Former Capital of Andoon.

The sound of cracking reverberated throughout the Dark fortress knocking Greg from his torpor. Ever since their Race change to Minor Demon Kin, He hadn't slept but often found himself lost in a dream-like state. Glaring at the few of his subordinates permitted into the throne room, Greg quickly assessed that the noise did not come from nearby.

Beside him, Queen languished in her own throne as several slaves seen to her every whim. She didn't bother to look up, assuming she even noticed the sound.

Greg scowled as he strained to hear the sound again, but nothing occurred. Turning to his Queen, he scathingly remarked. You don't act like the former greatest pirate to travel the space lanes of our system and surrounding colonies."

Queen gave a snide laugh in return. "And you look nothing like a nerdy video game programmer, so what of it?"

The sound of cracking sounded again, but this time lasted much longer. Tracking the sound, Greg stood and exited out onto the terrace overlooking the destroyed city. Upon finding what made the noise, Greg's purple skin turned ashen. He screamed in outrage and more than a small amount of panic. "Nooo!"

Queen who had followed in curiosity also swore. Across the rubble-strewn highway before the Dark fortress, the Artifact, or as those who don't know better began calling it, the respawn point, was splitting and crumbling away. Floating around the crumbling egg, four beings. One a dragon with shimmering blue scales. An elf whose countenance would put all mortal Rulers to shame. A Dwarf whose beard shone like gold in the dawning sun. Last but not least, a green-skinned Goblin whose dextrous fingers were dismantling and rebuilding some unknown device; all watched intensely.

Queen, who had grabbed Greg's arm, muttered in a tone only heard by Greg. "They are four of the younger gods of Elune. Drakkon The Almighty, Ezra The Wise, Imber Guardian of the mountains, and Bolor The Tinkerer. Greg, these beings are not supposed to be able to descend to the lower world in the flesh. Yet the pressure they give off is positively terrifying."

Shrugging off Queen's arm Greg backhanded her sending her flying back into the throne room, where she slammed into a pillar, leaving cracks as she slid to the floor. "I do not need you to explain the obvious. Now go get the soldiers; no matter what their power, we can't let them destroy the artifact."

Drakkon Frowned before sticking a talon in one ear. In a deep tone that vibrated the air and ground throughout the city and beyond, he declared to his companions. "These pests are so noisy." A grey dome appeared around the Four and the Artifact blocking all noise from outside. "That's better." Rolling into his back in midair, Drakkon splayed out his legs before rolling his neck around to look at Ezra. "By the way, why is there Lesser Demon Kin on the northern continent? Last I checked, they still haven't left the southern continent."

Ezra scowled at Drakkon. "If you hadn't slept these past fifty years and kept an eye on the Humans as is your responsibility as their chosen deity, you would know about this. As it is, I don't feel like filling you in. Ask Ezekial later at the party." finished speaking, Ezra flew up to the egg-shaped artifact laying her ear against it. "Mother will arrive very soon." A genuinely happy smile passed over Ezra's normally indifferent face.

A thud against the dome interrupted Ezra as she listened to the egg. "What is going on?" Turning, she found a small army of demon kin. Some threw balls of black fire while others used war machines such as trebuchets and catapults to launch spears and rocks.

Ezra narrowed her eyes and was about to silence them all when the shrill voice of Bolor began streaming at the noisy ants. "Would you be silent. Imber and I are trying to discuss Mothers palace design." the tinkerer handed the blueprint over to his Dwarf partner and clapped once. A white dome of energy pulsed out from his smallish body, throwing the self-appointed Demon King and all his minions into the distance. "There that should keep things quiet for now. Where were we Imber?"

Greg howled in rage before kicking Queen hard in the stomach, sending her flying once again. Two leathery wings shot out of Queen's back, and she stopped her flight after only twenty yards. in a low, sibilant voice that traveled to every Demon in the area, Queen warned her King. "Careful Greg if they do manage to destroy the artifact you will no longer have anything to hold over me and my men. Think about it, you may be the strongest of us but you still can't fight us all at once."

Growling, Greg forced himself to calm down and think. "Fine, we have no chance against these so-called deities. Gather my pets we will do a mass sacrifice to call a Demon Lord to aid us... You will call me Arthur or I will remove that tongue permanently." Greg spun on his heel, heading back to the fortress.

Drakkon split his attention between watching Ezra fret over the egg and the other two arguing about what style Mother's palace should be built. Letting out a puff of smoke, Drakkon decided to give his opinion. "Mother hopes to take over as the humans adopted divinity so make sure you consider that in your designs. Oh, and show the magnificent power of nature She is the embodiment of Elune herself."

Imber frowned while running his large hands through his rather impressive golden beard. In a coarse nasally voice, he grumbled. "Aye, I agree but human architecture is so basic it is for lack of a tactful word ugly as sin." Borol nodded while Ezra continued to listen to the egg, a frown beginning to form. Drakkon noticed and, in a distracted voice, said. "Don't use this era as a judge of human ingenuity, here are some portraits of palaces that have been constructed in the past."

Drakkon conjured a stack of scrolls and levitated them to the pair who began sifting through the stack, exclaiming at the scenes drawn on them. "Ezra, what is the matter?"

Ezra waved the dragon to stay silent as she placed both palms against the egg. "I can feel Mother is still absorbing this device but her spirit seems to have gone elsewhere."

Frowning, Drakkon also placed his large head against the egg. "Interesting," Drakkon mumbled as he closed his eyes and began moving his head around like he was searching for something. "Ah, Mother is watching a group of sentients that are discussing something deep underground possibly in a mine of some sort. I wonder why they have garnered Mother's attention at this particular moment?"

Quickly floating up next to Drakkons's head, Ezra grabbed a horn and began shaking it. "Show me."

Drakkon raised a brow without opening an eye. "Patience sister this is unlike you." He then pointed a claw at an empty spot, and a vision appeared of a group of humans staring at a tear forming in the space above a table. They watched as a translucent image of Mother appeared before the group.

Ezra immediately flew back to the egg and began shouting, getting Bolor and Imber's attention. "Mother no The Old One's won't like it if you interfere with mortals." Turning back to the image, all four saw Mother winked toward them. No mortal could have seen that at speed she moved, and Ezra's shoulders slumped." Mother finally got an incarnation and now she is putting herself in jeopardy to have some fun."

Laughing heartily, Imber slapped Ezra on the back, where she had to grasp onto Drakkon again to keep her balance. "Lass perhaps because you are the youngest of the new gods you haven't figure this out yet. The Old One's don't punish us for interacting with the races. Only if we try to lead them in a direction, not of their own free will. Or in the case of Holly destroy an entire continent to make a place for her chosen race to flourish in peace. Poor Holly had to return to her mortal coil. I could not live as a sentient tree would drive me nuts."

Cackling laughter ensued from the Goblin. "I think you all have forgotten one major point here Mother is an Old One. She has been part of the Realm since it was first created."

All three stopped taking a mental step back as Bolor's words registered. Then they all stared at the Tinkerer in awkward silence. Drakkon cleared his throat loudly. "Well look at that Mother has chosen her Champion already."

Ezra, who never took her eyes off the image, had narrowed eyes and balled fists. "How could she kiss that disgusting mortal, look at him when was the last time he bathed. Utterly filthy, his Mother would be horrified. Maybe I should tell her about his two little girlfriends I am fairly certain humans society frowns on polyamorous relationships."

Drakkon gave Ezra a perplexed look. "Arent you the patron deity of nymphs and dryads? How can this human holding hands with two females even register with you? As for Mother kissing his forehead that is how she has chosen to pass her mark. At any rate, Mother is the Mother of all races in the Realm... Or at least this section I am unsure about farther afield as there is a limit to my range. Anyway, why wouldn't a Mother kiss the forehead of her children?"

While the other three tried to digest the dragon's strange speech, the egg began to glow, and cracks began spreading faster. Moments later, the egg shattered into motes of light that shot into the distance except for a handful that went into the Fortress where the Demon kin had retreated. As they passed the dome set by Drakkon, it too shattered into shards.

Inside the Fortress fifty Lesser Demon Kin, nearly one hundred demonized humans stared in shock at the small blackened gems that fell from their foreheads within moments they had turned to black ash. Greg screamed in uncontrollable rage. "Begin the ritual; I don't care if they are lesser or greater gods. They will pay for this crime."

Queen raised an eyebrow but nodded at her former captains. "You do realize this is utterly idiotic a single wave of the goblin's hand sent nearly one-hundred and fifty of the strongest warriors in the kingdom flying. Do we really want to provoke the dragon?"

Staggering in from the terrace where he had been ordered to keep watch, a hairy demon with tusks and large floppy ears pierced with golden hoops knelt before Queen. "Boss a fifth being has arrived and the pressure she is emitting makes the dragon feel like a child in comparison."

Queen turned to Greg, who sat watching the slaughter of hundreds of humans brought up from below while muttering to himself. sneering, she turned to her underling. "Spread the word. If things start to go to shit, we plunder what we can and retreat to the skyship. We will leave the fool to sit on his throne in his crumbling city.' The demon grunted and got to his feet, bowed and retreated toward some demons watching from the sidelines, and began spreading the word.

Queen smiled and didn't see the hand until it had grabbed her by the throat and hoisted her into the air. "You must think I am deaf as well as a fool. Let me explain something to you moron. I don't need to control your men I only need to control you." Quicker than Queen could react, a silver noose wrapped around her neck and constricted before twining around and down her body, arms and legs.

Greg spoke a word she did not recognize, and the silver noose vanished. Greg let her loose, smiling maliciously as she slumped to the floor. "Now Lick my feet dog."

To her utmost horror, she found herself moving with no control of her own. Soon she was busily licking Greg's feet, and all movement in the room stopped. Greg leered down at Queen then turned his gaze to those standing below. "Did I tell you to stop the ritual." Everyone dropped their gazes and continued the sacrifices for summoning a Demon Lord.

Soon A large demon with ram horns slew the last sacrifice, and his blood flowed down the grooves cut into the throne room floor and pooled into a massive cauldron placed below the grate. Everyone in the room began to chant in a language only understood by demons themselves, including Greg, who ordered Queen to chant as well.

When the light from the egg exploding died away. Four hopeful deities watched in anticipation at the spot. When it cleared, their faces fell as one when nobody stood there. Suddenly a beautiful woman appeared made a popping noise with her mouth while holding her arms outstretched. "Ta, dah."

Completely lacking the normal indifference she tried so hard to personify, Ezra was the first to throw herself into Eluna's waiting arms. A moment later, the other three huddled in close while Eluna smailed, making sure to hug each of them in turn. "My children, it is wonderful to be able to hold you all finally." Eluna looked around, a crease forming in her brow. "I can understand the others not taking time from their projects as they are my brothers chosen. But where is Ezekial? I figured he wouldn't miss this moment. After all, you five are my chosen."

Bolor laughed. "Well, Mother, he is supposed to be finishing the preparations for your party. Although, if those idiots in that pile of rocks are doing what I think they are doing, Ezekial will be here soon, and those guys are in for a world of hurt."

A pillar of dark fire shot from the Fortress roof, and a booming voice that rattled every stone in the ruined city began to speak.

"Who dares to interrupt me in the middle of my preparations?

... "You dare to think yourself my equal?

... "I grow tired of you begone from my sight."

Cocking his head from one side to the other, Bolor had a confused look on his face. "Well, I suppose I was mistaken he didn't hurt anyone just banished them." Imber chuckled. "He must be in a very good mood."

Before anyone else could comment, a twelve-foot-tall red-skinned demon in a tuxedo with a fancy cane stood before them. The man gave a formal bow to Eluna. "Mother, It is so lovely to see you; at last, unfortunately, I was unable to complete my preparations for the feast personally, but the others should be able to manage for a bit on their own." He then stood ramrod straight before turning to give the others a greeting. "Brothers, good to see you, especially you Drakkon. It has been a while. Little sister always a pleasure.' Ezekial gave a small friendly nod to each in turn.

Imber slapped the demon on the back, laughing heartily. "Ezekial I thought you were too busy to join our little welcome preparty? By the by what did you do with the irritating flies buzzing around that pile of rotten smelling rubble?"

Ezekial turned to give a disgruntled look at the said pile of rubble. Hmm, yes, I was putting the finishing touches on a tiered cake when one of my Demon Lords, who was taking some pastries from the oven, began complaining about some damn foreign Demons calling her through some sacrificial ritual, so I took her place. When I appeared, I stood in a cauldron full of blood. And get this, the cauldron was located under a floor... Why? So by this point, I am fairly upset as I am sure anyone would be in such circumstances. One thing led to another, and I blew the top of the... Whatever that place was apart, no sooner did I leave that cesspit, some irrelevant bug tried ordering me around like some common Lesser Demon. So to answer your question, I sent them to undergo the Demon trials. It is just as well for them. I have no intention of assigning any demon trainers outside the Ratchford continent anyway."

Upon finishing his rant, he turned to the rest only to find them paying absolutely no attention. Instead, they Watched Eluna staring into the sky like she was listening to someone. A little while later, she nodded. "Ok, I will. When do you need it? I think these children are throwing a welcome party for me. I really don't want to disappoint them, and taking the core of the artifact to you will take me about a month since I will have to do it physically." They all watched in discomfort as Eluna's eyes began to water. "Are you sure it is that important?... Ok, I will temporarily put this body to sleep as soon as the party ends, then come back for a while."

Eluna stuck her tongue out toward the sky and muttered under her breath. "Stupid brats ever since Mom and Dad left they cant seem to do anything themselves." She dropped to the ground, bent down, and hoisted a massive crystal onto her shoulders. "Alrighty children lets go party."

Ezra landed next to Eluna. "How lo9ng will you be gone?

Shrugging, Eluna tossed the massive crystal up and down in her palm. "Not sure couple centuries but probably not more than a Millenium.

There was a collective sigh of relief from the five younger gods, who immediately cheered up all five disappeared.

Unknown to anyone, not even Eluna, a golden-skinned, horned man, watched through a projection. "Well, I wondered how the Realm would handle the Artifact seems I won't have to risk myself to pass the veil to destroy it after all. Poor Greg never understood that whatever enters the Realm becomes a part of the realm that includes a device that breaks the universe's balance. But using it to embody one of the creator's children was a stroke of brilliance I never expected."

As he turned away from the projection, the Sector Lord never noticed a small translucent hand grab the edge and place a small invisible string onto his back. Nor did he hear the girlish giggles coming from beyond the veil.