The Warper kept its word, as Malan had kept his. His following was spared, save of course for the hundreds of thousands Ryan had been able to convert and turn into Thralled. The rest however had been allowed to live in a desolate realm. Not that most were truly aware of that fact.

With the use of miracles and arcane work, by the dead and living. The Roots of Wonder had been turned into a paradise. Life vibrant and growing covered the art carved tunnels. With the use of orbs contained in lanterns, the halls were bathed in warmth and light allowing the roots to stare at an ideal temperature.

In said places most of the thousands dwelling safely within lounged lazily on furnitures made of stone, wood and soft fabrics. The latter of which was woven directly out of Devotion itself.

The sights were a small showing of what the age of Wonder would be like and the comforts it could bestow. And that wasn’t mentioning the means at which mortals could learn to shape the realm to their wills.

Many were practicing the art, studying from tomes manifested by gods. The knowledge was basic, but to mortals kept blind, it was secrets of unknowable power.

From many visons he saw people play with the elements, forming water, fire, gusts of wind, and the truly imaginative using the illusions of light to summon phantom beasts. This later skill, and its many uses, had caused plays of entertainment to take hold in the roots. The mortals deeply amused by the ways they could form these illusions to make dazzling shows. The same for orchestras as people used arcane symbols to distort voices and repeat lyrical beats.

In truth most of the roots had been taken up in a swell of festival activates. The celebrations of The Orders end. The time of ignorance was gone, knowledge was once more allowed to freely flow.

Those that had been born under his religion, saw this time as the promised days, the age of Wonder. But this was only a small glimpsed of what was to come.

The mortals knew this, he had told them almost everything in visions. The parts they would be able to comprehend and accept. They all knew they were going to die, but not forever, the realm would heal and they would live again. But they would remember nothing of the times before.

‘A fresh start,’ he had told them. ‘A chance to do better, for we will be there,’ he informed, showed depictions of his pantheon. ‘Waiting to guide all as we did before, Wonder will come again, it always does.’

The knowledge had been uplifting for many, it was a wonder in its own right how people were content with an end, if they knew there was going to be something after it, and that they would be part of that new beginning. So his religion hadn’t been taking by sorrow, but it had caused a diming of restraint.

Acts of pleasure, of all variety, was common now. The masses aimed to live their lives to their fullest before the Sons swallowed the realm whole.

Which wasn’t going to be much longer.

High up on a mountain, its peek removed and replaced with ornate temple shrine he and his Shadows had recently built. Malan gazed over the realm, joined with his fellow gods.

They had perhaps a handful of minutes to go. With his divine sight he could see the sons, they were almost touching.

“Hard to believe it hasn’t even been a year since this escapade started.” Ryan said, lounging on a coach full of pillows with a large goblet of wine in hand. Like the mortals, he too was filling himself with the fineries of existence, now that he was free from the burden of governing thralled.

“Oh wow,” Foy voiced, equally indulging in such pleasures. But her cushion was Derrin, the two of them half way curled together. “It really was that short.” She rubbed her temple. “I kinda lost track.”

“Happens to me all the time,” Derrin added, and hardly paying attention. His sight was trained on the sons. Malan guess was he was trying to peer deeper into creation and better understand its function. A worthy attempt, this sight only came once a session. But counter to what others might have expected, Derrin mind wasn’t full here.

Another part of the Dargown was with his son Axel, joined by a small part of Malan own awareness. Malan himself was mostly there to give apologies, there original plan was in ruins and there was no salvaging it. Because of this Derrin was trying to get Axel ready for what was to take place. He was still in a mortal shell, but all were in agreeance that he was a god. The moment he died the change would be complete, which meant he was going to be banished off with the rest of them to the very outskirts of creation.

Foy laughed, which she’d been doing a lot of. She openly admitted that she found the whole affair hilarious. That for all the clever planning, friend and foe alike, everyone got their plans torn apart and burned within the flames of war.

“I can’t say I would like having your mind,” Foy said happily, head resting against Derrin chest. “I would constantly be upset, always trying to figure out what time it was, and how I lost so much of it.”

Derrin let a low tired chuckle “You get used to it eventually, and in ways it becomes an interesting surprise, always the wonder, how much time got away from me?”

Malan doubted Derrin had lost track of time recently, there was too little of it. From his many responsibilities, be it training mortals, to preparing his son for godhood. Derrin must had been keenly aware of the passage of time. All of them in fact, it had been a long while since Malan had felt the preciousness of time.

The realization there wasn’t an endless amount of it, that sometimes it was finite. Like now, time ticking by for this session, and there would never be more for it. It was to end and never be seen again.

For the best really, this phase was an embarrassment. He still couldn’t get the Warpers vision out of his mind. How magnificent the pantheon of that session had been, how the realm was their plaything. They were true rulers over the realm, unlike the gods of this session.

‘If this hadn’t been the session I was born in, I wouldn’t even bother to recall this phase.’ It wasn’t one to be proud of. Perhaps at most it would be remembered as a warning, how constant war drained gods and mortals from reaching the necessary heights to survive and thrive. In fact, this session could be used for many warnings to teach to the younger naive beings that were to come.

Parables perhaps? the primitives did love oral teachings rather than written ones.

He stopped himself from thinking more on the matter, purposely halting his natural thought patterns. He couldn’t risk planning, the Warper would hear of it, and he wanted it to be as clueless to his workings as possible. The same for the other Endbringers.

The Warpers intention had been quite clear about that, and Madness had mentioned each end had been different. The chances of him encountering the Warper as he knew it was small. He would instead be dealing with something new, but likely aware of what he had done and been up to before.

‘The loss of my Core troubles me,’ he thought staring outward. ‘But sometimes its downsides really are unacceptable hindrances.’ Not for much longer though, and never again for anyone.

He repelled the urge to play with his fingers and pace about in a circle. At least here with his fellow gods. But he did have a form in the afterlife doing that; hidden in a mediation chamber.

“Hard to imagine all of this will be lush again,” Bronduff said by his side. The Kolune had remained mute for most of the gathering, enough that Malans awareness on him had begun to slip. “Even more that it will heal, and to us seem to happen within the passing of seconds.”

“If we want it to.” Malan corrected, Madness, hearing of the disaster that took place, and having a good laugh at his expense. Had made sure to inform him of existence at the outer borders of creation. Namely its non-limitation and restriction of physical laws.

Time was malleable. As long as they remained unconnected to the central part of creation, they could have as much or as little of it as they wanted before the next session.

It was the same when a Sovereign lost and their godly form was destroyed. They would return to the stars above, and have the choice on how to watch the sessions unfold. Would they view it at a regular speed? Or would time blur passed.

And that was just the start of it, without strictions, such as the need for power. They could do almost anything. An existence without limitations, its natural and reoccurring state if left alone.

It would be there they would plan, once they gathered together.

“This outer plane troubles me,” Bronduff admitted while his face remained perfectly calm. “I have only known an existence with rules, to be without them, I’m not sure how it will go.”

“However you wish it to,” Malan informed. “Your will alone dictates the realm, if you want it to be the same as here, make it so with a thought. The unrefined realm will respond.” At least that is what Madness claimed it would do, all of them within their own plane to form as they wish.

Bronduff sighed, and from their shared link he felt a sense of foreboding. His executioner really was troubled by this, to Malan it sounded like a paradise, a place unbound by the restrictions of this creation. But he could see how those without refined minds would see the concept of realm affected by their thoughts slightly worrying.

“It will be alright Bronduff, once in that plane think of a door that will lead to me.” Malan looked up to him. “I will be there waiting.”

The act of shifting to another malleable plane could take on any form really, as long as a will was behind it, and the other party involved wanted to be intruded upon. Madness had told him it was common, the normal way Sovereign traveled. They manifested themselves wherever they wanted to be. Hopping from one plane of existence to another with thoughts alone.

This form of travel only stopped if a creation disallowed it, and the Sovereigns in question choose to abide by the rules. In return they would be allowed to interact with said creation.

A warning that Madness had told him about. ‘They can’t really take the Sovereign core from you, it’s part of your framework.’ It had said to him. ‘But if you refuse then you won’t be allowed to play anymore. You will be kick out of this creation, and if their spiteful, might not even let you observe what is taking place within.’

It also came with a heavy dose of worry from Madness. ‘You’re not ready to travel to other creations and the places in-between. Don’t fight the taking Malan, it’s not worth the price.’ He had accepted Madness wisdom; the Core wouldn’t have served him anyways. With the Endbringers able to see his plans through it, its usefulness had tarnished.

“Make a door,” Bronduff echoed. “Such a simple thing,”

“Most fixes to a problem are.” Rimean said behind them, holding a large Kolune sized glass of alcohol. The Heon wasn’t faring well, his nature, the guide and healer, far more than Malan himself. Was revolted that all paths led to death. That and there was none forward passed the end; for the mortals anyways, and souls. Given they were to be reset and their stored knowledge lost. “And in a plane of existence where ones will is answer enough, simplicity is king.”

“To simplicity,” Ryan said raising his glass before taking a large swig. “Celestials after these past months I might spend a century or two relaxing.”

“You could,” Malan replied, time ticking away, Sons drawing closer. “And should, if you think it will ready you for the challenges ahead.” There was not telling what troubles would await them in the session beyond. Or if any plan they contrived of would last. Madness had warned him of that to. ‘Avoid complicated schemers, focus on basics.’

Malan had some luxuries others didn’t, he knew the lands he would return to. Since he wasn’t going to allow himself to be randomly summon into the realm within the mantle of a god. So if he wanted to, he could be a little in-depth with his plans. But not that much more, surprises will appear. It was better his aims be loose enough to withstand any major disruptions.

“I might not want to come back here,” Ryan voiced as his goblet refilled with wine. “A realm that obeys my every wish, bends to my whim, why come back to this?”

It was an obvious question, why?

Yet they were young in the grand scheme of things, there archives of knowledge and experiences a passing note in an infinite book. Other beings had existed before this creation was ever made. At least that is what Madness had told him, and from it came the answer he voiced to his fellow gods.

“It will be entertaining for a time,” he said, remembering the words from Madness and the Warper. “But it will get boring after a while, and you’ll want to experience new interesting things, face challenges. Even desire to be with other entities.” He swept a hand over the view of the land. “You’ll be lured back here, back to the game of gods, to a realm unwilling to bend to your command, unless certain criteria are met.”

‘I will scratch an itch.’ Madness had said. ‘Especially if you begin to win, after that, most get hooked or ended up leaving, the Sovereigns on a mission to find other creations that can better sate their urges.’

Ryan hummed in thought, the rest just as quiet as he, Malan could tell none of them had put much or any thought into the matter. Which was fair, all of them were young godlings, still accustomed to the framed insight of a mortal. Endless existence, one that stretched on beyond time itself wasn’t something people just grasped instantly. Even he hadn’t, not completely, he still got to focused on the moment and forgot nothing physical lasted forever.

But this moment, a land clad in shadow and ice, silent and filled with the wandering dead. He got the glimpse he needed. It was lifeless now, but soon, two hundred years, it would be thriving again. As if none of this had ever happened. New people and cultures would come, religions, pantheons, the land would fill with chaos for a time. Then power would be cultivated, a pantheon would win over the others and begin consuming the weaker.

A new belief would take the people, guide the land to greatness or stagnation. The Endbringers would come, and they’d either be held back or allowed to consume all.

Then the patter would repeat, on and on, the same, yet different each time.

It was comforting and saddening. On one hand any defeats he suffered would never be permanent, on the other none, neither would his victories. The age of Wonder would always be contested, would rise and fall.

‘But each time it will come back brighter,’ he swore to himself as the moment came.

“Eyes forward my fellows of Wonder.” He said pulling their attention to where he aimed his sight. Far away, beyond the visions of any mortal, he saw the sons become one. For a heartbeat its merging only caused a brightening of light.

Then its luminance exploded outward. A sphere of light bloomed.

On it went, racing across the land, within seconds it was upon them, then passed.

For the tenth of a second he felt his avatar be erased, same with his Core that he didn’t fight to hold on to. The happened was gone so quickly that it might have been a trick. But the new landscape left nothing to question.

Or better put, a lack of one.

An endless white canvas spread out, and far in the distance was a pulsing light. Creation. Madness had told him such.

He was at the outskirts then, still technically within the rule structure of the place, but the enforcement of it was so light it might as well not even have been.

With a thought, he imaged a floor for him to stand on. Then noticed he didn’t have a form, he was only consciences, an awareness. So he sent a second thought, imagined his form from before and smiled as it came into being.

He gently landed on the slightly less white colored flooring, ready to fill this empty plane, but before he could he was struck with the sensation of someone wanting to join him. It came with the knowledge of the entity, Madness.

With the thought of acceptance, the other being instantly appeared next to him.

Like himself Madness had chosen its god form, cloaked in a ragged robes and hood. Its clawed feet strapped against the marble flooring, orbs of light that were its eyes taking in the place.

“Originally Sovereigns debated about making these outer areas black, but it was decided against since it might have caused confusing related to the void.”

Malan raised one of his brows in question, since he didn’t know what his friend was talking about.

“The in-between spaces,” Madness elaborated. “Normally there black, since that’s what most thinking beings consider as emptiness.” Madness shrugged “Even though it’s not, blackness is still something.”

“And they didn’t want people getting confused, why?”

“To avoid misunderstandings,” Madness answered, returning its gaze to him. “And to prevent Sovereigns from thinking they had been kicked out of creation entirely.” It pointed towards the light. “It’s also why that is here, no risk of a Sovereign being tricked into thinking it’s not within the bounds of a creation. Also its serves as a time scale. It will get closer to us as time passes, and will be right here.” It motioned to the spot they were standing. “When we are allowed to enter and begin playing again.”

Which meant an eternity from now, or within seconds if either of them wanted. But he could feel Madness didn’t desire that, the moment it had arrived his felt the plane shift, time was practically paused.

“You want to talk about something,” he stated. “Or berate me for the destruction of the Sovereign cores.” He had already apologized numerous times to his friend for about that. And while Madness acted unbothered by the turn of events, he found that hard to believe.

Madness shook a hand at him when he was about to apologies again. “I saw it coming the moment you ascended your champions.” It laughed heartly, as it had done when he’d showed it the memories of his talk with the Warper. “Though I had expected them to hold off for a little while.” It chuckled; body shivering underneath the layers of cloth. “But that plan of yours. Oh, to have felt the indignation of the Conductors as they debated with one another. I’m sure it was a united vote to have the cores removed.”

It said much about the other Sovereigns and himself. He had no means to know how long the game had been going. But this unexpectable and unexpected turn about with the Cores should have happened long before him. Yet it appeared it hadn’t, others had been to obsessed with winning to ever consider anything else. To self-centered and uncaring to bother championing an idea over the game.

“Where are they?” He asked and looked about the white endless landscape. He knew they wouldn’t be here, within his own sub realm? Or whatever this place really was. But habit had him looking about anyways.

“In a public realm, all can freely join, you only have to think of it.” Madness answered. “I’m not sure how many will be there, with us all experiencing varying times. After a session many brood over their loss. They go over what they could have done differently, and what new criteria to put in so they don’t end up within the roles of gods that don’t have any chance of winning.”

That made sense, there had been many gods he’d run into who met such limitations, Est for one, a god of harvest under Lisoe. His miracles mostly involved crop yields, not something that helped conquer or rule a realm.

“In some ways that will be me as well,” Madness voiced, its sight aimed at the orb of light in the distances. Malan stared at his oldest and closest friend, dread welling up within him.

“In a way I’m here to say goodbye,” It turned to stare at him.

“Oh, don’t give me that face,” Madness looked away for a breath. “You know I can’t stand looking into your hurt puppy eyes.”

“So you are angry with him,” he voiced, wishing it to be. But Madness shook its head and grabbed his hands.

“I told you Malan, I knew this was coming, be it now or sessions later. You weren’t the only one to be abusing their use.” Madness shrugged. “I had my fun, got to watch and influence the realm as I saw fit without really cooperating with the rules. Now that’s gone and I must adapt.”

It looked down at itself. “Thing is, while I enjoy this form, its practically impossible to maintain a cult, let alone a religion with how I am. The masses can’t handle the unstrained truths like you can Malan, they lose themselves in the depths of knowledge, and maniacs make for poor followers.”

He was going to lose his friend, Madness as he knew it was going to die.

“I’m not going anywhere really,” Madness said looking up. “So there’s no need for so many tears.”

He gave his friend a questioning look, while he was sad, he’d yet to cry.

Madness lightly laughed. “Emotions have a heavy effect here.” It gestured to the floor under their pawed feet.

A glance down had him witnessing a mural of weeping faces, all his.

With a thought he erased the sight of his anguish, now seeing that Bronduff unease of such a realm was well placed.

“I’m going to be changing my form,” Madness continued. “Regarding the scope of what I am, I’ll still be a scholar, keeper and harbinger of Knowledge. But no longer the unrestrained kind.” It shuffled its feet. “My appearance may change as well, something better fit for a benevolent entity, rather than what the originally mortals envision me as.”

Knowledge cloaked in rags; its secrets held within the dark. Only those with the eyes to see would be able to gaze upon the lights of truth, and realize it stares back at them. Before flooding their minds.

It wasn’t something mortals would handle well, the only reason he’d faired against the tide was because he was used to it. And not bound within flesh, his mind and traits were able to expand and retain the secrets Madness offered.

The fact Madness was changing, rather than truly ending, his friend forever gone, stifled the grief welling up inside. People changed, that was normal, Madness would still be around.

“Will you be aiding me in my quest then?” He asked, though they were close, Madness had never truly become part of the pantheon of Wonder, he had always remained a close ally, but perhaps now that would change into something more.

“That depends on the situations to come. With the Cores gone it’s time to take the game a little seriously, if we are to truly compete with Sovereigns of old, then we need to earn merits and unlock perks.”

“Right,” Malan said back, his mind not truly set on the matter. Madness noticed this, the realm around them allowed emotions to run free. It required self-control, and focused intent not to openly display one’s true feelings.

It was something new he would have to master if he ever planned to have guests in this place that weren’t close allies of his.

“Perks are important Malan; they are the key to increasing your odds of success.” Madness gazed back at the sphere of light in the distance, at creation. “While it’s not impossible to win without them, it’s a steep curve, your rivals will always have an edge over you, especially those who have won before, it’s not something that can be ignored.”

Madness sent him a list of the most common perks unlocked. One involved the additional gain of Devotion from followers, a percentage. A decrease in cost of maintaining shrines, one that lowered the amount of Devotion needed to claim land and maintain a domain. There was also a great list of perks aimed for more specific rolls. Such as lowering the cost of affecting the elements or performing certain acts, like healing.

The list went on for a while and covered every subject. The more he studied the list the more he realized what Madness was getting at. With the right perks, the same amount of Devotion could be spread out to do far more than anyone who didn’t have them unlocked. And in a competition, even a small edge could be the decider between victory or defeat.

While gazing upon the knowledge he felt a new sense within himself. With a thought he could unlock these perks, or had the potential to. In turn they would be incorporated into himself, but only a certain number at a time. The number could be raised either with perks themselves, or achievements?

Yes, that felt right, feats of greatness.

With awareness and intent, he tried reaching out to these perks, to active them. But as soon as did he felt rejection, he didn’t have the merits to allow it.

Not to say he didn’t have any, he did, a meager some compared to what was needed to unlock even one perk. And that was the common ones, there were greater ones further along, the price of which to unlock were staggering amounts to behold.

He grimaced, if other Sovereigns had a large number of these unlocked then he truly was at a disadvantage.

That hadn’t been much of a problem before, given he had a Core to prop himself up. And for a short time, a Source core that provided so much power it made his rivals become push overs. But now he had none of those, he was at the mercy of other gods and the perks they had unlocked.

“I see now why so many are willing to blind their minds in order to increase the number of merits earned.” He said to Madness who was watching the floor. His emotions were being etched there again, a mixing of many faces. Malan stomped on the ground, the etches gone, and declared to the marble tiles under him to ceases its activities.

Madness giggled. “No one one does anything without reason, many see the perks the key to their success.” Its hands fumbled about. “Which isn’t entirely correct, it helps, don’t think otherwise. But its doesn’t guarantee victory. A bad role with a godhood still means you aren’t going to make it far.” With its words came intention, most Sovereigns had fallen into the habit of only trying to earn merits, rather than win. “Those who do aim to win Malan, enter creation with their memories intact. And if there are confident in their skills, do so with a premade godhood they will cultivate the same way you plan to.”

“Nice to know,” Malan commented. “But ultimately something I can’t counter.” Same way with him, if the entity in question was defeated, their religion undone and followers killed. It could move elsewhere and start over again.

Perhaps if it was prevented from growing long enough that other competitors would keep it in check, then the matter could loosely be considered dealt with. But it would never be vanquished, it, like himself, would be there at the corners watching for its moment to rise and take the realm.

“I know,” Madness spoke. “But it’s always something to keep in your mind. There will be others as knowledgeable of the realm as you and I. Planning for its rise and falls as much as we do. So don’t get overconfident or think you know all that is to be. Gods will appear that will surprise you, be it the speed at which their region matures, to the number of miracles they can squeeze out even from the most modest amounts of Devotion.”

Madness gazed at the floor that remained unmarred, lost in thought, remembering the past. “I have seen many gods rise without warning to eclipse those older and crush them.” it looked up into his eyes. “Without a Source core. Perks and genuine skill are an amazing thing to beyond Malan, if you find yourselves bested quickly and pressed by a new comer, be aware of what it means.”

“I will,” he said, hoping it wouldn’t happen, he didn’t want to experience a repeat with how Wargain rose to prominence, and that was with a god without knowledge. If the god of flames and bronze had been endowed with both, he would have taken the realm. Malan was sure of it. “I’m not sure what I could do against such a foe, if they have unlocked so many perks that the edge it gives them is something I can’t fight.”

Madness shrugged. “I will happen, but at least you will understand why, and not be so harsh on yourselves. Creation can be unforgiving with its dealings of fortune, sometimes no matter what you do, you will lose.”

“And we will try again,” he told his old friend. “As many times as possible, even when we succeed, I will not stop.” Wonder will fade and be cleansed from the realm, but he would make it return.

“Keep to that thinking,” Madness spoke as it pointed a finger at him. “It’s a good mentality to have when playing this game, there’s always another chance, no matter how many failures, success always awaits.”

“More so than ever before,” it added glancing at the light beyond.

“You know something.” He said, leaning closer.

Madness chuckled, and did the same. “I know many Sovereigns, I have been in this creation for a long time, so I receive visions from others that most wouldn’t get the luxury of acquiring.”

“And?” He pressed, eager to hear even a speck of knowledge that may give him an edge to the session coming.

“They wouldn’t tell me anything specific.” Madness began as he turned towards the orb of light. “But changes have been made that will completely shift the pattern of the game. They assured me of that, which is one of the reasons why I aim to change my form.” It placed its hands on its whips. “I need a moderate following to see what they are talking about, witness the changes with my own sight. It’s not something I can do with a handful of broken mortals whose minds barely function.”

“Anything else?” He asked turning towards creation and gazing at it like Madness.

“The changes will keep things interesting, no matter the age or how well-established pantheons become.”

“So, threats?” He concluded, that would be the only thing that would merit the word interesting. For beings that watched from above, wars and battles between beliefs would be entertaining, and anything that would prolong or encourage that would certainly be important to them

“A safe assumption,” Madness said in agreeance “Though I doubt it will be something that can shatter a pantheon firmly entrenched within the minds of mortals. But they might no longer have the peace and stability that comes with it.”

“Fighting the Endbringers will be more difficult if all are constantly stuck repelling threats.” And he really didn’t want to have a repeat of before.

Madness shrugged. “You shouldn’t think much about them, learn the game first, then contemplate their destruction, they’re supposed to be the final threat after all. A test of ones skill before victory can be reached.” It held his hand tight for a moment, the two gazing at the far-off light. “I’ll be off,” it said. “I won’t forget what I am, nor my knowledge, but I have chosen to be randomly placed. So I won’t know if I will be near you when this session begins.”

Malan was about argue, to question why his friend was going to do such a thing. But he forced himself to think, to comprehend as other Sovereigns did.

It came to him, time and repetition. They would be a part from each other this session, but there was always the next and on, the game never stopped, they never ended, this was but a short parting in the scope of existence. Still, he voiced a question. “Does randomly being place offer that much of a difference to merits?”

It looked at him, and while he had never seen its face, he knew it to be smiling. “Think on it,” Madness spoke. “Desire to know the information and it will come to you.”

He did, and as Madness said, knowledge not his own appeared within his awareness. With it he understood, a random location gave a permanent fifteen percent increase to merit gain during that session.

“You should do it yourself,” his friend said. “It’s the least harassing of the limiters, and while I don’t want to offend you,” it added voice soft. “You’re not going to win, not unless you get lucky and join a pantheon of seasoned players.”

He was about to refute Madness claim, he’d lasted to the end on his first session. But he held his tongue, that had only been because of the Core, and that was gone.

Without it, that miracle that made time his ally, what would he have ended up as?

“How random?” He asked.

“You could be placed at any spot of land that could support a following.”

So anywhere. “Can it be applied to a group so all appear together, or is it only for individuals?”

“Think on the matter,” Madness said again. “Knowledge of the game, to an extent, is not kept from us here.”

He focused inward, and the answer came. It was not to his liking for it was the latter, for due reason. It seemed the game didn’t want to reward premade pantheons.

He sighed.

“Don’t be hastily Malan, fifteen percent is a large sum, it’s well worth the inconvenience it brings.”

“We could end up anywhere,” he replied, “All of us on different continents, or places that wouldn’t suit large followings.” Not without costly amounts of Devotion to maintain. “Besides we made the archive shrines, have history on the continent before.

And most importantly of all to him.

“My home is there, even though it’s been turned into a crater.” He could fix it, rebuild the city within its deeps, one that would fill up the empty space and rise even higher into the sky.

Madness stayed silent for a moment, perhaps it was angry, he couldn’t tell. No emotions leak out of it, only mirth when it laughed, everything else was kept tightly locked away.

“You’re a committed role player and causal,” Madness spoke after a time. It chuckled. “I supposed it’s no surprise, but don’t get angry afterwards when you struggle to keep up with other gods. While they might not remember who they are, or the perks they unlocked, those boons are still in play.”

He nodded his head, “I’ll keep it in mind.” Offering a smile, he added: “And will try not to be annoyed.” Knowing that his appoints could, and would have an edge over him would dampen his rage, but not remove it. If some upstart arrived and undid all his work, he would still be mad and bitter, just not to the degree earned.

“That’s good, no matter what happens.” Madness squeezed his hand once more before letting go. “Remember to have fun, there always another session so doesn’t get all obsessed with trying to win because-

“I won’t,” he finished, not by himself.

Madness nodded twice, gave its farewell, and in the span of blink was gone. He felt its effect on the realm go with it, the place was once more under his supreme command. With a thought he had time resume and speed up. To go to a point when one of his fellow Wonderbringers wanted to connect to him.

Because of this, a second passed before time slowed once more. To his left a large oval door of carved wood appeared. All the images depicted him doing variance things. Leading people, offering guidance, making deals and healing wounds. A story of him, and when it opened, the double doors making up its whole parting, Bronduff stepped through.

He was double his size, bulking, and no longer looking half dead. His fur was more a silver white and vibrate compared to his dead white from before. He looked about the place as he moved into the realm. The Kolune clade in thick, unpainted armor, and joined with holstered axes. Bronduff appeared calm, but Malan could feel it coming off him like waves of heat.

Nervous, uncertainty, worry, and then, when their eyes met. Relief.

“You made it,” he called at and waved, doing his best to calm his executioner. As added support he made the realm around them resilient. To act as it would within creation, in hindsight he should have done that from the beginning, but Madness had kept him distracted.

“I see you figured out how to make your form.” He added as the Bronduff neared and the doors disappeared.

“Figure out?” Bronduff said back, and gazing down at himself. “This is how I was when I appeared within the expanse of this place.” He waved at the emptiness around them.

“Oh,” Malan voiced. “Never mind then, how much time did you spend in your realm?” he asked, manifesting a table and chairs for them to sit in.

“A handful of seconds” Bronduff answered as they both sat, the act calming his friend even more. “You?”

“Minutes, I think.” He summoned pitchers of juice along with ornate glass mugs. Then with Bronduff distracted he alternated time again, as with Bronduff he had it advance quickly. Another pair of doors appeared, this time made of stone and woven metals. The latter of which had been lined within circles and symbols of arcane that held importance within creation but were only decoration here.

The runes shimmered once before the doors parted revealing on the other side a lush meadow. Within the entrance stood three Dargown, two he instantly recovered. Derrin, looking the same as before, his son, almost the same, the only difference was the eyes. The iris within was a solid golden glow.

As the for the third, it took a moment to place her. She matched Derrin coat of fur, golden, but her eyes kept changing hues. That and her attire was very much not Dargownain dress. Tight, good for running and other physical activities. But to an extent and in places that reveal far too much to be practical.

Foy winked at him as they entered into the white expanse of nothingness. “Nice place,” she voiced, the words pulsing with amusement and the clear indication of meaning the opposite.

Malan enlarged the round table he and Bronduff were seated around. “I didn’t put any effort into changing it.” He said back.

“I didn’t say it was bad,” Foy voiced as the group took their seats, well Derrin and Foy did. Axel, nervousness radiating from him. Stood there. Derrin motioned and then pulled at the boy arm, forcing the youngling to take his place.

“Your emotions say otherwise, or are you implying you don’t feel them.” He said back as he willed the pitchers to begin filling cups.

Foy gasped, the picture of shock, but all he felt coming from her was mirth. “Are you saying you’re reading the thoughts of an innocent lass, for shame.”

Malan rolled his eyes, as Derrin began to talk. “We experimented for time, using only our intentions to communicate, it was very enlightening.” Foy elbowed him. “You could have at least played along for a second or two.”

“But he appears troubled,” Derrin countered, giving Malan a once over. “I’m not feeling anything from him, he’s hiding his emotions. He must be morning something.”

“It called control,” Malan corrected, but Derrin wasn’t entirely wrong, he was morning, sad at the change Madness was going to undertake, and that for a time they wouldn’t be in communication with each other. “It’s important to have mastery of yourself, in places like this.”

Foy turned her attention to Axel, smile on her face and pulsing amusement. “He means hiding his true feeling son.” The stress coming from the youngest Dargown intensified as gazes turned his way.

“Should I do that to?” Axel asked reluctantly.

Foy shook her head. “Not here dear, we’re with family, close ones, they certainly have nothing to hide.”

Malan allowed a hint of annoyance to leak out, along with anguish that she thought him hiding something sinister. It caused Foy smile to soften, and send him a wave of intent letting him know she hadn’t meant insult.

“That’s better.” Foy said after, happy that his feelings were openly felt. “And it’s nice to see you to Bronduff, and I like this new form a lot more than your previous one.” She added and eyed him up and down

Bronduff emotion were on full display like the rest, but while everyone else were intentioned, his execution were not. Confusion touched them all as the Kolune examined himself.

With a wave of hand a full length mirror appeared. “There,” Derrin said. “Have I good look, and I agree with my wife, its pleasing not to have to look at a living corpse.”

Bronduff eyed himself, surprise leaking out as he moved his head back and forth and portions of his body. “Thank you,” he finally voiced. “And its good to see you all gain, even though for me it’s only been a handful of seconds, maybe a minute at best.”

“Only seconds,” Derrin voiced. “You didn’t even experiment?” the Kolune shook his head.

“I take it you three spent a long time together” Malan spoke, and forced himself to let out some of his feelings. He was aware that Foy was teasing, but she also meant it. They were family, they shouldn’t be hiding their feelings from each other.

“Oh yes,” Foy let out and leaned against Derrin. “Got really close in all sorts of ways.” Derrin smile and kissed her on the scalp. Neither of them, especially not Foy, hid their waves of lust.

Axel radiated embarrassment, and made a point not to look at anyone as he sipped from his drink.

Bronduff grunted. “At least your attractions make sense now,” he voiced as he eyed Foy. A wicked sheen shined in her eyes, and before them her form shifted. Instantly she transformed into a white furred Kolune, scantly clad and posing herself. “Like what you see?”

Bronduff took a long moment to observe, lust leaking out and nodded his head. “Though I refuse any invitations out of respect to Derrin.”

“I don’t mind,” the Dargown voiced a second later. Followed with images and suggestions aimed at Bronduff and oddly at Malan himself.

“Focus please,” he said chasing the images from his awareness and getting a throaty laugh out of Foy as she transformed back into a Dargown. “I would like to get the others here,” he continued, as Foy smiled at him all prettily. Again time lurched forward, and only stopped when a door appeared.

This one was.. mundane, simple wood one would see at the entrance of a Heon dwelling within their small burrows. It was not a surprise to whom awaited on the other side when the door opened with a creek from rusted hinges.

Rimean stepped through, appearance the same, and emerald eyes still glowing. “I’m not the last?” The Heon replied plainly, but the impressions of surprise were clearly felt.

No one instantly answered his unaimed question, the group shifted in their seats, all leaning about to see what lay beyond the door.

The act had Malan doing the same, and the collective eyesight’s drew Rimean attention as he looked back the way he’d come. All they saw was an originally burrow, filled with handmade furniture and cushions. Malan knew to Heon standard it was a very nice and cozy dwelling to live within. But to Malan standard it was small and plain.

From the group, came a collective pulse of surprise, and intentions coming from Foy and Derrin. Visions of flowing rivers of alcohol came to mind or fruit brews hiding the tonic within. Instead, there wasn’t a speck of alcohol to found within sight. Which wouldn’t be hard, Rimean could have willed them out of existence before opening the door.

“I had my fill,” Rimean said, closing the door which promptly dissolved after.

“Fill of what?” Foy responded playing coy, and for a few seconds reverted to the form of a Heon so Rimean recognized her.

It got a look of interest as he moved to them and took his place at the table. Without a word or hesitation, he grabbed a mug of juice and downed it. “You’re really going to make me say it?”

Foy fanned her eyes innocently.

“Alcohol, there,” he downed another large gulp of apple juice. “A friend of mind always said the best way to be rid of a desire was to indulge in large quantity of it.” Rimean grabbed another mug, this one made from oranges. “I can state from experience that he was right.”

“Really?” Foy said disbelievingly and summoning forth another mug, its contents might as well of been poison. But it was one of Rimeans favorite tonics, given the burn it induced.

Rimean groaned at the sight of it, and the revulsion that came from him was so thick it caused a distortion in the air. With a wave of his hand the vile brew vanished as quickly as it had come. “Please never summon that in my sight again.” The Heon muffled out as he held a hand over his mouth.

Another brew appeared, wine this time, and from its scent made from grapes. “What about this?” Derrin asked offering the drink.

Rimean looked away, hand clenched tight around his mouth, while with the other motioned for the drink to disappear.

“By all the brews” Foy said, thinking herself clever. “How much did you drink in that realm of yours. Also, and this is important, what happened to that enlightened friend of yours?”

Rimean remained quiet as he took a few moments to collect himself. When he seemed fine and the revulsion air disappeared. He looked back in Foy direction. “He died young, due to over indulgences.” Foy find that delightful, given the mirth that bloomed around them, the air shimmering colorfully. “As for how much? rivers perhaps? I didn’t keep track, I merely kept refilling the glass.”

“How many types?” Bronduff asked, curiosity and disappoint mixing together.

“As many as I know of.” Rieman answered, while Malan moved time forward again.

“And you’re sick of all of them?” Foy asked, tone playful and intention clear.

“Please don’t summon more.” The Heon said as a new door appeared.

It was blatant Verm make. Slabs of thick rock, perfectly carved and fitted together. All of it adjoined with works of metal that covered large portions of it, many of which were statues of a Verm god.

The door slowly parted, the heavy sound of stone catching everyone’s attention as they looked behind themselves. Beyond was a dark realm dimly light with lanterns and covered in layers of blankets and pillows. The place was trimmed with wealth and wall carpets that draped down, each dizzyingly detailed with woven line patterns.

In front of it all, still wrapped within many blankets thread with silver. Stood a Verm with his white furred head poking out of the covers.

Ryan hissed. And called out. “Why is your realm so bright?

“I have yet to-

“Malan was lazy and never changed it from its standard emptiness.” Foy said over him as she changed her form just long enough for Ryan to recognize her.

With a sigh, a wave of a hand and commanding will. The area changed to what his afterlife had been, joined with a sky in twilight.

Ryan breathed out pleased, and slowly made his way to them. With his realm left behind the door vanished from existence. Yet the Verm remained hidden under his layers of white dyed blankets.

The seat saved for him, warped, growing wider as he crawled into it and lounged within.

“Did you really sleep the whole time?” Foy asked.

“Of course I did,” Ryan said lazily and willed a mug of juice to float over and into his waiting hand. “Two centuries of beautiful half dazed sleep.” He was quiet for a moment as he savored his drink. “But I see your point now Malan,” The Verm looked around them, gazing upon the realm of twilight. “This existence is wonderful, Wonder itself, but there’s no challenge, and if I stay I know, have felt it. All I crave will become unsatisfying.”

“Rimean knows that to,” Foy added. “He can’t stand alcohol anymore.”

Surprise, worry, a need to leave this place emanated around them, all coming from Ryan. “I’m ready to return to creation, to a place that makes me earn and cherish pleasures.”

“We still need to come up with a plan,” Malan said. “But that shouldn’t take too long, there’s too many unknowns for us to make anything specific. Madness assured me of that, creation has changed, we’re in for interesting times.”

“Even more?” Foy asked with a raising brow. “And here I thought maybe things would get a little dull.”

“To interesting times.” Ryan suddenly said, mug raised high. Foy followed his gesture, Derrin quickly behind, then Axel, a reluctant Rimean. Bronduff did the same with a shrug, and last Malan.

“To interesting times” he echoed and drank. “Now let’s see if we can find some ways to thrive in them.”