***Chimera – The Eternal Palace***

***Angrod***

As soon as we got rid of the ambassadors, Celes and I took a pathway directly to our palace on Chimera, where we found Seria in a pink princess dress and Aengus in blue casual sportswear fooling around in Celes's laboratory. Seria was handling one of the larger machines, but sadly I have no idea what the thing is used for. I think it was a microscope with attached robotics for safely handling the biological matter, but I couldn’t be sure. Over the years, I built so many devices for my wife that everything blurs together.

Aengus was looming next to his little sister, and unlike her eager self, he looked guilty as hell.

“What's going on here? Haven’t I told you not to meddle with the stuff in my lab? And where is Lada?” My wife starts the interrogation.

Aengus startles at the sound of his mother’s voice in the otherwise silent room. He turns around and after a quick glance at his mother, his eyes lock on me as if I am his saviour. “Dad! We have to stay united! It's more important than ever! They are multiplying!”

“What's multiplying?” I ask, already anticipating that Seria is about to get a good whipping.

“The little sisters! I am not against women, but four against two is unfair!” Aengus complains with dread tinting his voice.

I grab my son at his shoulder and turn him around so that he faces his mother, not believing in his complete innocence. It is true that this plan most likely spawned inside Seria’s brain, but over the years I learned that Aengus is an all too willing accomplice in her shenanigans. He has to learn to stand up for himself and firmly say ‘No!’ to her bullshit. That can only happen if he isn’t spared any of the fallout.

Pulling Aengus with me, I approach Celes and Seria.

Having pushed her daughter aside, Celes is looking at the screen of her machine and continuously mumbles to herself silently.

“Not planned. It should be three. Not planned. It should be one boy. Not planned. I have to recalculate everything. Not planned. The budgeting for the next thirty years! Not planned. So much work! Not planned...”

Seeing my wife’s state, I can already guess what happened. Celes has a serious issue with planning out every step of her life, and even though she is doing well at hiding most of it from me – our relationship wouldn’t work otherwise – there are still things which violate her sense of how things should be.

She is clearly having a meltdown right now, so I address Seria, “What did you do with Lada?”

“N- Nothing,” Seria answers quickly, but I keep staring her down.

“Has Nix told you anything about the special training program which I devised to train her divinity?” I ask when my daughter keeps refusing to confess.

“Do you want your own training program down in the lower planes?” I ask. “We can arrange that. Your divinity isn’t swinging completely after your mother.” Which is why she is such a handful compared to Aengus.

“N- no.”

“So, what did you do?” I keep pressing on.

“M- m- me did nothing.” She shakes her head. “Absolutely nothing. I am an innocent bystander! It was all according to Lada’s wishes – her idea of a vacation!”

She turns towards the machine and points at the screen which displays two small embryos. “Look! I will get two little sisters!” She pats the screen. “This one is Lada! And we could call this one Arianne! But it's just a suggestion since I don't know her so well. She will be the nice, little sister – the weakling in the family who everyone else can prey upon.”

Suddenly, Celes turns away from the monitor and grabs Seria at her earlobe, then lifts the child half a metre into the air! It’s only thanks to Seria’s quick reaction in holding onto her mother's arm with both hands that keep her earlobe from being ripped off right then and there.

“Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Owie!” my daughter shrieks. “I am so sorry! I won’t do it again! My earlobe will wear out, please let me down! No, worse! It will rip off! Please don’t shake me!”

“I will teach you!” Celes screams at her daughter with enough force to burst an eardrum. “To implant the souls of other people into artificially conceived embryos! How did you even get the raw material!?”

I have a decent idea of how Seria would get her hands on some of the male components, but how she actually managed to gather some of Celes’…

“I took it from the bedsheets after you two were done!” Seria admits, what is without a doubt a half-truth.

How she got her hands on her mother’s raw material still completely escapes me, and quite honestly, I don’t even want to think about it. Because I doubt that Seria could have used any other genetic material when she calls those embryos on the screen her sisters. Is it possible to use hair or skin particles to create an embryo?

Aengus raises his hand, opening his mouth…

And it is right there that I realize why he looked so guilty – and that he must have played a big part in what had transpired. I quickly raise a hand and cover his mouth before he can say a word. Then I secretly make a telepathic link with him.

‘Son?’

‘Yes?’

‘Have you already forgotten the third law of my teachings?’

‘Never admit anything?’

‘Right. I don’t believe that you will get away from this one unscathed, but I still suggest for you to take my wisdom to heart if you want to survive this.’

After having heard Seria’s explanation, Celes was too shocked to react right away, but now she snaps out of it, changing her grip to choke Seria. “I will teach you hell! What did you do with the body? How did you rope Lada into this? And just who else did you kill for this Arianne?”

Wisely, I do nothing and teach my son the art of standing completely still while facing a superior predator. When faced with a mindless beast which you don’t want to wrestle with, the best choice is to remain still and to hope that it deems you beneath its notice.

Aengus proves to be a quick student, despite his despicable tendency to be a goody-two-shoes.

We do nothing as Seria turns red, unable to plead her case as she is slowly choked to the brink of unconsciousness.

We do nothing as Seria’s facial colour slowly changes to a very unhealthy blue, indicating that the later stages of asphyxiation are being reached.

Yet, her mother somehow manages to allow Seria just enough air to keep her conscious.

One moment before I have to decide to step in – throwing myself under the bus in order to save a child in which I already invested a decade to bring her up – Celes drops Seria unceremoniously to the ground and sighs.

Seria flops onto the floor like a limp noodle and stays down, trying to gulp down enough air like a fish on land.

“I think death by choking would be a much too easy way for her to get out of this.” Celes studies her fingernails, grumbling to herself. “As much as I love you, daughter, this time you really took the cake. What will the other societies think if they ever learn that their neutral Lada decided to reincarnate as a Chimeran? The whole purpose of giving her that job was undermined by your rash actions. I truly have no idea how to explain this to the others without political repercussions for us. You destroyed years of my plans during which we could have used Lada for subtle influence.”

Seria tries to answer, but Celes raises a finger to shut her up. “I really don’t want to hear your excuses. However this situation came to be, you should have talked Lada out of this and informed us immediately.”

My wife sighs and massages the bridge of her nose while squinting her eyes. Then she straightens her ruffled turquoise dress and picks at one of the golden threads which form a neat pattern of demonic wings across the back and envelope her thighs.

Finally, she decides to voice her verdict. “You children are acting up because you have too much time. You are bored. This is clearly a call for attention – and your parents’ fault for not giving it to you. Unfortunately, both Angrod and I have too much on our hands to satisfy your needs.” She turns to look at me and I stand at attention. “I think it's time for them to go to school.”

School?

“Do you really think that's necessary?” I ask. “They already know everything that's important. And if they regain the rest of their memories...” Anything they would learn at school becomes redundant as soon as their memories return.

“You are right, but we are too soft on them. It will be good for them to be together with others of their age. I’ve actually thought about this for some time. There is this institution which was especially founded to deal with children like Seria and Aengus. The two aren’t alone in their plight, and the both of us clearly can’t give them what it takes to keep them out of trouble.” She gestures at the kids who are staring at us as if we are discussing their execution.

“The teachers there are doing nothing else besides helping children with too much knowledge.” Celes smiles at me. “They will take special care of these two. And it’s not like we can’t meet up with them any time we want by taking a pathway.”

“That sounds like you are going to bribe the teachers there...” I scratch my cheek. But quite honestly, nobody would willingly take care of our two hellions without being paid enough money to compensate for eventual cases of injury, mutilation… death…

I should probably prepare myself to provide full-body replacements for the teachers.

“I did nothing of the sort,” Celes replies. “I recently met some old faces there and gave them detailed instructions on how to handle the situation. It’s even a state-funded institution. You would have known of them – had you paid any attention to our taxes. Do you remember teacher Samarin? He stayed true to his vocation and is now helping young deities to get to terms with their memories and to find out who they really are. Jeniva is also still teaching art.”

I shudder. Samarin. The bastard actually dared to fail me in his class. It feels like that was a lifetime ago. “Of course. Celes, don't you think you are going a little overboard with this punishment?”

“No.” Celes shakes her head, firm in her conviction. “They need this.”

“Dad?” Aengus looks up to me with big, brown eyes.

I close my own and shake my head, hoping that he would be smart enough to take this punishment instead of drawing his mother’s attention.

***A nameless planet***

***Eris***

Mortals are so stupid! You can play so many tricks on them as a god. I try my hardest to suppress the uncontrolled laughter that threatens to escape me.

“Oh, great Eris! Goddess! Tell us how to deal with these new monstrosities which are threatening the kingdom!” The knight bows down in front of my statue, worshipping it while calling for my aide.

I have heard about the plague of monsters which are threatening these mortals, but I didn’t pay them any attention up until now. Maybe, if this mortal manages to amuse me, I will go and check them out. It should take a goddess like myself not much more than an afternoon to solve the issue.

Turning my head, I speak directly into the corner which allows for the perfect amplification of my voice throughout the cathedral. “Dance the Hokey Pokey! Stand up, wiggle your butt, raise your hands above your head, and shake them wildly as you rotate 360 degrees. If you do this before each fight, no harm shall befall you!”

The knight gives the statue of myself which he was praying to a dumbfounded look. Obviously, he didn't expect an answer. “Yes! My Goddess! Thank you for answering my prayers!”

He stands up and rushes out of the cathedral.

I roll over on the floor, almost dying from suppressed laughter, then I crawl out from behind the big statue – drawing a disapproving look from one of the priests. Just imagining the knight doing some weird dance while facing an opponent makes me hyperventilate.

Seeing that the priest is going to fetch a large broom – likely in order to forcefully evict me from his church – I quickly head for the exit.

Although, the demons seem to be becoming a real bother as of late. I heard about various strong groups trying to control the outbreaks and failing miserably. On one side, having disorder and panic everywhere makes it easier to hide from the new powers which took over the multiverse.

On the other, I like this world and its inhabitants, and I was never one to shy away from trouble. Maybe I should go and check out what’s up with these new creatures.

Although, I will have to do it quietly. Seriously! Lada was right in betraying the Council when she did. I always knew that the others had some serious mental issues which became worse and worse over the aeons, but I failed to see that our rule was in its final stages.

I was never one who didn’t accept the wheel of fate. Life and death, empires rise and empires fall. Nobody can escape this, not even our Council.

I always had the suspicion that the Sphere had something to do with the mental decline of my friends. Amaru, El Shaddai, Enyo, and Elohim, were the ones who invested the most time in using the cursed thing. Thankfully, spying on my fellow Council members was one of the few things I did to kill time, so I soon realized that the Sphere somehow made the users addicted to it.

So I obviously refrained from using it.

Anyway, it is all in the past now. Playing with mortals is so much more fun than those boring Council meetings.

While skipping happily towards the exit of the cathedral, I warble a little melody. Overall, it was a very fruitful day for me. I stirred up a war between two kingdoms, I caused a young couple of a prince and a princess break up, and I played a trick on that knight.

All in all, I can say that I accomplished much today – therefore satisfying my divinity. I think I fulfilled my duty as a goddess of Strife and Discord. Maybe I will use the rest of the day to help someone who doesn’t truly deserve it.

Hey, there must be deities for those kinds of people too.

As I leave the cathedral, I become aware of fleeing people. They are all fleeing in the same direction down the street to my left, out of town. I immediately realize that this isn’t any random exodus since there are mortals of all ages among them.

Stepping out onto the street, I intercept one of them. “What's wrong? Why are you running?” I stop an elderly guy and he looks at me as if I am from the moon.

“Haven't you heard? The demons are coming to the town! You better run for your life too!” He walks onward and leaves me behind.

I follow him with my eyes, wondering if I really should have paid more attention to this so-called demon-threat. I doubt that any of these mortals ever saw a real demon.

Then I feel an aura of panic from behind me and I see smoke rising from the city.

A step through a pathway takes me towards the area and I reappear on a battlefield.

No, battlefield is a too nice of a word for it. It's a one-sided massacre, as spiked monsters are killing the city's guards and civilians alike. I get an ominous feeling about these creatures – remembering seeing similar ones guarding the Sphere of Sight. Elohim called them his guardians, though they gave me a much more sinister vibe.

Did I end up at a world which is attacked by my former comrades for one reason or the other? Maybe going underground, not even contacting the others, was a bad idea after all. I originally thought to sit out the storm and wait for a few centuries until the waters are still again.

Then I become aware of the knight from earlier. He is dancing the hokey pokey in front of a monster which is looking at him, clearly dumbfounded by his actions. Obviously, the demon has never encountered a genuine maniac.

Just when the demon starts raising a claw to strike the knight down, I teleport and step in, sending the monster flying with a flip of my hand.

Surprisingly, it's harder than expected.

“The goddess appeared! You will save us from these creatures!” The knight falls to his knees behind me.

Just as I turn to the idiot, a huge crystal fortress appears above the city. It is beautiful and I look up in awe, although I would have never imagined seeing one up close any time soon. A fellow deity of mischief told me about them.

The Chimerans do have style. I doubt that any of the other powers can present themselves like that.

But suddenly a red maelstrom of energy leaves the fortress and I realize that those guys mean business! A feeling of dread and impending doom emanates from that red energy and I grab the knight's collar, jumping onto a pathway with him in tow.

I already believe myself safe when the pathway suddenly distorts and falls to pieces. A sickening feeling befalls me and I erect a barrier around the mortal, whose life would be likely lost otherwise.

Everything starts turning upside down and I try to adjust myself. It's in vain and I lose control. I enter reality again and fall hard into the dirt. The world seems to tilt sideways as I try to get up – failing miserably. The unconscious knight is lying next to me, taken out by whatever disrupted the pathway. I get to my knees and see that I managed to get us out of the city in the nick of time.

The city is a ravaged and a burning inferno – no more than an enormous hole in the ground. What's wrong with these Chimerans? I thought they were the good guys! Doing something like that to the mortals? Are the demons really such a threat?

I collapse back to the ground as a group of people appears around us. Try as I might, there is no chance of getting up again as the darkness of sweet unconsciousness slowly closes in.

“It's true. There really was a god inside the city.”

“She looks like someone from the wanted posters!”

“You are right! We will earn a big reward for this!”

“What's with the mortal?”

“Let him be. The area is safe now.”

One of the strangers picks me up, and that’s the last thing before the lights go out.