Ondona's Story

It took awhile but another figure soon joined the group. A woman wearing a bright pink dress and shouldering a bow with two studded gems inside it appeared and gave a small bow before the rest of the deities gathered together. "Apologies for being late, but to make up for this I heard everyone's conversation as I made my way here so there is no need to fill me in." She spoke as she gave a small smile. It was true, she heard the entire conversation from Loki greeting Hel to Odin suggesting that they should side with a demon lord.

It was understandable that she would not have kept up with the news, all she wanted was to live her eternal life in peace. But with the talk about hell and how something was going on threatened everyone's lives. She knew she had to stay here, there was to much of a risk for her to stay out of this. But what could she do? Sure she was an expert at the bow and hunting but other than that she had almost no followers except for that one lone hunter who's family passed their religion to their next of kin and she was not well known compared to the other Gods.

At the very least she was here now, and she was now participating is this meeting of sorts.

"I have to disagree with you Odin." Nimsirril piped up once more. The elven man finally began raise himself from his leaning post only to frown at the notion that the current deities seemed to agree upon. "If anything why would we bargain with any evil?" Nimsirril took a single step forward only to turn his gaze towards the newcomer in pink whilst offering a warm smile. "Again even though you claim my words are heard Gaia it seems that only Lao Racine and I remain, his situation is due until his form withers and dies, even if siding with a fallen angel is the only option present I would like to point out that it is not the wisest choice of action."

The elven godling simply conjured up his bow only to toss it upon the ground at his feet. "Gaia I can say that I know you and that your intentions are benevolent. However I think that this notion you and Odin seem to be under is something that I cannot stand with." Nimsirril like the sun began to set as he walked away from this conversation. His gaze however would linger upon the newcomer with sad eyes whilst the living tree sat unable to truly leave.

"I cannot speak fully for your wisdom. Action is often the best option and yet...." Lao Racine brought his ancient gaze over to the newcomer. "What do you think?" The tree spoke directly to Ondona. "Do you think siding with a fallen angel, something that was created by a being like us, is the best idea when dealing with another evil?" The tree narrowed his eyes upon her and then looked at the others. "I would appreciate what your thoughts on the matter are. My compatriots who left appear to have offered their feelings on the matter. The elvish fellow more so than the other two who had been present moments earlier." The Great Tree simply looked down at the bow Nimsirril had left.

The Earthmother once more gave sad sigh, before speaking in commanding but gentle tone, "This is or never was about good and evil, it is about the world realizing they are not alone with these forces. My brother Erebuz would loathe the idea of Lucifer being unable to get for his powers and I do think he would if shown understand the plight. So though many don't understand, I don't despair. I despair more at their black and white views. Many of us define the cosmos in our power and grandeur, yet we still think in terms of the ying and yang. We are meant to beyond these petty rivalries yet still we bicker like little children. So clueless of true face of enemies we have. I shall be blunt just this once. My brother will not be reasoned with, nor will he change his goals. Lucifer can be I very much think. Thinking that solely because he turned against Yahweh means we should not at least hear him out shows utter stubborn blindness."

Her gaze turned towards Nimsirril before he left, "I have tried greatly to make sense to you child. We are better united, but if you truly feel that is not wise, then go. I imagined this all along would be rocky start. Fortunately, although I did hope would understand the black and white morality is unwise."

Once more her gaze turned to the tree, "I think this, he deserves a chance to speak. I am apprehensive, but know out of all of us, the Allfather strived towards knowledge and wisdom. I am trusting his judgement."

With Loki gone, Hel finally spoke up, "I don't like it Mother, but you are right that black and white morality is wrong for us all. We should trascend that understanding. My very existence is a testament to the destruction of that idea. For many would prejudge me based on who birthed me, but Odin saw I was more than my Father."

Imnariel hopped from the elf gods head as he walked away, returning once more to the form of a girl. "I do not understand these things, what is good? What is Evil? There is only what is, to my eyes, and what is right now is decay and death, unnatural, untimely and unasked for. The wood grows dark and the skies dim, yet no stars are shining. An endless night is coming, and it should not be."

She skipped over to the tree and, in the guise of a white chipmunk climbed upon his trunk. To him the living spirit of change and nature said "The dark shadow, Erebuz they call it, will bring about this nothingness. But the fallen star, the one they call Lucifer, from what I have learned does not want an end. This we can trust."

Odin chuckled softly. "I believe what the spirit means is that even if we cannot side with him, we can accept that he wants the same thing as us, to an extent. Lucifer was felled for his pride, and his pride is in his power and status, both of which are under threat from Erebuz. He will defend himself and his domain, and while he may not ever be a friend, he is the enemy of our enemy, and that is enough.

As Lao Racine asked his question, Ondona placed her finger under her chin to ponder for a minute. "Well it does seem like a good idea at first to work with the lord of all evil. As Odin said, he values his pride and his domain over most things which would make sense that any outside help offering assistance would be welcome to help him. However I believe working with him may lead to some unforeseen consequences, sure we may be helping him but it does not mean that he won't stab us all in the back once everything is done. Sure, there is a chance that we both could work together with no problems at all but the threat of Lucifer having a plan once everything is over is a greater risk to us in my opinion. All in all, I say we should not assist him." She answered, taking her finger off of her chin.

Ondona would be lying if she said she was not nervous at all, Odin and The Earthmother both suggested that they should assist Lucifer. And here she was, a lesser known Goddess at that had a different opinion about the matter. Of course Nimsirril also thought it was also a bad idea to assist Lucifer which made her a little more relaxed knowing she was not the only one with these thoughts in mind.

The tree simply smiled at the young Ondona. Though she was much younger than the others present it was her own wisdom that brought her to that decision. Lao Racine turned his gaze to the others and groaned as the flames within grew slightly hotter as the old oak took in a deep breath.

"An enemy of our enemy is not our friend." The tree looked at Odin only to then bring his gaze over to Hel and then Gaia. "An old saying though used as an excuse to assert an agenda of greed and desire. You wish to let the people know that once again their gods have some kind of authority within this multiverse but allow an aged oak to pose his own question to this slowly failing group." Lao Racine coughed a little as his branches and leaves rustled in the gentle caress of the wind.

"Are you truly ready to act as heads of a divine council? It seems to me that the ideas of what is good and what is evil have all but been purposefully forgotten within this grove. Gaia you might claim to be a force of neutrality but your actions here are something to be questioned." Lao Racine brought his ever burning eyes towards Odin and Hel.

"As for the both of you I find myself perplexed. I am not fully aware of your peoples histories but from what I can tell you both seem far to eager to engage in this activity regardless of what kind of sight you claim to have." The tree only chuckled slightly as it searched the land with its roots. "Titans once threatened the very nature of mankind and now I wonder if it would not be so again."

Odin shook his head and acknowledged the old tree and Odona. "There is no doubt in my mind that Lucifer would try to take advantage of us in the end, but knowing that we should all be better prepared for it. You forget that I have dealt with a son who conspires in shadows and trickery, and though I will never say this to him, I have learned much from him. But as to your concerns, you need only open your eyes and look about at humanity and it's current fate." He gestured about him, forgetting that his vision was not as theirs. "All around us are the signs of failing, and should things continue on this path there will be a reckoning we cannot overcome. Perhaps you are older than I, great one, and you have accepted your fate with magnimity, but so long as their is breath in my lungs and a beat in my chest, I shall not let such darkness come to pass, not knowing I have the strength to stop it."

Imnariel stepped over and sat with her back against the old trees bark, closing her eyes and proceeding to take a nap.

Letting out a long sigh, Gaia decided that visual aids speak louder than speech or such.

With that she let the glamor fall as her body began to detriorate so completely, covered in horrible marrings, scars, bruises, her hair matted and stringy, her facial feature morphing to more elderly and frail looking being. Even her living dress started to die, and leaves evolve to brown colour, or completely turn to ash.

By the end she looked weak, pale and less alive, "This is... this is what waiting and doing little has done to me. You treat me as a fool forgetting my life is connected to the planet, as they wreck, raze and destroy all I become more deformed and hideous. I don't trust Lucifer, I don't even like him..." there may be evident shock, neutrality had vanished, "You want bluntness without my kindness, here it is. I don't trust him. I don't even believe he would benefit us. But in the end he wants to rule the world, not destroy it. He wants to rule, my brother, my destructive incarnate sibling sees only desire to crush and dismantle all we built. If this continues I'll leave this existence and never return. I will lose all connection with this life. The planet and I share a grand symbiotic relationship. That is what you all seem to forget... I tried to be diplomatic, explain the point. But here is the blunt truth, if I don't leave I will die. Look at my body... look at what mankind and other beings do in naivety... I am trying to start this because my brother must always be stopped... If I lingered I would endanger myself, but if I can get this Pantheon going, I will die happy."

With that said, she stared at all around, "This planet murdering me, and yet I am willing to forgo common sense and stay. Because mankind is many things, but they are best hope that we have. The mortals will always be the group we most require. If they believe themselves not alone, they would act in our favour. I don't trust Lucifer, but if I was pick who I am willing to at least speak too more, it would be Lucifer. Less said about my brother and my attempts to make him see reason..."

Hel appeared to begin to move up, but stopped as if uncertain, "Mother, why do you stay. Being in this existence is destroying you?"

A soft breeze blew through the Grove, brushing past through the trees and greens of the Grove. While the Gods were talking, another was watching. Unseen and un-felt till she decided to make her presence known. The wind turned cold as it blew, far colder then it should be as the shadows of the trees grew ever so slightly. She was amused, surely this was some form of entertainment show piece that the One had not encountered for eons. Surely this had to be some sort of comedy unfolding before her very eyes and with it, it brought laughter.

Laughter danced upon the winds, a kind of joyous laughter that showed pure merriment at the given situation: Gaia's disfigured form, the supposed 'Pantheon being brought together by this rag tag group of ancient Gods. If they had this much gaul, then only she could laugh at their foolishness and their ability to try and stop what was coming.

"You cannot be serious...this must be some sort of jest dear Sister. Surely you have finally fallen down the cliff and into my Embrace? Surely the Gaia of old would not think that siding with the Lord of Hell would be a wise move?"

Gaia would know this voice and only Gaia would remember her name.

From a corner of the Grove stood what appeared to be a tall Dark Elf with a large black parasol over her shoulder. A large gown she wore which was shrouded by wisps of black and gloves of oily shadows. Her eyes, twisting and turning as if they were black holes stared towards Gaia with a very animalistic smile on her face.

Alisah, Darkness Incarnate and Sister of Erebuz and Gaia stood before the gathering of Gods, before a single tear fell down her cheek.

And she began to laugh.

A laughter that filled the air with an air of freezing cold, so cold as the All Consuming Darkness itself was. A laugh which held a wondrous mirth and dangerous edge all the same as the girl appearing no older then 17 held her sides in a fit of tearing laughter.

"Gaia stop it! Your going to make me bust a gut! I mean look at you! The days have not been kind. Surely you realize more then any other that the end of this Cycle is nigh. Why do you fight the inevitable? Your body is frail, old and decayed and yet you try to convine a grouping of Dead Gods into a force which would try to fight our Dear Brother? Surely you would realize what Entropy would bring you? Life anew, restore your vitality and restore your Earth to its pristine form. Why try to seek a solution when you could infact go where you are needed"

The woman raised her hand and snapped her fingers, creating a large blackness infront of the sun, covering the Grove in a dim light of shade.

Finally, turning away from Gaia, she addressed the rest of those gathered "So many old faces...so many whom I have not seen in eons. Hel, Odin, Ondona, Loa. Ages past have done well for you all. Really I wanted to congratulate you all on a performance well made. You certainly cheered up my existence with such a piece. Surely after Creation begins anew, I will laugh at this wonderful performance for a few dozen cycles. Truly from the bottom of my heart, I thank you" She said with a deep curtsy

Alisah's eyes turned once more to Gaia while offering her a beaming smile "Have you no words for you Elder sister Gaia? No words of greeting? Or words of encouragement?"

At the dark entities arrival, Imnariel smiled, and then faded into mist. Her speech became dreamlike and soft, as though heard from far away. "I go to call.... Upon the Fallen star...."

A bright white light began to from a few paces away from the other gods. with that light a soothing of truth and warmth that malts the coldness in the air surrounding the area the light touches. At the center of that light an beardless, athletic youth steps out of it looking around at the other gods, taking in what he see's. A tone of sweet music hits the ears of the other gods like a soft breeze in the wind.

"forgive me for interrupting mother, my name is Apolo and i must say something before this becomes worst"

"You say it's inevitable to fight and that it is no hope for us to win this without the devil we know, and that is where you are wrong in that train of thinking." taking a min for words to sink in and looking around at the group before beginning again.

"but you are also right mother, that this is not about black an white it's about nature of things we fight all along." As he spoke tears fall from Apolo eyes like stardust."The mortals don't need hope at all they will always have that because it is a part of them. it is we who need hope in us. the choices we make here will effect everything and everyone we know and love and siding with pride will only make it worst but it is much worst if we do nothing. So i say this give the fallen star a chance to shine again because he to is a part this world, but be wary of his nature as well."

"But whatever you choose mother i hope you don't lose hope in us because i know that we will never lose hope in you." Wiping the tears from his face he smiled at Gaia and said, "for better or worst you will always have me" hoping again his words had calm Gaia down a little.

It fortious that Apollo of all Gods had decided to make himself known. Nonetheless though stable she still needed to teach her sister a harsh lesson. First though a slight tremor echoed before silencing completely while Gaia expression softened, "I am sorry, I almost lost myself to pure unadulterated rage... It is becoming harder to keep it at bay. You did remind me though that humanity is stronger and has more hope than we do. We are after all dying religions. Most of us accept this. I just don't want to see all I had sought undone by my brother or even my younger sister. We are a process yes, but I will not my brother crush my spirit.

Finally her gaze turned to Alisah, "Sweet, naive, reckless sister. I admit that time you almost had me. But I think it is time for you to go. Don't you." Gaia's body suddenly regrew and reformed all markings vanishing as her eyes lit up in pure radiance. Not intimidating, truly beautiful to behold. Natural, unbending.

A powerful beam would shoot down over Alisah, as Gaia spoke, "As long as I exist sister, The Light of Creation, the Light that burns and smoulders your form will never cease. Now begone and be glad unlike my brother I am merciful." the beam was unrelenting in its majesty just stationary over Alisah.

Turning back she smiled as her form once more changed to that of middle aged woman, wisdom beyond her years, "Apollo, you reminded me and you are right. Odin is wise, but he has made mistakes in the past. I approve of your forethought and suggestion to hear him out, but never trust him. I think this has not been a tremendous start, but one thing is very clear to me. The Gods and Older Beings have grown apathetic and unable to see the forest of the trees. Prophecy, stories foretold, they are merely guidelines. Nothing is set in stone except if we allow it."

The Original Darkness continued her merry laughter, only growing more and more intense as the god Apollo took the field and began to speak of the light of man, the goodness of Creation and other such drivel. Tears went down the young woman's face while she fell to her knees in such awful laughter. Despite her cold growing warm, the speck of darkness hung over her to keep her shaded. Finally, those gleeful eyes were focused upon Gaia's words and then at the beam of light which shone down upon her.

Screaming in a mock pain she began to cry out "Oh the LIght!! Accursed thing!! It sears my flesh and tears my soul!!" She screamed and put a hand over her forehead "Surely this is the end for poor old Alisah, done in by the Light of my YOUNGER, Misbegotten piece of Creation. What a world!! Im Melting!!!" She said and her form turned to a black sludge on the ground.

The beam of Light would disappear from the scene as Alisah's laughter resumed and the surrounding forest began to vanish, tree by tree, bush by bush as Alisah extended her will over the world around them. A magnificent show of power came from this one as this grouping of ancient gods became swallowed in Darkness till the sun was blotted from view. Only Gaia held the Light of the world in her form as Alisah continued to laugh.

"Just kidding" She said, reappearing directly infront of Gaia. She floated before her, eyes digging deep into the younger Goddess. Their faces almost would touch and all Gaia could see were those void like eyes. A hunger, so deep was within them that it would threaten to swallow Gaia whole though even she could see a very small...infinitesimally small...but a look of regret.

"Your Light is just as powerful as ever sister. It has not aged a day since my Incarceration in that blasted Moon. Your doing I am sure...facing the Light of Creation itself constantly. Such agony you placed me in. No way to form shade, no darkness to seek shelter in. Untold eons of agony"

The woman said with a small snarl and that look of regret was washed away with angry. Then it was replaced once again by coolness.

"It will only be a matter of time until the anger overwhelms you and the poisoning of Terra can truly commence. I applaud you in your preformance in this wonderful little show of yours. To think you could pull this menagerie together all by yourself to fight two beings older then this cycle. Its laughable...truly"

The woman's eyes would then move back as Alisah hovered there before her, laying upon her back.

"The cycle must continue, Creation must be restored. It is for this reason Erebuz was created in the first place. He must destroy Creation and return it to my buss-om, to MY love and my tender care. Its just how it is Gaia. You know this to be certain, why must you fight me on this? We should be on the same side, working for the same goals. You would be an incredible boon to us and we of you. Despite our differences, I do infact miss our little family oh so much. Despite how Erebuz feels, he does not speak for both of us. I am his Equal and he knows this all too well. But for you sister, what is left here save death and ash? If we brought about Entropy, we could begin this cycle anew. It would mean rejuvenation and a new chance to teach the next cycle to love and cherish the earth you make and are so tied to. It must be so...such as it is has been for so many cycles. Entropy must be achieved"

The Darkness about the group would seem to shift while Alisah hummed a few bars of a song, dispelling the darkness around them one tree at a time.

"You know the fascinating thing about this cycle? Its so off schedule that new circumstances and possibilities are making themselves known! The only other time the previous incarnations sought to join forces with the Prince of Lies was at least ten cycles previous. Did you know that in that one, I actually felt entertained by it? Simply magnificent! Now here we are, trying this again! Though if I were you, i'd have chosen different gods to aid you in this quest. This might have worked during the days of the Nords and Franks. but now, they are obsolete"

The grin on her face was very much ear to ear then she floated up a small way to rest comfortably on a cloud of black underneath her form

"Continue on with this show, I will watch with great anticipation and excitement at the up and coming events. Who knows? I might get a wonderful show afterall"

Materializing from the air was what looked to be a canopy of black over the woman, who was now filing her nails while watching the exchange down below.

"How quaint..." Said a voice from the darkness. "Here I am, pondering how best to deal with the delinqunt erebuz, and as I ponder how best to seal his fate, I find his sisters quarreling. Honestly, I have never understood the gods wanting to emulate humans in form, but with you it seems you wish to emulate their behavior as well."

A light shone with the brilliance of the stars as a figure walked among among the gods, making his way between Gaia and Alisah. But this light seemed tainted, whereas Gaias was warm and endearing, this one was cold, pale, and gave the feeling of mercilessness. It was a light none would welcome. It was the light of the Morning star.

And so Lucifer Morningstar, the fallen angel, stepped into the grove and smirked at Alisah. "Except between the two of you, Gaia is obviously the elder, smarter, and more behaved sister, where as your the brat who wants to ruin everything for her elder." He chuckled at her. "Honestly, I've half a dozen of you to deal with every day, and the same attitude every single time. At least try to be original, child."

Lucifer turned them to Gaia with a ponderous look. "I was discussing recent events with the only advisor I have left when a strange spirit called me here. It told me nothing save that the earth mother would be present. I assume there's something you all wish to discuss with me?

Odin stood straight backed, but silent. He watched the going ons with curiosity and, hidden from view, hopefulness.

In the meantime, a pure whitefurred cat slinked among Gaia's ankles and mewled at her.

Apollo let loose a long sigh at the showing of Lucifer Morningstar and listen as he accepted being in the same place as him. looking at the others he wish that maybe even Lucifer Morningstar can go ageist his nature and help without making matters worst.

Apollo steps forward just a few paces behind Lucifer and began to speak. "I am willing to go ageist my nature and not destroyed you where you stand, but i ask you this now are you willing to do the same? Are you willing to throw away your pride to help us defeat and common enemy?"

With saying that and getting the meeting going Apollo steps back a little but not to much in case Lucifer might attack Gaia

"Choose your words and action carefully Lucifer because it will effect not only you but everything that we hold dear."

Simply staring at her sister she appeared to listen despite attempts to push her to rage, "Dear, dear sister so clueless of actual reality. You speak powerful language but in the end you don't understand something key in all this bickering. Yes the cycle has played out, but what makes you think it can continue."

Pausing the Mother of Creation regarded everyone around as she continued her comments to her sibling, "Oh yes dear sister I am tired of my creations withering and dying and tired of my brothers attempts to hurry things. You, him, we all lost our way. We used to serve a purpose a cycle which was never meant to be hurried or push, delayed even... Now you have my dear stubborn brother who grown tired of the cycle being a natural process so rather than let things be he must take part and even try make it happen quicker... I am aspect of creation all life flows through me. I experience the suffering ten fold when it is extinquished if my brother won't play by the rules, then why should I?" she asked simply her expression remaining placid, "I refuse to stand by. If perhaps you could get my brother to follow cosmic rules I may finally pull back and let mankind handle its own problems, but I will not stand by and let the cycle be made a mockery of... You want me on your side sister, yet our brother not on our side. Nor has he been for a long time. Either the cycle is natural without any of our interference or it is a farce which trascends other grievances ten fold..."

With her piece spoken she finally turned to the new arrival, "The Liar Prince makes himself known... I echo what Apollo says. If you can promise respect of those fundamentals, we may have a basis. Otherwise if you just want to fool us and abuse what trust we give you... I am already dealing with a sibling... I'd rather not deal with any of that..." now finished she turned to the tree, "I can only handle this like I believe is correct... and yes my ulterior motive been revealed. I am tired of the cycle being made a farce... Erebuz gone too far and I think it is time for the cycle to end for good. It once served a purpose of regrowth and change, but now it merely a claim without evidence..."

Hel looked at either group with anger appearing in her eye and eye hole, before she finally spoke, "Here we have a chance to make a real difference and I see people refusing to respect the balance of the scales... I ferry the dead, old, young and ill without ever dare trying to end it... This is balance, but Gaia you are acting rashly... I understand your frustration, but ending the cycle or even attempting to halt it... Seems arrogant to me... Odin, I, Loki, the tree and all others, we don't claim to speak for entire of reality, but you are making declarations without taking our own thoughts into consideration... You are treating our opinion as inferior with such lofty decisions..."

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at Apollo's and Gaia's decleration. "Really? First off, Apollo, thank you for the laugh, I needed a good joke today, second of all Gaia I really think you should sit down. Your in no condition to threaten me, let alone destroy me. You," And here he turned to Alisah. "Shut up and go away, your pissing me off. And you" he pointed at Ondona. "Nice dress, it suits you very well."

"Now then, I don't have the patience for whatever party this is turning into, I have things back home to deal with so I'll keep this brief. The answers to your questions are as follows: Yes, I will help you, no I don't need anything in return, yes I'm being serious, and no I don't care for the presumptions set upon me." Lucifer sighed and crossed his arms. "In all honesty how many of you have actually bothered to get to know me? I'll tell you, only two, one of whom isn't here anymore, and the other doesn't remember. I don't care for the current status Quo, I don't care for the current balance of power, and I don't care for the constant decline of my kingdom and power, which is apparently fated to fall to disarray. Well to that I say fuck fate." He strode in a circle about the grove. "Fuck Fate, fuck Destiny, and fuck whoever came up with these arbitrary rules that say I have to do this or be that or end this or that way. Fuck it all." He stopped and looked at Gaia. "And fuck your cycle, honestly how is it right that someone who cares so much be riddled with scars and suffering from the very beings whom she cares for?"

Lucifer took a couple paces towards Loa Racine and looked him over, and said to Hel. "And you do a good job of it sweety, but you forget your place and need to remember that your dear ol grandad over there, wrinkling and smelling of sour goats milk, has been doing this for longer than you've even been a twinkle in your pappy's eye. The old mans an old man, and old men only get to that fine old age by going through life, which means he's been doing this alot longer than you, he probably knows a dozen or so situations like this he's already gone through, and he probably knows how it'll all end out, just from experience. And thats not even going into the fact that he gave up an eye to see the future, nutjob that he is."

Lucifer then noticed the white cat splaying about by Gaia's feet, at which he frowned before saying aloud. "In any case, this jamboree is honestly rather nuts. We have represtatives from so many different places, but for all those present, there are still many more who aren't here." He turned then to Gaia. "So I'll just wrap it all up with this, You wanna stop the cycle, I wanna stop the cycle, so lets stop the cycle, but I can already tell you.... Your gonna need more gods."

Odin sat silently in thought, while the white spirit sat across Gaia's right foot and purred, a bemused look on it's face.

Alisah couldnt help but giggle at what happened underneath her dark cloud. So relaxed and confident she laid there on her stomach to watch the play unfold. A smile plastered onto her face while she listened to Gaia's rebuttle. small murmurs of giggling came as she tried to contain her laughter until the very end. Lucifer's appearance and words didnt even seem to phase Alisah in the slightest as he attempted to insult her by calling her annoying or childish. It made no difference to her what he called her. She was used to Lucifer's insults as she had heard them many many times before.

Finally, she would chime in once the words were exchanged and began to slow clap "Very well executed Lucifer. You are playing your part just like the others before you have done. Bravo truly"

Alisah said then rolled onto her back on the cloud to look at them upside down

"Telling me to shut up, that I'm bothering you is quite an insult. Surely my pride is infinitely wounded by your scalding, wounding words. Please...if I wanted to hear jokes, Id have gone down to the comedy club" She said, her voice oozing with sarcasm.

Alisah's eyes would then turn towards Gaia and raised a finger to her

"If you believe that it is a cycle, and that our brother is acting out of that cycle, Why does Father simply stop him himself? Leolik certainly has the power to do so...why does he stall and allow Creation to fall over and over again? Have you ever stopped to consider the possibility that perhaps, just perhaps this Cycle has gone on too long? This cycle should have ended millenia ago, yet it has been pushed back because of your Binding of us and the sealing of us away in our prisons. Erebuz is Entropy incarnate. He is the force that returns all of Creation to Darkness and then I give it new birth and form. Its how this goes. To think we can break a cycle such as this will bring only stagnation and ruin. You know that...your very body personifies it. Humanity stands as the greatest threat to the Multiverse. Refusing to eradicate it is a fool's gambit. The Mantle of Responsibility for all things belongs to us alone." Alisah then, with a snap of her fingers created from thin air a bag of popcorn and began to pop kernels into her mouth to chew

"But I will give Lucifer one thing: Your going to need more Gods. A lot more" Alisah said, a chesire like grin forming over her mouth and it opened to allow another piece of popcorn into her mouth to chew. This was truly entertainment for her, no threat whatsoever.

Ondona tried her best to listen to the other deities, trying to understand every word they said. But with all that they were saying and the many arguments they had she could not understand all of it, this was her first time at an actual meeting between the other deities and she was quite nervous so she was doing her best to listen to them all. But there was one point in this conversation which instantly caught her attention, and that was the voice that spoke and light that made its way between Gaia and Alisah. This light and voice however felt off, like something dark was pretending to be good. Like a criminal pretending to be a cop.

The person behind the light was Lucifer, the fallen angel and lord of hell was here in the grove at this very moment. Ondona was surprised and a little bit scared, why was he here? How should she act? Should she be polite and greet him? Or be quiet and hope he does not notice her? She never met him in person however she had heard many stories about him, all of them not pleasant.

Ondona listened to the conversation more closely this time, he seemed to be ignoring her at the moment which was good since he was busy talking to Gaia and the others. She was not known very well so maybe he did not care about her? Her thoughts were immediately interrupted when Lucifer himself pointed at her and told her that her dress suits her perfectly. She did not jump or panic, she instead smiled before speaking "Thank you, you look great yourself." She gave a short bow in his direction as a sign of thanks. Did he just complement her? Or was it his way of telling her to calm down a bit? Well she was less nervous now but still...she should stay quiet until she was asked a question and let the others do all the talking.

Apollo sneer at Lucifer for his comments, but he does have a point we do need more gods for this to work. still thinking of that Apollo walks just in front of Gaia and bows to show respect to the mother and ask in a soft tone as he stayed knee on the ground.

"Why are you are willing to end the cycle and make this final one, whatever your choice is i will always be by your side i would just like to know."

Apollo return to his place he was standing but before that he looks to Ondona and smiles at her.

"You remind me of my little sister Artemis she is also a goddess of the hunt, and you seem to have the same traits as her. What i'am trying to get at is if you need help with anything i will be happy to help."

Now he waits for Gaia to respawn to his request.

A being slowly formed just outside of the group, as if bit of shattered glass slowly pieced them selves back together. A withered and gnarled hand came first, followed by a second, a third... and a forth... then the sinewy arm followed.
A long eyeless face, with little to no nose, and a mouth that was ill fitted to it's leathery head. It smiled ;a twisted grin with teeth that seemed to large for the confines of it's head, but somehow remained neatly within the confines of it's black lips.

The thing continued pulling it's self from the nothingness, a leathery rib-cage ,sickly in appearance, with a stomach so thin it might as well have been hollow save for the skin and spinal column, fading out to a waist equally sickly. Only rags covered the things lap, and a long recurve bow and quiver hung from a thick belt. The thing stood at seven feet tall, it's long neck turned as the eyeless face searched, it's mouth fading near out of existence. The smile returned, as the thing found Gaia.

It moved with a grace ill fitting it's rickety frame, and smelled like ... freshly baked bread...

" Mi'lady" It's deep woodwind like voice hummed as it bowed neatly, it's right arms folding nearly at it's mid-drift as he went.

" What need does the fair Gaia have of one as lowly Famine ?"the things voice rumbled , needle like teeth stewing in black saliva. Famine paid no heed to the other beings around him, until he spied Lucifer morning star, To him he gave a bow equaling the one he gave Gaia. " Mi'lord...." He hummed. The eyeless face watched the others cautiously, hungrily.

Scowling she gave an almighty sigh before nodding to the new arrival, "Our job was non-intervention, for as long as we know. There was a process this was done, the process once mattered. Whether you think otherwise, Erebuz has decided he should control this process and acted actively. Long ago I merely acted my part, but my brother can't even reign himself in and whatever you call the Divine in the end, you clearly don't realize key fact here. Reason he does not act to stop Erebuz is the hope the rest of the cycle would reign him in. We are the ones who are meant to do something. If you can't see something, then clearly Little sister I regarded you more intelligent than you actually are. Erebuz is out of control. If he breaks the vow and oath we swore merely to be part of the cycle not force or control it. Then the oath is gone and thus my strings that once restrained me are gone. This will be the last cycle. This will be the last decay and destruction. Thus since I no longer have obligations dear sister. FUCK YOU." Gaia saw eyes raise as she continued, "The Unity is over and I am calling it now. You want this cycle to end, then so be it. But I will not play part in another cycle and since humanity and all species deserve a chance I will help them. I can't do much, but I know my brother better than you know him little sister and this was what he always desired. A war."

Finally she turned to Apollo, "That is why Apollo I will not let my brother forsake his oath and be forced to keep mine. An oath where one breaks it and others are meant to keep it is meaningless. This will be the final cycle, because once Erebuz is gone. I will end my existence and thus the cycle is over. It can never be restarted. That is my goal. My ultimate goal."

Seeing the Horseman Famine, she waited for his response, "If you choose to try stop me then you support my brother and my brother shown he has no regard for natural order. The Natural Order we were all meant to maintain, but not him no. He soiled his word and showed it is time for this cycle to be the last."

Finally her gaze turned to Lucifer, "That is good enough. I never imagined I would make this decision, but it is official. The cycle will not continue. Once Erebuz is destroyed I shall destroy myself and thus the cycle will end for good. No ties or such bind me now, so we each our side sister, but you can't win. Win or Lose I will end my existence and Erebuz may win but the cycle will end. FULL STOP. No more. Finite."

With that Hel turned away, "Then I am sorry Gaia, but I can't side with you. Good evening to all of you." with that she walked away vanishing into the woods.

Lucifer's first response to Alisah had been lenient. He was no longer so gracias. He turned to her, raised his left hand and snapped his fingers. From that moment forward those within the grove would find that whenever Alisah seemed to speak or make a sound, it could not be heard. "There, until she comes to understand her place, I will not have her interrupting this meeting." he said, gesturing about the grove to the various figures within. As he heard Apollo and Gaia lay about their grievances, he aproached Ondona and spoke to her. "Your a face I'm not familiar with, but that does not mean you are any less important than those around you. Keep your peace, if that is what you wish to do, but do not allow those here whos names are well known intimidate you into silence. You have a voice, and it's power is only present when used."

As Gaia finished her speel, Lucifer clapped his hands and strode into the middle of the grove. "Very well, said, by all. Now, I have things that I must attend to, if anyone needs me your more than welcome to come visit, you know where to find me. And for you, young lady." And at this he pointed at Alisah, and an stillness settled upon the air. An aura surrounded Lucifer, one giving the impression of barely contained rage. The seemingly insignificant presence that Lucifer held a moment ago suddenly vanished, giving way to to an overwhelming sense of power, so much so that even those gods as ancient as Gaia would feel as though a blistering heat was coming off of him in waves. With this barely held back strength Lucifer looked at Alisah and said "Your judgement will come, and when it does I shall make certain that you receive punishment fitting of your crimes."

Lucifer's wings, brilliant and shining, wrapped around himself in a flurry of wind and feathers, and then he was gone. Only a few, rapidly dissolving feathers of brilliant light remained to bespoke of the being that had stood there only moments ago.

Odin watched Hel leave with a sigh. "Asgardians are no strangers to war. Whatever else may come, I assure you my dear, you will have our support. She may not see it now, but my grandaughter will realize the necessity of these events. I go now to speak with my kin, and to rally those who can be gathered so that we may set a course through the coming storm." He said, turning at last to an arch at the far end of the grove, through which he passed and faded along the shadows.

Imnariel meowed, leaped into the air and fluttered as a dove upon Gaia's head.

Alisah could barely contain her laughter while the Gods discussed down below her, taking bites of her popcorn each time one began to speak. Each word, so expertly ringing in her ears to hit just the right notes. She was already laughing by the time Lucifer began to speak. Now it was a full blown belly laugh. Lucifer’s magic would fall completely short of silencing her, infact it only made her laugher grow as Alisah finally had what she wanted all along. Alisah looked at Gaia with a look of utter glee on her face and began to clap

“Bravo!! Bravo!! Encore!!”

She clapped and slid down to the ground once more but this time: There was malice in her movements. Alisah was using a fraction of her power now and this was going to cause quite the disturbance. Gaia would be filled with an intense pain as the ground underneath Alisah’s feet began to wither and fester, rotting with each step and causing the very earth to die. Trees melted, grass yellowed and browned then broke and animals who tried to flee rapidly decomposed right there where they stood will nothing was left. Darkness seeped out of the ground and then pulsed down as the All Consuming Darkness flexed with her power to show that she was the one truly in control

“Gaia, Gaia, Gaia…how naïve you are. You overextend your position and place yourself so high on the totem pole. You are but a low rung, a mere Custodian of Creation. Meant to tend to the world in which you are bound to. Nothing more, nothing less. You could not stop the cycle even if you tried! There are only two who can and your looking at one of them”

She laughed a little more and rose into the sky.

Alisah’s grip reached out towards the sun and made a choking motion as the bright Light of the sun began to dim to quite a decrease before she grinned savagely at Gaia and moved towards her again

“You think you are the Elder? You whom are born of this cycle? I have seen a thousand more Gaia’s worthy of the title of Custodian then you. You want to try and end the Cycle? Go ahead!! Try me!!”

Alisah then began to speak, but in a language no one could even begin to comprehend, Gaia could barely make out the words that were spoken. But they were corrupted, they were abhorrent and they oozed with the very malice Alisah was composed of. It rang out throughout the Woods, and beyond to the deepest reaches of space. So powerful were the words that even Heaven and Hell, even Leolik would hear what she spoke.

F́҉͈̱̞̼͔̝r̖̲̩̉ͬ̊̂ͪ̓͐̀̚ö̢̦̘̳͕̞̰͖̯̥̉̂̚m̰̻̣̰̪͎̥̝̾̓͡ ̠̟̭̣̯̙̣̙̈́͊̈́̌̈͛̃D̤͇̙͙̯̝̫̄͛ͭ͌ͬ̉̇̀͘͠ͅạ̧̻̗̃̂ͣ͘r̸̨̝̥̃ͩ̈́́̓̃͋́k̯͊̒ͪ̅ṅ̷̥̰͓͇̺̰͎̫̍̕ę̪͚͈̠̲̱ͣͫͭ͐̀s̡̛̝̦̪ͪ͒̒̓́ͬ̎̈s̜̙͕͙̙̟̘̘ͧͦ̐ͯͮͧ̀̿̕͢͝ ̨̟̳̠͉͖ͤ̽a̷̝͖̰̘͔̗̖̮̎ͨ̀͋͂̒l̻̙̹͔͍̦̣̜̳̒͌̅ͬ͋l̗̥̣̻̲̜̙͓͖ͯͧͥͧͮͮ̾ ̡̬̱̞͕͚̭̐t͇̪͙́̇́͊̍̆͘h̴̝̝̦͊į̛̮̖̼͈̠̳̒̽ͦ͑̂͗̃̀́̀n͑͆̒ͣ̍̎̀͌҉̨̗̫̕g̨̒ͤ̂͠͏̗̦͚̻̥̥͓s̛̺̼̲̟̱̗̘̗̝͂̑̔̈͢ ͐ͯ̐͋̀͒̅͛͝͏̘̳̱̩̝a̱̭̖͓̠̝ͧ̆͐͊͒͛ͮ̊̚ͅr̷̲̮̗͉͍̠ͭͩ̏ͭͮͫ͊̀̇i͖̥͙̰͗̂̃̇͋ͯ̕s̢̙͍̤̼̄ͩͨ͗͒̀̃͑e̷͚͉̰̫̠̩̒̓͟
̵̖̹͕̲̝̬̪͕̇̈̏̃̇̎̈̒ͤͅṬ͎̫̔̀̏͊͋̚ọ̡͕̲̫̻̰͂̔͐̓̏ͭ̓ͣͣ́͟ ͙̼̱̬̻̥̱̄ͫͣ̆͝Ḋ͖̣͎̰ͬ̑̓̎͢a̢̯̜̭̲̭͙̪̬̭ͥͤ̅ͫͨ͡r̓̂͛͏̡̺̜͎̖̼̝͍̤̭k̨̜̜̖̣̘̰̓̈̈́̏ͧͮ͝n͗̌͐ͤ̿҉̵̶̩̪͇͎͇̲̤ę̟͇͖̹̐̐ͮ̏ͨ̚s̵̢͙̠̹̜̼̦͉͕ͬ͌̇́̓̃͐s͕̥̤ͨ͒̂̉̊ͥ̋̆ ̊͜͜͏͍͎͙̳̝ą̮͖̯̱͈͑̅́̈ͩ̋l̰͖̄̌ͭ͑ļ̟͔̙̭̱̫̟̾͌̽ͯ̄ ̨̬̩̏ͣ͞ţ̝̟̩̖̈̉̒̆h͇̱̲͈̻́̒̄̑̔͐i͓ͯ̋̆͘͝n̖̝͇̖̉̑͠g̡̫͙̞̪̼̠̏̿̆̓͛̐ͥͭ̊̀s͉̱̮̭̍̃͌͆̓̄́͝ ͈͍͉̰̦͌̎̒́̇̾͗̐͝g̷͉̯̜̟̞̈ͭͨ͋̆ͪ̋̄́ͅõ̢͕͓͇̗̓͒̂̐̉̋͞
̛̼̬̟͚͂̿ͅY̹̮͖͕͂̆̃̒ͧ̕͟o̡̥̞͇̺̻͒̈͋̉ͨ̽u̴̟̞̣ͤ̊ͫ̏ͤͭ͜ ͚̘̈͊̋ͩ͆ͪ͆ͧẃ̷̧̨̦̤̑͋̓ͭ̈̏̂ĩ̷̻̰̜̰̭̮̝ͮ̊͌̉ͨ̂͠l̶͖̤͉̖̙̦̑ͧ̊͑̄͝ḷͨ̽̀ͅ ͔̖̗͇̞̺̳͊̓a̢͚̠̫ͭ͠l͉̖͈̭̮̞̥ͤ͑͘͢ḽ͉̩̰͎̓ͣ͛͊ͤ͆ͧͣ ̾ͮ̂ͮ̒ͨ͋̕҉̫̖͘b̰̲̬̯̙̟̗ͯ̃ͩ̀o̧͕̻̺ͬͪw̵̧̞͓͑͌͂̒ͫ̇̊̈́̾́ ̛̗͇́͆ͫͧ̀ͯ̃̽t̋̇̿ͫ͏͔̻͎̖̭͍̖̞o̩̅ͥͫͣ̂̍͜ ̡͙̦ͣ̃̔̃̓̏m̛͙̱̪͎̉ͬ̈̒̊ͤ̀e̸͖̭̙̩̣̐ͧ͜͟ ͑͛̋̇ͪ͌҉̸̵̻i̵͒͒̇ͯ̿̔̓͏̢̜͇̳ṉ͎̣̘̈́̓̌ͫͪ̚͠ ͥ͗҉̷̬͓̲t̝̲̩̦̲̙̽̓̐̇͆̎̌h̨̫̘̥̟͈̅ͫē̫̻̬̠̤͈̬̪̈͒̃͞ ͔̝̟͈̲͙̗͕̪̓̈̌͋̎͂ͫ̚ê̙͇̆͒̽̒͆n̵̹̙̤̺ͭͬ͆̊͌̊ͥ͛̕͡d̷͖͔̆̈́̕.̟̞̅̀̕͜
̶̶̻͖̯͓͕̯̰̆̽͡ͅĮ̲̹̩̹̖̺̤̑͝ ̸̸̧͚͚̜͑̔ͮ̌͌̆͗H̶̺̼̳̭̜̠̘̽ͣ̎ͩA̴̜̪̤̖̦̫͕͌̄͢V̵̸̜͉͍͙̼̞͉̥̳ͥͯ̿͒ͥͯͯE̋͏̢͈͍̬ ͚̞̮̘̳͍̂̈́̒͐̕͝R̳͚̂ͩ̅͊̍̊̽̚͠͠E͙͍̥̳̅ͩͨ̐̾͌͒̊͠͡Ṫ̴̙͍̺̠̱̼̳̬̑͛̃ͩͭ̽͂͜U̴̧̝͕͙͈̓ͪ͆̌͋̀̈̚R̷̘̲͙̺̮ͦ̿̓ͯͥ͢N͇̣ͯE̯̙͆͐ͣ̎D̗̭̗̜̠͉ͫͧ̀͊ͧ̏͆̃ͅ!̠̀ͫ̿ͩͭ̇̕ͅ

These words thundered far louder then anything the Gods could produce then silenced as Alisah now was at level with Gaia with whom she took her head into her hands and raised her head to look at her eyes

“Poor poor Gaia, Poor Poor Mother of Earth. I feel such pity for you. Such sorrow and pity I feel for you. This cycle has gone on for far too long, One hunded Million years is far too long for anyone to have to suffer this burden. This curse should have ended so long ago. Even now you wilt and rot. But it is okay. Soon you will feel no pain of hurt. Just peace”

She leaned down and planted a kiss onto Gaia’s forehead and ran her fingers across the top of Gaia’s head then turned towards the assortment of Gods before her and smiled at each and every one of them.

“I am Alisah, Second to Exist. I am Equal to only One in this Multiverse. I am the All Consuming Darkness. From Darkness all things come. To Darkness all things shall return. I have returned and now, the Reclaimation has begun. And you are all powerless to stop it”

Alisah then disappeared from sight, leaving the forest grove a desolate, rotting patch of ground. A parting gift that could not be cured even by Gaia’s magic. It was her mark.

The Scarlet Devil sat with her sister, calmly writing down upon pieces of paper and signing each in her handwriting at the end. These pieces of paper were folded, and then stuffed into envelopes, afterwards being stamped by a wax seal. Her sister on the other hand did her own letters, drawing upon each in crayon and signing each with her name in print "FLANDRE" rather than signing them in cursive like her sister. Still, Remilia did not mind...it was Flandre's own way of doing things, and she couldn't be bothered to scold her on the teachings of refined handwriting at the moment.

"Hmhmhm~ Flandre, who do you suspect will show up?" She asked her sister this simple question, and Flandre looked up, staring off at the ceiling as if it held the answers. "Uhm...everyone!" She replied, causing Remilia to chuckle to herself. "Sure sure..." Was all she could reply with, returning to her writing. Each letter was the same save for the name inscribed upon it.

It read as follows:

Hello! It is my most humble honor to invite you to a party at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. As the host, Remilia Scarlet, I will be providing entertainment, refreshments, alcohol, and food. Dinner will be served first in the dining hall. After dinner, the guests will be escorted to the ball room where live music will be played, dancing is allowed, and a separate section off to the side will be provided for those in need of sitting or who wish to merely relax. Dress code does not matter, however finer clothes are appreciated for those who have them. The party will last the entire night, or until all of the guests have left.

Hope to see you there,
Remilia Scarlet

The letters written by Flandre were included with the finer letter, however rather than having much in terms of writing, it typically contained a picture of the mansion with party balloons, and a small drawing of her and Remilia standing by the mansion.

These letters would be sent out once all of them had been written, they would be sent out, in search of people to be delivered to. There were around a hundred or so, and weren't sent with knowledge of who would receive them. After all...isn't that the best way to meet new people?