Amdirlain’s POV - Outlands - Annex of the Monastery of the Western Reaches


    The concealments made it appear to the students that the four merely sat calmly observing the presentations. Throughout the lesson, none of the students had risked inviting Master Payam''s ire even to glance their way. However, once the chime signalled the lesson''s end, Klipyl attracted open stares from most of the students. The archon hummed happily and exchanged waves with a few admirers, regardless of gender.


    Master Payam''s sharp reminder sent the students off to their evening meals, and he climbed the stairs to approach Amdirlain. "Discrete?"


    "I was trying, but these three don''t operate in discrete mode," replied Amdirlain.


    "That''s rich coming from you, missy," muttered Isa.


    "Master Payam, this is Isa, Ilya, and Kli," said Amdirlain, motioning to each.


    "A pleasure to meet you all. I hope you don''t find the monastery''s ways too strange, but I imagine you''re just here to visit Lady Am and not to study," said Payam.


    Kli giggled. "I like to act, not study."


    "As friends of Lady Am, so long as you don''t cause problems for those training, you''re welcome within the monastery," replied Payam. "Might I ask, is your attire common among elves, Kli?"


    Klipyl pouted playfully and slowly shook her head. "It''s not, but I could make it common for you to see me in it. Would you like that?"


    "I just sought understanding. Some from the South Wind''s court also wear very little, even less than what you''re wearing now," replied Payam. "The contrast between your dusky skin and the white silk is striking."


    Sitting up straight, Kli''s smile returned, and she fluttered her eyelids. "Are you trying to woo me, Master Payam?"


    "Just paying you a justified compliment, Lady Elf," corrected Payam, his tone brisk with shock at her forwardness.


    I handled the introductions by their first names, and they were acting casually with me. Does he think we hold the same rank somewhere?


    "Drats, no one has wooed me before," pouted Klipyl. "Is there anything I can do to change your mind? Pin you up against the wall at knifepoint and kiss you into insensibility? Or should I let you do that to me? You look old, but you''re a Monk. Are you still vigorous? I mean, we wouldn''t have to have sex all the time. Three or four times a day would do, I''m sure."


    A jangle of confused and discordant notes rang through Master Payam''s theme, and he blinked rapidly. "Perhaps I should leave you ladies to your discussion. I''d hate to be interrupting."


    Isa waited until Payam had moved beyond the concealments that deadened their conversation before she started giggling.


    "I was serious," protested Klipyl. "Don''t laugh."


    "I''m not laughing at you," reassured Isa. "His reaction was the funny part of your exchange, especially when you suggested pinning him to the wall."


    "He was into it, but didn''t want to admit the attraction to me?" Klipyl asked innocently, her mischievous melody contradicting her poise.


    Her guileless act earned a smile from Ilya. "You had his attention, that''s for sure."


    Grinning cheekily, Klipyl clasped her hands to her breasts. "I enjoy having people''s attention."


    "That aside," laughed Amdirlain. "Do you feel like being a test subject, Kli?"


    Klipyl nodded eagerly, and then she paused. "Are we back to talking about constructs, or sexual positions? Not that it matters as I''m up for either."


    "Testing out the constructs when I make some," clarified Amdirlain.


    "Your tower''s constructs are fun to play smash with," replied Klipyl. "If the new ones are tougher, I''ll have a blast."


    Ilya groaned and hid her face in her hands.


    "Oh, what''s wrong, Ilya?" asked Klipyl, giving her a wide-eyed look. "Did my punny line give you a headache?"


    "It''s the possibility of heavy metal being involved," quipped Amdirlain.


    Klipyl snorted and made a mark in the air before she pointed at Amdirlain. "Sarah told me about that music style when we hunted the Thri-Kreen on the Erakk?''s homeworld. There isn''t a drummer archon, but I guess I''ll have to practice different beats."


    "Beat downs?" asked Isa hopefully.


    "That''s one up," agreed Klipyl. "Let''s go hassle Livia and see if Ammie can figure out new toys for me."


    "They''re not just for you," corrected Amdirlain.


    "That''s not how it works if I''m the test subject," argued Klipyl. "They''re all mine, but I''ll graciously let others share my toys."


    Isa chortled. "That''s so kind of you."


    With Silpar and Sarah''s themes still present at Livia''s place, Amdirlain sent Sarah a projection. ''Are you done catching Livia up on the action?''


    ''Almost, we won''t be much longer,'' replied Sarah.


    Amdirlain motioned the others towards the arena exit as she replied. ''We''re walking that way. I''ve got a few other things to talk about with Livia.''


    On the walk over, Amdirlain led the way, happily aware that the focus of the attention they attracted was Klipyl and not her. Lapping up their attention, Klipyl cheerfully blew kisses and exchanged names with a few dozen students of varying seniority.


    "They love my ribbon," purred Klipyl. "It was such a great purchase."


    At Livia''s mansion, a student in his late teens answered the front door, having risen from a low table set along one side of the training hall in the front section of Livia''s manor. As he ushered them inside and tried to cling to the shattered remains of his fragile decorum after seeing Klipyl, four other students looked on and exchanged whispers.


    "Master Livia is in the study on the Spire side of the house," directed the student unnecessarily.


    "Thank you. Livia is aware we''re coming," replied Amdirlain. Her reassuring smile to the flustered youth inspired him to regain his calm. "We''ll see ourselves through. You should get back to your meal before it gets cold."


    "Master Livia told us previously to give you freedom of the house, Lady Am. Thank you," replied the student, returning to join the other students.


    As they approached the rear of the hall, Sarah opened a door and stepped out into the corridor to beckon them closer.


    "What if I want to go somewhere else?" quipped Isa.


    Sarah pointed towards the front of the mansion. "On your bike then, princess."


    "I don''t have a bike anymore," pouted Isa before she clapped excitedly. "Can I get a Dragon ride?"


    "No," huffed Sarah.


    Isa grumbled. "Do you need to go live by the sea and chill?"


    "I know what that song is about, smart alec," replied Sarah. "We''ve filled Livia in about the Skrel tribes and the regional monsters."


    "Did you tell her about all the ogres you snacked on?" teased Isa.


    Sarah glared at Isa and dramatically licked her lips. "All that lard. They''re likely high in bad cholesterol, so I''m glad dragons break mass down to pure Mana."


    "That''s your story. My story is you ate Ogre arse," retorted Isa.


    "And head, bones, smelly feet, the lot," added Ilya.


    "And?" grunted Sarah.


    Amdirlain tsked and shooed them inside the room sheltered by Livia''s barrier against eavesdropping. "No arguing where Livia''s students can hear."


    As they trooped back inside, Amdirlain gave the clutter of canvas bags filled with bundles of papers and scrolls littering Livia''s desk a critical look. The amount of paperwork compared to that in other masters'' mansions had Amdirlain resisting the urge to grind her teeth. "You need a better system."


    Silpar, standing near the wall, chuckled in amusement when Livia glanced up from a scroll she''d just picked up. "Thank you for your insightful wisdom, Móeir."


    At the crisp tone in Livia''s voice, Amdirlain raised a hand. "Things are being delivered in bags, with no way to tell that something important might be buried at the bottom. Not to mention, I can tell other masters aren''t putting up with this in their personal space."


    "Sorry to have kept you waiting longer than I intended. It seems being away for two days has led to a mountain of minor things that needed to get sorted out," said Livia, moving past Amdirlain''s remarks.


    "Was all this waiting for you when you got back, or have you whittled it down some?" asked Isa, her tone rich with disgust. "I''d burn the lot. If it''s important, they''ll write to you again. If it''s not, they shouldn''t have written to you."


    "It isn''t the first lot I''ve gotten through so far. Some of these will be records of delivered supplies and updated projections of materials we''ll need," advised Livia. "I''ve got a system. Unfortunately, I have to go through them."


    "No, you need to get a senior here to train in the system," argued Isa. "You''ve got a bundle of examples to work through with them. The longer you put off training someone, the more of your own time you''ll have spent. Work out the issues training one person, and then get them to help you train three more and, after that, have the four of them share the workload or train more people until they are on top of it."


    Livia frowned. "The seniors have novices to train, and it''s doubtful anyone would be interested."


    "Award them contribution points above what manual labour or teaching would get them," suggested Isa. "A lot of paperwork was involved in my old life''s work. This looks like a clusterfuck waiting to go sideways if there is this much after you''ve been away for two days."


    "I agree, you need some people to delegate to," said Amdirlain, and she collected some scrolls from Livia''s hands and put them back in the canvas bag. "Can you arrange for someone to deal with the initial sorting? There is someone I should take you to meet for your more time-critical issue."


    "Móeir," protested Livia, trying to keep hold of the last scrolls.


    "Other people can read and answer these or at least determine what genuinely needs your attention," urged Amdirlain. "At present, I feel like chewing Master Cyrus out. You''re not just a master of the monastery now. You''ve things you must handle, and your existence is more important than someone''s reports. Paperwork or staying alive? Which should you focus on right now?"


    "I''ve responsibilities, Móeir," insisted Livia.


    "Haven''t you learned yet that Amdirlain''s focus has two modes: unbendable or flexible as a willow branch?" observed Sarah. "Give you one guess what mode she''s in at present."


    Ignoring the accurate dig, Amdirlain jabbed a finger at the bag. "You couldn''t have given her a hand here?"


    Sarah''s shrug was unbothered. "She''s a grown-arse woman, and I limit my interference to matters you involve me with. Livia knows I helped Gail for years as a Steward. We''ve been talking a bit, and she didn''t ask. She likely became spoiled by the clerks who worked for Tyr''s church. Have you ever trained a clerk before, Livia?"


    "No," admitted Livia slowly. "The senior clerks took care of that job. I knew their filing system but not how they trained others in their work or how they delegated."


    "This place is too big to manage solo. You''ve got clerks managing the job for contribution points, haven''t you?" questioned Sarah.


    Livia nodded. "They might prioritise the duty pavilion''s interests over reports from others."


    "I can sort them. While I don''t know this writing, I''ve learnt good quality translation spells, enough to understand even technical details in each document," offered Ilya.


    Sarah and Livia both looked at her in surprise.


    Ilya rolled her eyes at them in disbelief. "Consider the millennium of enslavement I endured."


    Silpar groaned in disgust, and Ilya nodded sharply in agreement before she continued. "While I kept out of Hell as much as possible, I still have centuries of experience dealing with all sorts of reports and paperwork."


    Laughing, Livia smiled at Ilya. "Do you want a job?"


    The weight of that request hung between them, and Ilya blinked first. "That''s strangely tempting."


    "You protected me for how many decades?" Isa said, nudging her.


    Ilya bit her lip and sadly shook her head. "I''ll happily work with you, Livia, but accepting your offer permanently wouldn''t be good."


    "And now you''re trying to protect Livia from your history," said Isa.


    "Not just my history, Isa. You''ll always be an independent Celestial. If I were going to enter someone''s service, it would risk divided loyalties, as my priority will always be you," explained Ilya. "It''s one thing to be protecting you and those you''re serving up Luck''s challenges. Taking Livia''s offer is something else entirely."


    "I appreciate your candour," said Livia, and she tried to regain the bag from Amdirlain.


    Ilya nodded sadly. "Once I understand the system you want, I can also help you train some clerks who aren''t acting on another''s behalf. How about I take that lot off your hands and categorise and record them? After you return you can review them and advise me where I went wrong."


    "Record them?" asked Livia.


    "A ledger of what documents you''ve received from whom and when," clarified Ilya. "You should have another for messages you’ve dispatched and the messenger''s receipt. Then you can easily find if something you''re expecting is mis-categorised, and that the outbound message reached the right place."


    "Arse covering at its finest," quipped Isa.


    "The ledger of what I''ve received sounds useful if it includes how you categorised it," admitted Livia. "We don''t have anything like messengers being issued receipts."


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    "I''ll set a ledger up in a memory crystal. I''ve got a few," said Ilya, and she drew a crystal out and offered it to Livia. "Why don''t you focus on your system and document types and record that information? Then I''ve got a better information base, and you won''t have to sit and explain it."


    "Alright," agreed Livia. She took the crystal from Ilya and briefly concentrated before returning it. "There is a list of the masters and their roles in there as well."


    "Even better," replied Ilya, scooping the bag from Amdirlain''s hands. "I''ll work on these now so you two can talk or run."


    "Thank you, Ilya," said Amdirlain.


    Shrugging, Ilya paused. "You might want to consider how Livia stumbled through that Portal when a village was in danger with people of sufficient faith to trigger a Mantle''s formation. I think one of your aspects is likely playing games."


    Her first meeting with Goxashru came to mind, and Amdirlain nodded sharply. "It wouldn''t be the first time, but speaking to Custodian will likely be beneficial."


    When Ilya left the room, Isa followed her out.


    As the door shut behind them, Livia addressed Amdirlain. "Who is Custodian?"


    "A lesser Aspect of Protection, their focus is on treasured and special objects," explained Amdirlain. "Does meeting them sound like something you can delegate?"


    "No, it doesn''t," agreed Livia. "But are they someone I should meet, given the newness of my status?"


    "Given your situation with your Mantle has a foundation of quicksand that I want to stabilise, yes," said Amdirlain.


    Livia frowned. "The connection you have to them is through Orhêthurin."


    "Yes, and?" huffed Amdirlain.


    "You told all of us repeatedly that you''re not Orhêthurin," observed Livia. "Aren''t you taking advantage of her relationships?"


    Amdirlain gave a stiff smile. "Of all the entities I currently know, Custodian is the best positioned to get us some help. Considering their nature as an Aspect of Protection, helping you with your Mantle of Protection would help their role within the realm. Also, they might help us with something for Ebusuku''s celestials."


    "Mantle of Protection and an opportunity to talk to a sweetie like Custodian, go for the chat," advised Sarah.


    "You know this Custodian?" asked Livia.


    "We meet every few lifetimes," admitted Sarah. "There was a certain protective individual we had in common."


    Livia stood and nodded to Amdirlain. "Okay, let''s get this done then."


    "Hopefully, we won''t be too long," said Amdirlain, addressing Sarah and Silpar.


    "Another place I can''t accompany you?" enquired Silpar.


    Sarah laughed in disbelief. "Don''t ask to go there."


    "Most certainly not," agreed Amdirlain. "I don''t know exactly what Custodian would do to you, but it wouldn''t be good for your health."


    Focused on the hall''s music, Amdirlain shifted them directly there, effortlessly matching the dimensional phasing that passage through the maze had previously applied. The columns with their carved niches and timers stretched out ahead of them, but Amdirlain barely had time to check the closest before the faceted orb of Custodian appeared.


    "Amdirlain, I heard you talking about me," chimed Custodian, and they spun about Livia. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Livia. Your daughter''s Mantle is very fragile. We really should do something about that post haste. Would you like the options, Livia?"


    Struck by the similarity to her own crystal gaze, Livia stared at the aspect''s form. "You''re Custodian?"


    "That I am," confirmed Custodian. "I already know you turned down what would be option one."


    "Are you referring to Ebusuku''s offer of divine promotion?" enquired Livia.


    "Yes. I could certainly provide the same result," said Custodian. "But your concerns are valid in missing opportunities to increase your strength and capability to advance once a proper Divine being. However, it would ensure you were protected from rogue misfortune. Truly divine beings can take centuries to fade after losing their last Priest, and I imagine Amdirlain would intervene to resolve the danger to you quickly."


    Livia shot Amdirlain an amused look. "They know you well. What''s option two?"


    "I absorb the Mantle from you," said Custodian.


    "No, thank you. The Mantle is a tool by which I can be of greater service to others," replied Livia. "While I didn''t go looking for it, I won''t abandon the people I saved nor the opportunity to protect others."


    "I like your daughter, Amdirlain," declared Custodian. "I hope we''ll be friends over the aeons to come, Livia."


    "Móeir said we''ve things in common," allowed Livia. "Hopefully, we find it more than just the desire to protect others."


    "It would be best, as my focus isn’t on people, it''s on the protection of cherished or special things or places," replied Custodian. "You will need to decide what you stand for going forward.”


    “Móeir said as much, but I’ve many responsibilities I can’t just shed,” argued Livia.


    “If you were to die tomorrow, someone would have to take care of them,” countered Custodian.


    “But…”


    "While you were looking to protect your independence from your Móeir by clinging to paperwork and protecting it from mishandling, you seem unaware of how vulnerable you are,” declared Custodian.


    Livia frowned in puzzlement. “You’re simply aware of what went on?”


    “When Amdirlain first mentioned my name and her intent to have us meet, I continued to pay attention,” replied Custodian.


    “Oh,” said Livia.


    I can hear when observed by gods but not aspects; that is interesting news.


    “There is a crucial difference between yourself and Amdirlain’s early days upon gaining a Mantle. Amdirlain set an example in her behaviour and had conversations with her followers during an extended visit. That visit is where they get guidance about who she is and her ways. The impression she made was so strong that it stamped through the kingdoms. To be cynical, you have precisely one act of extreme violence and then hiring Celestial mercenaries for them. What will you do when your appearance changes? And that is just the most minor risk you face unless you set your tenets firmly."


    "What?" gasped Livia.


    "Amdirlain, did you tell her of the mortals'' influence on those they worship?" asked Custodian.


    Amdirlain nodded grimly. "I did, but there was a lot to go over."


    Custodian chimed softly. "Unless you secure worshipers on other worlds, your True Form will start to look like a Skrel over time. I''d suggest Elven worshipers whose body type is closest to yours unless you can get Amdirlain to seed a few worlds with humans to gain worshipers among them. This would prevent the effect on your True Form, but it won''t stop how the Skrel perceive you. Their perception of you will influence your avatars'' manifestation in their world. That is part of the faith connection to a world and is in the mortals'' hands."


    "I knew I should get worshippers on other worlds, but how does this relate to how you can help me?" asked Livia.


    "How many worlds?" questioned Custodian.


    Livia blinked. "What do you mean?"


    "How many worlds should I assist you in securing connections to?" expanded Custodian.


    "What threshold would tip the Mantle to a Divine Spark?" asked Livia.


    Custodian swayed in the air, light from the columns'' numbers reflecting from it. "That would depend on how many of those worlds you can progress to a Greater Power''s rank."


    "My Mantle had twelve connections before I went to the monastery to heal and train," advised Amdirlain.


    "How about five worlds where a faith focused on protection would find welcome? Though I’d not want to attract people only to have them hunted by existing faiths," said Livia. “I remember that happened to some of Amdirlain’s converts when they were freed from the Dao.”


    "I can arrange for that. Would you also take on another two where the people have a greater need for protection in many forms, even if the majority do not understand?" enquired Custodian.


    "What is the issue on those two worlds?" enquired Livia.


    "Don''t worry. I won''t give you all the problem cases, and it''s an issue on thousands of worlds. I would like to see how you manage when oppression and lies keep the majority of the populace practically enslaved," explained Custodian. "You come from a background of serving justice, but justice is a societal construct, not true protection."


    That sounds like lessons she''ll need to learn for herself. I''ll stay clear of those worlds.


    Livia winced. "I saw the legal differences between three kingdoms, and what passed as justice varied. I agree with your proposal."


    "Best decide on your principal creed or base tenets, Mantle Holder Livia. While you are doing this, I and the other aspects of protection will determine the worlds on which we''ll send visions to those needing a guide," said Custodian. "Please do so before you leave here. I know Amdirlain came to further the protection of the realm in several fashions today. Our discussion will give you time for quiet introspection."


    "Are you teasing me?" asked Livia with sudden suspicion.


    "Why would you believe that?” responded Custodian.


    Livia blinked. “Just, it sounded similar to advice I gave Amdirlain recently.”


    “Was it good advice?” asked Custodian.


    “I believe it was,” replied Livia.


    Custodian chimed. “Then it won’t hurt for you to follow it yourself, will it? Shall we speak, Amdirlain?”


    Amdirlain had been considering the keys to the Eldritch shackles while Livia and Custodian spoke. The timer on the columns used a link between the key and the shackles themselves to determine how long they''d endure. While it wasn''t the same as the oath links she''d manipulated on numerous occasions, it was close enough that with Resonance-Lord she could avoid the need to venture to each location in person.


    "Let me just repair the prisons, and then I''d like to speak about Law''s use of the guardians in the maze," said Amdirlain.


    "Laodice would like to speak to you about your request, given its purpose is to further Sage''s war against Orcus'' nihilism and desire to see all species in the realm perish," advised Custodian.


    And yes, I''m getting deeper into the games of aspects now.


    "What about those aspects that would see him succeed?"


    "They have their champions," replied Custodian. "Likewise, those interests that I would see Livia oppose have their own."


    Moloch PoV''s - Gehenna (Two Months Earlier)


    The black diamonds vomiting from a nearby volcano rolled down the never-ending slope of Gehenna''s first layer and should have made for hazardous footing for most travellers. The gemstones shattered unnoticed beneath his boots as Moloch approached the location the response to his enquiry to Hell had contained. There he waited for days and was nearing the end of his patience when reality shifted with a regimented weight. The change imposed by Tingeth''s will made this spot part of their Domain, and Moloch stifled curses.


    A chamber manifested around him filled with torture devices and screaming prisoners. Moloch ignored the mewling toys suspended from the walls and ceiling alike. Besides the imprisoned toys, only two other figures were in the chamber. His gaze brushed the twenty-metre-tall Pit Fiend between two pillars against the chamber''s wall, while before them was an occupied throne. Tracing down the tonnes of massive muscles covered in deep red scales whose protective quality some dragons might envy, he felt himself dallying and forced his gaze to fix on the figure sitting on a shadowed throne.


    Asmodues’ officials redirected his attempts at contacting various Dark Powers within Hell to the individual he''d been told to meet today. Analysis was unresponsive when he tried it on the seated figure, and he wondered if the Domain''s Lord had shut it down. Its use on the Pit Fiend returned his impressive details without issue. That a Devil capable of turning the tides on a battlefield involving millions would stand with his outstretched wings forming a protective canopy over a whore was truly bizarre and made things clear.


    Despite his hopes otherwise, the Dark Power was revealed to be another upstart female. The throne was occupied by a figure who appeared to be a lithe, chain-adorned Succubus. The chains were purely decorative, with thousands of tiny silver links that each appeared like a screaming face. Though her shadow-shrouded form was hard to see, he knew when she smiled at him, and her presence went from meaningless trash to a body blow that staggered him.


    Tingeth twitched a slender wing, and Dracas spoke immediately. His tone was the deep rumble of granite being ground to dust by an approaching earthquake. "You have made two enquiries of Hell. You seek knowledge of the Titan''s Songbird?"


    "Yes."


    "And you seek a way to purge yourself of unknown celestial energies?" Dracas rumbled before Moloch could expand.


    "Yes."


    "Why should her mightiness, Overlord Tingeth, Tyrant of Eternity''s reach, hear your plea?"


    Moloch paused. "I''ve provided a list to Asmodeus of what I can provide. If your master didn''t wish to hear my request, I''d not have received an invitation."


    Relaxing back on her throne, Tingeth''s talons dug playfully at the metal arms of her chair, raising a shrill shriek from the Soul embedded within. "Moloch. I see your situation is more dire than your lackey knew. Though that''s not unexpected, I''m sure you hide your condition from most."


    "Would you not?"


    "I''m not so foolish as to have left myself so vulnerable," scoffed Tingeth. "Nor to have drawn such ire."


    "How am I vulnerable?" asked Moloch, and he clenched his teeth in frustration. His desperation had led to voicing a question he would have preferred left unuttered.


    Tingeth smiled and leant forward on her throne, the light from a hundred eternally immolated prisoners casting a ruby glow across her coppery skin and elven features. The deep amethyst of her slitted gaze seemed to gather the light and crush through the flesh to his heart.


    "I have an offer for you," said Tingeth. "One that I will make only once. If you leave here without accepting it, the terms will dramatically worsen if you seek it later."


    "If it is in your ability to answer, then it''s within another’s," rebuffed Moloch.


    "You still consider yourself a merchant, but I''m not haggling. I know dozens of dark powers in the Abyss have rejected your audience requests," laughed Tingeth, and she flopped back. Moloch heard bones break, and silver blood sprayed across Dracas'' legs as something behind her screamed in agonising despair. "Asmodeus himself sent you to me, and I now hold ultimate authority in the nine circles of Hell as to what occurs with your case. If another agrees to hear your petition, they''ll add their fee to the payment I''ll require."


    "I''ve only your word for it," replied Moloch. "You want what I can trade for assistance."


    "Then leave. You''re a convenient option but not essential," sneered Tingeth, and she patted Dracas’ leg with her wing. "Certainly, you''re not as impressive as you might believe, little Hidden."


    The room started fading as Tingeth withdrew her will. Moloch ground his teeth, and as Tingeth''s gaze grew transparent, he spoke. "I''ve not heard your terms."


    The room didn''t return. Instead, a darkness impenetrable to his senses enfolded him and blocked everything except Tingeth''s hollow gaze.


    "I will promote you to the ranks of true divinity, not the pathetic mantles others find impressive. In exchange, you will take on a role that I dictate and work to promote aspects of my tenets in your own way," declared Tingeth.


    I don''t know her proper title, only that Lord Tingeth is worshipped by tyrants and dictators upon thousands of worlds. Why did this ''Lord'' have to be an unpredictable female?


    "A Demon serving a Devil?" questioned Moloch.


    "Your lack of understanding is truly pitiful. Try your best to speak less like an imbecile. You would cease to be a Demon Lord and become a Dark Power, and once past the stage of mantles, the location of one''s residence is meaningless. The game isn''t about Hell against the Abyss—we''re not demons, devils, or daemons. We''re looking to profit, each in our particular way," replied Tingeth. "Asmodeus doesn''t keep the Blood War going because he wants to eliminate all demons, but because he was paid, and now he wants control of evil in all its forms."


    "You say his name so casually," noted Moloch.


    Tingeth shrugged. "This is my Domain. While his rules hold in the circles of Hell outside domains, I''m also a Greater Power. I can prevent him from hearing whatever I don''t wish him hearing inside my Domain."


    "How much power will I gain?"


    "I will make you a demi-god. Growth from there is up to you, but growth is possible. You have priests and missionaries to find those to whom your tenets appeal. Convince them to further your goals, and their devotion will flow to you from every world you have worshippers on," replied Tingeth. "My priests will assist you in finding initial recruits upon a few selected worlds."


    "And if I fail to grow?"


    "If you don''t make suitable progress, I''ll remove the seed of divinity I bequeathed you long before you fade," replied Tingeth. "That would mean your utter destruction."


    Moloch kept his face composed and tone calm. "What is this going to cost me?"


    "I''ve not told you the role you''ll play in the pantheons to which I''ll see you included," noted Tingeth. "The last point to know is that divinity does come with the benefit of me expelling the celestial energy you''ve got burning inside you."


    "And the role?"


    "The Abyss collects three types of souls: the damned, the harvested, and those who sold themselves,” observed Tingeth casually as she continued to address Moloch’s questions selectively.


    "You want the last, I take it?" asked Moloch.


    "At least you’re semi-quick about trade. Your role depends on how many exchangeable souls you''re offering," purred Tingeth. The darkness receded from the path between them, and Moloch found she was still seated upon her throne; the silver blood of whatever she''d crushed earlier dripped off the edge. "Better not bid low. I will only give you one chance since you wanted to see if I was bluffing."


    "I''ve at least eighteen trillion in my treasury," replied Moloch.


    Tingeth yawned and tapped a talon against the metal chairs, increasingly higher pitch screams sounding. Each strike caused the fire within his feather-shaped burns to pulse with an agonising intensity that made the Abyss’ inferno seem kind by comparison.


    A second Soul joined in the screaming, and Tingeth started to fade.


    "You can have all the souls I own if it will purchase your divine sponsorship," yelled Moloch as the pain in his flesh raged higher, and the burn marks started to grow.


    "Done."


    Moloch found glistening white chains wrapped around him and sank without a trace into his skin. Power exploded through him, beyond anything he''d ever conceived, and Moloch beheld the oath links to his servants for the first time and knew what they were. Thousands of thin tubes stretched across the planes, letting him know their state and influence their intentions. Three were withered and ruined, and two of those ruined ones showed burn damage.


    The Songbird attacked through my oath links?


    Flames vented out from his wounds as the celestial energy proved unable to retain its grip on deified flesh and the scars vanished from his skin. It wasn''t the only change he felt; his True Form''s flesh and bones were compressed and crushed together, absorbing all his classes as they were altered. He felt his Hidden state stripped away and obliterated by the final determination of his fate.


    Most of the Oath Link tubes became unbreakable chains tied not to him but to Tingeth, and a chain linked his Soul to her as well. "I''ll take all those that used to be Mortal and those souls from your treasury. Kneel, my Servant, so that I might complete your transformation."


    Her words were an order beyond his ability to resist. Smarting from the agony of the transformation and her theft, Moloch stayed silent and carefully knelt.


    "I, Lady Tingeth, Master of Tyrants, Despots, and Hidden Cruelty, declare you, Lord Moloch, my Harbinger of Chaos, Lies, and Repression. May you forever sell mortals the lies that have them believe in my true worshippers'' beneficial rulership."


    Moloch screamed as her Willpower compressed his Soul into newly deified flesh and set the terms of his existence for eternity.


    "Fail me, and I''ll stake you out for the Titan''s Songbird and help her kill you slowly."


    When he came to himself, Moloch registered her words properly and gasped. “Her?"


    "Based on my research of certain patterns and snide comments from my father, the Songbird is most certainly female," declared Tingeth. "To important matters. First, I expect all your armies to be recalled from the battlefronts against Hell. Second, we must arrange for you to deliver your first payment."


    Moloch ground his teeth. “First?”


    “You serve me now, and I expect regular tribute,” advised Tingeth smugly.