--- Mateus POV

I leap across the table calling upon every sinew of my feline agility. A glint of mischievousness in the Arch Priest's eye is the sole clue and yet so certain are we of our trap, we didn’t even consider he could perform a second trick. His first of course is the simple trick of appearing while we waited in his office. His second, the reverse, the trick of disappearing before our eyes.

“Sorcery …” murmurs Taha.

Jumping off his huge table and landing on ‘his’ side I grab and throw his chair in frustration, the simple wooden construct shattering with a crack against the stone wall of his office. The room is strategically nestled against the third-floor back wall of the Cathedral.

“The Grand Master does have emotion then …”

Taha. The Stone Giant’s deep guttural chuckling reminds me of my lack of composure and to now respond in kind. Petty. I stretch to my full height and shake my head. With calm and crisp hand movements I reach for and light my pipe, drawing and demonstrating my control by blowing smoke rings. Taha smirks in response.

Now calm I consider a revelation. This missed chance could prove costly if for no other reason than discovering the Divine Dominate within him. Where or how unknown, yet like myself, not a Neophyte God, simply a beneficiary of a magnificent gift.

“Any markings under his chair?” hisses Vestan.

Placing my pipe on his table I kneel. Rolling up the plain functional rug previously under his chair reveals an edge of a circle inscribed with runes, then a half circle and finally a complete circle.

I stand. “Not under the chair, under the rug,” I declare.

A scrapping noise draws my attention. Vestan is moving a cupboard along an office wall.

“This cupboard would normally be positioned over this circle of runes,” offers Vestan in awe.

“Stand in the middle and feed the runes magic …” mutters Taha.

Vestan, Ralora and I blank stare at Taha. Her jaw drops under the scrutiny.

“Where did you learn about such things?” I ask.

“The … the Goddess when she first visited …”

“Good enough, which circle first Snake Kin sisters and which one of you?”

Vestan nods and slithers toward me. I back away and allow her to coil up within the circle. The runes glow and yet nothing else happens.

“I am certain my mana was accepted, perhaps he destroyed the destination?”

Without a further word, she advances upon the cupboard pushing it aside once again revealing the other circle. One last look at each of us, she coils and then the runes glow. Vestan disappears, and Ralora rushes forward arms reaching out, for what I am uncertain. I kneel beside his desk and with a claw scratch at the stone floor disfiguring one of the runes, no point in allowing him to easily return in the future. Taha leans over me and with a sweep of her hand the rune-inscribed stone beneath smooths over and the enchantment is no more.

Dusk falls. Ralora slithers back and forth, snakeskin on stone, the rhythmical rasping annoying like water dripping. Taha sees to our Lizard Kin worshiper of Tor and all the others. There is no murder, simply expulsion from the Cathedral and deploying loyal replacements. This is important because of the Cathedral design. The stairs and corridors to the Arch Priest’s office would allow a few to hold off the many during any fight. The curve of the stairs assists a right-hand downward stroke of a sword, the roof slanting, and the ceiling lower on the left-hand side. Any trying to swing a sword at a target up the stairs is not only restricted by the smaller arc of the inside curve, but also the reduction in roof height to prevent any overhead swing.

Cardinal Pex falls out of the circle. Ralora rushes to her side, helping her to vacate the circle of runes entirely. I offer water, which she gulps down. The condition of her snakeskin is pitiful, flaking and mostly colourless and yet there are no wounds or bruises. Vestan appears next within the circle of runes, a quick look about and then slithering until beside the Cardinal.

“I have healed her wounds, yet her body starves. We will head to the kitchens and once recovery is underway, we can ask questions.”

I don’t ask permission, too much time has passed by.

“Where was she held?” I ask.

“In a dank dark dungeon, cut off from the world except via the circle. Another enchantment suppressed or perhaps drained her magic, which is why she remained helpless. I needed to move the soil behind the stone, no easy feat, the stone wall was one complete smooth block. Yet once broken the enchantment failed, I suspect a Sorcery version of a Temple consecration.”

My paws rest upon Cardinal Pex’s shoulders as I prevent her from leaving in the gentlest way I can. Her eyes, once dull shine for a moment. Tired yet not defeated.

“Do you know anything of his plans?”

Vestan hisses, her tongue extending and yet apart from a firmer embracing of Cardinal Pex’s waist she doesn’t otherwise protest.

“He works … conspires with another. The magic he uses is plentiful and I can only surmise he diverted a portion of our Goddess’ worshipper’s mana for his needs. A heinous betrayal.” Her snake head lolls to one side resting upon Vestan’s shoulder, the dull snakeskin of one contrasting with the vibrant colour of the other.

I need answers now, sympathy can come later.

“You know of their purpose?” My spoken words are soft and encouraging.

Without opening her eyes, she says, “He feels betrayed by our Goddess … a hatred grows within him, the other I believe encourages and supports him … yet the other I believe is the greater evil.”

The other I believe is Magus Drexel Marner and the ritual spell he is trying to complete has something to do with the traitorous Arch Priest Allene Corser.

“I will commune with my sect and ensure as many as possible know of the former Arch Priest’s betrayal and more importantly, Aphrodite’s Cardinals have cast him down and as a traitor, all the faithful should oppose him.”

My statements gain their attention. Mouths which are quick to open, to speak, shortly after, close. We faithful must act, there isn’t time for doubt.

I release Cardinal Pex. “Take our Cardinal for food.”

Ralora joins us. “We have homing pigeons between some Temples, while there are also homing pigeon services between towns and cities in the Empire. The message, one way or another will be spread far and wide in a matter of days.”

“I would like to help, please Ralora allow me to send off the Temple pigeons,” asks Cardinal Pex somehow tapping into a reserve of energy.

A nod and brief hug from Ralora settle the sharing of duties.

“What of the Goddess’ reputation?” asks Taha. “Betrayal by her Arch Priest.” She shakes her head. “Many will judge her blindness harshly … doubt her sovereignty over the Truth Rune.”

“Never doubt their faith,” offers Cardinal Pex in a low voice as she raises her head. “Alone in a cold dark dungeon I searched for ways to raise the alarm even if I could forfeit my life to do so. The fall of an Arch Priest while shocking also says that any, regardless of position, will be brought down if found to be unworthy.”

Vestan continues, “An unusual occurrence for most when used to rule under the powerful who believe themselves to be infallible.”

--- Alba POV

Another and then another. The Adepts and Initiates of Aphrodite welcoming, their mana invaluable in my efforts to summon the Cult Spirit, Magus Drexel Marner. Days and nights without end I perform the ritual, drawing mana from those who wear me on their fingers to the point I know them by their souls.

“I am glad to serve the Goddess, I now pass you to another,” mind speaks Red Lance, Initiate of Aphrodite.

“Thank you, Red Lance, rest and regain your mana you will be needed tomorrow,” I answer.

There is a disconnect, the contact warmth of flesh upon the metal absent and then after an immeasurable time the warmth of flesh returns. My attempt at contact fails. [Spirit Resistance] protects this one, why?

I am certain the requirements of my mission are now well known and if new Adepts or Initiates are asked, an explanation is given … there is no reacquaintance, salutation … the glory of Aphrodite is no more, the Temple’s consecrated ground no longer comforts me. Am I being taken away? I try to force my presence upon my mysterious captor using my own mana to overcome the [Spirit Resistance] and the attempt is like climbing a smooth high wall, futile.

Time is difficult for me to judge when worn on a finger, the warmth of sunlight suggests the day. Morning or afternoon is a guess unless my wearer tells me or perhaps the wearer’s hand is in a pocket. Cold or cool can mean many things, the dead of night, cool fresh water, or the inside of a building. The only certainty is the level of warmth emanating from the finger I am worn upon – this is my measure, my standard by which other temperatures are measured against. For the moment I am warm, yet no longer in contact with flesh.

--- Allene Corser, Arch Priest of Aphrodite POV

My slave with the prize approaches, shortly I will put a stop to her interference. Destruction of the ring is the first step and I assume my former mentor will then be released to the Spirit Plane, where she and Aphrodite can tell lies about me. Little do they know …

The vacant eyes of the Snake Kin are obvious, too obvious in many ways, yet for a snake difficult to discern unless searching for the effects of the spell. My true mentor Magus Drexel insisted I research Beast Kin species and now I realise the fruits of my efforts. The [Dominate Snake Kin] spell is unique to me, although based upon the learnings from the Magus’ [Dominate Human] spell and my captive, Cardinal Pex, the perfect subject to refine and experiment upon. I inwardly chuckle, knowing the fools I can depend upon them to console and ultimately restore her to health.

My pet slithers to a halt before me. I hold out the palm of my hand and the binding ring of my former mentor drops into my possession. I am about to wave my slave away, she would be released from the spell without memory by the next day although now she stands before me I could, like Cardinal Pex sample skin, blood and bone and demand complete control sending my slave back as a consummate spy. Yet, it seems this Temple didn’t receive the correct news because of Tiger Kin communing, oh well, others would I am certain due to the efforts of Cardinal Pex and perhaps the confusion of value. This does reveal the limitations of spies, they can’t control everything, just take opportunities and fortunately I took precautions against possible imperfection, projecting my hearing into the Temple and eavesdropping upon their lies about me. Don’t they realise one person’s traitor is another person’s liberator? I intend to free all from Aphrodite, the false Goddess. An upstart grasping beyond her due and an imitator of the real Aphrodite!

While the majority of the Frost Giants welcomed Aphrodite when subject to my preaching, a small number led by the Priestess of Zeus, Arnora and her son refused conversion. While slaying them my preference the Frost Giant community, their friends, and former parishioners argued against my wishes and I needed to change tactics, professing Aphrodite would show mercy arriving at an acceptable compromise, banishment.

Before leaving the Frost Giants to finally meet Aphrodite and claim my reward I decided to correct their poor judgement by locating the small band of Zeus worshippers, my intention, was to slay them all. Instead, the Shrine of Zeus enlightened me to another possibility. If, on the off chance, Aphrodite’s reward proved less than satisfactory. Slaying his worshipers now or in the near future no difference he suggested, and I agreed. Now I appreciate the Ruler God of the Greek Pantheon’s wisdom.

My Snake Kin slave blinks her eyes, unlimited patience while I explore my inner thoughts. The ceremony to convert my slave into a spy would take too long, so first things first. I place the ring on my finger, time for a final farewell.

“Allene!”

Shock. Alba never expected me to be her captor.

“Yes, the student returns to school the teacher … to say a final goodbye.”

“What do you mean? Allene, it isn’t too late, repent, prostrate yourself and ask for forgiveness … I sense your hurt … Aphrodite doesn’t know I assure you. Her journey to Ruler Goddess …”

Anger rises within me as one hand reaches around the finger of the other to remove this servant of Aphrodite from my flesh. “On the backs and hard work of others … undeserving!”

I stand beside the Quest Plinth, the forest surrounding the artifact thick, fingers of shadow reach out.

“Welcome to the Spirit Plane, Arch Priest Allene Corser.”

Magus.

I swivel about and there he stands, an almost solid replica of his real self I assume, the long beard, the plain robes. His wide smile and reaching arms greet me. My transfer to the Spirit Plane is the plan and yet now here I wonder about my body … and a certain ring.

He shakes me. “We must hurry.”

“Yes, certainly,” I reply.

“We are on her layer of existence on the Spirit Plane. We must create our own based upon your knowledge and race ahead and lay in wait.” He shakes me again. “What is wrong with you?”

Once done here, the intention was to return to my body, would a spirit bound to a ring be able to claim a spiritless body? He shakes me again.

“Do I recreate entirely, or can I extend upon her start?”

He slaps me across the face. The strike is somewhat painless, the action more telling.

“Wake up. Has the transfer addled your mind? We don’t have time for confusion, so I will instruct from now on. To state what I thought to be obvious! You need to construct your own layer otherwise she will be able to use what you create. Now begin.”

His hand grips my ethereal shoulder and as I expend mana, stolen or siphoned it matters not, I recreate the Quest Plinth anew upon the blank canvas of my layer within the Spirit Plane. The white before us converts to the terrain and constructions I am familiar with, Quest Town, including Temples, and other buildings and not forgetting water wells until I am done and begin laying out the trail to the Cathedral. We leave a ghost town behind us.

--- Aphrodite POV

A deep cough. I don’t need to face the new arrival, I recognise Nasim’s discreet announcement. “Yes, Nasim?”

“Goddess all wait, while they don’t suffer from thirst or starvation their confusion is in some ways worse and without reassurance, doubt could bloom …”

I agree of course and yet can’t reveal I am at an impasse. “I wait for the return of Mateus, although if any have travelled the trail before us.” I sweep my arm in the right direction. “They could be of assistance.”

“I will ask on your behalf Goddess.”

I don’t hear him leave, there isn’t any ambient sound, no breeze through the leaves of a tree and no footfalls as a loyal servant leaves your presence. Being my layer of existence upon the Spirit Plane I sense the existence of those using my layer to orientate themselves.

In this way, I detect, for a few moments, Allene Corser, my Arch Priest. Shortly after the presence of him and Magus Drexel leave my layer of existence. This sensitivity to the comings and goings on my layer is new, or more likely requires a certain amount of undivided attention – the outline and fill of Zeus’ Temple is a blank spot in my layer for example, while with concentration the interior of my Temples reveal every detail to me, down to ink wells and parchment.

This impotent reflection does me no good. I am stranded and inadequate – the completion of the Ruler God Quest is beyond me and perhaps the time has come to declare defeat. If I return to the land of the living and preach, travelling across the land converting more to my worship, I will once again build up Divine Dominate and return certain of success given this first attempt.

A Panther Kin, Dog Kin and two Snake Kin approach me, bowing when according to etiquette they are sufficiently close.

“I am Ciliren Goddess and have travelled many times between Quest Town and the Cathedral, how can I help?”

The other three cast jealous glances at the forward-speaking Snake Kin.

“I hope you all can help by describing the trail and the surrounds from here until we reach the Cathedral,” I reply.

---

After much agonising debate and discussion, three paces of the trail are agreed upon testing the limit of my patience, not wishing to disappoint or discredit their ‘help’. A welcome voice reaches my ears.

“Goddess I return …”

His hesitation is appropriate, four Beast Kin embrace me as we commune and try to agree at the speed of thought without success. His arrival breaks our embrace and they all stand off as High Priest Mateus approaches mouth open, slowly closing with each step.

“I am certain you have been of great assistance.” His eyes meet theirs in turn. “I need time with the Goddess, and you will be summoned again if required.”

They all bow, and I suspect are as relieved as I am this ordeal is over, their hasty withdrawal, a confirmation. I sigh as the hand of defeat descends upon me, hopefully, Mateus offers a solution.

“The bond of High Priest to Goddess is many levels closer than any lessor bond, including Priest, Adept and Initiate, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked for your boon Goddess. What you need is another to complete your artistry. The four assisting you hold the memories without the mana and your bond with them is tenuous at best so they can’t draw upon your mana. While away I have studied maps, paintings and drawings and yet when I try to add to your layer the areas of knowledge aren’t contiguous.”

“My Quest hopeless then?”

Mateus opens his mouth to reply when an interloper talks first.

“Not hopeless Goddess.”

I recognise the voice and before my eyes the trail and surrounds spring into existence. At the boundary between complete and incomplete the smug smile of the Goddess of Trade greets me.

“I need you to finish until the Cathedral,” I suggest, my face calm with a touch of aloofness.

Her hissing laughter is not unexpected and I prepare myself for an offer, a trade.

“I will complete up to and including the fine detail of the Cathedral for one percent Divine Dominate, Goddess.”

Mateus rushes out before me, his hands shaking. “No Goddess you would place yourself in jeopardy.”

“In the interests of making a deal, shall we say no Divine Dominate now, two Divine Dominate after your Quest concludes and only when as Ruler Goddess your worship increases as will your Divine Dominate …”

Mateus rests his paws on my shoulders. “You will begin your reign owing her a debt Goddess, is this wise?”

“Perhaps I have a counter-offer?”

His mouth drops open while his face contorts.

“Perhaps I can offer you a Pantheon Role, an upgrade shall we say from confirming your Dominion Role?”

A gleam reaches her eyes, quickly vanishing. “Knowledge Goddess?” she pushes the words out between her lips, and I am certain if her apparition had a real heart, the beat would be loud enough for anyone close to hear.

“Not necessarily, the idea of three Gods covering the three aspects of the Knowledge God, appealing given my original promise to you. But perhaps another Pantheon Role, which would complement a Trading Goddess, say Order?”

All her body movement ceases, statue-like she stares at me. “What else would I owe to you?”

Maybe the imbalance is too obvious, never mind what is done is done. “As with the God of War and God of Hunting you must accompany me and only upon Quest success will your reward be conferred upon you.”

“So, you tie my fate to yours …”

“For great reward. If the quest fails, what changes for you? Without being the Ruler God my promise to confirm your Dominion Role within the Pantheon mute unless I once again Quest …”

Other Snake Kin materialise and gather about the Trade Goddess, conferring I assume.

“Why suggest Order?”

“Trade needs a solid foundation of civilisation under it and that starts with laws and rules to bring order to the land and I thought the fit perfect.”

As she confers, she spares several glances in my direction, eventually nodding to those around her.

“Where do you see the other aspects of the Knowledge God?”

What does this matter to her? Nevertheless, I speak my thoughts. “Depending upon the candidates, one aspect will remain, most likely Sage. The other, Healing could fit well with Good, Day or Sky.”

“Does there need to be a Knowledge God?”

I place my hands on my hips. This banter back and forth, why? “Why is this so important?”

Her tongue darts in and out of her mouth, she knows she has erred by pushing this and is now deciding upon the truth or the near truth, as I would be able to recognise any lies.

“In any business, there are roles and responsibilities. The God of Knowledge if left with the Sage aspect could want for Trade and Healing to be whole once again and I don’t imagine this dispute being openly declared, instead, confined to petty actions such as withholding knowledge or being half as helpful.”

I inwardly smile. Let my pantheon avoid any such seeds of conflict from the start then. “I will seriously consider your point of view, yet I need an answer to my original offer.”

“I agree and so do my worshippers, they would like to be magistrates and law interpreters while traversing a law-abiding land while trading.”

Before my eyes, the trail and surrounds grow from the white and without a command from myself Mateus hurries back to Quest Town to fetch my army which soon after materialises beside me. Quest Town is mine and I quickly learn the God of War can call forth a rallying point instantly anywhere within its boundaries.

After some travel, I am drawn to a rising open field and ask Bellas to complete the low hill and the stream running nearby. I don’t remember the site, although I do recall my Prophet journeying this way so perhaps her past actions were a significant influence upon my Quest.

“You have destroyed me.”

The anguish and torment in those words turn me around to face my accuser her bright blue scales flaring.

“I did nothing of the sort, you played the game and lost Naesatra, former Matriarch of House Silver Scale.”

She charges, leading with her fists.

In an instant, the God of War intervenes, his dog paw of a hand around her neck. “You overstep Snake Kin. The Goddess is under my protection.”

I know there is no love between Dog Kin and Snake Kin, so Ames enjoys his work on my behalf and the unspoken threat of her destruction? Perhaps temporary banishment? What is the worst that can happen to a Spirit on the Spirit Plane I wonder? Worshippers return to their Temples to reform, my Dungeon denizens return to their Dungeons, so what of Sprits which are neither of those two cases?

“She will dupe you like her Prophet duped me and then her agent overthrew me, she is devious craving power … eek.”

At that moment Ames boxes her between his hands, she loses her shape as he continues to smack her image into a ball until finally, she fits into a palm-sized leather satchel on his belt.

“What did you do?” I ask.

He chuckles and then winks. “What you see about you are the images of spirits, like me, they wear a likeness and nothing more. I could do what I did to her because on any measure my presence on the Spirit Plane is many multitudes greater than the former Matriarch. I could have destroyed her form as well, but after a time she would return, this way she is safe and sound on my belt.”

“What of the battle for Quest Town? Why couldn’t you just beat them all into a ball?”

He sticks his thumbs into his belt and rocks back on his boots, smiling. I am about to receive a lesson and just hold back rolling my eyes.

“Well, what I just did takes effort, I could destroy many with that same effort swinging my weapons, but we are alone on a pleasant hillock and a Snake Kin serves herself up by wronging you. Hence, capture it is and you can be assured she won’t bother you again, Goddess.”

With that he skips away, an amusing sight to say the least.

[Spark of Divinity assimilates to your being; Seven of Sixteen in total.]

“You are a step closer Goddess,” says Bellas.

Her ability to appear unnerving and yet considering she is creating my layer I must assume she has a certain familiarity.

“Yes, although … the Quest draws me to the Cathedral with a begrudging acknowledgement I needed to make Quest Town my own and visit each of my Temples there. Now I realise the Quest subtly turned me away from my foundation Temple by the river using distraction, other priorities, and crisis. Why?”

The Snake Kin Goddess lowers her head. “You could ask every Spirit here and none would know the answer I suspect.”

I nod and walk back to the trail in silence with Bellas by my side.

---

The stone walls of the Snake Kin City reach high and as we enter through the gate, I also appreciate their thickness. A fortress and yet there are buildings beyond the walls, the first to fall to any attacker. The owners feel safe, days of travel to reach and therefore deep within the Snake Kin Empire. The older city is of stone, wooden buildings are far and few in between, either torn down and replaced by order of the City rulers or a competitive thing, owning property within the city walls demands a certain display of wealth.

Above this soars the white marble spire of the Cathedral. Several steps through the gate, I look up and there is no mistaking the importance of the building or the chance of getting lost trying to find the centre of worship of the Goddess Aphrodite. My heart aches, I missed this important steppingstone to Divinity, selection, design and then consecration after months of observing my faithful in service building the most obvious demonstration of their veneration. I fall to my knees, warm tears rolling down my cheeks.