Even gods had certain fates, let alone mortals. Fate was so powerful not even the creators of the hyperverse could fight it. Each Universe had its own incarnation of fate as well, it was a sentient being comprised of pure divine intent but it wasn't a god. It was more like a side effect of existence. All things in creation had a life force of some kind or another and fate was merely an accumulation of that excess life force. At some point, fate gained sentience. There were countless amounts of Universes and therefore, countless incarnations of fate, but all these incarnations had a hive mind. The only true omniscient organism in all of existence was fate and the reason being was because it had the function of creating destiny.

Lynefra's previous life was ended in such a ridiculous fashion because it was decided by fate that at that specific spot, and moment in time, Lynefra's previous life would end by Veorful's hand. The chain of events that had lead up to the death of the old Lynefra was also designed and caused by fate.

Throughout history, there had been individuals who could predict what was to happen and slightly avert the coming of one's destiny. They were known as seers, oracles, prophets, and so on. Fate regarded these special beings as enemies and without fail, always went out of its way to kill these kinds of lifeforms. Someone had predicted Lynefra's death in her/his previous life and so the complete destruction of the god was averted. It wasn't a lifeform of Lynefra's Universe - and it wasn't something of the hyperverse, it had come from outside and acted against fate. This same being had gifted Lynefra's new life with prophetic ability and in turn, fate was thwarted again.

Fate had intended to have Freyd killed by Allenrael, and then have the entire Nihili family destroyed while Lynefra was to be otherwise occupied. Taking advantage of Lynefra's physical form being governed by hormones as she was of that age, and of the fact that Lynefra's soul was still somewhat unstable at the time, the destruction of her family would have undoubtedly caused her character to degrade into a creature of absolute destruction.

The mysterious thing that intervened with Fate's plans the first time had thwarted fate again. Veorful's gift and Lynefra's prophetic vision had altered the course of events just enough to spare Freyd, for the time being.

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The soldiers were recovering from the effects of Lynefra's "charm" when Kuzunoha, still in her fox form, cocked her head to the side and then sniffed the air. I smell something....unpleasant, she relayed for all to hear. She gazed at Lynefra as if it were here fault.

Don't look at me, it's not my fault. Lynefra said somewhat defensively. Then she added, Maybe it's the demon ambush?

Freyd and Traigar had been informed of the dream Lynefra had and apprised of the current location of the demons who lay in wait. Lynefra's comment came of no surprise to them, but the soldiers harumphed indignantly. "Damn demons, think they can ambush us?!" One soldier said while another said, "Aye, it's been a good long while since these old bones taught those pesky creatures a lesson!"

Lystall was somewhat surprised by the fighting spirit of her elven people. She may have been infinitely closer to the elves than the other gods but she remained just that, a god. She knew the tendencies of her people better than most but the lust for battle showing in the soldier's eyes took her by surprise.

As usual, Lynefra noticed the odd expression on Lystall's visage. These are soldiers, ancient one, Lynefra poked fun at the beautiful figure of divinity, Unlike most of your people, these men and most veterans like them have a thirst for battle hidden deep inside them. Lynefra emphasized "your people" and Lystall took note of it, ignoring the rest of Lynefra's comment.

Aren't they 'your' people as well? Loki beat Lystall to the punch.

I'm sort of an oddity aren't I? I don't think my family is even really mine.

While Lynefra was conversing with the deities, Freyd and Traigar had set themselves to making the camp more defensible, barking orders left and right. If it wasn't for Freyd's pointed ears and his complexion vacant of numorous scars, the soldiers would have easily thought Freyd and Traigar were the same person. Even with the slight differences between the two, every now and then Traigar would give an order and he would get a reply, "Yes Captain!"

Traigar paid it no mind, he was aware of his son's likeness to himself. Freyd on the other hand was furious. He pulled a private first class to the side. The boy was young, having just reached sexual maturity at the age of 24. "DO I LOOK LIKE THE DESTINGUISHED GENERAL TO YOU?" he roared at the boy.

The elven boy shrunk back, unable to speak in his own defense. Thankfully Traigar noticed his son and the young private. "Think nothing of it Captain, you're just as handsome as your father! It was an honest mistake," Traigar gratified himself in the defense of the young man.

In fifteen minutes, all the men were ready for battle. Trenches had been dug around the camp with soldiers lying in wait. Traigar figured the demons would get tired of waiting eventually and attack..if their target was indeed the Dulsan men. Traigar stood at the entrance of the camp with Freyd off to the side and behind him, the sun was now high overhead causing their own features to cast shadows on themselves with their heavy swords at the ready. It was an intimidating sight.

At some point, Kuzunoha, Lystall and Lynefra had slipped away, unnoticed.

"ENEMY ATTACK!" a soldier cried out as an arrow nailed his shield with such a force that it penetrated all the way through it.

A wall of shields with spears emerged from the trenches as the dulsan archers readied their bows.

30 seconds after the first attack there was a mournful scream from one of the elves. Freyd looked in the direction of the scream in time to see the owner of the scream fall to the ground, an arrow in his chest. Several more grunts and unfortunate girgles could be heard but there was still no sign of the demon attackers. The morale of the elves started to fall.

Seeing the situation taking a turn for the worse Traigar turned to his son, "This should be a useful experience to you, watch closely." Traigar strode out of the camp, and with a mightly sweeping motion and flash of light, he plunged his sword up to its hilt into the ground. He channelled his energies through his arms and into his sword. From his sword, the power extended out in front of Traigar. The earth rumbled once and then caved in.

"They've dug tunnels throughout the eastern mountain range," Traigar declared.

"When did they have the time to?" Freyd asked.

Traigar turned to say something to his inexperienced son, but he saw a tall figure behind Freyd. "FREYD, LOOK OUT," he cried but Freyd couldn't avoid the hands of the attacker in time.

Before he knew it, Freyd was grabbed and mercilessly thrown into the air. He tumbled up and finally saw his attacker as he started to fall down to the earth. He also saw the long sword extending to reach him.

The elves were thrown into instant dissaray and Traigar couldn't bear to watch his son die. He rushed forward but was held bast by some invisible force.

Lystall had been the first to sense the presence of the demons and their underground attack. She also noticed Allenrael sneaking up behind Freyd. She was about to warn Lynefra when Loki decided to lead Lynefra away from Freyd and out of sight. What are you doing? Lystall demanded.

Relax, I'm just worried that the chemicals in Lynefra's brain due to her coming-of-age might...affect her ability to control herself when she sees Allenrael, Loki replied cooly. This is an extremely bad time to be on her badside after all. Loki had a smirk on his face. He was hinting at something but Lystall and Kuzunoha couldn't understand what.

Oh no! Kuzunoha cried. Loki had distracted them just enough to create an opening for Allenrael to attack Freyd. It hadn't been intentional. As they watched in horror at the fate about to befall Freyd, Lynefra sensed Allenrael's energy.

It felt the same as in her dream. She also sensed Traigar's fear and Freyd's..acceptance of his demise. Lynefra wouldn't stand for it, she couldn't. A powerful undulation of energy burst out from Lynefra. The gods lost their footing, Allenrael included. The wave of energy sent Freyd flying clear of the demon god's attack and Traigar had to use his sword as an anchor to keep him from being blown away. The elven soldiers and the demon aggressors were sent flying without remorse.

Lynefra's figure flicked as her aura completely changed. She lost herself in a rage as she recalled her dream of Freyd's death and she charged.

Lystall moved to intervene. It was a fight Lynefra would loose. She was young and her opponent was a god with years of experience in fighting. He had transcended the mortal plane to become a god under his own power for the most part. Even Lystall wouldn't be able to take Allenrael lightly. Though his aura and his appearence were cloaked she could sense an oppressive force pushing her back, nonetheless, she tried to save the girl.

She hadn't take five steps when she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Syble, now missing an eye due to his fight with Veorful, shaking his head at her. This is a fight between warriors now, he explained. It would damage her honor if you were to give her aid at this juncture. He appeared envious of Lynefra's circumstances.

Lystall was too worried to wonder when Syble showed up and she didn't care. Honor be damned! She'll die! She cried.

And so will you if you go into battle like that. Syble replied calmly. I didn't say we can't save her, but while she can fight we must let her fight. She's not only an elf, but she's a high human as well. The call of the battlefield is not something to be ignored and removing her from the battlefield is not something, I think, she would forgive.

Bluish fire blew past Syble and Lystall into a group of demons that were recovering from Lynefra's explosive energy. It's not like we can't take out the trash though, Kuzunoha chimed in mentally as she bared her teeth and charged.

It seems the girl's charm can effect different kinds of lust.. Loki mused thoughtfully as he walked up to Lystall and Syble. His eyes were red and his chest was heaving ever so slightly. He weaved invisible nets that bound Freyd and Traigar up so they couldn't move and join in the battle. He gave the ropes a slight tug and both men were plucked out of the developing battlefield and pulled before the gathering of the three gods.

The small battle raged on as a thousand demons and 500 elves fought. Loki had been correct in his guess about Lynefra's "charm." The elves and the demons were caught in a whirlwind of bloodlust. Even the most cowardly of men would fight to the death under Lynefra's current charm.

It seemed the weather was just as suseptible to her charm as the minds of men and gods. The skies darkened as the wind picked up. Thunder rumbled loudly and countless bolts of lightning stuck the earth. From a distance it looked as if the heavens had decided to wage war on the earth, and the earth fought back.

Syble was barely resisting his urge to strike out at anything that moved. Freyd and Traigar had long since lost the ability to resist the bloodlust and thirst for battle. Fortunately the high human and his half breed son had been bound by Loki so they couldn't fight. Freyd's mind had gone blank, he wasn't adept enough to see the high speed battle between Lynefra and Allenrael.

Traigar watched with eagerness, wishing he could remove his restraints and join the fight. Lynefra had relentlessly lashed out at Allenrael countless times during the brief exchange. Allenrael blocked all her attacks with ease, he sneered and said, "Little girl, if that's the best you can do, you're out of your league!" He launched a flurry of attacks meant to wound, and wound he did.

Periodically Lynefra's figure slowed down enough for even Freyd to see. Every time he saw her, her clothes were more bloodied and more tattered. In a last ditch effort, Lynefra struck out desperately and managed to make a shallow cut on the demon god's shoulder. The injury enraged him and he struck out against her. He cut deeply into Lynefra's leg, severing the rest of her pant leg. Unable to move her leg any longer, Lynefra tumbled at high speed until she finally came to a stop, not moving in her exhaustion.

"As price for my injury, you shall watch with your father as I ravage your mother and sister!" Allenrael hissed.

His remark spurred Lynefra's rage anew and caused a qualitative change. Her energy erupted more violently than before and her blood changed colors. A red steam rose up around Lynefra as her mortal blood burned off. Her wounds didn't heal, instead they bled a silvery substance.

AHAHAH! YOU'RE IN HEAT! Allenrael laughed. Your father is here somewhere, yes? Where is he? Let him watch as I sew my seed within you. Fate has truly done me justi-

Allenrael's voice cut off as his head fell from his shoulders. In a flash, Lynefra had gotten up and silenced Allenrael. She looked around to see the last of the demons killed by Kuzunoha and she passed out on the spot.

I told you this was a bad time to be on her naughty list, Loki's lips were slightly curved up into a clever smile.

AHAHAHAHA, Syble laughed. This child is truly one of my High Humans!

Freyd looked confused as he was released from Lynefra's bloodlust. He didn't know who the burly man who had just spoken was, nor did he remember when he had shown up.

No, she's one of my elves, Lystall frowned in rebuttal but you could see the pride in her eyes.

None, however, was more proud than Traigar at this moment. "YOU'RE ALL WRONG. HAH! SHE'S MY DAUGHTER AND I'LL CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU IF YOU TRY AND CLAIM HER AS YOUR OWN!" He was too excited to notice the man he was addressing was his Patron God and to remember that the woman was Lystall. "My daughter is all grown up!"