***The Crystal City***

***Lada***

I exit the pathway, appearing right in my seat at our Council's round table. Looking around, I realize that I am the first one who showed up.

El Shaddai called for us after he supposedly received a very strange message from a minor deity.

If he isn't here yet, I suppose that he is still questioning said deity for some final details. It isn't like we don't have a dedicated intelligence/counter-intelligence service, but I noticed early on that El Shaddai likes to take matters into his own hands.

Well, I suppose I can wait. It's not like I have much to do as the Council head in charge of diplomatic issues...

I chuckle in a self-deprecating manner. What a fool I was. How could I have ever been as naive as to believe that the others gave me this position to honour the part I played in the great war so long ago? Their true intention was to get me out of the way so that I wouldn't see what was really going on.

As the only real government institution among gods, I was neatly put aside while the others got to wield all the power.

I have been blind for so many millennia... but since Seria disappeared I did a little bit of research and what I found is unsettling. There is definitely something strange going on within the Crystal City.

Going by the records, I am sure that the strange disappearances which are happening aren't all on Seria's account. It looks like there are at least one or two people every month who were taken in by our personal guard and disappeared – without a proper reason.

If they were sealed away, it was not an official matter.

Finally, the others appear one by one in their seats, drawing my attention away from my brooding thoughts.

The atmosphere feels oppressive as everyone exchanges glances, silently trying to judge the others' moods. Even after everyone has settled down, El Shaddai does not say a word for several minutes. He simply glares at the table in front of him.

Finally, he decides to start the meeting, looking up to meet our eyes. “I just had a visit from a minor god.”

Narrowing his eyes, he looks at each of us in turn. “He told me that a messenger from the Void contacted him. The messenger said, 'Greetings from the Void. We will visit you soon to have a nice talk! Your final days are close and it's in your hands to choose if it will be ugly or not.' "

El Shaddai changes colour to silver, something he rarely does. It is a sign of outrage at the audacity of someone challenging him.

“I don't get it.” I dribble my fingers on the table, trying to figure out if this is Seria's opening move.

It doesn't feel like my friend would openly challenge an enemy such as the Council. Is there someone else in charge? Why would they announce their intentions so blatantly? So far, the whole of the Council's theories about this rebellion were solely based on unfounded theory.

Eris huffs, clearly offended by my muttered exclamation. “Looks like we will get a visit soon enough. They found a way to leave the Void Zone.”

“You always amaze me. This conclusion is marvellous!” Amaru comments with acid in his voice.

I sink back in my seat, trying to look as insignificant as possible. The last thing I want is to get into an argument with any of the other Council members.

“Have you disposed of this messenger? We could get into trouble if the situation becomes public knowledge!” Enyo suggests cold-heartedly while she loiters in her chair in a bored manner.

El Shaddai once more turns silver with rage. “There would have been no point! It is already public! The minor god in question wasn't stupid enough to come to me without having reassurances. He shared the message with everyone he came across on his way to me. It's almost certain that the rumours are already running rampant right now. Tomorrow, the whole multiverse will know it!”

I smile inwardly. A smart one.

“You should have intercepted him.” Eris throws another ridiculous claim into the room.

“How do you intercept a messenger who you don't know about!?” El Shaddai's voice is now really dangerous.

“It wouldn't have changed anything. Even if you had managed to stop the guy from distributing this information,” Elohim soberly analyses the situation. “The resistance movement can clearly move around as they please without us being able to detect them. They can spread any information they want to other gods.”

He clears his throat. “Instead of going after a simple carrier, we have to find a way to get to the source.”

“If they want to, they can tell everyone about their existence. It's just unfortunate that we still have no idea about their actual capabilities.” Elohim winces as he reflects on Amaru’s words.

“They can come! Our army is ready! I have gathered another thirty-thousand recruits from among the younger gods!” Enyo hits the table with a bloodthirsty smile. “We will finally get to fight a real battle again!”

“I hope you don't rely too much on those.” Eris pulls a face, disdain colouring her voice. “I wouldn't put too much trust in their loyalty. They could easily turn on us, should this resistance prove to be a threat.”

“They are planned as cannon fodder anyway.” Enyo shrugs her shoulders. “Minor deities and demi-gods who can hardly travel the pathways. They will have more reason to fear us than our opponents. Of course, I already prepared everything to seal them away permanently. Just in case.”

“C- Cannon fodder!? They are people!” I cry out before I can stop myself. This isn't right! Are they trying to destroy the last piece of righteousness in this group?

“Calm down, Lada. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made. We won't be able to let those people go after the fight is over anyway.” Elohim stops me with a raised hand.

My heart stops. “What!?”

Amaru also turns on me. “Think about it. They will be first-hand witnesses of a rebellion. Ascathon and Myrm are strong. They won’t go down easily and that will show everyone that resistance is possible. How can we let anyone get away afterwards? The best example is that little god who brought us the message. At the moment, he is too frightened to resist us openly, but by spreading the message before he brought it to El Shaddai he already proved that he doesn't trust us. By doing that, he ensured his safety. Shutting him up would be a useless exercise and others would question his whereabouts should he disappear.”

I press my mouth shut, knowing that I almost fucked up. What am I even doing here? These people aren't the Council I joined so long ago. They have lost their path.

We have lost our path.

Narrowing my eyes, I look off into the far distance, trying to figure out where exactly everything started going wrong.

“Enough of this!” El Shaddai waves his hand imperiously to shut everyone up. “Gather the army and prepare them for what is to come, Enyo! Our opponents know how to travel the Void Zones. Seria clearly lied to us when she said that it is an inherent ability of hers. I want that secret so that we can destroy their hideout!” El Shaddai teleports away without waiting for an answer.

“Yay! I guess that's it! Finally some action! It started to get boring.” Enyo also leaves, using a pathway to who knows where.

One after the other, the Council members also disappear through the pathways.

“You were always too nice for a job like this one, Lada.”

I look up to find Eris on the other side of the table. She and I are the only ones who stayed behind.

“Why are you still here?” I ask, admittedly sounding a little whiny. “Aren't you happy with the current events?”

As a goddess whose domains are Strife and Discord, she must be having a blast after today's meeting.

“To tell you the truth, yes. I am happy with the current events. But not for the reason you believe me to. I am happy with the current situation because it proves that the world hasn't changed at all. After a few aeons of total obedience from our subjects, I was afraid that the multiverse would stay the way it is forever.”

She claps her hands together. “This is proof that no matter how deep our Council freezes the ocean, there will still be some water stirring under the ice! Kukukuku...” She cackles madly.

The sound bordering on insanity reminds me of something... or someone.

I narrow my eyes.

In order to research Seria's stratagem, I reviewed countless hours of records and surveillance videos. Among those, I paid special attention to the individuals who stood at the centre of the recent developments. Willingly or not, they left their marks all over this city.

I wet my lips, unsure whether I should risk going down this route, but curiosity drives me onward. “Don't you feel like you owe the person who saved your life?” There, I did it and said something that might as well give away my true alignment without sounding like outright treason.

Eris's face turns expressionless. “What do you mean?”

“Didn't Ascathon repair your mind after your accident with the Sphere of Sight?” I poke further.

Eris opens her mouth, then blinks. “I don't know what you are talking about. I don't owe the soul mage anything.”

I shift in my chair. “Are you certain? It was a long time ago. I almost forgot, but didn't he help to put your mind back together after that incident? Back then, we still thought him to be a loyal citizen. I bet the others will remember if I point out the right records. Though, it's possible that Tjenemit never shared this little tidbit with the others. He was the one in charge of the operation which put you back together.”

One of the reasons I didn't bring this up in front of the Council was that Eris would have likely lost the trust of the rest of them. They would think that there is a chance of her being compromised.

Although, after so many years that's unlikely. Soul magic is a tricky thing and even those who mastered it can't enforce their will indefinitely without renewing their control. Whether intentional or not, Eris was beyond Ascathon's influence for far too long.

But... she would still lose face with the others. And I might need her voice in the future. Even though she is an avatar of Strife and Discord, she wouldn't want the Council's resulting ire to be directed at her person.

There will come a time when I might be able to influence things to take a positive outcome and I will need every voice I can get.

The other woman leans back in her chair and tilts her head, studying me. “Beat me with a stick until I howl. Lada, Goddess of Love and Harmony, is trying to blackmail me. Me of all people!”

“Sometimes, you have to fight for Love and Harmony.” I smile. “Is it working?”

Eris taps a delicate finger to her chin. “What do you want?”

“Only a little help, should there come any chance to end things without fighting,” I explain. “I only want your voice when it counts.”

She growls, annoyed at my meddling and a few long seconds of silence follow. I am about to twist down the thumb-screws when she speaks, “Very well. War is a good breeding bed for Discord, but peace nurtures Strife, as I like to put it. We have a deal, though I doubt that this situation can be resolved peacefully.”

The Goddess of Strife and Discord fades away through one of the pathways, leaving me alone at the table.

I stand up and leave the meeting room through the pathways, heading for my little personal world. Spending time there is always well-spent, far away from the multiverse's troubles.

***The Eternal Palace***

***Celes***

“I am really worried!”

I exclaim at our monthly meeting of 'No Dicks Allowed', as we like to call it. We meet up every once in a while to talk about everything of interest. For this purpose, we have gathered in a lounge inside the palace.

The usual faces showed up at our women's meeting. Sometimes Rose or our mothers join in, but usually, it is just those close to my age. Margerie, Tanja, Sandra, and Iris are all present, although the wolf-girl is heavily pregnant – again.

I wonder if she is trying to put Sandra's quintuplets to shame. The number of points the rabbitkin achieved with a single touchdown is remarkable, but Iris is working her way slowly but steadily past that number.

Only Margerie and Tanja are still single and without the burden of motherhood.

“But isn't it fine, Celes? I can't understand your problem?” Margerie sets down her cup of tea, frowning cutely.

“No, it isn't fine! Suddenly he throws me over his shoulder and drags me off to bed! And I have no idea what's gotten into him!” The situation was strange in every way!

“You are funny. First, you complain about his lack of interest in you and now you complain about his attention! You are the kind of woman who just can't be pleased no matter what.” Sandra shrugs and slurps noisily on her own cup, trying to lower the temperature of the hot beverage.

“But... I don't know.” I wring my hands. It isn't like Angrod doesn't show enough interest. We are doing it regularly. It's just that since we married and got the kids, we've been hiding in the bedroom most of the time. He rarely gets 'adventurous', like in the old days.

I sigh, remembering our first time at the pond under the waterfall. That was kinky...

Then I blush.

Not that I would ever admit such a hidden desire to anyone!

Margerie rolls her eyes as if she is able to look straight through me. “Then just try to analyse the situation logically.” She slides into another position in her chair. “How do men work sexually? They do it to relieve their built up… stress?”

“Angrod kind of does that,” I admit. I probably won't get around explaining things a little further. “I wasn't surprised that he showed interest in me. I was surprised that he got excited, given the strenuous circumstances.”

“Hm.” Margerie raises an eyebrow, studying me like an inquisitor.

“He got turned on even though he shouldn't have?” Sandra gasps. “Scandalous. What were you doing?”

I wave my hand, trying to sound nonchalant and failing miserably. “N- n- nothing special.”

“What were you doing at that moment?” Iris joins in. Even her interest is peaked.

“Errr. I was... educating the brats!” I nod to myself, telling me that my actions were perfectly justified.

“And by 'educating' you mean...?” Tanja slides closer.

“Ahem. Just a little whipping to straighten them out,” I admit finally.

“Whip- whipping?!” Margerie almost chokes on her tea.

Sandra spurts her drink onto the table. “You can't do that to children! Celes, I would have never thought you to be that kind of mother.”

“It's okay. They deserved it! Thank you!” Tanja slides closer and shakes my hands with starry eyes. “Those brats had it coming for all the trouble they gave me when I looked after them.”

“It's not like they are babies who aren't aware of their actions!” I try to defend my actions. “They have the memories of several lifetimes and are giving in to their hormones. They use their physical age as an excuse to torment those around them on a scale far beyond what a real child would be capable of. I highly doubt that they will turn into decent adults if I don't enforce some boundaries. Something like flooding a friend's abode, that's just past the limits.”

“Ahem... I told you that it's fine... mostly,” Margerie coughs. “Well, at least that explains why you were so surprised. What does that tell us about Angrod?”

“He is a serious 'S'! 'S', as in sadist!” Sandra hums cheerfully. “We knew that already.”

But then her expression turns worried. “But to get turned on from seeing his children getting whipped is on another scale, even for him!”

Iris puffs up her cheeks. “I am also a little surprised. I never thought he would be like that after seeing him fight his enemies, but he has a soft spot for kids. Hard to believe that he would ever enjoy seeing them suffer.”

“That can't be!” I nod, totally on board with Iris's assessment. “Do you understand now why I was taken off guard!? He is a sadist, no question there! But he would never enjoy seeing the suffering of someone he likes.”

“The whole world knows that he is a sadist! Don't you know the rumours?” Sandra jokes. “But you are right on the second part. There must be more to it.”

“Rumours?” I ask, my attention temporarily distracted from the main topic.

Challenged, my friends start tittering and tottering like hens.

“If you throw a shady glance at him, you will wish you were never born!”

“He is a wild beast who will hit you a hundred times while you are on the ground. Grinning even wider with every punch, which distorts your mashed up face even further!”

“In school, he single-handedly took on a hundred hooligans and destroyed their gang, only because they threw a lusty look at his princess! None of them are able to talk about the events even till now. And if you ask them about it, they crouch down in a foetal position and start shivering uncontrollably! The healers are still unable to treat it, even to the current day!”

“When you try to take stuff which belongs to him he will rip out your heart and eat your soul! Never letting go of it again, you will suffer till judgement day!”

My jaw drops at those outrageous claims! “What do people say about me then!?”

Their performance resumes after they take gleeful looks at each other.

“The beautiful gentle flower. The only one who is able to calm the beast and shows no fear.”

“Everyone should fear the day when the princess is no more. As the only one who can stop the beast will have ceased to be!”

“Screams of pain and lust will sound from the palace when the gentle flower tames the wild beast, loud enough to be heard in the entire town. As she is the only one who is able to stand in its presence without shuddering in fear!”

I blush. “No! You are fucking with me! That can't be true!”

I will enlist our secret police to stop those rumours!

I can't let this go! Are we really seen like that by the public?

“There is nothing you can do. Your half-public spectacles are already common knowledge,” Margerie replies with a mischievous grin.

I cover my face with both hands. And there I thought that a little screaming wouldn't draw too much attention. I have to close all the windows in the future.

“But back to the topic. You know your husband's savage grin yourself. He is a big 'S', for sure,” Margerie goes on in a thoughtful tone.

“It really can't be, he isn't like that!” I reassure her, not believing it!

But it makes sense in a horrible way!

“Maybe it's half as bad. Celes, get your tools and show us the scene! Maybe we can find another clue!” Sandra gestures with a hand for me to get going, apparently expecting quite the scene.

“Huh? I don't need tools!” I reply, offended that they would think of me like that.

Did they assume that I used some leather whip on my children?

Iris blinks, confused. “How can you whip someone... without a whip?”

“I have my tail!” I bring forth my tail, only now realizing that this sounds even worse, given the bony tip. “O- of course. I take great care not to hit with the bony end.” I wince. The bony, arrow-shaped tip could easily break the skin or do even worse damage.

Several pairs of eyes go back and forth between my face and my tail, considering the idea.

I don't get what has them so surprised. It's not like they haven't seen me use my tail before. It's like a third arm... so giving my kids a whipping when they misbehave is like other parents dealing out a slap or two.

“...” Iris is without words.

While Tanja claps her hands excitedly. “Show us!” She points towards the couch at the wall. “Whip that evil couch!”

“Hm. Okay. I guess it won't hurt.” I stand up and walk over to get into range. Then I give the couch a good whip, flexing my backside back and forth with the movement of my tail to give it just the right momentum.

My friends stay silent, so I give it a few more tries to show off the technique.

Then I turn around, expecting their judgement. “See? There is nothing over which he should lose his cool.”

“...naturally gifted!” Iris groans, envious of something.

“...she isn't even aware of it! So unfair!” Sandra crosses her arms in front of her chest and huffs.

Tanja gets up and walks over to me with a serious expression. Then she grasps my shoulders so that I have to face her, digging in her fingernails. “Celes! If you want to be dragged off to bed the next time! Anytime...” She coughs, likely thinking about the hidden desires which I won't admit. “...Anywhere.”

“Yes?” I lean away from her, wary of their spiel.

“Turn your backside to him,” Margerie clarifies.

“And whip something!” Iris finishes.

“Anything!” Sandra points out that the whipped thing isn't important.

She gets up from her chair and places both hands behind the back of her head. Then she proceeds with a funny dance, shaking her hips and backside while pursing her lips as if to kiss someone.

The others start giggling at her performance. “It's only about the right stimulus! Angrod isn't to blame.”

“Ah...” I tug my tail between my legs and clamp them together, vowing to seal that particular technique away forever.

They will never allow me to live this down!