u/Obselete_Person

**reality cluster 779-D. "Pantheon"**

*This takes place directly after the last post*

Vultus: so, if you'll come with me.

*He touches a charm around his neck, and a glittering cyan sheet of what looks like water appears. Vultus steps through, and koss follows. The place is, like so many important places in koss' story, a cave. Catwalks of steel even out the ground, and beams support the walls and provide a place for hanging lights*

Vultus: follow me.

*They walk briskly down the corridor, and step off through a doorway to the right. This room is brighter, clearly a family quarters. On a colourful rug in the middle of the room, there sits a child. He has light brown hair, almost sandy, and exceedingly bright eyes of a colour almost cyan.*

Vultus: Multae, this is who I told you about. Koss, this is Ultio Malachi Lambsson, or, according to my customs, Multae.

*Ultio cocks his head to the left.*

Ultio: I knew you were coming. I saw it.

Koss: what- what do you mean by that, buddy?

Ultio: you're scared.... Surprised? Emotions are dancing around in your head like wiggly bugs.

Vultus: Multae is an oracle. We believe he's also an empath. As a demigod, he could manifest more powers.

Koss: I'm not scared, bud. Just... Confused. I didn't expect anything like this. Vultus, could I text my fiancée? She.... Needs to know.

Vultus: sure. The godflame is welcome here. Any enemy of Eira is.

*Ultio looks up*

Ultio: my mommy?

*Vultus winces*

Vultus: no, My son. Your mother is very busy.

Ultio: busy hunting. She's looking for me... Like a game of hide and seek.

**reality cluster 779-D. "Pantheon"**

*Koss lounged in his armchair, reading a book. It was quite good, a sci-fi about an amnesiac scientist "alone" on a world-saving spaceship. There was a knock on the door*

Koss: coming.

*He walked to the door, and looked through the peephole. Nothing. He heard a creak behind him.*

Koss: well. I guess you are unfamiliar with the purpose of a door. To keep unwanted guests out.

*Koss turns around. The man behind him.. looks strikingly similar to him. Aside from the beard, the scars, and the black hair rather than brown, they could be the same person.*

Vultus: my name is Vultus.

Koss: hello, Vultus.

*He gestures to an armchair*

Koss: sit.

Vultus: I don't thi-

*Dark chains slither from the air, wrapping gently around Vultus and sitting him in the chair*

Koss: tea? I love tea.

Vultus: ...

*Koss strides over to the kitchen and starts preparing tea, talking as he works*

Koss: your armour. Dark colours, blue etching and detailing. Not typical of Alfheimish steel to be tempered like that. Usually, they value silver-white sheen. You an assassin? And do you take honey in your tea?

Vultus: I'd love honey, sire.

Koss: don't. Call me koss. I'm not your "sire"

*He walks over to the living room area and places the tea on the coffee table.*

Koss: enjoy.

*He sits down in a chair across from Vultus. The chains release him, and he reaches for the tea.*

Koss: why are you here? I told Eira I wouldn't have anything to do with her.

Vultus: such is my purpose.

Koss: I don't want to have to kill you.

Vultus: hardly, sir- eh, koss. I am the leader of the alfheim vanguard rebels. We aim to take Eira off the throne and replace her.

Koss: with you?

Vultus: only for a time.

Koss: then who?

Vultus: I am a member of a species that no longer exists. The Vestera. We were shapeshifters. But something that differentiated us from others with the same ability was our power to change our DNA. Specifically, to that of other creatures. Eira found out, and slaughtered all but one.

Koss: so you want me to help you overthrow her?

Vultus: I'm not finished. I was that one, kept as her personal... Concubine. That wasn't my only purpose, but it was the most common. Until about six years ago for me, and about two weeks for you. Eira found your apartment, stole a mug- which had your DNA, -and forced me to inseminate her while I was transformed using said DNA.

Koss: so you're saying-

Vultus: I require no assistance with my coup. I've been fighting her directly for five years now. But I do believe every man should meet his son. Even if that son is also mine. And Eira's.

*Hades leaned back in the diner seat.*

Hades: ugh. Why isn't she here yet?

Nyktos: are you sure she got the message?

Hades: yes! I stole koss' phone and texted her this location, and told her to come at eleven!

Nyktos: Hades.

Hades: yeah?

Nyktos: it's ten thirty.

Hades: half an hour early is on time.

Nyktos: it's literally not. Whatever. Do you have the questions for Ms. Godflame prepared?

Hades: I'm pretty sure that's not her name. Yes. I printed off a list.

*He passes it to Nyktos. It's in comic sans*

Nyktos: "one. Are you using hypnosis, siren magic, and or love potions on koss?" Hades, what the fu-

Hades: keep reading.

Nyktos: ugh. "Two. Do you intend to live with koss full time?" Okay, that one's good. "Three. Will you allow koss to continue his 'hunting expeditions' with us every Wednesday without nagging, cajoling, and/or guilt tripping?" Hades, how about I ask the questions?

Hades: fine.

*Their food arrived, and they sat back to wait for Irot*

*Kristoff slid backwards off the blade, but koss' hand on the centre crownshard ripped it out of his chest, leaving two ragged stab wounds in his chest. Almost like fang marks.*

Kristoff: sclkk.. hhh...

*He looks down at the holes in his body. He opens his mouth, and blood pours out*

Kristoff: hh.. good fight... Brother.

*It's what he would always say after sparring. A call back to a simpler time*

Koss: good fight.

*Kristoff smiles, then collapses*

*Koss bolts up in his bed*

Koss: fuck.

*He looks over at irot, sleeping in the (meticulously fireproofed) bed. She doesn't do it often, so he hates to leave, but he can't just sit after that. Vengecrown stirs in his mind*

Vengecrown: what are you doing?

Koss: shut up.

*He grabs a light sweater, a can of Dr. Pepper, and flamerifts to the roof of the one world trade center*

Vengecrown: we were sleeping.

Koss: some people don't sleep well after killing their closest friends.

Vengecrown: I'm not a person.

*Koss sits down on the edge and cracks open the can*

Koss: yeah, well I don't give a shit what you think.

Vengecrown: I think you should-

Koss: kill everyone. I know.

Vengecrown: not everyone. The flame of our heart may live.

Koss: that's some possessive shit.

Vengecrown: I am the embodiment of corrupting power. I am possessive at best.

Koss: jesus Christ, you haven't talked this much in forever. It's usually dark growling and whispers. This is actually the first time you've had a recognisable voice.

Vengecrown: you permitted me control. I don't like being permanently fused to you, but what I want hardly matters to you.

Koss: is that normal for Godcrowns?

Vengecrown: I don't know. You sure as hell aren't normal.

Koss: hey!

Vengecrown: kill someone.

Koss: no. I'm trying to relax.

Vengecrown: whatever.

Koss: maybe I should tell mom about this, she'd probab-

Vengecrown: no. Don't. I have no wish to join her sincrown legion.

Koss: okay?

Vengecrown: I'm going back to sleep.

*Koss just sits there, quiet. The voice in his head retreats, but it's not quiet in his head yet.*

*koss had Hades on speakerphone while he packed for a fight*

Hades: so you're going back to mount Ebott?

Koss: according to Irot, that's a hotspot in other realities too.

Hades: yeah, but you're going back there because you got a mysterious letter in Bulgarian from your therapist?

Koss: ... Yeah.

Hades: that's a bad idea.

Koss: ... Yeah.

Hades: good luck.

*Koss tosses another knife into his duffel bag*

Koss: shut up.

Hades: don't forget to use your godly storage.

*Koss looks at his fully packed duffel bag*

Koss: yep.

Hades: got to go, Persephone will kill me if I miss dinner again.

Koss: bye.

*One repack later, he flamerifts to the entrance of the mount Ebott cave system. It's dark, damp, and cold. Average cave. He wanders through the caves for a while, (doesn't remember where the crown pedestal is) until he finds a huge cavern. It's pitch dark, unlike where he found his crown, so he turns to leave, until he hears a scraping sound.*

Koss:... *Should I go in there? Probably not*

*He goes in there. It's really dark, so he uses a hand on the wall to navigate. He works his way through the cavern, until-*

Veronika: who's there? I may be blind, but I'm not deaf!

*Koss freezes*

Veronika: hello? Bastards.

Koss: hello, Veronika.

*Koss hears her straighten up in the dark*

Veronika: ohh, hello, manbeast. Come to take my hearing? My speech?

Koss: I took your eyes for a reason, bitch.

Veronika: oh, you think I'm the monster in the closet, child, but you know not the monsters that haunt me.

Koss: whatever. Did you send the letter?

Veronika: do you think I can write? Chained, blind, tortured in the dark by my kin?

Koss: tortured by your kin? Your only kin is... Kristoff. But he wouldn't-

Veronika: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DONE TO ME!!

Koss: calm down. I don't know what you're talking abo-

Veronika: twisted creatures, dancing in the dark, the poisoned arrow finds it's mark... KILL ME!

Koss: that is disturbing, but-

Veronika: KILL ME!

*she leaps towards koss in the dark, but her chains snap her back before she can reach him. Koss hears footsteps coming from the other direction, and slips behind an outcrop to hide- despite the darkness. Veronika curls into a ball, repeating the same phrase over and over*

Veronika: kill me... Kill me... Please... Don't let him.... Just kill me...

*The footsteps stop, right next to the furthest extent of Veronika's chains... And Kristoff's voice rings out*

Kristoff: sister, what has you agitated?

Veronika: fuck off.

*Koss peeks out from behind the outcrop, his godlike eyes adjusted to the dark now. Everything is dark, almost greyscale, but he can see. Kinda.*

Kristoff: aw, sister, that's no way to speak to your brother. Whom you love.

*Kristoff caresses Veronika's cheek. She jerks back.*

Veronika: I hate you. And you don't love me. You just like the way I squirm to avoid you.

*Kristoff leans closer*

Kristoff: that's not the part I like best, sister.

*Koss gags quietly. Kristoff's head snaps around*

Kristoff: he's here.

*He turns, and runs out*

*Koss walks over to Veronika, curled in the corner still.*

Koss: I think I know what you meant now. But I won't kill you.

*He walks out. Following the winding tunnels, he finds the cavern where the crown pedestal was. The light still pours through the waterfalls, Illuminating the cave. Kristoff kneels on the dais in front of the pedestal. The pedestal which holds the largest shard of slambs crown*

Kristoff: ah, koss. How are you?

Koss: well-

*Pain, a blow to the back of the head, darkness.*

Koss: fuuuuckk...

*Light fades back in. Koss must've gotten really fucking hammered with Hades last night. Can never say no to that guy. He tries to wipe his forehead, but something stops his hand. A chain. One of his, made of black metal. Oh, right.*

Kristoff: are we awake now, brother?

Koss: dude, the fuck? Use tranquillisers or something!

Kristoff: takes the fun out of it, bud!

*He smiles. It's the same smile as always.*

*Kristoff raises his arms, sleeves rolled up. The two other crownshards are jammed through the flesh of his forearms, trails of crimson red sliding down his arms*

Kristoff: are you surprised? You never knew I was Bulgarian, did you? You never even bothered to ask your "brother", who you scarred, where he was from.

Koss: I actually did know that. I thought it was Veronika. Speaking of, what the fuck?

Kristoff: eggs, omelette, something something euphemism.

Koss: that doesn't explain-

Kristoff: shut up. And don't even try to escape, we cursed the chains to block your powers.

Koss: well-

Kristoff: shut up. Why should gods be so far above us? We aren't mortal, we aren't fragile, we are above the mere humans-

Koss: have you been reading mein kampf?

Kristoff: shut up. With your mother's power, I'll become more than you ever could be, you puny, miserable shit.

Koss: quick sidebar. These chains are cursed to only block my powers, right?

Kristoff: yes, now, SHUT-

Koss: neat.

*He erupts in a pillar of flame, and appears in front of Kristoff,*

Koss: that wasn't my power.

*Kristoff scrambles, wheeling, and grabs the last shard. He lifts it like a dagger, and plunges it into his chest, in the centre of his torso. His body twists and bucks, liquid shadow emerging in tendrils of death. Koss is unimpressed*

Koss: Kristoff. I am the son of death herself. I've slaughtered archangels, devoured titans, crushed souls. I am a fucking god. You think you can beat me? With fragments of a power I shattered? Arrogant fool.

Kristoff: I'll kill you... Then I'll kill your little fire too...

Koss: ooh... One thing the mortal body and I have in common? We both like that little fire too much. A weakness, I know.

Kristoff: the mortal body?

Vengecrown: I've been in control since we escaped the chains. Koss stopped caring about the inhibitions after we saw Veronika. I wouldn't normally be as sapient, but koss and I are in agreement here. You die.

Kristoff: oh fuck.

Vengecrown: oh fuck indeed.

*Horns curl from koss' head, his flesh turning to matte steelcoloured scales, face elongating, fangs growing-*

*Later*

Koss, texting his mom: hey i got the last three shards. :3

*Eira watched as the high pristess naiad fell, her power snatched away. Perhaps this would be enough to extinguish that pesky flame, the power of a whole kingdom, in one necklace. Eira slid the necklace over her head*

General Ralke: Handmaiden, will you be continuing with us to our next camp?

Eira: no, brother. I must return to alfheim, my mother worries our father's blood corrupts me.

General Ralke: she is correct.

Eira: indisputably. But I wish to see my stepfather and their new baby. At ease.

*Eira opened a portal to the palace, as was her right as a royal, stepped through, and beheld the carnage left behind*

Eira: no....

*The palace had fallen, the usually bright sky clogged with ash and smoke. Everywhere she looked, she saw a familiar banner. Her father's banner. And he was there, standing near the crushed thrones.*

Eira: father? What did you DO?!

*he moves faster than she can see, and lifts her off the ground by her hair. She stares Into his scarlaced face, the nose long gone and replaced, the left eye nothing but milky scars*

Ares: you are distracted. I can't have my handmaiden distracted.

*He looked her over*

Ares: so. You finally acquired the DNA you needed. Your plan worked, you are with child.

Eira: go to hell.

Ares: only for vacation.

Eira: what did you do to my family?!

Ares: all dead. Now you won't be distracted.

*She moved quickly, and buried one of her daggers in the centre of his chest. He flung her across the room, and she slammed into a pillar*

Ares: nice try, daughter.

Eira: I'm not done.

*She let out a piercing whistle, and the one palace hound she had seen leapt, and tore Ares' throat out. He got my the hound against the wall, killing it, then collapsed.*

Eira: how's that for a good try, bastard?

*Ares lets out a whisper, Eira can't quite hear him.*

Eira: what?

Ares: good... Job...

*She sees something she's never seen before In his eyes. Pride*

Ares: you always were the most unhinged of my offspring. Now.... Crush my heart, and become a goddess.

Eira: what?!

Ares: do it, or I'll..... Regenerate, and kill you.

*Eira Digs her dagger into his chest, and crushes his heart. Immediately, she feels the effects of war. Anger, brightest of all, but sadness a close second. Eira knew that this energy surrounded her and manipulated others, as Ares power had once twisted her. She was beyond repair now. Her kingdom, however? That could be rebuilt.*

*A week later*

Adviser: my queen, with all of the extra manpower you've promised, that takes reconstruction down to five years.

Eira: if we were to seal off the realm, how long would the outside world experience while we repair?

Adviser: it's hard to quantify exactly, but somewhere around a week.

Eira: perfect. The most important part of a war Is the reconstruction. After we rebuild, become stronger, we can crush everyone else. After the rest of the legions of war arrive, seal the realm. I want it done by tomorrow.

*Eira growled softly as she stopped through the warcamp. They'd set up on a bluff overlooking the ocean, and would be moving out within the week*

Eira: BEDWARMER!

*She sees his head poke up out of the crowd of slaves. She picked him because he looked like koss, but his shapeshifting ability had proven useful before. Especially now that she'd made sure he was the last one*

Bedwarmer: yes, mistress?

Eira: prepare yourself. I will be along shortly. You will find a coffee mug with the DNA of who you are to impersonate tonight. Full DNA transformation. And don't bother with the Queen Anne's lace tonight.

Bedwarmer: but mistress, that could-

Eira: I know.

Bedwarmer: I can't hold a pure transformation for long, mistress.

Eira: then be sure to time it.

Bedwarmer: yes, mistress.

​

*10 year old Demi-Koss sat on the chair. It was too big for him, and he wanted his mommy to take him home, but she was still in the meeting.*

?: hey. Who're you?

*Koss looked up. There was a girl there, maybe his age, blonde, with brown eyes, and pointed ears*

Koss: I'm koss, who're you?

Eira: I'm Eira. I'm eleven, and my mom is the queen of alfheim.

Koss: I'm ten, and my mom is a god.

Eira: cool! What about your dad!

Koss: I don't have one.

Eira: me neither. Wanna go play?

Koss: sure!

**Roughly Three years later, Eira's thirteenth birthday.**

Koss: -happy birthday tooo youuu!

Eira: dummy.

*Koss hands her a package*

Koss: made it myself! With my new powers!

*He shifts the oversized crown on his head*

*Eira opens the package. It's a tiny shadowstatue of a horse*

Koss: horses are easier than people.

Eira: I. Love. It.

Koss: awww, thanks, Eira. I should go now though... My mom doesn't like me hanging out with a "force of life" because I'm an "aspect of death" now.

Eira: koss, wait.

Koss: yeah?

Eira: do you maybe wanna... Go out sometime?

Koss: like to the ice cream place?

Eira: sure, but like girlfriend and boyfriend!

Koss: okay.

**Roughly Three years later, koss' sixteenth birthday*

*Eira pushed him onto the bed*

Eira: sit down, dummy. I got you a gift!

Koss: Eira, did you sneak in here?!

Eira: yeah, bdoy.

*She tosses him a tiny box*

Eira: open it.

*Koss opens it. It's... A pack of Trojans. (look it up)*

Koss: Eira, I-

*She starts kissing him, nothing new at this point, but clearly she doesn't plan to stop there.*

*A muffled voice comes through the door, slamb. Awful timing, considering koss is in boxers and a t-shirt, and Eira is half done taking her shirt off*

Slamb: koss, I'm doing an inspection. Open up.

*She opens the door.*

Eira: uh.

Koss: er.

*Slambs face darkens. Tentacles of her power sprout from the walls*

*It wasn't a great night.*

*Almost four years later. Koss is sitting in the armchair in his apartment. Eira never returned after his birthday celebration gone wrong, but he doesn't even think of her now. Right now, his thoughts are occupied by the ringbox he's turning over in his hands, and irot. A knock at the door comes. He looks through the peephole. Nothing. But when he opens the door, Eira pushes past him*

Eira: hey, dummy. How've you been?

*She starts looking around.*

Eira: nice place. Ooh, what's this?

*She picks up the ringbox, Lying on the chair*

Eira: oh, this is a pretty one. Is it for the campfire you're with now?

*She tries it on*

Koss: I- you- take that off and get out.

Eira: hm?

Koss: get out. Get the fuck out of my FUCKING house.

Eira: geez, that's almost as coarse as your mother. How is the homicidal bitch anyway?

Koss: GET OUT!

Eira: your mother almost killed me, and not even an apology? Well, I'll be. I do have one thing to thank her for, though. Nearly killing Me forced my deadbeat dad Ares out of the woodwork.

Koss: bullshit. Pantheons don't mix. Get out. You disappeared for four fucking years. You don't get to waltz back in now. I'm worth more than that.

Eira: your faun therapist tell you that?

Koss: get out.

*Eira's face goes cold. Her flowing dress transforms into a tightly fit white leather suit of armour. Koss' eyes never leave her face.*

Eira: your mother almost killed me. I had a right-

*Koss roars, his voice laced with the growls of the beast*

Koss: YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. NO RIGHT TO COME HERE AND ASK ANYTHING OF ME!

Eira: and to think I hoped Godhood wouldn't change you. I was wrong.

Koss: I'm the same, Eira. You're the one who changed.

Eira: only for the better. To be honest, I was looking for some intelligent conversation. My half-brothers are rather dense.

Koss: get out.

Eira: fine. You still have my number?

Koss: I'll lose it, don't worry.

Eira: ha! Funny. Not. Goodbye, Lord of Vengeance.

*She leaves, and slams the door. Koss makes a Decision in his mind. He takes a picture of the ring and sends it to Irot with the message "fuck the past. You're my future. Marry me?"*

Darkness. Pitch black darkness. The silence is occasionally broken by a droplet of water hitting the floor and the muffled wailing of the few occupants every once in a while. Suddenly, footsteps can be heard approaching, interrupting the almost melodic melancholy, followed by the slow screeching of claws against the walls. A growl breaks out. The footsteps stop, replaced by a yelp of pain.

???: You. Come with me.

The footsteps resume, this time going away.

------

Meanwhile, at the manor, Vincent is looking at various documents with a concerned look.

Vincent: This can't be good for my reputation...

There was a light knock on the door.

Vincent: You may enter.

A servant enterd the room, head low.

Melinda: Dinner will be ready soon, master.

Vincent: I will be there in an instant. Go make sure Walter is presentable.

Melinda: Yes, master. Right away, master.

She bowed in front of Vincent before making her way towards Walter's room. Vincent looked one last time at the documents before arranging them in a neat pile and heading to the dining room, cane in hand. On the top document can be read "Missing" in big letters with the almost accurate drawing of one of the villagers.

------

Walter was not presentable. Melinda was chased out of her room by means of thrown objects.

Walter: Tell my dad I'm not hungry.

Melinda was disheartened.

Melinda: But mistress, you are still young and growing. If I may, I would suggest that you still go eat.

Walter: Uuuugh. No. I am sneaking out to see my girlfriend.

Melinda: Very well then, mistress. I shall inform your father of your decision to not eat.

Walter: Fiine

Melinda: I shall leave you to your preparation then, mistress.

She then proceeded to leave the room. Obselete, who stayed hidden so far, deactivated their camouflage.

Obselete: You don't really like your father, do you?

Walter: Mimimi SHUT UP.

Obselete raised an eyebrow.

Obselete: So personal questions are a nono, got it.

Walter: Ugh, sorry. Kinda keyed up right now. OOOH. Can we go show you off to Denna and sigh Chris.

Obselete: As long as they don't try to kill me, I guess I am alright with meeting them.

Walter: Well chris (ugh) is a bit of a taxedermist so he might ask weird questions.

Obselete: He wont try to make me into a stuffed human, right?

Walter: Weeeellll. Denna is a weaver, you should see what she can do!

Walter's tail thrashes about. Obselete notices the tail thrashing but doesn't comment on it, making a mental note to be careful around Chris.

Obselete: A weaver? Sounds cool.

Walter: YEAH. Have you seen the hammocks and supports around town? The weavers create all that.

Obselete: Oooooh nice.

Walter: She also has four arms, six eyes, and the best rack you'll find in town.

Obselete: Oh, is she some kind of spider or something?

Walter: No, dummy, she's a WEAVER. I just said.

Obselete: Four arms, six eyes but a weaver as in the bird? Ok, now im confused.

Walter: Are all humans this stupid? She's a weaverfae! She weaves! Not a bird!

Obselete: I understood that earlier. I was just trying to understand how she'll look like. A bit like you look like a cat. Just forget about the spider and the bird thing....

Walter: Okay... That's basically a slur. Please don't ever say that again.

Obselete: If you say so. And I better not catch your weaver friend weaving me into a cocoon.

Walter: You won't. C'mon, let's go already.

*koss is listening to his therapist, lying on the couch and clutching a pillow*

Dr. Gotal: and, Mr. Lambsson, you Also seem to have deep seated abandonment issues, possibly from the fact you are adopted.

Koss: what makes you think that?

Dr. Gotal: you're checking your phone every three minutes, you're twitching more than a squirrel, and you're constricting my throw pillow.

*The therapist rubs his forehead*

Dr. Gotal: this has to do with your girlfriend, does it not?

Koss: well.. my mom and her don't get along.

Dr. Gotal: your mother has spoken of, I quote "that fiery vixen bitch" with significant respect.

Koss: oh.

Dr. Gotal: the thing is, you were never purposely abandoned. The question is, where do your issues come from? Was there another person whom you were close with?

Koss: uh... No.

Dr. Gotal: mhm. Well, if you're going to lie, this session is over. I reccomend a weighted blanket, maybe heated as well, and perhaps a weighted plush too. I'd also schedule some time in a sensory deprivation chamber, they do wonders for similar cases.

Koss: I'm not lying.

Dr. Gotal: yes you are. There is one last thing, though. Someone came looking for you. Asked by name. Of course, I couldn't say anything, client confidentiality, you know, but they wrote their message down for you.

*He hands koss a slip of paper. On it, written in dark red ink are the words "Ela skoro na planinata na svoeto vŭznesenie i mozhe bi shte otkriesh silata na maĭka si. Shte te ochakvame, nositel na vŭzmezdie."*

Koss: uh. Thanks.

*all information was illegally obtained from Mythosearch.net, your search engine for all things mythical! We're like Google, but for Magical beings!*

User: GodofVengeance

- shadowstone wholesalers

- how use godly storage dimension

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- is it legal to marry a guiding spirit

- guiding spirit courtship traditions

- beginner level nondestructive spells

- cool music

- what to do if you suspect your gift was a talisman

- fire guiding spirit wiki

- Bulgarian to English translator

- ambient temperature of a fire spirit

- how to get heat resistant latex products

- Melting temperature of latex

​

*koss typed out a message to Irot. "Going out with friends. Leaving phone here. Don't call. Ily vewwy much"*

*He packed up his weapons and strapped them on. It was Hades' turn to pick the target, so it was hard to guess. Koss stepped into the closet in the bedroom. Behind the hanging clothes was another door, one that led to the closet of his old room in slambs temple. When he stepped through, because he was technically in the realm of the dead, he could flamerift to Hades' place. He knocked on the large black doors*

Hades: fuck. COMING!

*Various noises of clatter and knocking stuff over follow, and Hades opens the door. He has hyperpale skin, almost pure white, and prominent cheekbones. His hair, which is actually blue fire, is swept back into a mullet. Somehow. He's wearing what he always does. Formalwear that sneaks as close to goth as Persephone will let him*

Hades: sorry. Persephone just got a new delivery of plants from her mom, and Cerberus is not behaving.

*Hades looks about 24, because he is. Every hundred years, the gods of Hades' pantheon reset their ages to sixteen*

Koss: it's alright. You ready?

Hades: not yet. Don't let Persephone feed you, we're going to fatburger.

*They walk in, and a three headed border collie bounds towards koss*

Koss: Cerberus! Cmere girl! Aren't you just the bestest, yes you are!

Hades: stop encouraging the demon.

Koss: is she actually a demon or-

Hades: no, but I wonder.

*Persephone walks in, flawless as always. She glares at Hades, who straightens up*

Persephone: why didn't you tell me koss was here!

*She runs over and hugs him tight*

Persephone: it's been too long!

Hades: it's been a week, dear.

*A glare silences him*

Persephone: are you hungry? Thirsty? You're so thin! What is that woman of yours feeding you?!

Koss: she's... On vacation right now. I'm eating well.

Persephone: no, you're not. Men never are. It's always unhealthy, or too much, or too little or-

Hades: dear. We have plans. Nyktos is still waiting.

Persephone: then go pack, you big jerk!

*Later, koss flamerifts them to Nyktos' courtyard. He's already waiting, his wife Seraphena standing next to him.*

Hades: Nyk, what is your issue with shirts?

*Nyktos is shirtless. Again. He's wearing fairly serviceable pants, to be fair.*

*Seraphena jogs over and hugs koss*

Sera: KOSS! I missed you.

Hades: wow.

Sera: you have a problem with Nyktos not wearing a shirt. No hug.

Koss: hi, Sera. I missed you too.

Sera: make sure Nyktos orders extra for me. And actually brings it back this time.

Koss: there was a hydra. We didn't mean to drop it.

Nyktos: well....

*Nyktos had moved closer. His honey-hued skin swirled with tattoos of blood droplets, one for everyone he considered died because of him. His curly hair was shorter than last time*

Koss: haircut?

*Seraphena smiles*

Sera: I did it.

Nyktos: and it took me this long to look presentable.

Sera: mean.

Nyktos: do you want me to order you food?

Hades: can we go already? I brought a killer playlist.

Koss: how much of it is power glove?

Hades: ... Some.

Nyktos: you mean all.

Hades: no, I have some papa roach too.

Sera: Hades, they will jump you for your music taste.

Hades: well theirs SUCKS!

*Later, they're hiking across an unmapped area of the realm of death. Nyktos' domain, Hades' kingdom, even the lamblands are all in the realm of death. But there's a ton of unmapped areas. No mans lands.*

Nyktos: so, Hades, what are we hunting today?

Hades: one of yours. Kirke, titan of illusion. You Primal gods get corrupted easily.

Nyktos: power corrupts. You yourself have to live a new life every hundred years. Koss' mom is really fucked up.

Koss: hey! It's true, but be nicer.

Hades/Nyktos: no.

Koss: jerks.

*Later, in a forest of pitch black trees, they find Kirke. She's about... Oh, 29, 30 feet tall.*

Kirke: I bear a message for the lord of twilight.

*The guys look at each other.*

Nyktos: I don't think that's one of my titles.

Hades: nope, I'm just darkness. Not twilight.

Koss: have I even been a god long enough for a title? My last one was "heir of fucked up sheep" pretty much.

*Kirke looks exasperated*

Kirke: the god!

Hades: we all are.

Kirke: the one with dark power!

Nyktos: be specific.

Kirke: the lord of the bloodstarved!

Koss: Oop! That's me!

Kirke: finally. Ahem. YOU ARE NOT FIT FOR YOUR POWER. YOU EXPLOIT THOSE WHO WOULD SERVE YOU, YOU DESTROY THOSE WHO WOULD CHALLENGE YOU, YOU ARE NOUGHT BUT A FAKE! TRYABVA DA UMRESH, ZA DA VŬZKRŬSNE GOSPOD!

koss: I don't speak that

Hades: it's Bulgarian.

Nyktos: how do you know?

Hades: I just do.

Koss: do we kill her?

Hades: you got her.

Nyktos: she had a message for you, you get her.

Koss: this is a setup.

*He trudges out to fight her, and her thirty foot tall form collapses, twisting, deforming, becoming... Irot?*

Koss: oh come on. Not cool.

Hades: is that your girlfriend that you've yet to score with?

Koss: yes, asshole.

Nyktos: don't listen to him. I was a virgin until I was Two hundred.

Hades: ouch.

Koss: WHY DID YOU ASSUME I WAS A VIRGIN?!

*they look at each other.*

Hades/Nyktos: it's obvious.

Kirke as irot: yeah, kinda.

Koss: no one asked you! Alright, whatever. I'll just kill you quickly.

*He pulls a kalis sword out of his bag*

Koss: been wanting to try this for a bit, anyway.

Kirke as Irot: well, my whole illusion thing is about you attacking first, so...

Koss: fine.

*He lunges forward. Shadows peel from beneath the trees, twisting into not-quite-human forms. Their limbs snap like whips, trying to restrain koss. They're easy to destroy, but there's a lot, and koss is restrained*

Koss: you guys gonna help?

Hades: nah.

Nyktos: this is a learning experience.

Koss: fuck you guys. Come on, You won't even-

*Koss' vision dwindles. He can see very little, in a circle around him. Beyond this, it's pitch black. Kirke is standing in front of him, no longer looking like irot. But, next to her, presumably another illusion, is irot again.*

Kirke: well, how about that. A god, so easy to restrain.

Koss: I'm resting.

*Kirke turns, and koss sees that the irot-illusion is chained. Kirke pulls a dagger from her sleeve, and slits the irot-illusions throat.*

Koss: you think I don't know that's an illusion? I-

*Shit. The crown doesn't know it's an illusion. Koss' dark mirror, everything bad about him distilled into pure rage, bucks within him*

Koss: oh, you fucked Up.

*Koss' ram's horns curl from his skull, his tail emerging from the swirl of lilac magic.*

Koss: at least I would have made it mostly painless.

*Koss collapses against his restraints, shrieking as his bones rearrange, as his flesh bubbles like liquid. His face elongates, becoming more of a snout. Sharp, vicious teeth slide from his gums. His skin ripples and bucks, turning a matte gray, textured with scales. His entire body stretches, twists, becoming something almost bipedal, but not quite. Talons rip from its fingers, its tail thickens, the arrowhead shaped barb flicking. Koss' clothes have been lost in the transformation. The beast flicks it's long, forked tongue, a bruised shade of purple, around its lips, and snarls*

Kirke: uh-

*The beast flicks its tail, burying the barb in the skull of one of the shadow illusions holding it. One arm now free, it twists, burying it's clawed talons In another illusion. A third tries to swipe at the beast's face. It chomps down, teeth sinking into its shadowy flesh. Kirke watches as her illusions are viciously slaughtered, and finally the beast turns to her. It backhands her across the clearing, slamming her into a tree. It's already behind her, moving with ungodly quickness. There's a ripping feeling as its talons shred her arm from her body. It moves to stand in front of her. And smiles. It lunges, snapping its maw shut around her head, and swallows it whole.*

Hades: wow.

*The beast turns. Two more shadows*

Nyktos: Hades. Don't move.

*Hades recognises the tension in Nyktos' voice*

Hades: fuck. He's not going to eat us, right?

Nyktos: koss. Listen to my voice. Calm down.

Hades: fuck are you trying to calm it down for?!

Nyktos: Hades, shut up. I went through something similar with Sera.

Hades: did your wife turn into a lumbering demon?

Nyktos: not quite.

*The beast hesitates. Attack? No, this isn't right. It sits back on its haunches, deliberating.*

Hades: it's getting ready to pounce!

Nyktos: Hades. Calm.

*Hades summons his spear and shield from the darkness*

Hades: fuck that.

*The beast registers the weapon and lunges, too fast for either god to react. Two feet from Hades, it snaps its head back and shrieks, writhing on the ground*

*NO!*

*the beast bucks and writhes, twisting itself in the dirt, uttering its unearthly shriek*

*After a matter of minutes, it's koss that lies there, not the beast.*

Nyktos: Hades, you IDIOT! you almost got us killed!

Hades: how was i supposed to know-

Koss: guys! It's fine.

Hades: .... Uh. You still gonna want dinner? You, uh, already ate.

*Koss grins*

Koss: that wasn't me. That was my crown. I'll just have some extra magic to work through in the nest couple days.

Hades: that is not comforting.

*But by the time their food arrives at the restaurant, their apprehension has disappeared. It's still koss*

Hades: so

*He dips a fry in his milkshake, then gestures with it*

Hades: I bet, if you flaunt that beast thing, you'd get more action.

Koss: what do you mean?

Hades: ever seen a stud horse?

Koss: dude, you're disgusting.

Nyktos: Hades, we're eating.

Hades: I'm just saying! If I had a dong that big, I'd

Koss: shut up. Your wife pegs you, your schlong size doesn't matter.

Hades: wha- I-

Nyktos: deny it if it isn't true.

Hades: I hate you guys.

Koss: love you too.

Hades: alright, enough yapping. Selfie!

*It's a banging selfie. One of the best*

Koss: you can text me that, right?

Hades: yeah, I've got your number. Why do you never bring your phone on these, though?

Koss: I don't know, it kinda just puts me on edge. I'd be checking it every three minutes.

Hades: wow, you really like her, huh?

Koss: fuck off.

Nyktos: I don't even have a phone.

Hades: we know. It's annoying.

*After some more talk, they part ways. Nyktos didn't forget to order extra, either. And that was a guys night. What did you expect? It was in the title.*

*Koss watched the fire devour the letter. The therapist was right, it did help. The voices even quieted. He put some finishing touches on the latest firecrystal sculpture, irot again, and put it on a shelf with the others. He wandered around the apartment, watering the now-fireproof plants (one close call was enough). His mind, however, kept skipping to the velvet box in the back of his dresser. It terrified him. It held a ring. Black tungsten carbide, the strongest metal he could find. In the centre sat an oval, 2 carat red diamond. Koss had tried to find irot's scary brother for a talk, but he'd been hard to find. So... The box sat in the back of the drawer, pulling koss' mind to it. It might even sit there forever. He picked up his phone, went to contacts, and stared at irot's name for a long time. Then, he put the phone down, and went to make dinner*

My love

Irot.

I'm doing something the therapist mom and I go to suggested. Writing a letter, then burning it! I finally finished moving us into the new apartment. It's way better than before. I learned a fireproofing spell from mom, and everything In the place is fireproof now. I even went into your old room in the temple and grabbed the framed pictures. They're hung up around here now. To be honest... It's kind of boring around here. I have meals prepped and frozen for months, the plants are all flourishing, and everything is clean. It sucks. I miss you. Id call, but... You're probably doing something important. You always are, and I don't want to drag you down. Death has such a hold on me, and you're so full of life! The fire in my heart. But I still miss you. The smears of ash on the counters, the warmth of you across the bed, the constant knowledge you're there, and I'm real. You ground me. I told you once every god needs an anchor. You're mine. I love you, and I can't wait for your fiery temper to return.

I want to be with you for the rest of my life

Eternally yours, the god who worships you,

Koss Lambsson.

In the village's manor, a feline looking creature with a couple of grey strands of fur is discussing important matters with some other creature. Walter enters the manor, Erebus following her closely. Obselete remained hidden with the help of their device. As she enters, walter tries to be as discreet as possible to avoid the older hob's attention, but fails as a mushroom fell from the crate she was carrying. Noticing the young feline, the older one dismisses his interlocutor to report his attention on Walter.

Vincent: Hello, Walter. Have you chosen a master to apprentice to?

Walter: Daaaaad. Nooo. I'm still a teenager.

Vincent: I blame your girlfriend. Or, wait, you dumped her for that boy.

Walter: ACtuALLY, I am back with Chris, and Denna is a bitch.

Vincent dismisses it, uninterested.

Vincent: Mm. Update me whe it switches again.

Walter: Fuck off.

Vincent flares his wings open, unhappy with his child's behavior.

Vincent: Language, Cub.

Walter: Ugh.

Vincent: Go clean yourself. You smell of bird... And something decidedly more disgusting. Get rid of the crow too, it's a bad omen.

Walter grunts, drops the crate on the spot then heads to her room.

Obselete followed Walter the Hob into the village, using their invisibility bracer to pass incognito.

In the village, creatures of all shapes and sizes are living their lives, unaware of the human's presence.

On what seems to be the village's center, two things are more noticeable. A merchant's stall who's sign seems to say "Wol-Marty". A wolverine looking creature seem to be the owner of the kiosk. The second thing to catch the eye is an above the average sized hut where there seems to be a lot of people entering and leaving the building for it to be a normal hut.