may be forced to send others to that place of eternal torment. A new feeling surfaced upon his heart, a feeling of regret that was at once bitter and yet sweet for its sadness, like a cold spring rain. His thoughts were disturbed, however, by Nylia's words.

"It is a small thing, milady," he told her, pleased by her closeness. Nylia. He wasn't fooled by her demeanor. In her name and aura, he recognized a fierce being who would stop at nothing to punish the wicked for the crimes which they committed against the innocent. She stood for manipulation and seduction, both which he recognized as used against him, but for what she saw was the greater good. She wasn't good, but she wasn't evil either. There was a sadness in her which he could not place.

He could not dwell on the goddess that held his attention for a full minute, however, as another being entered. Where Kreios radiated child-like mischief which invoked pity within the Sea God, this god made blood pulse through his veins at great speeds and gave Ulmo the urge to lash out with a tsunami directed against him. He looked similar to the god, Matthias and yet, it seemed to him that the two couldn't be more different. Where Matthias emitted a feeling of stability and the urge to build, though the trial and Nylia had kept his attention elsewhere, this god made Ulmo think of war and destruction, though he had not yet pondered those concepts.

"You are bold to enter another man's Hall and find fault, stranger. Reveal your name and nature," Ulmo demanded in a voice like clouds darkening over the Sea, flashing with lightning as the waves beneath crashed restlessly against each other. Even so, he felt something missing. He should be holding something long like Matthias' spear but different, unique to him alone.

The branch would stop with sudden solidity of Cragin's grasp and he would point it at the rude God that was so boisterous in his entrance and opinions, Cragin's eyes would flash with a calm anger. He was suddenly rushed with overwhelming adrenaline, making the fatigue of thinking fade and he would stand now with renewed vigor.
"You." The one word would be a knife to the realization that Kreios' trial was over. A low growl could be heard in the shadow of the words spoken, from beneath the hood. His whole body was deceivingly still and relaxed, his legs planted apart and yet his body not so stationary, ready to leap or dodge, roll or dodge anything and everything. Years of combat could show suddenly in the knocks of the wood-like metals of his body from years upon years of mindless combat. The pale green glow of it all showing through the cracks and tears.

"My guardians have shown me, and your offenses are more horrid than any done by the ignorant God out there in the snow." Cragin would give a small, empty laugh, pain clear in his gaze as his body shook slightly, though his voice never left the eerie calmness. "You have caused unreasonable pain, and scarred this realm beyond repair. And for that I will see to it, that you pay." It would be not a threat, but a promise to the God who could only be described as pitiful in his nature. His overwhelming arrogance pathetic. Against every emotion, Cragin felt sorry for the man, but that didn't keep him from wanting his wrongs confronted.

A new god entered the Hall and Acanthus felt fear for the first time. This one was not a god of idle mischief, it was violence and anger and it had walked into the Hall looking for him.

He stood as several of the others brandished their weapons. He knew that a fight would do nothing save for rend the world to shreds. This was a god not to be trifled with. If they were going to fight it would have to be in a safer place. This god brought danger and chaos with him. "Do not quarrel in this place brethren." He looked at the large god wearing armor that seemed to move with its flesh as if they were one. He gathered his strength and looked calmly at the warmonger before him "You came looking for me, newcomer. What is it that you want?"

Genocide found himself amused by the actions and words of these strangers. The cold glares full of hate at his presence. The uncomfortable shift among their ranks as they got ready for sudden conflict. The blue haired one full of good thoughts and deeds even conjured a blade and barred himself in front of the girl that radiated innocence. How chivalrous. Even his voice echoed of pointless heroism, the protection of the weak and the belief in the light. And then there was the man clad in green who radiated the essence of nature and it's simple existence that felt strangely familiar. As he spout some nonsense about his guardians and their pain, understanding clicked in the war god's mind as he let out a coy laugh that echoed in his helm. "Oh, yes. The forest beasts. The ones who bore your power with their strong muscles and sharp teeth. They had so much life in them. So much rage. How they fought valiantly." Genocide swept one arm to the side as he pushed his cloak from him to reveal one powerful arm clad tightly in the dark metals as well as the bright crimson that clung to the inner seams of the cloak. "How they died boldly. Such good times I've had already." His head turned very purposefully to stare at the blue haired god again. "Nothing is better than bending what stands ever so resilient until it breaks." The mere words brought thick tension to the room.

And then the old one spoke, taking up all of the war god's attention. His voice was filled with ancient wisdom, of the ages he had gone through and the secrets he found and still desired. And yet it spoke so pitifully of peace. He stepped towards the wizard, ignoring all those around him as he spoke again, the false cheer in his voice thicker than ever. "Ah, how incredibly rude of me. I am..." With a dramatic wave of his hand, he threw the cloak from his other shoulder and let it flow behind as if a strange wind began blowing on him and him alone as the entirety of his form was exposed, reflecting the light that filled the room away from him. "Genocide, the sonless Bloodfather and armyless Warlord. I am blade swung, arrows notched, wounds opened, bloods spilled. I am all that wishes harm... including the bloodlust that radiates from you so called 'benevolent' entities who claim justice and would strike down any who oppose it. As for what I want..." He bent down to look the bearded old cod straight in the eyes. "I want everything. The land, the sky, the ocean. Everything that breathes in this realm under my iron heel, begging for mercy that will not come. And most importantly..." He stepped back and looked around at all the gods who surrounded him. "I want it to be fought for, tooth and nail. Fought until the ground is soiled with blood. Fought until only the strongest are left." His head turned to stare directly into the eyes of the silver knight. "Fought so what is right and what is wrong can be decided the way it was always meant to be."

Wandering

Since his arrival at the mountain, Miurcrost had learned a great many things. He'd learned that Craft was an enjoyable trade. He'd learned that high altitudes tend to be cold. He'd also learned that his staff allowed him to soar above the earth, free of the bonds of gravity.
It would seem as though his staff truly WOULD never cease to amaze him. There was a short gap of hilly grasslands with sparse forest between the green mountains and the grey mist. With his godly vision, he spotted a small clearing about 3 hours' time from him, near the border of the mists.
He thought this would be a good spot to rest, and possibly to see what else he could conjure with his staff. As he was pondering this, he saw a dark figure appear on the ground below. It was entirely featureless and unremarkable, save for the fact that it was shaped like him.
Out of curiosity, he lowered himself to the ground to inspect the figure. He landed before it, and the figure addressed him.
Greetings. I am known as a Prachian, and I come bearing a message from-
"My my, aren't ye an interesting thing? Ye ain't got a bump nor speck of feature upon your whole body! And why d'ye look black as the stormy sky? Yer' an odd thing, ye are."
My apologies if my appearance offends you, but there is something I mus tell y-
"And so THIN ye be. Surely ye must be starvin'. I'll conjure ye somethin' to eat."
That's not necessary, sir. I don't require sustenance of that variety, but my master really does have some important business he needs to di-
"Say, might I ask what ye be doin' out here in the wilds of the world? 'S kinda odd that I'd run into ye in such a large place."
I'd be entirely capable -willing, even- to explain my presence if you'd allow me to finish speaking, si-
"Ach, why didn't ye say so! Go on then, spit it out!"
The figure gives an exasperated sigh, and continues.
My master, and your fellow god, requests your presence within the halls of Hléradr, so that he might acquaint himself with you and teach you what you need to know.
"Sounds... enlightening. So, could ye tell me of this place, Helayerader? What does it look like?"
The strange being called Prachian then gave Miurcrost as detailed a depiction of the main hall of Hléradr as it could muster, from the magnificent tapestries that hung along the walls, to the roaring fire that burned at the end of a great feasting table, and of the mighty oaken doors that guarded the place from those not worthy to enter.
When he was confident that he could accurately picture the hall in all its' magnificence and glory, he retrieved his compass, and announced with great enthusiasm:
"Well, I ought to get going!"
At that instant, he opened a portal at his feet, and could feel the ground give out beneath him as he fell into the great hall. It was only once he was in the great hall that he realized the ceiling was a great deal higher than he'd envisioned.
He then proceeded to plummet through the air, flailing like a madman, and failing to notice the crowd and the commotion occurring beneath him.
And with that, he hit the ground with a mighty, though painful and ungraceful, thud. Right in the center of the rather uncomfortably silent stalemate.
A moment later, his hat -which he'd lost earlier in midair- came floating gently down, coming to rest on his nearly-shattered back.

Kreios having fun in the snow when the armored stranger, walked past him this man had something that called to him. Kreios followed him and saw that the others were being mean to him; he took the form of armored stranger, and heard the stranger say about fighting, Kreios wondered if that was a new game. He yelled “STOP BEING MEAN, YOU’RE ALL BEING MEAN, YOU KILLED MY TOYS, LOOK AT NEW FRIEND HE KILLED YOUR TOYS, YOU CAN’T BE MAD. IF NONE OF YOU BE MY FRIEND AND NONE OF YOU BE HIS FRIEND, I BE HIS FRIEND AND I HELP HIM WITH THIS FIGHTING GAME.” Then he saw the man fell out of the sky and land in the middle of the room Kreios ran over transforming his face back. “Hello I’m Kreios who are you, everybody’s being mean right now but if you want to play I good.”

Foteea held herself in her recently renewed warmth as the old god answered her questions and made his suggestion. Turning towards Acanthus, she retorted, "Yes, well, if the intention was to keep things away, I believe you succeeded. Nothing warm would come to this place of their own free will."

Almost before the words had left her mouth, the room rose into an uproar from whatever had been said before she began paying attention. As the opinions of each individual god were shared, the goddess remained where she was, slowly gaining some understand of the matter at hand. The crying god had a habit of changing things, and by the sound of it, rather violently so. The other gods were coming up with was a way to come to a compromise and one was explaining how to make whatever they were doing more efficient. She looked at each god in turn, a hooded god that seemed to glow with a green energy, the goddess in white, sorrow and redemption whisping away from her, the armored god that radiated power and authority, moisture seemed to roll away from a god in blue, a young goddess seemed to have a shimmering aura of innocence and love, a god with blue hair shined with a bright light, and, finally, the weeping god seemed to emit a dark green cloud. She remained quiet during the proceedings, however, as she didn't feel like it was her place to interrupt a second time, and just as well, as a decision was made swiftly. After the sound of the staff striking the floor seemed to fade, and the weeping god, Kreios, was helped up by the hooded god, Cragin, the goddess joked, "Well, that was an interesting thing to have stumbled into."

As Kreios ran outside into the cold, Foteea backed away from the door and saw a god clad in black, an aura of rage shrouding him. The sight of him caused her to retreat from the door even further. As he entered, he first commented on the building in which they all resided, his talk of defensible positions and trophies of the fallen putting her on edge. It seemed that she wasn't the only one he seemed to put on edge, either. Several of the other gods drew their weapons, a collective force against this new, aggressive force. Cragin claimed to know of him, and the sea god asked him his name and intention, and his responses disturbed her. A horrified whisper escaped from her, "That... Is horrible..." She shook her head in disbelief and edged a bit further away. After a second of tense silence, a form plummeted through the air between the divided sides. She shook her head a second time and uttered, "This is not what I had expected when I decided to accept that Prachian's invitation."

Nylia

Nylia was caught on surprise as Genocide entered. A wave of fear rushed towards her, but still, she wasn't scared. it was quite odd but she embraced that fact and was happy that she wouldn't stay petrified. Nylia stood up, now not bowing to Acanthus she looked around and saw as everyone drew their weapons; thinking perhaps she should make a weapon as well, but now wasn't the time. Acanthus spoke words if wisdom, but they still weren't words to resolve the conflict, all they would do is put a momentary pause to the battle. She strode closer to Genocide, and knew that he did horrible things to Cragin's creations. Although she didn't find that acceptable, she had to be careful, in her eyes, she believed this God could do much more damage then Kreios, who was now standing next to him, babbling about his brethren being mean, but she brushed him aside, staying focused on Genocide. Though it was hard to ignore the random and quite amusing entrance of another God. She flashed a smile at him and continued closing in to Genocide.

She stopped far enough that if he attacked her, she would be able to react and dodge, but close enough that it made her seem comfortable with him. "Hello Genocide, please tell me why you wish to start conflict so early in your life?" Nylia asked him calmly. "I mean, wouldn't you wish to stay in wait, until the Gods create more things to destroy?" Nylia asked silently enough so the other Gods wouldn't hear her. Moving closer to him as she believed she gained his trust. "Why don't you stay peaceful now, and later you can have all fight in your name?" Nylia whispered in his ear, grasping his armored hand with her.

Nylia was only spurting out lies though, she wanted to keep Genocide peaceful for as long as she could, so the other Gods could grow stronger and be even more prepared to defeat Genocide if the need arose, and then be powerful enough to clean up and bring peace back to humanity after the conflict. She knew that as of now they weren't powerful enough to do this, and that catastrophic things would happen if they began battling now. She hoped that Genocide would agree with her, but she tried her best to keep these inner thoughts hidden, so that Genocide would trust her.

Mathias' head began to ache. He was unsure of what was going on but something...something else. Mathias began to hold his head as if trying to stop from falling apart as he saw Genocide make eye contact with him. Then his head began to sting as a screeching noise could be heard. Then an unlikely event occurred as another god appeared rather randomly and unceremoniously. Still while others may find it confusing and humorous, Mathias felt nothing but frustration. Everything was beginning to converge, order and chaos are combining. Kreios then interjected himself on behalf of Genocide. Mathias began to shake and cough, sweating even. The same symptoms he felt when he met Trelàs in the clearing. Something was happening. "Grah!" "Why...is this...happening again!?" Mathias shouted as he wobbled about the room. Mathias shook and slapped his head as if he was trying to dislodge something from his ear.

Mathias wandered away from the major group, as he felt he was being suffocated near them. "Acanthus!" Mathias desperately called out. He knows not why he wishes to call out to him but he did. Mathias leaned against a door as he turned his back to the group. He wasn't sure why this was happening but he did his best to calm himself. His body however was still shaking but he believed he can control himself, so long as nothing else goes awry.

His words had struck the powerful cord he hoped they would. There was a stir among the gods, both of fear and hate that made the war god almost giddy with pleasure. Without having caused any direct harm to those present, he'd already made enemies and drawn the line in the sand for the future battles to come. The very though of it brought Genocide's blood to a gleeful boil. And as if to prove his small victory, the pitiful mad beast that had been sitting out in the snow barged in and decreed a hasty and and surprisingly witty comment, blurring words in an attempt to defend Genocide, using the logic that his killing of their creatures and their killing of the mud god's 'toys'. Ah, Kreios. A pathetic, sniveling entity with as much potential for chaos as any true bringer of bloodshed could ask for. Without even putting even an ounce of effort into it, Genocide had already managed to find an ally among the gods. How easily things fell into place.

And speaking of falling... a figure fell down from the skies, lying there in what he could only imagine to be pain before his hat fell on top of him with rather comical timing. Genocide found this position to be strangely appropriate for the man who lay on the ground as he felt the radiance of an incomplete explorer come from him. A man who not only found himself in strange places and situations but craved it. However, he sensed little use or threat in him as he simply scoffed at the strange new visitor and focused instead on the light haired vixen who had been bowing in respect to the old sorcerer as she had begun to approach him with a smile on her lips.

She was bold to approach him when even the mighty champions of justice refused to do more than take steps back. He rewarded her actions with what little patience he could muster. He was disappointed by the result. She spoke of waiting, giving promises of great battles and massive bloodshed to come if he'd only wait and give him enemies an edge. And yet she spoke in such a way that made it hard to resist such requests and as she brushed her hand against his, it became quiet an effort to not simply give into the idea. But then a memory bubbled up in the back of his mind. While this woman held divine beauty, she also held terrible power. He felt a mix of good intent and ill will as her soft skin touched his steely flesh. He looked down into her eyes and behind all the promises and pleasantries, he saw only spite and lies. He lifted one metal clad hand to stroke her cheek gently with the back of his fingers, going along the act for just a bit longer. "So you wish to bring peace for just a bit longer, little white rose? A tempting offer to say the least," he said in a metallic coo as he kept his voice lowered for her to hear alone. "However..." His hands slid back down her face as he gripped her chin firmly and forced her to look directly into his eyes. "My bloodlust hasn't been nearly quenched enough. I've tasted victory and I'm hungry for more. As will all the creature whom I will give life to. Keep your bitter sweet promises to the foolish and the weak, little rose, before someone plucks your thorns."

He released his grip and took a step back as he gauged others for reaction. He looked back to the wise old god but found him to be distracted as the silver clad night seemed to be breaking down away from the rest of them. Genocide watched his display and let out a cold chuckle. "Seems he was more fragile than I anticipated..." His head turned towards the green clad man who guarded the forest as he turned towards him and approached, waving off Nylia as if she was just some after though. "Now, about that -payment- I owe you.."

Cragin would give a wicked grin, unwavering as he met the eyes of this beast. A calm determination about him, the essence of his being only growing stronger as his hand held firm, the mangled branch quaking slightly with the steady, compressed rage brooding within the confines of the God of change. His focus didn't allow his gaze to move, though with perked hearing he noted the dropping in of a new God and the kinship he felt grew again stronger within the confines of this structure. He felt a slight urge to go to Mathias, his brother in pain. His hardened heart would disallow it though as he stared at Genocide defiantly, keeping his stance as the man approached. He felt a steady understanding of the man's power and the odds placed before him. He would rise to this challenge and to the next, he would see to it that the man knew he had done wrong and payed for it with pain.

His mind would be a blur of possibilities and reactions, judging every movement and action, every step forward and his senses taking in everything to be sensed within his power. He had a feral ambition to fight and subdue, ingrained in his mind and in the predatorial nature of his being. He felt that this was something that the God before him who had offended him so was born with, the natural urge to be violent. He wouldn't underestimate the man's skills and so considered the power limitless. Kylian and Ulmo, perhaps they were allies. But something within him, even knowing their assistance would be great and their power extraordinary. Wanted the blood of this God to himself.

Nylia

Genocide seemed to accept her request, as he brushed his hand on her cheek. His metallic hand was cold, almost freezing, unlike the coolness of Ulmo's skin. "So you wish to bring peace for just a bit longer, little white rose? A tempting offer to say the least," he said, his voice was odd and sinister, but Nylia kept strong as he continued whispering "However..." His hands then slid down her face and he grabbed onto her chin, his grasp was tight and painful, "My bloodlust hasn't been nearly quenched enough. I've tasted victory and I'm hungry for more. As will all the creature whom I will give life to. Keep your bitter sweet promises to the foolish and the weak, little rose, before someone plucks your thorns."

With that he released her chin and ignored her, brushing her aside as if she wasn't worry. When she saw he wasn't looking she fell down to her knees, silently gasping for breath. He was truly a horrifying creature. As the Goddess of Revenge she knew she wouldn't stand for this, but she would have to hold onto it until later, she still worried for the mortals and didn't want them to be hurt in their quarrels. Speaking of mortals, she moved over to her unfinished creation, clinging onto its lifeless body as it was all she had at the moment. She wished she could give it life, but for some reason she could not, partially it was the eyes, but at the same time she felt like she just couldn't bring herself to do it. There was one thing she could do though, she broke off one of her unfinished creations spire arms and transfigured it with her mind to become a sword, perfect for her to sweep away the many people she had to bring revenge upon. She hid the sword behind her back, just in case battle did occur.

The God stopped his senseless dance a little bored,Trelàs returned to his true form and swallowed the flute with his left hand, he sat on the ground and turned his attention to the multiple disturbances that came into the world during the time that he did nothing, Trelàs knew there were more gods, he felt and saw the same thing earlier in the meeting of the clearing, a cluster of power was concentrated in one place though this time were much more power than in the small forest, as certainly as before the new born would gather at the foot of the old sage trying to find meaning in their meaningless existence.

Trelàs began to make drawings on the ground, he didn't really wanted to go to another meeting and the destructive creature who recently awoke and wandered the earth didn't seemed interesting at the moment, the God looked at what he had just drawn: it was a humanoid figure "That's it!" he shouted unexpectedly frightening Amentia who ran shaking the ground, Trelàs stood, all his eyes were closed except for those on his head to avoid distractions, the God of Madness knew his true nature but he really wanted to do this.

His left hand grew and its mouth began to absorb and chewi various elements in of the environment and mixied them on unthinkable ways. after a few moments it spit three large pulpe of three different colors: black, red and light sky blue which he mixed with some of his blood.

Amentia came back trying to attract the attention but the God didn't move nor looked, from the mouth on his hand emerged an intangible figure of himself that went to play with Amentia, without using his left hand he took a piece black mass began to form what will be an skeleton that would bear whole new being that he was creating, the black mass was quite strong so It wouldn't lose strength once the god had finished, Trelàs made the skeleton making it some holes of differet sizes on its arms, legs and skull with whom he had special care to not ruin the original function of protecting the brain thus ended with horn-like bulge, when he finished the hands a gust of wind blew the bones and created a beautiful melody, the God smiled pleased when he heard it.

He took some of red mass and began creating organs, Trelàs made sure that his creation breathe air giving it a lung capacity far superior to any being created so far and continued with the rest without touching it with his left hand, the light sky blue mass was used for the muscles, Trelàs gave flexible muscles and took care to not cover the holes of the bone, the left hand spitted spheres condensed fog that become it eyes, finally Trelàs covered the body with a light bronze skin tone and blue hair appeared on it's head.

The God of Music repeated the process again but with much more finesse because this time the shape of the new being was similar to the one called Lyandra, could only create nine more pairs before he ran out of materials, Trelàs knew that he couldn't do more even if he tried that was his nature, the left hand of the God adopted its string instrument form and with his right hand he slowly played the Melody of the Life, his creations began to come alive slowly joining the chords of the melody that the God played announcing to the world their birth, when the last woke Trelàs stopped pleased with his work.

"Congratulations for being born, Senri, Sons of Music" the God greeted them wholeheartedly while the mortals touched and looked or at least tried to look considering their poor vision with the exception of first two who could even see the sound.

"What is music?" asked the first, indeed What was music?, Trelàs sat meditating.

"Music is rhythm and melody" said solenmly "The activity of the life and the beginning of everything is guided by a rhythm and melody, you will hear what others can't and you'll interpret it for them, life and death, order and chaos, good and bad, everything has its melody and you'll live for the sake of these and nobody will stole that from you, not even me", the voices in his head were silent while he declared this, the Senri began to sing a melody in unison while the God vanished in the mist and Amentia went chasing the ghost of the God, Trelàs knew his mortals were incomplete, they can't create instruments like him and Trelàs can't teach them to do so, he would have to seek help from brethren, the voices returned when he opened his eyes bringing a maniacal laughter at the gates of the fortress created by the Wise, Trelàs became interested in snow so delayed his entry to such construction.

"Nothing is better than bending what stands ever so resilient until it breaks." as it spoke, he started to shake, his fury at this abomination trying to take him over. This thing went against everything he believed in. And then it gave it's name, and what it wanted, and he started forward, completely prepared to smite this god where it stood. But then the woman strode forward to meet Genocide, and he gave pause. He remembered the effect that this woman had had on him, so perhaps she could stop Genocide where force would fail.

For a moment it did indeed seem to calm, thought he never lowered his weapon, but then Genocide roughly grabbed her, and he started forward once again, faster this time, but again to no avail, as Genocide had already thrown her to the side in favor of Cragin. He wanted to step forward just a bit more, and shove his sword through Genocide's face. He knew he was still weak though, and besides, "I won't interrupt a one on one fight between warriors." his sword shattered into a million motes of light as he said this, proving that he wouldn't step into this fight. Afterwards, he took a glance towards the god of order, he couldn't be sure, but he suspected all the chaos was slowly driving him mad. So he flicked his hand, a pattern of light twisting through the air appeared near the other god. He hoped the structured pattern it was moving in helped to calm his mind. Then he stepped on something though, looking down he saw that there was someone lying on the floor for some reason. "Oh, sorry." he paid no further attention to the person though.

Then he walked over to the goddess that had approached Genocide before, she was laying on the floor next to an odd statue, a sword with her that hadn't been there before. She seemed extremely shaken by her short encounter with Genocide, something he could understand. He crouched down next to her, a small smile on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, a gentle tone to his voice. She seemed fragile at the moment, as if she would shatter just as easily as his sword did, and he didn't like the idea of anyone that fragile being alone. "I'm afraid I don't know your name, but all the same, it's nice to meet you." as he said this, the smile on his face became a bit more genuine. "Standing up to Genocide," he started, sitting down on the floor, crossing his legs, "it was very, heroic. I respect that."

Adarani could not help but blush when Kreios complimented her on her beauty. She did not know how to react. This corrupt God seemed rather childish and unaware of right and wrong. The Goddess of Love then turned around to look at this new figure who came in, a smile on her face at the thought of even more company since the Gods overall seemed nice enough. Her smile faded when she felt his violent nature. And yet, even with all the darkness within him, Adarani saw a shred of good inside that man. It was subtle enough that anyone who focused mainly on the violent part of the man would not notice. Just as Adarani was about to greet him, a more heroic God stepped in front of her. This startled her, considering a fight could happen at any moment. Adarani listened to everyone involved before she could handle it no more.

The poor young woman burst into tears as her voice revealed every sign of concern for everyone's well-being. "Stop it! All of you! There is no need to kill anyone in here! Please, just stop!"

Acanthus could feel the air as the once ordered gathering of individuals was falling apart into chaos because of one intruder. The gods were breaking into sides, and some were breaking apart.

Genocide proved that he was not simply a brute but that he also had a mind of his own as he removed the seductive Nylia from his presence. Nylia must have tried to stop him from causing the disruption.

Mathias called out Acanthus' name as if he wanted him to do something but Acanthus knew not what because Mathias was swiftly trying to remove himself while holding his head.

The newer goddess, whose name Acanthus had not yet heard, cried out for them to stop. Acanthus felt the call of his brethren and felt the pull of the chaos around him.

"That is enough!" He yelled into the crowd. "This hall is not a place of chaos, nor bloodshed. This is also not a courthouse." He stamped his staff upon the ground and magic flew out from him in waves. He seemed to grow in stature and his back straightened. He pointed his staff at Genocide and Kreios and cast a portal spell behind them, opening a gate to the Inferno. "Leave this place now." His voiced had changed into one of pure power as he cast a spell of force attempting to push them into the Inferno. "Brothers and sisters!" He yelled. "Help me in this!"

"My lord Malus ! Lord Malus ! Hello!"

The dark skinned creature, the first creation of the Sage God himself, waved his arms frantically, crying out as loud as his lungs would allow.The God-Dragon had not been difficult to find in the least. The great swath of fire, smoke and ash that he left in his wake could be hardly have been missed. He had seen his gargantuan fiery form from afar off, but it had taken him hours to reach him. Even now, he stood atop a peak some miles away, unsure as to how even approach the First Dragon. How could you approach a creature who's head breached the clouds and who's feet could crush entire human villages underfoot. He could feel the heat of his mighty flesh even from this distance. It was likely that he would be consumed before he ever got close. The Praetorian stared in abject horror and wonder, watching the land around the dragon darken before bursting into flames, the ground under his form glow red with heat. Black smoke and flames rising into the heavens , burning unchecked through the forests.

The distant rumbling paused, drawing the attention of the Sage-child, who looked up to see the great horned head of the dragon turn towards him, his eyes gleaming like two stars in his head. Beams of light issued from his eyes, raking across the vast cliff face atop with the dark-skinned messenger stood. Fire and bit of molten rock burst from the cliff face. The dragon turned towards the messenger, crossing the miles and miles of separation in mere moments. The messenger scrambled backwards, fearing that he could be consumed by the heat of the beast's body. However, he was just not fast enough, his legs far too short to outdistance the God-Dragon. He found that the temperature of the air itself had not changed and, upon inspection, he found that the form of Malus himself was shifting. The molten craigs that laced his body had closed, containing the heat of his body. The air was hot like that in a vast arid desert as it swirled around him. The God Dragon stood before the cliff, his form rising high above the peak

"Speak thy peace, First-Born."

The voice of the dragon was like the rumbling of the mountain before it burst into flames. The words flowed into the ears without the use of his lipless , fanged maw. The messenger rose and dusted himself off, craning his neck backwards in a attempt to take in the God-Dragon's impossible dimensions.

"Ah..yes..My master has sent me with a invitation. He wishes to meet with you, my Lord."

The God-Dragon turned his vast head a bit to one side in a sign of inquisitive contemplation

"Thy Master ?" inquired he.

" Yes, my Lord. Acanthus the Wise. He speaks now with the rest of the Gods in his home."

"Truly ?"

" Indeed, My Lord."

The black smoke from the raging forest fires reached them at this point, dimming the light of the merry sun about them. The God-Dragon was quiet for a few moments, turning his head one way and then another as if carefully considering what he had learned. Should he go and meet with this Acanthus and the other Gods that had gathered ?

" Alas, I cannot be averted from my purpose for I was granted a singular purpose by our All-Father. It is my purpose to spread destruction to all corners of this mortal world." he said, turning away his vast form to return his plodding through the world.

" My Lord ? You would not meet with your brethren and sisters for a mere few hours ?" asked the Messenger.

" I shall, but not today. I shall trod this mortal coil for the remainder of its existence. I do not doubt that our paths shall all cross in the fullness of time. Tell thy master that should he wish to speak with me, I shall give him due audience." said he, the fires re-igniting in his flesh, casting a new wave of all consuming heat onto the world below. The messenger, fearing the heat, made all haste to distance himself before he was consumed like the forest around him, taking the message of the God-Dragon to the God-Sage.

((How could Acanthus not hear Adarani's name? She said it towards the end of the trial when she was able to say something. X.X Anyway, I was expecting Adarani and Genocide to talk together without interuption. We had this all planned out, and now it's kind of ruined.))

Adarani could only watch. She was emotionally unable to do anything, for the moment. From what she could see, Acanthus became furious. A portal to the Inferno appeared behind Genocide and Kreios, which the wise god attempted to force them in.

"Brothers and sisters! Help me in this!"

Adarani did not know what to do. Of course, she did not like having to force others into an unpleasant place, yet she did not want anyone to die, either. This moment left her paralyzed in fright and confusion.

Ulmo watched the figure of Genocide interact with his kin with barely restrained anger, his rage silently boiling as the god before them made clear his intention to conquer everything, including his domain. The Sea was not something to be conquered and he dearly wished to teach the brute who would claim it by the force precisely why his intentions were foolish, but what had almost set him off was the interaction between the war god and Nylia. A new feeling stirred inside him that wanted to lash out at both Nylia and Genocide. She shouldn't be sweet-talking him, he decided. Rather, it would be best if she'd let him deal with him. He wasn't terribly surprised when Genocide tossed her aside, but if possible his anger flowed all the more along with a certain hurt he did not yet understand.

Unbenownst to him, his robe had vanished, replaced with a suit of silvery plate armor and chainmail that glowed the same ethereal blue as his wyes, which glowed like twin angry whirlpools. Noticing this, he silently approved of the protection and appearance his armor gave him and once more he longed for a weapon and tool, but this time, an image appeared in his mind, clear like the images he had of the sea creatures he created. He silently willed it into being and a magnificient trident appeared in his hands crafted of steel and silver with with a sapphire at its hilt.

Then Acanthus opened a portal and decreed that Genocide and Kreios be banished into the inferno. The ends of his trident glowed and Ulmo agreed on one point.

"Nay! Do not send Kreios with him. Genocide will torment him or worse, make him an ally!" the Sea God cried, using his new trident to summon a great wave of sea water from his domain to push Genocide into the portal while a separate current would crash against Kreios to sent him out the door. Nonetheless, the chief part of his power, he applied to send Genocide through the portal.

Kreios saw that the rage that the others had was directed towards his new friend and him, and started to tear up. When the old one roared something about inferno and a hole opened behind him Kreios could feel the pull and took the body of the crow and said “Away fly, crow fly”. The body flopped once on the ground its heart had given out; even the greatest of crows could not survive long after giving his master the message. The hate they looked at him with, the tone the old one took, and the loss of his last toy, drove Kreios to pure instinct, like a cornered animal or a scared child, he cried a river of tears and screamed breaking the any glass in the room. His last ditch effort was to mold his body into tentacles firing them across the room latching himself to anything and anyone he could. He saw his new friend being drawn to and a wave heading for them and sent more tentacles to grasp his friend. He now looked like an octopus like creature with Kreios head, and he said “I thought we were all friends, friends don’t do this to others, don’t be bullies. Echo I can forgive you, I promise I won’t touch your toys for a while. If I did something wrong tell me I thought we were having fun, this game isn’t fun I don’t want to play. Pretty ladies help me, Kreios be good boy, he takes good care of his toys, he loves his toys. I promise to help you make toys, Kreios good helper.”

Adarani looked up at Kreios, still in tears. "I don't hate you, Kreios! I just don't want anyone to die!" She brushed away the tears as she looked up at Genocide. Somehow, there was more to him than met the eye. "I honestly don't know what to do! This whole situation is confusing me!"

In her sadness, she created a blue bird which waited for her outside. Whenever she could, she planned on accompanying her first creation back to the islands to plan further creation, possibly her first disciples who would help her with her portfolios, though that was unclear as of yet. Looking over at Acanthus, Adarani knew she would not convince him to sway from his decision to banish the two beings who evaded the waves.

Mathias is reaching the breaking point. The mass amount of order and chaos colliding is reaching it's new found limits upon the young god. Mathias couldn't take it anymore. He saw the light that Kylian placed near him and although Mathias could appreciate it, it didn't help him recover. Soon he loss focus on the Light when he felt the surge of magic coming from Acanthus radiate about the room. He became larger and more defined in stature, a portal opened and all Mathias could feel from it was pure chaos, pure evil. Then the Sea God intervened and Mathias felt the cold torrent of water splash against the others. Then Kreios launched him self in the form of muddy tentacles as they spread across the room. Mathias' head was pounding and it was becoming unbearable. Mathias decided to wobble towards the mess.

"S-stop this..." Mathias faintly spoke, "...No...this isn't right." Mathias was having a hard time speaking up. Mathias was slowly realizing that what they have done isn't correct in some way. There, there is something missing in all of this. A problem that must have been stated before any of this happened. Then it dons on him...no one knew the rules. No one has any idea what the laws are, for they have not been made. They are doing their best to react with it but unless people have a clear understanding, what is there to stop this again? Kreios has no idea what crime and punishment is. No one realizes what law is. They are judging off instinct not legislation. Mathias moved closer to Acanthus as he moved around the enlarged figure.

"This madness must stop...must stop...MUST STOP!" Mathias yelled at the top of his lungs. His amber eyes grew brightly as an golden aura began to consume him. "No!" "What's happening!?" Mathias yelled in shock. "Help me!" Mathias shouted as he moved away from Acanthus. Mathias instinctively grabbed his spear and swat away any mud and water in his path. The aura grew larger as it's bright light would be hard to ignore. A strange power irradiated from him but for some reason it didn't feel like Mathias' as he continued to hold his head in one hand and the spear in the other.

Adarani noticed Mathias was not feeling well at all. Instinctively, she ran over to him. "What's hurting? Do you know?" She wanted to help in any way she could. At least, here, she is withn her element, since she might be able to heal him of whatever ailement it was. She saw him holding his head, which meant it may have to do with an ache there. Using some of her power, Adarani tried to relieve some of that pain and possibly numb it.

((Sorry for the short post.))

Nylia

Nylia sat in silence with one hand clutching her sword behind her back and the other holding her puppet. She must have looked like a complete disgrace but one, her encounter with Genocide was quite frightening and two, she had to seem defenseless, that way if someone came to attack her she would be ready. Then, the man with blue and blonde hair approached asking if he was okay. "Y-yes, thank you for your concern," Nylia replied but she knew she wasn't. For some reason what bothered her the most, even passed the fear was that she was just tossed aside. When he asked for her name Nylia frowned slightly. She knew that once people knew their names, they knew what their portfolios were, and even a lot about there character, and Nylia feared that after he learned her name, he would be appalled by her, judging by his light and her darkness it at least seemed that they were opposites. But she could not lie at the moment. "My name is Nylia," she said gauging his response, "and yours?" She asked, pain still in her eyes. "H-heroic?" Nylia asked surprised by his statement. "Do you really mean that? Do you really think what I did was...heroic?" Nylia asked. She assumed that others would think she was a joke by trying to stop Genocide and being tossed away, but he was different...

Suddenly, an all out brawl began between the Gods, something she wished wouldn't happen. She watched as Acanthus opened a portal, and Ulmo created the waves to push the two trouble makers in different directions. Then, Kreios unleashed tentacles from his body and Nylia drew her sword to slash them away cutting them one by one, but though Kreios was childish, he wasn't weak. One tentacle wrapped around her. "Please! Help!" Nylia pleaded to Kylian, he was the only one there for her at the moment and she didn't want to disturb Ulmo during the battle. She also saw in the distance that Mathias was trying to handle matters, and he made a point, they didn't know what they did was wrong, or at least Kreios didn't, so it wasn't exactly right to punish them yet, because of this Nylia began having second thoughts about Kreios.

"My name is Nylia. And yours?" a quick intake of breath. Her name, it sounded of revenge and manipulation, but for some reason it mostly just sounded so...lonely. And that look she gave him, like she expected him to run screaming when he heard her name. "H-heroic?" she said, like she had just registered the last thing he'd said. "Do you really mean that? Do you really think what I did was...heroic?" so insecure, he didn't know why she was so unsure of herself, but it bothered him to see someone so lacking in confidence.

"Well of course I think that. It takes a much stronger person to fight fear than it does to give into anger. I think that in the exchange that just happened, you showed me up quite a bit." and his name, that kept coming up didn't it. He was about to try and answer once more, when suddenly everything broke out into even more chaos than had been in the room before. He had expected a fair fight between two warriors, not a brawl that seemed to center on sending two people to Inferno that quite frankly didn't deserve such harsh punishment. He stood up, about to interrupt, when suddenly Kreios burst into tentacles that went everywhere. Quicker than he could react, a tentacle wrapped him up. He strained, and slowly it started to come loose, he wasn't at full strength, but he was a far cry away from the helpless he had been. He'd regained much of his strength already. He was prying the tentacle off of him when he heard Nylia cry out for his help. Seeing the tentacles attacking her, he became furious, far more than he had been when confronted with Genocide. Now it wasn't just a person that made him angry, now innocent people were getting dragged into this brawl. He'd had enough.

To anyone not paying attention, he'd appear to have exploded. Because at that moment he lit up brighter than the sun. In an instant he was at Nylia's side, having seared straight through the tentacles, moving damn near the speed of light. He ripped the tentacle off of Nylia, it turning to ash the instant he touched it. He picked her up, still in control enough to remember not to burn her. In the very next moment he was laying her down on the opposite side of the hall. "Stay safe." with that he was back among the others. Though this time he staggered into their midst. He understood that what he was doing was dangerous, burning through his essence in the way he was, but it didn't matter, it was necessary.

He looked to the gods gathered, and if it was possible he became even brighter. And when he shouted, his voice shook the hall. "THIS IS ENOUGH! THIS FIGHT IS HURTING PEOPLE NOT EVEN INVOLVED WITH IT NOW! WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO BANISH PEOPLE TO SUCH A PLACE IN RASH ANGER! AND WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO ENTER THIS PLACE AND PICK A FIGHT! WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP! I swear on my name as Kylian, if you people don't calm down and stop acting like fools I'll throw every single one of you through that portal!" despite his brave words, his light was already rapidly dimming. He'd burned his very essence for power, and now every twitch of his body was causing him incredible pain. He really wanted this day to just be over.

Genocide felt every muscle in his body twitch as he readied for battle. His first conflict with a god, a being held enough might to actually put up a fight. He clenched his fists and took one step towards the guardian of the great wooded places when the bearded one, Acanthus, spoke out and called for the banishing of the war god. He barely had time to turn towards magi when he had opened up a grand portal behind him that began sucking him in into the scalding flames of the Inferno again. Rage filled him as he fought against the arcane pull of the portal. To have such gall as to try and imprison him in that place yet again! He looked over his shoulder as he fought against the pull and saw the vast expanse of burning fields and crumbling volcanoes. This place was not the same small space from before but a land all it's own full of the shrieks of the damned. A paradise of blood and battle, untouched by feeble concepts of order and peace.

His attention was tugged violently to what stood in front of him as a wave of weight and moisture struck against him, pushing him ever closer to the maw of the oblivion that awaited. He looked to the perpetrator and was greeted by the sight of the sea god who had so self righteously scowled at him before now clad in armor and wielding a rather impressive weapon. The pounding waves tried to drive him back as the corrupting god Kreois was pulled away by another surge of waters. The anger that filled Genocide was so great that the waters around him began to boil. "So your true colors finally shine through!" he shouted at all of gods present as he tried to pull himself away from the portal's grip. "This is your justice?! Oh, how disappointed I am to see how feeble it is!" One of Kreois's tendrils shot out near him and he grabbed it without hesitation, keeping it in a death grip as he saw the other limbs shooting out and grabbing anything they could catch. "If it takes me, I take the mud beast and whatever it clings to with me!" he threatened as he began to relax and let the portal begin to pull him in.

The dragon paused and lifted his great head, blinking. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, pulling in surrounding clouds and causing the trees beneath to stir in the wind. His searing eyes blinked once, twice and three times. The God-Dragon could sense the discord brewing amongst the Gods, the unchecked energies mixing together in a mixture of hostility, confusion, chaos, anger and hate. Malus turned his horned head in the direction of the maelstrom of godly energies and stared for some time. The All-Father's wisdom knew no bounds. Had Malus attended such a meeting, he would have surely have fallen prey to the vortex of emotions and politics that had surely given rise to the current raging conflict. His diligence had acted as a shield, giving him a unique part to play in the current chain of events that had and would continue to unfold.

Malus did not know why the Gods decided to feud amongst themselves when the earth was so young and delicate. Malus was not omnipotent, he did not understand the meaning behind everything nor their purpose and he was not entirely unsure that what was transpiring was not in contradiction to the will of the All-Father. Whatever the case may be, it did not concern him. He had the task for which he had been created and it was a simple one. He did, however, consider the fact that if these Gods and Goddess that claimed to watch over the wild did not return then they would return to find their once green and fertile lands now vast tundras of ash, barren of life. Even now, the fires that his body had spawned were raging, spreading outwards on either side, growing in intensity with every moment. Countless living things had died, their bodies burnt to ashes as the destruction spread unchecked, there were no wardens present to quell the growing infernal tide.

The world was changing without it's guardians. As the Gods feuded and passed judgement on one another, new creatures of great and terrible power had spawned. When the great explosion had occurred, transforming a once peaceful valley into a charred craters, bit of molten rock and stone had been hurled into the sky, some landing hundreds of miles away. From these molten chunks of earth, new creatures had spawned. With rumbling roars, they took to the skies, their great wings spread as their scales gleamed with the colors of all the jewels of the earth. From their fanged maws, fire spewed. From these burning eggs, the first Dragons had spawned, taking to the skies to fulfill their father's wishes and bring fire to all corners of the world. They were the greatest predators and all things upon the earth or in the sky were their prey. Some of the stones fell into the endless deep, sinking into the dark depths. From these eggs spawned the great predators of the sea, The armored Leviathan who feasts on the mighty whales , it's carapace glowing with intense heat. The great serpents that illuminated the darkest depths with bright lights.

The behemoth, a vast boar like creature took dominion of the woodlands and plains, it's thick hide and course fur greater then any armor devised by man. Some of the Great predators even took to the earth itself, tunneling endlessly towards the very core of the world. Predators, monsters of all kinds, sprang forth across the world, taking up their abode where they would while the great Inferno spread across the surface of the wilds and mountains, leaving behind desolation. The light of the sun grew faint in the heavens, it's brightly shining face obscured by the smoke and ash that billowed up, both from the cataclysmic birth of the God-Dragon and that which was brought forth from the trail of devastation he left. The world grew darker as the clouds spread. Lightning flickered across the broiling clouds as ash rained down like grey snow . If left unchecked, the ash would darken the earth and no green thing could grow. The darkness spread with the winds, even reaching the doorstep of Acanthus himself.

Malus knew the devastation he had caused, the damage he had done. He knew what had to be done to restore what had been destroyed, but that was not his concern. It was the duty of his brother and sisters to maintain their realms and it was his duty to destroy them. The wisdom of the All-Father was boundless, without destruction, there could be no renewal and the hands of the Gods would grow idle and in their idleness they would feud and bicker. Should the Gods leave their world unattended, even for a short span, they would return to find what they had taken for granted lost and destroyed, such as it was now.

Adarani coud not stand the spectacle anymore, so she ran to the exit and turned into a dove to fly with her blue cranne, Ahuv. The sight of the entire world horrified her. Desolation and destruction lay everywhere. The other Gods were fighting amongst themselves, leaving her the only person to do something about it. Once on the island, which she was thankful for being relatively untouched, Adarani used her power to try and restore plantlife to as much of the world as she could, each moment tiring her due to the magnitude of the destruction. She knew she could not hold out for too long of a time. At most, i would be a few weeks. She needed help, and fast. That was when the Prachian from before appeared.

"My lady, do you wish me to connect you to my master?"

Adarnai nodded. Once she felt the connection, the Goddess of love cried out to him telepathically "ACANTHUS! HELP! IT'S ME! ADARANI! DESTRUCTION IS EVERYWHERE, AND I'M TRYING TO RESTORE PLANT LIFE! I CAN'T HOLD OUT LONG WITHOUT YOU!"

Cragin would twirl his branch and with one mighty swing, a blast of his most devastating power would erupt from the end of the weapon. He would resist the natural pull of the portal and foamy water would surround him at the waist as he had been so close to Genocide. His body would glisten with the moisture, covered in the natural spray of the ocean. He heard crying and screaming, and Kreios somewhere, inaudible. It would be one tiny ball of green, wielding a great power, directed at the God of War that had made an enemy of them all. This one ball if it were to make contact would rapidly grow, surrounding the man in the strong growth of the Sylvan tree, a tree so rare it was almost nonexistent. With bark like the strongest metals, and relentless vines that could find their way around any beast and squeeze them into submission, his hopes were to make it nearly impossible for the God to escape or fight back, and to hopefully send him backwards into the portal. The water made him surge forward and he swatted away a dirty tentacle as it erupted through the air at him with the end of the branch.

All the while his body in agonizing pain, he would let out a roar of it, as he felt the destruction of the wilds in which he felt were so dear to him. A roar so loud the building would shake slightly and his right stationary leg knee would give slightly bringing the water to his chest, and making the pull of it all the more quick as he fell to one knee, struggling against it all to swat away another tentacle.

Mathias was tired and while Adarani's abilities helped he still felt something stirring within him. The aura and the glow in his eyes diminished. Yet, there was something warning him of something else, something worse. The world was being destroyed as they speak. This conflict needed to end but how? Mathias was unsure but Adarani felt it too and she wanted something done. Mathias wanted something done. She left the group to take care of it. "This useless fighting must stop." He spoke to himself as he backed away from Cragin's tree. This was all a mess and Mathias hated it. Then a voice began to speak to him. He couldn't make out what it wanted but it was urgent whatever it was. All Mathias knew that a greater problem needs his attention and right now this whole trouble with throwing people in a portal wasn't going to help. The voice kept on saying wrong, wrong, wrong, all wrong. Mathias couldn't help but feel an agreement with the voice. This is all wrong, none of this is going the way it should be. Wrong, wrong, wrong on all sides. Mathias moved away from the portal as he hated the vibe coming off it. Mathias needed to leave but he can't face it alone. Everyone was so distracted with each other it is ridiculous. Mathias can't even get a word in edge wise, it would seem he needs to attend to it alone. Or maybe not alone who isn't distracted?

Nylia

Nylia was glad that she was saved by Kylian, but the battle wasn't over yet, he zoomed into the battle field and tried to stop the fight, but his power was running out. He seemed to be hurt and Nylia had to help him. She rushed into the fray, spreading her wings, and flying; swiftly swiping away tentacles and treading through water. Eventually, she reached Kylian and took him out of Hléradr, the brisk wind awakening her. "Thank you for your help, and you are the one who is truly brave," Nylia said hugging Kylian. "Thank you...Kylian," she said smiling warmly at the name. "If you get too cold, come back in, but you may be safer out here," Nylia said stopping her hug and brushing her hand through his hair.

Before she left she saw the vast fire and destruction terrorizing the Middle Realm. She had to make a choice of whether or not to reenter or help save the area. She wanted desperately to help the innocent mortals, but she also had to assure Kylians safety for he had saved her. She also wanted to make sure Ulmo was safe, for he had helped her during the trial. Entering Hléradr again was a painful task, the surge of destruction sending shivers through her. For now she watched the battle, but if needed she would fight.

Wandering

Miurcrost wasn't new to the concept of pain, all feet get sore if you walk on them long enough. But the kind of blindingly-intense pain that shot through his entire nervous system was a new -if unwelcome- sensation. He'd have preferred to lay on the ground for a few minutes longer, wait for the pain to go away, but he knew that something was amiss when the room flooded with water, mud, and screaming. He believed he'd heard something about portals and the necessity thereof. A phrase flared through his mind that was both new and sensible.
Ask, and ye shall receive
And receive they did. With what bit of focus he could muster whilst being washed about the room like a rat circling the drain, he opened as many portals as he could on the floor, feeding into an equal number on the ceiling, which all led to an output portal on the far wall, directly facing the preexisting wound in the fabric of space-time. He did his best to aim one beneath the feet of the large, rather violent-looking individual and the infantile squishy thing. Hopefully that effort would calm them down, and allow him to get some peace and quiet.