Dailin groaned as he stretched, and hummed away the mild pressure in his head caused by his latest work. Even though he hadn’t planned to expand the Oasis again, for even with the addition of an extra thousand Vail they’d claimed, there was still plenty of room. Yet He’d been forced to do so anyway.

The current of the River had doubled, allowing it to carve through stone with renewed ease. Plus the width of the River had expanded, so much that his city was being flooded with the stuff. Not to mention it was coming down so fast it was spilling over the Oasis crown and continuing down the tunnel he’d made with his city.

He couldn’t let that continue, the Nightmares were already feeding enough from the other Rivers out there. He couldn’t allow them access to another, even if it was only a trickle. It would lure more of the beasts, and he had enough encounters with them as is.

So here he was, looking at his city that had been tripled in size, again. A third layer, which would mostly be constructed in a manner to hold large reservoirs of Mana.

‘Gods, what is happening up there?’ That thought was eating at him, more so when he first notice the River worsen. It had been months, yet instead of the problem being fix, it had only gotten worse. Dailin had to accept that whatever was going on above his head, he might not be able to resolve it. That he might be stuck with an ever-growing threat, which would continue to try and eat him.

He huffed and pushed away the thought, it had been circling his mind for weeks, pestering him without end, but no matter how much he worked it in his mind. He didn’t know a way to resolve the problem presented to him, besides just following the path he was already on.

His family was safe, and once the third layer was filled to capacity, Even Mountains wouldn’t be able to smash their way into his home. And that was if he even allowed the attempt rather than launching an all-out assault against the creatures. As long as the River flowed, which seemed it would be always, his family was as safe as they were ever going to be.

Dailin hovered himself to and through one of the entrances, which was so large in scale it made even him appear small. He floated around, did his routine and made sure everything was working properly. He then went about making Hearts, connecting them with pedestals and once more fitted everything together so it was all connected with the previous layers.

After he pulled in raw stone from outside and began condensing and elongating them out. Marking where the reservoirs were going to go. Once that was done, and he’d fiddled with the spacing, he formed the chambers and connected piping, which he had rise and anchor with the ceiling.

For an added touch Dailin formed large pieces of thick glass and warped them to fit into the stone. Allowing him to view how much Mana was held within, and provide a large quantity of lighting. After all that was done he was left with large halls that lead to the gates. Still, it was ample room for his family to expand into the third layer.

He did one last check, before weaving Wards into the reservoirs and connected them with the rest of the network.

‘This is becoming a real pain,’ he complained as his work came to an end. Before when he first started it had been so easy, but with every addition, the size of the of pieces became larger and more cumbersome to fit into place. Doubly so since he was having a hard time seeing whether he was aligned or not.

With a sigh he let the thought go and connected with the network willing the outer gates closed. After he flipped nozzles inside the pipes and allowed Mana to come surging though into the reservoirs.

Given the speed, it wouldn’t be too long before the chamber was full and he was left to try and figure out what to do with it. He was dismissive of the notion to improve himself again so soon. Then grimaced at the notion of feeding the Spot inside of me with lakes worth of Mana again.

The endless abyss of a Spot had consumed all of it, afterward, the Mana tried to pull more from him. Forcing him to once more cut off the spell, and consider what the spot was. That perhaps it wasn’t meant to be completed, just kept being improved upon.

Though he wasn’t sure, he couldn’t even tell if the flow from it had improved. He’d been consuming from a River after all, his measurement of what was a lot, or small and become rather distorted since last Dailin had checked on the Spot within him. Though he hoped it was, for if not then it meant he’d wasted lakes of Mana. And even though he was drowning in the stuff, it still wasn’t something that should be used in such a manner.

‘Maybe I can just start playing with the realm?’ he thought, feed the forest outside and see how much it would grow, or spend time making elaborate structures and cityscapes to impress wandering Vail who may stumble upon them. Or return to ways to better use the Mana around him.

He considered things while walking and opening the inner gates. People were amassed waiting and now looking with eager eyes through the open passage and into the new addition.

“Behold,” Dailin called out “A layer dedicated to storing the Souls of our people, so they may help us in our time of need.” The crowd cheered and flowed out into the new layer eyes wide and making various sounds of awe. Dailin left them to marvel at the new addition as he hovered himself over the masses.

There was so many of them now, a true city equal to that of a Sanctum in number. The Mines his dubbed Counselors had asked him to move the Oasis towards, had provided at least a thousand souls in total. The Voices seemed to be throwing everyone they could, out to retake the mines. Regardless of the Worth, which made him relieved he wasn’t under their rule. From the look of things, he may have eventually been thrown out himself. His children for sure and there would have been little he could have done about it. Well, besides blatantly standing against the Voices and their Enforcers.

Dailin was sure he would have won, solely because he could pull Mana to him and the others couldn’t. But the devastation that fight would have caused made him shuddered. The entire tiers might have been leveled by the time the struggle came to an end. And there would be no telling how many would have died. Dailin didn’t think about such thoughts long. He instead watched the streams of people and how it appeared all wanted to get a look at the new layer.

It was appalling that most under his feet were supposed to be fighting to their deaths holding or claiming mines. The sheer amount of people the Voices were forcing out made it abundantly clear how much they cared about those they ruled.

‘Perhaps they think they can get away with it, since one word from them and an army is sent to quell the revolt.’ Dailin thought, though he didn’t consider the subject had much merit, not with what he was seeing. He had witnessed a few times in vague lives of what happened when people were pushed too far, even with the promise of death awaiting them if they disobeyed.

When the people finally did rebel, they held nothing back. Since their deaths were assured, many came to the conclusion they might as well do as much damage as possible before their end arrived.

‘I got to slit quite a few throats’ Dailin recalled as the memories became clearer. He got to hang people to, and commit some regretful acts before the army came and those like him were butchered to the last.

Dailin shook his head and the memories receded back into an obscure state, where he could only recall the barest outline of what occurred. Still, it had him wondering how long the Voices could keep pushing. How long before the Vail under them finally had enough and overthrow them. Enforcers or not, if the Sanctum still had numbers close to the Thousands it didn’t matter how Worthier they were to the masses. Sooner or later they would find themselves spent and at the mercy of an enraged mob.

Then that would be the end of them, plus the Sanctum after an army of Worthy was sent from on high to punish the rebellious ones. If his Counselors weren’t exaggerating, and how about half or more of the Sanctum would be put down. Or if they could achieve it, exile the masses out into the Nightmare infested tunnels.

Which Dailin was suspicious if that had ever been achieved, it would make the whole rebel thing rather pointless. Unless they just wanted to kill the ruler’s before they went. But if that was true then the Vail would just cannibalize the Sanctum of goods then retreat to the Wardless tunnels and be far off long before any army arrived.

No, the more he thought about it, the surer he was that the army from Above likely just killed almost everyone, and only left the bare minimum needed to repopulate the Sanctum. It wouldn’t take too long, seeing how quick their births were and the number of offspring it brought.

‘I’m glad I’m not there during these troubling times.’ Dailin concluded as the whole scenario in his head smacked of complete and utter waste. One that didn’t help the Vail in the slightest against the Nightmare that was growing outside.

But from what he'd seen from the Flocks they'd taken in they didn't know that. Even the most informative individuals only had a very vague and inaccurate idea of how bad things had become. Which frightened Dailin to no end, the Vail, his own kind, were basically clueless of the doom that was coming to claim them. The majority were still plotting against each other over trivial squabbles while the Nightmares spread engulfing everything.

It was disheartening to think about, given from what the Flocks had told. The Sanctums weren’t even sending people out to search or claim the Rivers. Not that many knew about them, since most Vail avoided knowledge about the Soulless realm. But from what Dailin could tell even those who did know hadn’t sent that many out to gather the Mana.

Perhaps it would be different higher up, where the tunnels had once been rather Nightmare free. Sadly below where he’d come from, the Rivers had been left for the Nightmares to take without quarrel. Which had made him angry enough, the first time he learned of this, for sparks of lightning to dance about him, almost hurting people who’d been near.

At times, well most of the time, it felt like the Vail were trying to die. Completely devoid of the thought they could be wiped out. Or maybe just oblivious about how little time they had left. Dailin knew firsthand how hard it was to get a grasp of things going on outside while within the safety a Sanctum.

‘A sad day for this realm when it’s just me and my family trying to save people.’ Well mostly his family, it was their obsession of late, they questioned the Flocks to exhaustion, gleaming as much information from them as they could. Desperate almost to know which Mines had people and those that remained abandoned. Which was most know, at least those in range of the Oasis.

Their pace traveling upward had stalled, as he’d spent most of his time going from one mine to the next. Even with the current of the River strengthening, Dailin had kept his word and steered their home where his Counselors asked. He didn’t have much of an excuse not to, nor did the thought sit well with him.

He had power now, saving people was at most a slight inconvenience to him. Plus Dailin didn’t want his family to think he was a cold person. To uncaring to save people even when it was only a spell out of his reach. Especially with how many lives were on the line. The Voices weren’t being stingy, they were throwing out as many people as fast they could. There were Flocks worth hundreds hold up in each mine his Counselors instructed the Oasis to head towards. Hundreds that would have died if he decided they’d had enough people and it was time to start heading upward again.

Though he would have to eventually, either they would empty all the mines, or the Nightmares would get to them first. A rising possibility, as the attacks on his home were increasing. Thankfully it didn’t always come with Mountains involved, for even with the aid of his home. It still took forever to kill those damned things. Even when he sent light burning down their throats, and they died writhing in pain, the Mana just kept bringing them back till it was all gone. Which took longer each time as the beasts were growing, increasing the amounts of the substance within themselves.

It was maddening at times, for he couldn’t think of another way to kill them faster. Even dead their Wards remained, so he wasn’t able to cut them apart to slow the healing process. He’d even tried pulling the Mana out of them when they were dead. But even that failed, the Mana within them refused to part with the bodies no matter how hard he demanded it to.

After that last failure it had left him stuck, he couldn’t conceive of any means to get around his situation, other than forcing them to spend their reserves faster. Which only happened by him increasing his own output of the Mana through spells. It was a fine method as long as he remained within the River range. But if he ever ended up separated from it, or the flow ever stopped, he would be better off fleeing rather than fighting the opposition to a stalemate.

But he wasn’t sure that would ever be a problem. The flow of the River seemed endless, a curse and a boon, as it was his means to defend himself. But also the reason why he was being attacked in the first place.

‘At least I should be just as or more resilient to death as the Mountains.’ Dailin confided to himself as he landed at the door of his shrinking estate. The halls he passed through were finished for the most part. Everything covered in decorative metal and paint, the statues of himself were now inlaid with gems of various colors.

Banners made of gems hung everywhere accompanied with lanterns of gold and silver. In other lives Dailin would have been the wealthiest of kings. Plus the longest line of people and countries aiming to kill him and take everything for themselves. Luckily he wasn’t among such people, at least not anymore. Which was good for he had enough problems to deal, without the added weight of people lusting for his possessions.

The gate was hurriedly opened for him, followed with passages of praise about his wonder and divinity. The Council chamber was covered in similar décor. Layered in enough wealth that it became nauseating in a way. Made the material that was supposed to highly prized, seem common, overused. But his family seemed to enjoy it, and he himself wasn’t that creative with design so he left such things to them.

Dailin hovered over to the raised counsel table, and sat in his own chair but didn’t get comfortable. His still had the panels to check to make sure everything was working properly.

His Counselors bowed their heads in his presence, and quoted words of affection before he waved a hand and put an end to it. Dailin eyes scanned the table map before him, one that was always improved upon. It had been surprisingly accurate of their location in the realm, a remarkable feat for his family. For he would have been completely lost if left to his own devices.

He noticed new marks added too many of the mines. Ones they had already drained of people, it was the majority from what he could see. A relief in truth, because Dailin wondered how long they had before the Nightmares revisited such places. Their numbers kept rising, even though Dailin had moved the Oasis higher up in the realm. The Nightmares were doing the same. Sooner or later, Dailin home was going to come across a barren mine, coated in blood rather than live people.

As if reading his mind Vollow commented, “We still have time Father, the Oasis, giving its current speed will allow us to save the majority of the mines presented. There’s no need to let Worry burden you.”

Dailin lifted his gaze noticing others around the table had been peering at the map as obsessed as he. They were likely thinking the same, wondering how many were going to be lost.

“As you say son, and I offer that your right, but I’m stilled worried, it’s just how I am. It’s how even gotten here, me always trying to plan the best I can to avoid calamity.” Dailin said wearily glancing once again at the map.

“A thousand blessings upon you Divine for taking up such a burden.” Zellebeth spoke, echoed by others that joined in on her short prayer. “Perhaps with the aid of Hope, you can one Rotation let go of such a weight, be free of such ill.”

Dailin smiled kindly to her, “That is a Rotation I’ll look forward to, if it comes to pass, it will be a blessed Rotation indeed.” He longed for it, days of peace, of routine, freed from all the worries that troubled him. Free from the unknown. Dailin even after all this time surrounded by it, pestered by it and the endless question it brought wasn’t getting in more tolerate of the pressure. Most of the lives he could partially remember were simple ones. Filled with days that were the same and ran together. Life so plain it could be planned ahead, for nothing really changed.

Gods how much he missed that, knowing beforehand what was to occur. Already having everything planned out and just following the flow of events. Instead of now, where he was waiting for one new surprise after the other. Waiting for some new trouble to find him and cause stress for his family.

“A very blessed Rotation,” Dailin mumbled to himself before returning his attention to the Council before him. “The third layer is complete, but most of it has been converted to storing the flow of Souls.” Dailin said getting straight to the point. There were some flickers of surprise amongst the council, no doubt many had been expecting vast land to expand the city.

“With it the Oasis should never be at threat of becoming spent, given the size of the third layer. Plus the flow of the increased current,” He added.

“Its true then Divine, the flow as indeed strengthened?” Zellebeth asked more curious than worried.

“Yes, and has stayed such continually, I had assumed at first it was a temporary overflow from above. But enough time has passed for me to conclude otherwise.” Dailin answered not all that pleased about it. True it helped him, made his family safe, but he wasn’t the only one gaining from his. The Nightmares would be fed more now, growing to greater heights in less time. Dailin absolutely did not want to face multiple Mountains continuously. It was a trail of patience to kill those things, and he was thoroughly tired of going through it.

“And yet you seem troubled by this Divine, is this not a blessing that more of our Souls come to us?” Zellebeth asked, while others nodding along, and why wouldn’t they? None had actually witnessed a Mountain before, nor faced the improved Nightmares. No, they were safe and secure in the Oasis, completely blind to the goings on outside of it.

“It is, but we only hold one River my Family. The Nightmares may hold all the rest, and they gain more from this than us.” Dailin said softly with pulses of warmth weaved into the words. He knew how much the Vail dislike hearing troublesome news. How ill-equipped they were to deal with it in most cases as he recalled his time in Hadthel.

Yet the Vail before him didn’t begin to shiver, fret or claim what he said was wrong. They instead bowed their heads, held hands when it was possible, and went silent as if contemplating the wisdom he provided. It was amazing how much they’d changed, or maybe it was the sight of him, and his presence that was the cause. Dailin could see how it would be hard to worry over harsh times when people thought they had a god at their side ready to defend them.

“Of course Divine your foresight and wisdom continues to enlighten us,” Zellebeth said staring happily into his eyes.

“We should hurry things along then,” Vollow stated his eyes gazing at the map. He pointed at one of the larger Mines left. “This should be our next destination, from the knowledge we’ve gained this Mine holds large deposits of Worthy ores. A Flock of considerable size would have been sent to claim it.”

None challenged his son, all nodded or murmured in agreeance, before all eyes turn to Dailin. It was him after all that moved the Oasis where it needed to go. “As you wish son, I’ll get us there, but it will take longer with the stronger current, the Souls seem rather adamant about forcing their way through rock.”

“We understand we ask much from you, Father.” Vollow glanced at Zellebeth who returned the look, a quick movement with her finger and Vollow return his gaze. “Given the Nightmare is going to surge in strength, we wonder if you’re going to make more Thivuins?”

It was an odd name his family had made for them, a mashing of the phase The Divines Suit. But a new word had to be made, for it was well beyond a plain outfit of armor covered in Wards. It was a miniature version of the Oasis in a way, save that it was in the shape of a Vail. Once inside there was a set of panels an individual would have to connect to in order to control the construct, as Dailin did for the Oasis.

Its envisioning came about after he racked his brain trying to think of ways to better keep safe the Hosts that went out to secure mines. A means for all to the have the ability to fight, or at least survive, regardless of their Worth.

That and when his family would request to send another Host to a Sanctum. It made Dailin feel a great deal calmer that his Host would be a horde of metal giants when greeted by the Vail hidden within the Roads. Perhaps when confronted by such a sight those within would be more willing to accept the situation that was taking place outside.

The Thivuin were also a pain to produce. The complexity involved and how much he wanted from the device made it so he couldn’t make one with a single spell. Maybe someday after practice, instead Dailin constructed them in stages. First shaping the materials into the Thivuin, making sure everything was placed right and it moved correctly. Then he added the needed furnishings on the inside with the panel the Vail would connect to. After numerous Hearts were slotted into the metal, with a large one embedded on its back.

Only then did he weave Wards into them, the basic kind where it only provided defense. After he added to it, so the Vail inside would be able to see and hear through the Wards. Plus runes that displayed the amount of Mana stored in the device. Along with over Wards that allowed the Vail inside to move the suit and weave spells through it. After Dailin was left with a device that would allow even the lowest of Worth be able to fight against an Ancient on their own.

“I’ve always planned to make more son,” Dailin answered to the observing crowd. “They just take time to make, there are many junctions involved to make them work properly so I can’t rush the working of the Chant. Everything must be just right.”

Vollow and the rest lowered their heads in thanks. “Apologizes then Father for requesting more so soon, I had no idea the construction of them was so different to the Ward armors of the past.”

Dailin chuckled as he sent out a wave of warmth, “If only they were that easy to make. If they were, by now I’d have every Vail in the Oasis endowed with one. But alas each Thivuin is, in essence, a small Oasis, it takes time even with my skill. But don’t worry, from now on I'll devote at least one Round each Rotation to crafting them.”

“Blessing upon you Divine,” many of the Council said in almost perfect unison, and Dailin sent another pulse of caring towards them.

“A kind thing, but there is no need for such, you're all working towards the benefit of the Oasis, so it’s only natural I lend my aid.” Dailin said as he continued his spell, making sure those around him remembered they were allowed to speak and request help from him.

More nods followed, with words of reverence and his kindness, before Dailin saw Zellebeth and Vollow trade glances with Sounness. Who returned her gazed back to him with pleading eyes. “Then perhaps we could return to the matter of your seed?”

Dailin stopped the urge to sigh and roll his eyes up to the heavens. At least this once, since he allowed this matter to prop up again.

“By all means, speak your wisdom.” Dailin said with a now strained smile.

His daughter smile grew and she looked to be the picture of happiness. “Uheen is in late-term now, and nothing of threating consequence has occurred, many Papa, take this as a sign and wish to be the ones next to take on this most blessed of Tasks.”

‘Don’t roll your eyes, don’t give a pained or annoyed look,’ he echoed to himself, fighting to keep irritation from crossing his features.

They’d been heckling him the moment the inception with the Maiden Uheen had taken place. Not that he actually made love with her. No, he only provided her a small amount of seed after he’d work it out of himself on his own, and disposed of the rest. He wouldn’t put it passed those around him to try and use it if he’d left the remnants around where they could get their hands on it. So much so he’d watched the chosen Maiden insert the material into her womb, just to be sure she didn’t try sharing it with others.

It had been the first time Dailin had seen irritation marring some of the Vail around him, before it was hidden behind masks of indifference. Dailin was glad he’d taken the precautions because even though his daughter was claiming nothing of deathly consequence was taking place. It certainly looked like it the last time he’d checked on the Maiden.

Her stomach was so swollen he expected it to burst at any moment, and prayed daily that such a thing didn’t occur. Dailin had shuddered when the thought struck, and he considered how painful a death that would be. Enough that he had a Host of Chanters by her side at all times ready to heal her if such a thing took place. So far it hadn’t, and her stomach slowly grew, enough it forced her to be bedridden.

It was rather cruel, but the thought of the Maiden trying to walk with such a stomach was somewhat comical to imagine. Dailin could envision her only getting two steps in before her legs gave out and she would need the aid of Mana or people to help her along.

Not to mention the stress her body was going through, the unborn in her, as he feared, were draining her dry of Mana as fast as it was supplied. Because of this Uheen bed was situated right next to the lake, where she continually drank from all day every day for the past three months.

‘And others willingly want to join in that, madness.’ Dailin felt terrible for what he’d done to that poor woman, and was eternally grateful he’d never been born that sex. Yet Uheen remained unfazed by it, when he talked with her, she was happy, where she should be miserable and regretting her decision. Instead every time he visited her, she asked the same question, asked if she would be allowed to carry another batch after the one she currently held.

He’d almost called her insane the first time she’d asked that of him, but he was able to hold it in by quickly biting his tongue. He only answered with ‘we’ll see’ rather than a confirmation. She still had to make it through childbirth after all and Dailin wondered how much she would want the Task after that experience.

“Only after Uheen as given birth and the outcome it brings is displayed will I spread my seed to others.” Dailin answered and for a moment it seemed Sounness was also one to hide behind a strained smile.

“We understand Divine,” Zellebeth answered when Sounness remained silent a little too long. None of them tried arguing, or plead he reconsider, and for that Dailin sent another pulse out into the room. He already regretted agreeing to the pregnancy and feared that when it came to birth her body may give out. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d seen it, he’d lost a few wives in such a way.

With Mana at his call Dailin was sure they could keep it from being permanent, but wondered what would happen to Uheen after experiencing such, once or multiple times. Her stomach was so swelled, even at this late in pregnancy.

‘What if the children are too large? What if she can’t push them out?’ He’d been to blinded by the prospect of children his size to think of the difficulties pregnancy would bring. That perhaps it was a death wish for the Maiden involved.

‘Gods are we going to have to cut them out?’

“Are you troubled Divine?” Zellebeth voice brought Dailin back to his surroundings and the feeling of the entire chamber watching him.

“Fine Zellebeth, I was only following the lines of possibilities, and viewing the troubles it may bring.” Dailin said as he rose from his chair and loomed over the Vail. “Anything else?”

The Councilors looked amongst each other, before Zellebeth returned her gaze. “Will we be allowed to send another Host to a Road entrance?”

“If you can gather voluntaries for it, yes, when the Oasis is close enough I’ll allow another one sent to warn those that hide within the Sanctums.” Zellebeth would get the numbers, Dailin knew, last time they had so many that if he'd been inclined he could have sent a Flock.

Zellebeth and the rest smiled knowing, likely coming to the same conclusion as him and bowed their heads in thanks. “Then there is nothing else we need your guidance on Divine,” Zellebeth informed.

Dailin sent one last pulse before informing them where he would be as he departed. He took a leisurely stroll down the passages that lead to the panel chamber. Enjoying the moment of peace while he forced himself not to think of Uheen. Something that became easy when he reached the chamber and connected himself to the network of Wards. Nothing had gone wrong, as before with the second layer, Dailin could see through the network of the third to the outside realm.

The forest was becoming unruly, even with his home consuming the River that flooded down. A mist permeated the area, and with it the plant life spread about covering all in its path. In those growing leaves and vines, Dailin noticed moment around his home, noticed how figures were watching it and slowly gathering in mass to attack from all sides.

Eventually, they were common Nightmares only, still, they were far beyond the Nightmares of old. Larger, more lethal looking, there claws longer, sharper, and even the maggots he could see looked capable of taking a couple of Guards all on their own if the situation ever occurred.

For now, they only watched his home from a distance, content to let themselves grow in number. Dailin, however, wasn’t, so he began pulling Mana into him, smiling since the Nightmares were the perfect means to test if everything was working. Most all of, it was a lovely distraction.

-----------------------------

‘Why do you fight to stay in this so-called centered state?’ Fear asked her as it leaned against a wall. For now, it stayed its distance, content with assaulting her with words alone. Even as it grew and she fought to stop the feelings that fed it.

‘You should be experiencing my realms, it will let you understand the situation more clearly, let you relieve the depths of the trouble you, we are in.’ Fear corrected as it pressed one of its many hands against the Wards.

Tarhex losing her composure for a Breath snapped at Fear. ‘And what blessing would that do me? Would it allow me to see a means to change the situation? Reveal some insight that I’m unable to understand without experiencing your vile realms?’

‘Well?’ Tarhex added daunting Fear as she went back to reigning in her thoughts, entering her trance and calling to the Giver that wasn’t’ listening. The trance went undisturbed by Fear longer than she expected. Enough that the absence of Fears words had the trance break when she found herself focusing on it. Curiosity getting her to act outside what she should.

Fear was still leaning against the wall of her chamber, but gone was the confidence and mockery it had been displaying to her. All that remained was its nature, and Fear looked at her again after the silence had dragged on.

‘No,’ Fear sent, almost sounding ashamed to admit it. ‘No it wouldn’t help you, nothing will child, your kind end has come. The Nightmare appears to be done with its game, it has decided to swallow the last remnants of its meal.’

The admission affected her more than Tarhex thought possible. This was not the way their conversation was to take. Fear was to lie, claim all sort of means it could save her, if she handed control over to it. Not what she was hearing now, Fear admitting it could do nothing to change the situation she was in.

She looked away from it, focused her full intent on blocking out the realm around her. Offering the scene taking place was an illusion, an elaborate Cursed dream trying to trick her into lowering her guard.

Yet it remained as the time flowed passed her and only changed when the gate to her chamber was hastily opened. Her vessel eyes opened of their own accord as the silence was broken by the heavy steps of an Enforcer.

He prostrated himself before her, hands outstretch presenting Shards. It had been a spur of the moment demand, Worry and Fear getting the better of her. She ordered Shards of the situation be brought to her to witness. Regret for a passing Breath pressed heavily on her shoulders, before it was cast aside and she reached out taking what was offered to her.

“Return to your post,” she spoke to the Enforcer her attention already gone from him before he’d even left her presence. The Shards felt heavy in her hands, already her mind was picturing what Curses may lay within, the Marks it could burn into her, and the permanent damage it could cause.

Yet Curiosity pushed at her, ‘You know you need it, as much as I do.’ It whispered in her mind. Tarhex chewed on her lip for a Sequence before connecting to one, opening her inner eyes to a realm in its death throws. A whimper escaped her as the vision of the Nightmares and Ancients entered her view. The outer tier was dark, the light of the Wards spent and the tier once more claimed by the Soulless realm.

She heard Fear nearing her, and Tarhex readied to fight it off. Yet a blow never came, instead it joined her watching the vision unfold. Only a few short moments in and Fear sighed, one that sounded of defeat. Each Breach made more of herself aligned with Fears reaction. It was Hopeless, the tier, which had already been spent from the number of Flocks they sent out, wasn’t even putting up a fight. The Lowly were out of their depths, and most Chanting skills were to slow to cast out their Souls intent before Nightmares were ripping them apart.

Tarhex screamed and the Shards fell from her hands as a colossal thing crashed through spent walls of the tier. Something so large that its head alone was almost equal to the tier itself. Her vessel shivered, what little center she once had crumbled, leaving her the most vulnerable she’d ever been in her life. Yet none of the Curses tried to take advantage of this.

Save for one, but it didn't attack her, only revealed itself and sat across from her. Most of its form was hidden behind a tattered cloak, what flesh showed was a dried out gray, the skin sunken and parched.

‘Now you see my realm child, and soon the realm of Death.’ Despair spoke to her, even its voice sounded parched, the last gasp before the end.

It motioned to the Shards messy scattered on the floor. ‘Care to see more, it's the only thing left for you to do. The only thing that has any meaning in a sense,’ Despair forced out with great effect.

Curiosity pressed against her, for even as her vessel rebelled and Tarhex Soul shivered, she still wanted to know, yearned to understand the depth of the Cursed situation she was in. So with a sluggish hand and weak grip she grabbed hold of another Shard and this time found herself in the second tier. It was dark like the first, but unlike before the Vail of that layer were fighting.

Flashes of Wrath illuminated the tier, for short spurts she was able to see the Ancients in full. The Chants sent against them did nothing but shatter on their hides that glowed with Curse filled purpose. The Tide of Nightmares looked endless, and they stomped over everything. Barriers only held off the charge for a Breath before Ancients shattered the working with a few strikes of fist or Chants of their own.

Then she saw it again, in the back behind the endless lines, watching as its children flowed forth. A thing of such size, and she was only seeing its head. A Precursor, that’s what the thing had to be, the Nightmares origins, their beginning, and now her people's end.

Tarhex watched as the vision played out, the Lowly swept aside and devoured in quick order. The vision ended as the maker lowered his Ascendance and passed through the slightly open Gate leading to the inner tier.

She was reaching for another Shard when the Wards in her chamber dimmed to almost nothing. Another Breath later and she was sitting in the abyss, not a shred of light except for what came from her channels. It was enough to display the Curses around her, all of whom had gone eerily still.

Except for Despair, who moved its many hands back under the folds of its cloak. ‘It seems our time together is at an end.’ It said in the tone of perfect finality.

The realm seemed to agree with it, because she found herself pushed to the side of the chamber and felt the sensation of falling before floating upward.

‘Giver preserve me, prepar-‘