Anton’s long, deep sleep was finally broken. No dreams to befuddle his first waking moments. He had expected some, given what he experienced in The White Realm and immediately after, his mind trying to make sense and catalog the events.

“Mor… Hello?”

The bed that was usually so crowded, soft and warm was open and cool. He glanced to the side and found no one in his bedroom. There was no way they would all leave him alone, especially after something so dangerous. Cetina and Rasha had agreed to wait on a rotation while he slept. Out of concern for him and an implied threat from an unsleeping Longinious. When Anton looked to the end of his bed he found a set of neatly folded and stacked simple clothes.

“The God’s Realm. Just me this time?” Anton noticed his voice had lost the faint crackle. “Been some time since I’ve been here.”

Anton threw off his blanket.

“I’m sure Kal would want to speak with Tethra, Verona not so much her God. Don’t really know what’s up with Jira…”

Anton flexed his hand, feeling the claws push against his palms. He was still a little surprised to see his Dragonoid limbs remained. Including his tail. It responded to his thoughts as quickly as ever. The glowing spines continued to glow a purple and he could manipulate it, unlike his normal mana. The knowledge that he might be able to defend himself with magic, even if it was magic he barely understood, was reassuring.

He quickly dressed himself, careful not to snag the roughly spun cotton on his new spiny limbs, and made for the door. Outside was the normal and barren corridor. Except the roof was missing. A pale blue stretched infinitely beyond, so devoid of anything that it was strangely hypnotic. He tore his attention away and quickly checked the doors. They were locked, held shut by a force stronger than him.

It’s not like it’s real. Is Longinious still here? The White Realm is kinda’ like this place.

Longinious’s door was closed but unlocked. However nothing lay within, just like in reality. Anton shrugged and left it, though without closing the door. The main door creaked open and revealed a distorted world beyond. The snow strewn road was little more than a narrow pathway floating in the infinite pale blue void. A flaming brazier had partially fallen off, resting on a large floating stone some meters below the main pathway. The snow had melted around the metal base but the water continued to flow and trickle into the void despite all sense. Anton dismissed it as a strangeness of this dream world.

The pathway led him away from the Central Plaza, an unusual choice, but towards the west. The buildings lining the way were misshapen and on the verge of collapsing into the void but refused to fall. As he passed through the first city gate he saw Esprit's bright flaming hair. She was not seated at a table like last time, instead resting against the wall of a house. Beside her was Stratos, wearing his purple sashed toga, and Tethra, silently staring towards where Mount Aspire should lie.

“Hello!” Anton waved his hand. “It’s definitely been a while since I’ve seen you last. How has everyone been?”

“Very good.” Esprit waved him closer. “Very good, Anton.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the thick tail trailing behind him. His pants had to be adjusted to fit the new appendage.

“I… Was not aware of what else lay down there.” Esprit’s high heeled shoes clacked on the stony ground. She gently touched his cheek, her skin was incredibly warm, then his arm. “I wanted you to rescue my precious Fire Elves. That was all. They had been down there for so long, and now you and Atros are strong enough to even being to have hope to free them… Had I known I would have told you not to explore too far.”

Before he could respond Esperit pulled him into a tight hug. Her body was just as soft as he remembered, even more hot than her hands.

“Thank you for helping them.” Esperit whispered into his ear. “You have no idea, no idea what it’s been like, knowing they were so close and nothing I could do for them. Even when they’d forgotten me, I hadn’t abandoned them.”

She pulled back, almost a tear in her eyes. “You will look after them, won’t you? They’ve suffered enough without being denied what they now know to be true.”

“The…” Anton glanced up. “Nithroel can’t hear us here, can she?”

Stratos smiled as he tapped the wood supporting him. “No. As a matter of fact, she’s been extremely quiet of late. Very quiet. Perhaps even too quiet? After that whole thing with Qaiviel she shut her trap tight.” He shrugged. “Not that she had anything to do with that, of course.”

“Of course.” Anton repeated. “That would be a breach of the contract she agreed to. And it would be devastating for us more than her. Not to mention all those Demons that are about to burst in the next year or so.”

Tethra continued to look towards where Mount Aspire should lie even after Stratos waved his hand in front of her veiled face.

“I can understand why you, Esperit, didn’t mention the presence of the Fire Elves. That’s understandable. But I presume that you don’t know much about this?” Anton ran a hand along the length of his tail, idly flicking the split four ends. “You didn’t exactly come and tell me anything about this when it was just my tail.”

Neither did Ferula, but at least she had said she’d be busy until spring. Doing what I have no idea. Ostensibly to help us, though keeping the Strega Witches away from Atros is already more than enough.

“We were very busy.” Stratos smiled. “Still are, honestly. Trying our best to make sure that everything that we’ve managed to put together doesn’t fall apart. Not to mention doing our own thing to regain our power and position.”

“I had presumed. Not that I plan to let you down, of course.”

There was no way they’d pin all their hopes on me. It’s just not smart. Well, Tethra doesn’t have too much of a choice.

Memories of The White Realm came back, of how Nithroel was almost meek compared to Tethra. How things changed…

“But we too were rather busy. We have a fair few more people that have received your Glyphs. Quite a few. I hope you’re not offended by us trying to utilize Principle Magic as well?”

“Of course not.” Stratos chuckled. “Not everyone can garner the attention of us or accept our Glyphs. Besides, there is no God of Gravity. That woman in Alcanares you adventured with has abilities that none of us could hope to emulate such a thing.”

How is Erico and his gang going? Found their way to the capital? Or found an unfortunate end in the chaos? I certainly hope we meet again.

“But it’s about time that more develop.” Stratos said. “It usually happens simultaneously for each of us… Tethra? What are you doing? We’re trying to have a discussion with the person that helped you regain your strength.”

“Forgive me.” Tethra’s chains clinked as she turned to face him. Her voice sounded healthier, at least a little bit. “I was wondering when Sedna is going to arrive. And Fliodher. They said they would be here by the time Anton would be here. And yet…”

“Fliodher’s properly joined us?” Anton noticed that Esperit still had a hand on his. “And who is Sedna? I haven’t found a complete list of the Gods.”

I haven’t actually looked. Not to mention the books wouldn’t have their current internal alliances. Guess the Gods are just as fickle as us.

Esperit chuckled. “Sedna, the God of Water, has finally deigned it worthy to offer help to you. So… So long as certain concessions are made.”

“I definitely don’t like the sound of that.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s that bad.” Esperit gently tapped his hand. “Let’s just hear what the little bugger has to say before making any decisions. He’s full of bluster, mostly. Just smile and pretend that his farts smell like roses and it’ll be fine.”

Esperit rolled her eyes before straightening her hair with a backwards hand.

If he’s the same one from The White Realm, a part of the group that tried to chain Agal, then… Well, I don’t really know what he’ll be like. He was pissed off that Trellos killed his summons and the wasted Mana, I remember that much at least.

“So is this actually permanent?” Anton held out his Dragonoid hand. “Verona’s tattoos are, and she tried to cut off a bit of this but it just grew back.”

“I fear it is.” Esperit sighed, placing a hand on her cheek. “But you still… Here’s one, at least.”

Towards the west came the howl of a wolf. The pattering of padded feet emanated from behind a building, along with flickers of white. Fliodher emerged riding a magnificent gigantic white wolf. The pelts she wore were of pristine quality, the bow resting on her lap made from a light blue wood and it appeared her head wound had completely recovered.

“Hello!” Fliodher smiled and waved, uncaring that her pelt clothes were more for aesthetics rather than practicality. Not that Gods were shy or had concerns with being indecent, at least Anton presumed. “Sorry I’m late! I just had a bit of hunting to finish. Something I’ve been putting off for quite a while. But I’m here now. We haven’t started yet, have we?”

“How’s your wound?” Anton pointed at her head. “The last scrap with Nithroel went well, it seems.”

Fliodher continued to beam with her smile. She stopped just to his side before dismounting in a single movement. Her thick leather and fur-lined boots barely made a sound.

“You’re not looking too bad.” Fliodher pushed Esperit away with a casual shove with her body. “Much better. New height, and your muscles. Obviously.” She tapped his chest. “I personally don’t mind the scales. Being surrounded by animals all the time, well, you start to notice the beauty in things you mortals normally wouldn’t.”

Esperit and Stratos shared a slightly concerned look but said nothing. Anton recalled the last time he’d met her. She was more than pleasant enough. And she had kissed him as a parting gift. A quick kiss, nothing too serious, but she was the only God to have attempted such a thing, and Verona and Kal were rightfully quite annoyed. Anton wasn’t sure if it was genuine or an enticementto get him to work with her, not that he would turn down the utility of strong beasts on Atros’s side if it only required a quick little kiss.

“Getting this new physique without needing to work and struggle for it does diminish it slightly.” Anton smiled. “But better than becoming a cripple. Something that I would have become without Tethra’s powers.”

Before Tethra could respond Fliodher laughed, throwing her head back and harshly straightening her hair with her other hand. “Maybe. Anyway, thanks for looking after the Chiroks. They’re doing very well, have a new litter on the way, and have sweet pair of your people looking after them. Some of the pups have caught the two rutting behind their pens. Not that they’re old enough to understand, but they were very confused. Poor pups thought he was hurting her judging by the sounds.”

“Just what Atros needs. Frolicking Chiroks in the dead of winter. At least it will keep them warm.”

“I’m sorry my powers couldn’t restore your hand.” Tethra’s chains clinked loudly as she approached. She pushed Fliodher out of the way, who then bumped into Esperit. Stratos shook his head and laughed, Fliodher’s White Wolf gently trotted to him in order to receive a scratch. “This… This, interferes with my abilities. I can only apologize.”

“It’s fine, Tethra. Just had to cut all the cubes off and it was fine. Made a bit of a grinding noise but it was still usable. That’s all that matters."

"How…" Tethra coughed, far less harshly than when they'd first met. "I just wish that I had been able to do more. Its unstable nature interferes with everything before disintegrating into nothing.”

“Some of it certainly is.” Anton mused.

Because it’s foreign to this world, or we are to the world?

“I would like to ask about the…”

Tethra trailed off as the sound of rushing water filled the air. From a nearby alleyway a flood of water rushed through. The water abruptly ceased just before reaching them. Out of the roiling water a small man stepped out, wearing simple but tightly fitting blue clothes, a white scarf and a large clay pot underneath his arm. It was the same God that Anton had seen in The White Realm, though the pot was more ornate and several scars graced his face, some even traveling underneath his short blue hair.

“Greetings.” Sedna dismissively waved his hand to disperse the water. “I had thought that you would have been here sooner. I went and had a wonderful chat with Montagna, see if he would join this late meeting, but he’s still happy being courted by Nithroel and those massive flopping tits of hers.”

Water erupted from the pot, built around his feet to grant him height and moved him closer to Esperit. Esperit tried to keep her face calm but the revulsion was clear through the muscles on her neck.

“Kind of like you, right?” Sedna smiled. “Though you two have always been like this, right?”

“Keep those grubby little things to yourself.” Esperit slapped away a wandering hand. “This is not the time to try anything like that. Nor has it ever been.”

Sedna continued to smile as the water formed a chair into which he casually leant into.

Looks the same, except for the scars. Maybe he was hit by one of Trellos’s attacks? I have no idea if he behaved like this before though. But I can’t imagine him being popular with many of the Gods behaving like that. Stratos certainly doesn’t look enthused. Neither does Fliodher’s wolf.

“Sedna.” Tethra cleared her throat. “Please control yourself.”

“Fine.” Sedna allowed his body to go limp, like a sulking petulant child. “I don’t think Fire and Water goes together particularly well. Don’t think there’s much of a need for a God of Steam, right?”

Esperit’s eyes narrowed. Her hair bristled in annoyance.

“So this is the one you’re so interested with?” Sedna used his water to approach Anton, barely moving his head. “Seems like he’s been doing something very dangerous.” He scoffed and pointed at his tail. “Body barely held together, and yet this is what you’re putting your hopes into?”

Is this my turn to speak yet?

“He’s has laid the foundation for a near exponential increase in those that worship us.” Esperit spoke with no small amount of derision. “And those are ready to bear fruit with just a little push."

Sedna remained silent, his face mocking but he wanted Esperit to continue. Or to fall into some sort of obvious trap.

"The people of Atros, be they Human, Beast-kin, Dwarf, Dark or Fire Elf, know of our existence. They've seen what adherents can do, through Anton and those that have helped defend the city."

"Against wretched Goblins and… Well, that's it really. Isn't it?" Sedna laughed. "A few if those rotten creatures is hardly a great victory. But I suppose that every victory should be celebrated. Especially in a land so devoid of civilization and culture.”

Anton remained silent. While he wanted to say something he wasn’t willing to get into a shouting match with a God behaving like a petulant child. A child that might have something he needs.

Fliodher’s beasts are far more useful to Atros than a bunch of Water Glyph Mages. Hell, Mezot’s incredibly powerful. Probably more powerful than the vast majority of Glyph users… Not that I’ve met any outside of Atros. How many can he realistically bring to help us? Enough to justify his attitude I hope.

“So, what do you have to say?” Sedna lent closer to Anton. “You just contemplating the correct response, or just overwhelmed by what you’re hearing from the Gods?”

Don’t make a snippy remark… No matter how tempting.

"Victories are very important, no matter how small. As you say." Anton's smile did not elicit the same reaction from Sedna. "The simple fact that another two Gods are offering their assistance to us is just another. Wouldn't you agree?"

Sedna did not immediately respond. His eyes betrayed a level of frustration. What he actually wanted Anton to say was not clear.

"Yes… Yes it is." Sedna forced a smile. "But I do not consider myself a small victory."

There's a very large chip on your shoulder, isn't there?

"Let us all have a seat." Stratos said loudly, Fliodher's White Wolf whined that he had stopped giving it attention. "And let's sort this out before we come to blows. Not that it would do anything here."

Stratos's eyes flicked to the damaged crystal embedded in Anton's hand.

"But let's not try and find out. Shall we?”

Maybe it does affect them? Could I actually kill a God with Ancient Magic? Wonder how Nithroel would feel having that Black Lightning hovering in front of her face.

When Anton looked to his side a large round table had appeared seemingly from nowhere. The chairs were quite different and customized to their affinity; Tethra’s white, Esperit’s and Stratos’s remarkably similar to the weapons infused with their essence, Fliodher’s was covered with thick pelts while Sedna’s was actually formed from water. Anton hoped he wasn’t expected to stand. Esperit summoned a chair from the ether, a simple wooden chair. Anton did not see any disrespect being thrown towards him for accepting it. Part of him wondered if he was becoming a little antsy after his brief meeting with Sedna.

Won’t be able to handle Kings and Emperors if they can get to me this easily.

“Thank you.” As Anton took his seat, thankfully the wood did not groan underneath his weight, he saw something move from towards the center of Atros. It was nothing more than the tiniest flicker of something bright, but he couldn’t catch it again.

Stratos and Esperit sat either side of Anton, Sedna opposite while Fliodher’s White Wolf had chosen Tethra as the next source of scratches.

“So what happened down there?” Fliodher adjusted the first to place some to cover her hunter’s legs. “I wasn’t watching everything but I know you completely disappeared.”

Anton hesitated. While it was certainly in his interests to keep his relationship with the Old Gods strong, he wasn’t sure how they’d react when they realized he knew a little too much of how they arrived in this world. Nor if he revealed what he knew about Longinious.

“A sentient artifact in the Fire Elf cavern rendered us all unconscious.” Anton began. "My memory is more than a little fuzzy of what happened next. I know it knocked me out the longest… I remember flashes of black lightning, a massive tower in the distance… Fields of golden grass and white boulders. Fights between creatures I couldn't understand, and some looked very similar to yours. After that it’s incredibly spotty.” Anton sighed and lent forward. “I’ve asked everyone, even Mezot, even the sentient Artifact who calls herself Longinious. But no one has any idea. Does anyone have any idea what I saw? Does any of what I’m saying make any sense to anyone? Everyone thought I’d been struck in the head when I fell. And if I'm honest it makes the most sense.”

I’ll keep Longinious out of this as much as I can. See how they react first.

The Old Gods shared a blank glance. Anton wished he knew how to read faces, how much of their expressions and actions were controlled by their subconscious. Then he wondered if they had a way to communicate silently. Like his pens or rings.

“A very odd tale.” Stratos stroked his chin. “A very odd one indeed. A very odd tale indeed. Sentient weapons and artifacts are not that impossible, though almost never seen to be so strong or quick witted. Regardless, where you ended up sounds extremely familiar to the place you, unfortunately, visited before. The one that gave you those feet. Well, the ones before these. Time… Time can flow strangely when traveling between worlds and realms. Not all flow at the same rate. Did you know that only a few weeks have passed in your old world? I’m sure the news of your death has already been overtaken by yet another tragedy.”

“I did not know that.” Anton said. “But I don’t have any desire to return. There's nothing there for me. Regardless, I am far more interested in that world and what happened to me. Do you not know anything about what happened?”

Tethra cleared her throat. “There are still a few places that are hidden to us. Like the Fire Elf cavern, even though Esperit knew of it and, quite rightfully, kept it to herself.”

Esperit scoffed. “Didn’t want Nithroel to get her greasy little hands on them.”

She seemed quite the opposite of greasy last time we met.

“But such a place is familiar.” Tethra coughed a little more harshly. “Though it was destroyed some time ago. A remnant still exists, the place we first brought your soul.”

“The black void and those creatures of teeth?” Anton recalled his first few moments after his death on Earth, the utter confusion and bewilderment at everything that happened to them. “Hardly the same. And I didn’t see anything similar there. Not that I can remember too much.”

Unless those teeth creatures were formed from those mercury puddles. Overgrown mutants that survived whatever happened in that place.

“Well,” Anton tapped his hand. “I suppose it kind of looks the same as this. But that’s not it, though. You must know something about it, if you knew it was destroyed. Right?”

Tethra nervously picked at her fingers. “It… It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s gone now, and that’s all that matters. The less we discuss the distant past the better, I think we’re all in agreement. Even for us…”

Anton saw the sentiment was somewhat shared by the other Gods, except Fliodher who picked at her fingernails.

I guess that’s that then, isn’t it?

“I understand. But the artifact that knows me? That came from that place. And she, I assumed she's a she, knows quite a bit about me. More than even I did.”

Anton was glad his hands were beneath the table, he wouldn't be able to hold them steady nor even attempt to hide the tremors.

So it affects me here too? I really, really don't want to know what it is… And why an aquarium?

Anton returned to present. Thankfully none of the Gods noticed his lapse.

"Anything?"

"You don't sound particularly worried about her." Fliodher folded her legs and placed them on the table. "And from what little I've seen she's not hostile."

“And… And that means everyone’s fine with it?”

"I think I speak for everyone here but it would be unnaturally cruel to leave her locked up." Fliodher continued. "Besides, you've already used Tethra’s powers to force her to speak the truth, no?"

Tethra turned to face him but said nothing.

"True. But I thought that you all might have something to say about it."

“What’s done is done.” Esperit shrugged lightly, flicking her hair over her ear. “It cannot be undone, so you might as well utilize every advantage you have. You’re nothing more than a tiny speck in the wider world that could be snuffed out if other powers take note. Regardless, I’m sure that you’ll come up with lovely uses for it. As for the spear…”

Fliodher clicked her tongue. "It's the same with all creatures. Eventually you have to trust them, especially when they go out of their way to prove their loyalty, not to mention willingly exposing potential flaws in constraining them. If you don’t trust them after all that, or at least give them a chance, they’re going to start resenting you. And I don't think you’d want that from something that can silently float through the air.”

It would make a very good assassin, except for her bulk.

Anton recalled when her Spear Form began to weaken after massive exertion, the black void and hundreds of terrified orange eyes.

At least it wasn’t full of teeth… Though she has a rather impressive set herself.

“Of course.” Anton smiled, receiving faint ones in return. “I merely thought, given your position in the world, that you may know more about this. I don’t feel any hostility. But if you don’t feel that worried…”

“I’m not saying don’t keep an eye on her.” Fliodher pulled her feet from the table. “Just that you can’t keep everything locked up all the time. Conversely-”

“That’s a big word for you.” Sedna said snidely.

“-I…” Fliodher’s eyes narrowed before giving the Water God a rude gesture. “Conversely, you shouldn’t overdo it with trying to get more of those dragon parts. You’re barely held together as it is.”

“It is true.” Tethra said softly, her voice was somewhat sad. “A body is not designed to have more than a single Glyph. And you have three, four if you count what you’ve acquired.”

Tethra made her way to him and touched the hand that contained the cracked white gemstone. “Do not lose this hand. No matter what. Not even more powers are sufficient to piece together an eviscerated soul.”

“I will keep that in mind.” Anton gave Tethra’s hand a gentle pat. She seemed rather happy as she returned to her chair, Anton found himself catching several glances at her rear. “I do plan to stay out of melee as much as possible. Cetina’s an incredible swordsman. Swordswoman, actually.”

Not to mention Longinious will be the one taking those little gemstones, not me.

“That she is.” Stratos smiled. “Regardless, we will do our best to ask the other Gods that are open to working with us. For the much larger goal of defeating the Demons, and taking Nithroel down a few pegs, I believe is the correct phrase. Parádeisos, the God of the Heavens and Montagna, God of the Earth, would be a good start.”

Sedna snorted but remained otherwise quiet.

“They may know more, but as Tethra said, we are, were certain that the… Place you were talking about has been destroyed. Of course we cannot let Nithroel learn of any of this. I’m sure she would overreact. As per bloody usual.”

Tethra was about to respond but thought better of it. Her chains clinked lightly as she rested back into her chair.

Well, all in all they seem more than happy to ignore what happened down there, even what I've said above ground about what I think really happened. Just carry on, I guess. But should I even push it? And how would it affect us if they got angry that I suspect they killed or imprisoned the Ancient Gods? Might just have to suck it up. Unless Jira’s feeling generous…

“I will perform my own investigations.” Anton saw Fliodher’s White Wolf slowly begin to skulk around the table. Anton wasn’t sure why but it was confused by something. “Surely an ancient library would have some answers.”

“Answers!” Sedna slapped his knee, a weak and empty sound. “That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”

Esperit scratched between her brow. “Why? Why are you like this?”

“I don’t know what you did exactly.” Sedna slapped a hand on the table. “But the oceans have been very strange since you disappeared.”

“You think I could do something like that?” Anton was liking Sedna less and less as time went on. “I might be able-”

“Not like that.” Sedna dismissively waved his hand. “I doubt one little Human would be enough to cause nearly all of the Leviathans to stir. They’ve calmed now… But I’ve never seen them so agitated. And it’s only happened after you descended into that little cavern of Esperit’s.”

Esperit clicked her tongue, folding her arms underneath her chest, perhaps in an attempt to irritate Sedna. “It was the only place where my Fire Elves could be safe. But I didn’t know there would be anything from that place down there, nor that it would affect you or anything in the wider world.”

“Why would you do something like that?” Sedna raised a brow. "We hardly interact at the best of times these days."

Fliodher sighed and slumped down into her chair, folding her arms and playing with her pelt hood. Stratos looked like he wanted to follow her. Even tugging at his sash, trying to find non-existent frays and tears.

“I’m afraid that I simply don’t have a clue.”

Anton spoke only to cut through the brooding silence between the two. Unfortunately it did not work as the two began a minor spat. Anton folded his arms.

Longinious is some sort of mermaid creature. But she’s not that strong, not enough to make those damned Leviathans scared. What could honestly scare them? Well, something bigger of course… What was that?

For the tiniest moment Anton thought he felt something. Ancient Magic. Of a sort. As Sedna and Esperit continued to bicker with childish non-insults Anton looked back towards his house. Hiding behind the corner of a building was a small golden wisp, little more than a faint vertical line pressed up against the wood. Four tiny lines clasped the wood, like hands. And there was only one being that had four arms and could be connected to this realm. It did not react when he looked. Fliodher did not apparently see it, even though she would have easily spotted it from her position, so Anton decided to keep an eye on it.

Was that because I left the door open? When I wake up I'll have to ask her if she was here or not. I wonder if it means she can enter my actual dreams?

The bickering of the Fire and Water Gods were brought to an abrupt halt when Stratos let off a small thunderclap in his hands. The two jumped at the sound, Fliodher quickly moved to calm her disinterested White Wolf, Tethra remained silent and still.

“Sorry.” Esperit directed it mostly at Anton. “Living so long, and in a different world than you, can make us rather…”

Sedna cleared his throat. “I thought I’d ask about the Leviathans. One never knows…” He gave another dismissive shrug.

"I will keep an eye out regardless.” Anton softly replied. “Perhaps one of the captains will know more."

"Perhaps.” Sedna shook his head and looked away.

Fliodher gently slapped the table. “So, while our water boy-”

“What?” Sedna snapped, ignored by Fliodher.

“-Stews and boils in his anger, it does lead us back to something that we actually wanted to speak with you about. The most important thing for tonight. More important than what happened to you.”

“Really?” Anton raised his hand, even raising his tail as high as he could. “Little more difficult to cuddle like this.”

Tethra cleared her throat. A few dry coughs followed. “We each have several more worshipers in Atros, and we understand that focusing on us when you were in such a difficult situation wasn’t ideal. But now they have…”

“I know that given my upbringing, even though I have physically met you, that I find it difficult to properly worship you all. Even though I could not have done half the things without you. Hell, I don’t think I would have seen the first dawn without your gifts.”

“We understand.” Esperit gently placed a hand on his. “We understand what we agreed to when you were brought to this world. Stratos said it was a contractual exchange, or something like that.”

Stratos chuckled as he smiled.

“But regardless of your faith, or lack thereof, we still have grown stronger from you using our powers. And it is time that we ask for something more substantial to-”

“A temple!” Fliodher cheered. “A proper temple where people can worship and give offerings. Not some little shrine in the middle of a forest or near a lake or waterfall. Like they keep doing.” It was Fisher's turn to scoff. “You’d almost think that I was the God of Water."

Sedna continued to silently stew under the perceived insult.

"Being the Goddess of The Hunt I thought you would prefer something closer to nature. There's hardly much life inside an ornate stone temple."

"Oh, don't be so sure of that." Fliodher put on a playful smile. "No large beasts, to be sure, but most could not catch a scurrying fat rat with their bare hands."

"So one for each of you?" Anton asked. "Or perhaps one large one with dedicated areas for each? I'd rather that than having them scattered across the city, potentially pissi… Aggravating a God for putting them at the very edge of the city."

"We are all friends here." Stratos righted himself. "I don't mind having one close to everyone here."

Anton did not miss the quick glance to a still brooding Sedna. Nor did his miss the absence of any mention of Jira.

"I certainly don't have an issue with that." Anton drummed his fingers on the table. "It is something I've been neglecting… And I don’t have an issue with you three, and Fliodher has helped me with the Chiroks, do of course helping her is no issue.”

“I have a few more things, actually.” Fliodher held up her hand and winked. “I’ll tell you after this, it’s something I know you’ll enjoy.”

“Right.” Anton glanced back, the golden wisp remained in its place. None of the Gods appeared to notice. “But what about you, Sedna?”

Sedna’s brooding disappeared instantly. His water chair rose up slightly, Esperit desperately tried not to roll her eyes.

“It's quite simple, actually." Sedna waved his hand, water emerged from the ether and pooled at the center of the table. “In the days of the United Empire, and even before, the temples dedicated to us were standardized and spread across the world. And this should be no different.”

The water coalesced into something akin to a Greek or Roman temple, married to a Catholic cathedral.

This isn’t…

“Now, I would require a large statue in my area. To start with.” The top of the temple merged with the wall to reveal the interior. “You’ll need to find a good sculptor to get my likeness correct, along with a way for water to flow properly. Those Dwarves will… What?”

He was looking at Stratos, chuckling while smiling at Sedna.

Anton cleared his throat. “There’s an expression from my world that is appropriate. ‘Jumping the gun’. My question was not about the layout of a temple, though fascinating. It was what you can bring to Atros."

Sedna, for the tiniest moment, looked baffled and lost. He blinked and his usual demeanor returned.

“E-Excuse me?”

What do you mean ‘excuse me’? You’ve just made demands for statues and waterfalls. At least everyone else has offered something in return for the promise.

“What can you bring Atros?” Anton gestured to the water feature. “Something of this size and complexity won’t be cheap and certainly not done anytime soon. So… Unless you can offer me something substantial then I simply won’t be able to justify such an extravagance while we are facing destruction at potentially any moment.”

“W…What do you mean?” Sedna’s water collapsed, a hand held to his chest. “I don’t understand.”

Have you never been denied something? I wonder what your followers are like. Sycophants or demanding belligerents? Why not both.

“If… If there is nothing you can offer me before this temple, statues and whatnot are finished then I must postpone any potential agreement. Of course I would look favorably on you in the future, but even that cannot be guaranteed if another God were to offer something substantial in return for our devotion.”

“Well,” Sedna laughed nervously. “Well, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves there. I… Perhaps I was merely getting a little bit ahead of myself there. Absolutely that’s what happened. Yes.”

Anton did not care if he was trying to save his own ego, or whatever it was, but he wanted to see what the Water God had to offer.

“Though our influence and strength has waned I still have many followers scattered throughout the world.” Sedna smiled and waved his hand. The water transformed into a map of the world, missing some of the extra continents Longinious had revealed. “I have some in Qaiviel and Graterious that could be of assistance.”

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the border between Graterious and their current lands. “That chasm will make things far more difficult. Almost impossible without an army. I don’t want to risk them trying to cross such a dangerous area…”

“How many from Qaiviel?” Anton leant forward, placing his hands on the table. “I would imagine that these Glyph Mages would be particularly powerful, considering what has already been so graciously gifted to me.”

“Yes.” Sedna’s smile widened from the obvious flattery, not that he appeared to mind. “They are of exceptional strength, every single one of them. Well, the ones that I would send.” He laughed, lent forward and slapped his knee. “Can’t give a poor impression to someone so willing to help us in return, no?”

Anton smiled and nodded once.

If all I have to do is smile and nod to get what we need then that’s what I’ll do. Bowing and heaping on empty platitudes are unimaginably easy and cheap. Nothing to gain by being belligerent or trying to score ‘points’. Quite the opposite, in fact.

“Easily a dozen.” Sedna continued. “I’ll have them sent immediately, if you can guarantee that I will receive a good position in this new temple. Somewhere near the front would be preferable.”

“Certainly. I think gold trim on that pot would be a good start.”

“Well…” Sedna smiled, his head bobbing back and forth. “Turquoise would be best. But I certainly won’t begrudge pure gold.”

Sedna looked thoroughly pleased with himself, and Anton’s suggestion. The other Gods were equally amused and disappointed with their Water God.

Can a god get their brain rattled? Do they even have one, since this is probably just the form they take? Perhaps Ancient Magic is incredibly dangerous against them. No wonder they wanted them gone when they took over.

Anton glanced behind. The golden wisp had hidden itself more, and Fliodher’s White Wolf was beginning to prowl closer but still didn’t see it. Yet.

“We will send our own as continued help.” Stratos said. “We don’t have many of the strength you will need, though Qaiviel has become a hot-bed of growth for all of us.”

“Really?” Anton stopped his surprise. “Well, without The Church of The Holy Father lurking around…”

Tethra coughed. “Though it was outlawed, many still ask for help.” She placed a hand on her chest. “I have been able to answer a few of the most desperate pleas. They are not as powerful as Kal or those in Atros, but more than strong enough to heal the sick and dying. And each act only brings more to our names.”

I’m kind of glad they’re not just waiting on me to do something. Pretty dangerous to put all your eggs in one basket, especially with Nithroel still lurking around.

“But that is all we can do, for now.” Stratos said. “The only other thing would be the Demon incursion. Somewhere in Seocuria, near the border with the Deweth Clans, sometime in the middle of winter. Any time now, honestly. But it’s near impossible for even us to know when they'll break through. Not really any of our purview's.”

“A shame that it’ll probably kill more Beast-kin slaves than Seocurians.” Anton mused. “We’ll try and pick up the pieces and actually get some stuff to study.”

See how well they perform against a bullet. Maybe take out an eye, for Cetina’s lost one.

“Yes…” Stratos sighed. “I’m afraid that’s everything for now. We can only apologize for being silent for so long. Now that things are moving it will be much easier to speak with you, with the temples and shrines it shouldn’t even need you to go to sleep. Should you need to speak with us.”

Guess that’s it then. Well, we’ve got a fair bit out of this. They’ve still got their secrets, and us our own. Unless they can read my thoughts…

Anton stood up, which the others followed. Except Sedna who remained in his water chair. At least he wasn’t unhappy. Rather he looked as if he was pondering something. That and trying to sneak glances at Esperit’s chest.

“Good luck, Anton. We look forward to hearing of your continued success. ”

Esperit gave him a hug. He was glad that Verona and Kal weren't present, Esperit had a habit of thrusting her chest into him with reckless abandon. He was unsure if it was a tactic or simply she didn’t care about touching him, not that he cared either way.

“We’ll do everything we can. But I think Fliodher wants you to do something.” Esperit pulled back and brushed her lips against his ear. “Just be careful that little huntress over there doesn’t get you snared in one of her traps.”

A hunting pun?

“Thank you, Esperit.”

Anton shook Stratos’s older hand, Tethra wanted a hug but made a slight squeak when her hand brushed against the spines of his tail. She promised to look for a way to restore his normal body, though given what everyone had said Anton had strangely accepted that it was permanent. Sedna shook his head and gave a simple wave. All of the Gods faded away, in a manner befitting their abilities, leaving Fliodher and her White Wolf.

Fliodher leapt from her chair and landed on the table. The Goddess of the Hunt strode, almost dancing, along the edge of the table, uncaring of Anton’s hands while smiling towards the sky. It was a strange sight. Fliodher was extremely supple and well built, befitting a huntress. The muscles on her calves tensed as she jumped and spun, her exposed stomach tensing as she stretched out her back and then her body side to side. Anton remained silent until she abruptly stopped in front of him and jumped off the table to his side, landing dramatically while holding her arms out.

“I thought the Goddess of the Hunt would have plenty of opportunities to practice acrobatics.” Anton said. “Or was that a ritual?”

Her White Wolf placed its head on Anton’s lap. The heavy, warm and fluffy head almost demanded to be patted, and Anton obliged.

“Would it amuse you to know that I like to dance?” Fliodher’s chair emerged from the ether. “Animals like to dance before they mate. And if they’re pretty or skilled enough, then… Well… You know very well what happens next.”

Anton took a second to properly look at Fliodher’s face. She was quite pretty, in the same way Kal was; wild and with a small hint of snark. That and how little she wore despite being a Huntress. Her pale skin would stand out amongst any sort of undergrowth.

“Of course. But I didn’t think that beings like you would be interested in such things.”

Fliodher smiled as she leant back, folding her arms underneath her more modest breasts, at least in comparison to Esperit and Tethra.

“You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Fliodher licked her lips. “But kissing is so much fun… By the way, when are you going to bring your little pet out from hiding?”

The White Wolf lifted its heavy head from his lap and began to slink his way towards the golden wisp. It tried to hide further but the White Wolf jumped behind it and forced it into the open. It held its four thin golden arms to its chest, what passed for its head twitching between them and the White Wolf.

“You knew it was there?”

“Sort of.” Fliodher shrugged. “A Hunter needs to be aware of their surroundings. And I am a Godly good Hunter.”

She laughed. “Tell her to come closer. I want a better look.”

If it is Longinious.

“Longinious?” Anton asked softly. “Is that you?”

The golden wisp seemed to relax and slowly floated towards him. Its body was very long, almost proportionally as long as Longinious’s.

“Can you not speak?”

The golden wisp did not respond, rather stopping between them and looking up at him. Anton waved his hand in front of it, while its head followed it did nothing else.

Anton waved his hand again in front of the golden wisp. “Are you Longinious? Nod if you can hear me.”

The wisp did not respond.

“Maybe it can’t understand your words yet.” Fliodher shrugged. “Give her time and strength, then she’ll be able to speak properly. Right now it’s probably like the shadow of a dream to her. Anyway,” She clapped her hand and the White Wolf padded to her side. “You probably want to hear what I have to offer.”

“I’m sure that our Chirok handlers would be grateful for your Glyph. I hope that we’re going to get more creatures, outside of your help, and they seem very good at their job.”

Fliodher smirked. “When they’re not rutting, that is. But I’ll be sure to send them a vision, see what they have to say. But I can offer you more than just Tamers. Larger creatures too.”

“I thought that would be your ability.” Anton kept the golden wisp within sight. “I suppose it works a little different to what I’m used to.”

“Indeed.” Fliodher smiled. “No lightning bolts or fields of fire. No. Nor bees or wasps erupting from your hands, though that would undoubtedly be very useful.”

“Certainly. Especially if they were as big as a cat.”

Fliodher giggled. “How deliciously frightening. No. But the higher the level used the larger and more ferocious a beast can be tamed. Well, tamed in a loose sense. Those Chiroks you picked up in The Shadow Isles were influenced by me, little more than a whisper in their ear, but they’re very smart and know that you helped their mate survive. Regardless, you won’t be able to abuse it, but you'll be able to get them to obey your commands.”

“A wolf?”

“An equivalent of level two.”

“And a Dragon?”

Anton recalled the giant beasts flying over the southern forests. Gigantic with exceptional senses. Not to mention he was certain one saw him riding a Chirok, and smirked with that massive mouth, with teeth thicker than him or even Rasha.

“About level eight.” Fliodher waved her hand back and forth. “Depends on whether or not it likes you or not. They’re very smart, so that could make it more or less difficult.”

“And what about a walking, talking dragon?”

Fliodher’s smile widened. “Now isn’t that an interesting question.” She leant close, the pelt forming her shirt began to slide loose. “But I wouldn’t go asking too many of those sorts of questions around them, if you want to keep what you have. Even you must know that you aren’t their only hope of growing their strength.”

Anton sighed and refastened Fisher's top. Fliodher continued to smile but leant back into her chair, the golden wisp watched in silence.

“Especially after all their new followers in Qaiviel started springing up.”

“I guess you wouldn’t be gods if you weren’t cryptic. So how can you help us?”

“I know that you’re going to Seocuria.” Fliodher waved her hand towards the table. A dull mist seeped out of the table and formed a series of cages. “And they capture more than just Beast-kin. I know that you cannot save them all-”

“I know.”

Fliodher smiled warmly. “I know too. They’re not beasts, but closer than you. Anyway, there are these.”

The cages came closer. The golden wisp reacted for the first time. It grabbed the table with its four arms and pulled itself up to peer over the top. Fliodher tried to touch it but her hand simply passed through, disturbing the golden energy like smoke which quickly reformed.

“Very strange. Now, these are Sivu. Very rare and nearly hunted to extinction." Fliodher took on a more somber expression, her drawn in muted anguish. "Save them. Please? They have always been very important to me. For a very long time.”

“I thought you were the Goddess of the Hunt?” Anton tried to look at the creature in the cage but the creature lost focus, so he was forced to turn back to Fliodher. “And hunting…”

“Hunting, not extinction.” Fliodher spoke almost defiantly. “One cannot hunt something that is gone. No. They will be saved. They will serve you very well, so long as you can feed them. They are omnivorous with a ferocious appetite, but love fresh meat the most.”

“That shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Can you refocus the image? It’s a little hard to make out.”

Fliodher hesitated but did as she was asked. The cage dissolved and left the creature alone. It looked like a giant lizard with large scales. Four large eyes were positioned to give it exceptional vision while its tail was almost as long as its body and its scales were interspersed with something that appeared to be a type of fur, though it was difficult to tell exactly what it was.

“These things aren’t small, are they?”

Fliodher smiled. “No.”

“And why won’t they just kill me the second that we free them? They’ll still need to be kept in pens so they don’t just start hunting people for food.”

“I… I will ensure that you have someone that can control them. Not those Chirok Handlers. Trust me, you’ll find them in Seocuria.”

“A Seocurian? That might be a bit tricky to convince… And all of these are in Danafra?”

“Some. The rest scattered throughout the land, a few still wild but not enough that they won’t be extinct in less than a hundred cycles.”

“Alright. We can certainly use them as cavalry. No horse is going to charge against them.”

“They love to eat horses.” Fliodher said very calmly. “More than one a day if they’re hungry, and in only six bites.”

That tells me all I need to know about their size.

“Powerful, strong and very fast and intelligent. The perfect combat creature for Atros…” Fliodher’s shoulders dropped. “But thank you. I thought it would soon be the end for them. Seocuria doesn’t exactly have many hunters, with so many slaves.”

As the creature faded away, so too did the interest of the golden wisp. It pushed away from the table and returned to its original position between the two. The White Wolf sniffed at it but clearly didn’t understand what it was seeing. Truth be told, neither did Anton.

“I know they will be safe in Atros. Well, safer than in some perverse nobles’ fighting pit.” Fliodher moved closer, this time the golden wisp reacted and tried to stop her but Fliodher effortlessly pushed through it. “And if they do die out I’ll know. So don’t be stupid with them. Otherwise I’ll have to come down to your little city and mount you as a replacement.”

Before Anton could respond Fliodher kissed him. It was a gentle, tender kiss, and while Anton normally would have at least responded he simply couldn’t. Waves of tiredness immediately washed over him.

“Be sure to pray at my shrine often, Anton.” Fliodher’s voice was already becoming distant. “I’ll be sure to bring you to my realm next time. I’ll show you creatures that no longer exist in this world. Beautiful creatures of types you could never have dreamt of. Show you how they were hunted by the early peoples. Maybe even hunt something a little more human, eh? Won’t that be exciting?”

The last flicker of his vision and his thoughts were of the golden wisp, who he still did not know if it was Longinious or not, desperately trying to shield him with its body. The next moment even that was gone, replaced with the endless darkness of a deep and forced sleep.