"When the Queen started getting challenged for the Throne, we knew that it was only a matter of time before Chalice would be the target of assassination attempts. That's why she was sent to the Dynasty Republic. Meanwhile, we kept Kirin Skye here in the Imperium. As an unusual twist of fate, Kirin took after her uncle Orpheus, and displayed a brilliant talent and passion for music.

"So we went with it; public visibility under a famous alias would only serve to protect the real princess. We encouraged her to pursue her talent after she'd finished school, and 'Skye' the starlit was born."

Aleks was not surprised at all by the interaction between the two men, Aleks had guessed that, that was the case. It began when 'Chalice' didn't recognize Kara or Dawn who had been her classmates, but she couldn't remember them. At that point in time, Kara had said that she was broken which didn't fit a descriptor of a normal human. Later when Dawn had seen the visions, it had clicked for Aleks and he suspected that Skye was one of the clones. It had just been a hunch... a hypothesis built off of circumstantial evidence but the two men had just confirmed his speculations.

"I figured as much... this is one twisted game that we've been sucked into. But seeing as it is meant to lead to Ragnarok, there's no surprise that it would be this way. Well, I will give it my best when we head to save Lorei, Jenea, and Ethan... Michael. Jadesong Fire ripping a large chunk of my soul away has led to this, and it's largely my fault. I made the wrong decisions, trusted the wrong people, ignored good advice from an actual person that I care for," he looked at Khione with remorse in his eyes, "... and I made the two worst decisions of my life. Sooo... now, I need to work to atone for that. We will save your daughters, Michael."

"Now that we have a second, and since we were talking about Dawn, Khione that bag of stuff that you took from Dawn earlier when you gave him that power to save himself, do you still have it? Can that be used like before when we used my sword and your ring as an anchor to find out where he is or what is going on with him? I still owe him for saving your life multiple times and it's because I decided to help that ass, Jadesong Fire, instead of helping him get his soul back after the Bitch Queen had him killed for his graving. She sounds no better than Bael, and I hope that I never meet her because she seems to use people like her own personal playthings. Not saying that I want to do anything about it right now but once we have taken care of more pressing concerns, I would like to repay him for his help," he said with obvious contempt for Khione's sovereign.

Aleks took in a deep breath, as he walked over behind Khione and slowly, gently pulled Calais from the sheath, "Michael, this is Khione's brother," he walked over to the artificer and held out Calais before him, "he and Khione saved me from being utterly and completely destroyed. Is there anything that you know of that can be done to help him or repair him? I tried to have a healer look at him but there was nothing she could do, so I wasn't sure if there was something that could be done to repair him instead since he is a Scion Metasoul."

Aleks head was lowered and his eyes were downcast...

Michael accepted the ruined sword and examined it briefly. "It's in bad shape, but it can be repaired. I can take care of it back on the Skyforge," he replied.

"But what do you mean, the Queen had Dawn killed for his graving?" Michael's brow furrowed, like he was trying to work out a complex riddle.

Aleks lit up when Michael said that he would be able to repair Calais when they got to where they were going. That was great news to him.



"He said that his graving was a special one... ummmmmmm, one of the few demi-urges, the Morning Star. The only Morning Star I had ever heard of was another name for the Lucifer of the Christian mythos. He said his graving made him right for being able to resurrect someone and in fact, his first mission with Glaive, sent by Odin and that same woman pretending to be the Witch Queen, was with your daughter Lorei, and he had used an artifact to resurrect Daniel l'Astaroth. And by having him killed I'm referring to the fact that, she tried to convince him that he needed the sine Astaroth but he was against it and she continued to harp on him to take it, so he tried and Astaroth tore him apart and shredded his soul in the process. That brings us back to that vision that he was shown with Lamia's Sight with Jaecin and that woman standing over him confirming that Eurydice had done it to get his graving. After the faux-Witch Queen, had set the stage for him to be displaced back in time," Aleks relayed more of the story to Michael and wondered if he should tell him about the prophesy that he surmised came from his wife. He didn't know if it would be a comfort or would open an old wound so he let it be.

"Then that must be how she got her hands on the Morning Star in the first place," Michael said, putting the pieces together. "...From Dawn. Thing is, Dawn wouldn't have been able to even activate the rod of resurrection unless he and the deceased shared the same graving. Like calls to like.

"Daniel l'Astaroth is a Morning Star as well.

"I think it was a test, a way of making sure Dawn was the real deal," he theorized, quiet anger seething from the man, "And once he proved it, sending him through the Avatar Gate and manipulating him into getting himself killed in Astaroth's name was child's play. She exploited a time loophole, added his graving to her court, and gave it to her son."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:42, Sat 12 Sept 2015.

Damocles was still pale. "Michael, you know what that means..." he said grimly. "Prince Daniel is the 'Lucifer.' He'll lead her armies.

"The cardinal points of the Black Array: Morning Star, World Tree, Water of Life, Fire of Olympus... and once complete, scribed on the Vellum of Enlil. If Eurydice's intention is to possess Chalice once the princess ascends, then she's the one trying to kill Chalice!"

The archmagister's expression hardened. "I won't let that happened. We can beat the bitch at her own game."

Khione silently followed the conversation, looking greatly troubled. First her old master, now her Sovereign. "What are you suggesting? That we kill the Witch-Queen? You know I can't defy her Majesty, or be party to such treason, no matter what it could mean for the princess," she said, shaking her head and rubbing her temples.

"No," Damocles replied. "I understand your position, Khione. And I'm not expecting you to play any role in murder. But now that I see the whole picture for the first time, understand that I will do everything in my power to see Chalice on that throne, and if that means challenging Eurydice, or Astaroth incarnate if need be, then so be it.

"Pledge your loyalty to Chalice l'Astaroth, as heiress to the throne, and we will return the favor," he said to her, taking a step toward the woman. "We can't let her win! Let's unite!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:55, Sat 12 Sept 2015.

Aleks looked at Khione with sympathy but it was tinged with frustration. When was it that the honorable thing became standing up for and supporting evil? It was a question best posed to Khione at a later time, he could not fully wrap his mind around her logic. But he also didn't want her to do something that went against her code because that was part and parcel with who she was, nor did he want what happened to him to happen to Khione. He didn't know how long she had served Eurydice and how much her soul it would cost her if she revolted against her sovereign like Aleks had his.

It had been less than a fortnight but it felt like so much longer; the battles, the self-discovery, the loss, the catharsis, the decisions, all of it had forced Aleks to grow and change at break-neck speed. If it wasn't Khione that he wished to serve as Guardian for, he would not be able to follow another sovereign. If being a knight meant blindly following someone that had proven themselves a detriment to not only their people that they were meant to protect but the entirety of the world and willing to sacrifice their own children for absurd machinations... then Aleks wanted no part of it.

In thinking about sovereigns and hearing the Archmagister talk helped cement some of the thought processes in Aleks's mind, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what exactly occurs to someone that actually achieves apotheosis? I have a vague idea of what happens but I think I am catching up to your train of thought, Archmagister. It seemed odd to me that she would have an army of Chalice's and not really use them; I mean I understand they are imperfect and incomplete but wouldn't they still be useful as fodder in this war and who's to say they won't be, but it doesn't seem like the full purpose. It would seem she was trying to make the perfect vessel for Eurydice/Astaroth to possibly keep from having to use Chalice. Something that could house all of the Devil-goddess power here on the Materia because I would think that normally when one achieves apotheosis it would work like how Bael-Shiva used Jadesong Fire. A god being resonating at such a high level; it doesn't seem like it would cosmically fit to allow too many god beings to traipse around here so they have to use an avatar. But with the utilization of the Black Array, of which Eurydice made her daughter a component, would that allow the fullness of Eurydice/Astaroth's power to funnel into the vessel that is biologically Eurydice's daughter that has been magically supercharged with just the right gravings to allow it? And what happens to a person's original god-spirit if they are being shaped and molded into something else, like if Chalice had an original connection to some other deific being and was being forced to fit the Astaroth mold?"

As an afterthought, he added, "It just seems weird that the interactions with the Witch Queen that Dawn had, that were closer to our current time, were with the Gatekeeper posing as her and not the real one herself. Granted Eurydice could have been busy and used her as a proxy, but what if Eurydice herself is no longer here? What if she achieved apotheosis and is setting this all up from another plane of existence?"

It was Michael who responded. "Not many people know this, but you've figured it out already; the Gatekeeper, Branwyn, is posing as the Queen," he said. "They call her the Gatekeeper not only because she has the key to the Imperial Grand Wellspring, but because she is literally the Gatekeeper to the Queen herself.

"Eurydice is cunning, frighteningly so. The first successful G.O.D.D.E.S. attempt produced Branwyn, who was subsequently raised as Eurydice's champion. She's a deadly metasoul, able to take the form of the Queen's weapon of choice, should she ever come to blows. But Branwyn, like Kirin Skye, is something of a decoy. No one gets to the Queen except through her," Michael explained for Aleks' and Khione's benefit.

"The Witch's Throne follows an unusual set of rules; at any point, the reigning queen can be challenged for the throne in a formal duel, usually to the death, by any eligible noblewoman in the court of Astaroth. If the queen goes unchallenged, she may appoint a successor, which may or may not be of her own bloodline. L'Astaroths traditionally always select l'Astaroths, creating a true dynasty of Witch-Queens. Eurydice won the Throne by defeating her predecessor, Freya l'Astaroth.

"Furthermore, heiresses can be immediately challenged upon being named a successor. So naming a successor can come at great risk," he explained.

"However, Eurydice has achieved apotheosis, which creates a unique circumstance, in that a reigning queen has essentially become Astaroth, or at least the current divine persona. I now suspect that she'd achieved that goal long before anyone knew anything about it. I know for a fact that Branwyn has been pretending to be the queen for years, probably to prevent anyone from openly challenging Chalice for the throne, before she's strong enough to defend it."

Khione's eyes narrowed. "That means that I've probably never met the real Eurydice l'Astaroth," she said. "Which doesn't necessarily make a difference for my purposes, but it's an important detail..."

She was quiet for a moment, considering. Then she posed, "Branwyn is clearly loyal to the Throne, but if Eurydice has achieved apotheosis, then there's no longer a reason to be loyal to the queen.

"How loyal can we expect her to be to Chalice?"

Ralgar's eyes widened. Khione had just made a profound point. "It may not be the queen then, but Branwyn, who is targeting Chalice. If Chalice is out of the way before she has a chance to come into her power, then Branwyn has a clear path to the Throne herself. It's a strong motive, makes sense," the War Magus posed.

"Chalice is in danger from many fronts: Astaroth, who wants to possess her, Branwyn who probably wants to kill her, and Odin, who I know wants to bring her into his own court. Not to mention the Returners and the Vampires, who both hate the Mageocracy.

"We need to get out of here, to plan our next move."

Aleks nodded and replied, "You're right... apologies. As Khione can attest, I can spin conjecture and speculate all night. We do indeed need some rest. I'm sorry that I had to be the bearer of bad news." He stepped in beside Khione and waited to follow along after the others.

At least, Michael will be able to help Calais, he thought to himself as he waited for the others.

November 24, 2312, 8:45 PM
Docking Bay, Skyforge



Michael and Damocles led the way out and a short distance through the halls, eventually to an elevator that took them to the roof. A private jet-copter and pilot awaited on a launch pad, freshly cleared of snow--their transportation to Skyforge.

It was explained that Skyforge was an international municipality among the clouds, near the base of earth's stratosphere, founded nearly 250 years ago, as a joint initiative to save humanity during the height of the war. Orbiting high above the cataclysmic effects of radioactive fallout, extreme weather, or the threat of a potential extinction event brought on by asteroid impact, a sizable representation of civilization could survive, aided by the collective intellectual, financial, and arcane resources of humanity's elite. It is now a thriving city-state.

The aircraft landed within the hour. Michael had them escorted through customs, where Aleks and Khione were required to register as non-citizens, working as contractors for Michael's company, Avalon Inc.. The process was relatively painless and efficient, and soon enough, they were all finally sitting in the living room of a comfortable corporate guest house.

"I understand why it's hidden, but I still don't agree with something like this city's existence being a secret," Khione was saying as they sat. "Everyone should at least have the option of trying to escape the war's aftermath."

"It's not a secret, in the truest sense. Not anymore, anyway," Michael countered. "Before, it was an issue of security and survival. Now, it's just not advertised. Skyforge is a big city with a lot of resources, but it can only support so many.

"The companies and individuals here represent the best and brightest of humanity; we're all looking for ways to make earth better for those our ancestors left behind," he explained. "We were both invited by the President of Dynasty Inc.; Damocles thought highly enough of the work we do to even leave behind his former teaching post."

Damocles was the only one standing. He was at the large window, staring out at the vast city and sunset beyond. The view from up there in one of the city's many skyscrapers was breathtaking. "Michael's right. Away from the troubles on the surface, we can focus on a bigger picture."

He turned around to face them. "Alright, we'll head out and let you two get some sleep. We can take the sword back to Avalon's lab, where Michael can do his thing, and we'll send for you in the morning."

Aleks nodded then offered thanks to the two men for their hospitality and assistance. He wanted to go take a hot shower but he took a seat directly across from Khione. He gently asked, "How are you doing? What are you thinking about our situation?" The questions almost sounded simple, which was the farthest thing from the truth. Rest would come soon but some things needed to be hashed out between the mentor and protege.

"So much is happening so fast... I'm trying not to think too much about it all," Khione admitted, lying back on the couch and closing her eyes. "Best to stay focused on what's immediately ahead--rescuing Ethan and Lorei. There's nothing I can do about anything else. Not Tomlin, not the Throne, not any of it."

The weariness was so heavy in her voice that the knight barely sounded like herself.

"I don't even know where to start, as far as what happens after tomorrow."

Aleks watched his friend with a look of sincerest empathy on his face. He knew that it was a lot for her to handle, and that it was going to be a whole lot more. She was going to HAVE to take her throne back after getting it cleansed, but there were friends to save and a couple of archmages that needed to be dealt with, as well. So much on the plate of someone that never really wanted to be in the role of leader, but the world needed her, needed a truly benevolent sovereign. And that sovereign needed support.

Aleks put his hand on Khione's knee and squeezed gently, "You're not alone, Khione. We will retrieve Ethan and Lorei, Calais will be made whole, we will find someone to rid your throne of hex, he will deal with Tomlin and Fenwick in due course, and the rest we will figure out together. I have your back, always," he squeezed her knee again as he said it, "If you decide to accept my offer, I shall be your guardian and will do everything in my power to support you, fight for you, and do whatever it is that you need of me to ensure that the world has at least one good leader. If you do not, I shall still support you, but I will never again be beholden to another sovereign... they have proven themselves unworthy of servitude and respect as protectors of the realm. Jadesong Fire, Pzuzu, Tyrien l'Astaroth, Odin, and Eurydice l'Astaroth... none of them are what you will be. And that is in great part due to the person that you are. You are honorable, benevolent, wise, compassionate, and a powerful force for good; you may have never desired to rule or the power that comes along with it, but I think that is exactly why you deserve it. You have been out there in the thick of things, protecting the people, learning their struggles, you have seen the evil that the other rulers are inflicting upon the land, and I know that you want to do something about it. You are right in that you may not know everything that you need to do or even aware of things that you don't know are obstacles, yet, but you are wise, and a wise person knows that they do not and can never know it all but they know where to look. You must make strong allies, make a council that will shore up your weaknesses, and ensure that your enemies know better than to come for you. But all that will come in due course."

Aleks paused before he spoke again, "I must let you know that should I not be your guardian, I have other goals that I will strive towards. I will be fighting for the equitable treatment of all persons whether they be mage, walker, scion, or sleeper. And if that means, I must fight for a position of power of my own, then so be it. I just wanted to let you know."

Roll Composure + Persuasion.

OoC:22:07, Today: Aleksandr Kai'Amari Nigil rolled 3 successes using 6d10, rerolling 10s.  {Composure + Persuasion}.

Khione opened her eyes at some point while Aleks spoke, and looked over at him. There was something about the sheer certainty in his words, in their earnest sincerity that made her smile weakly. She believed him. Aleks would do anything to see her on that throne. He would do anything for her, and he truly believed that it was in humanity's best interest to do so.

Aleks literally believed in her, the way one might believe in a god. He placed his faith in her ability to lead and protect, forsaking all other sovereigns, if she would have him. It brought tears to her eyes, because when she'd made those titanic statements to Jadesong about "her" throne, Khione hadn't really believed them herself, though they had clearly inspired belief within her young protege.

Wiping her eyes before those glistening tears had a chance to start, she said, "Alright. One day at a time. We get through tomorrow, and we'll see about your Guardian training."

Brilliance shone in Aleks's eyes. One of deepest joy, it seemed to wrap him in warmth. Imagine the feeling of a person who is there for the birth of a goddess of light. The awe-inspiring yet terrifying beauty of it. Aleks was on the precipice of that moment; he was going to build up and support the goddess, Amaterasu, to the fruition of her being and in doing so, he was going to help shape the destiny of an immeasurable amount of beings. Aleks was going to be there to fortify, strengthen, and ensure that beacon of light to the future. No words can fully describe what he was feeling because he knew with certainty that Khione would be a boon to all of the Materia, and he was part of helping bring that to the world. How many people can say that? No matter how many beings of darkness that Aleksandr had helped to destroy, this was wholly different. He was helping to create a brighter path to the future and nothing could compare to that.

Aleks smiled as his faith radiated off him, "One day at a time," and he stood up and walked towards his sleeping quarters so he could leave Khione to think and to rest. He stopped in the threshold of the door to his room and put his hand on the door jam and turned back slightly so that he was peering at her with his left eye, "You are deserving of my faith and belief." And with that he slowly walked into his room and shut the door.

Once he was in his room, he disrobed and put the outfit in a wardrobe that was off in the corner. He put everything carefully on hangers and stepped back, "Maybe that was a bit too ostentatious, ha ha," he chuckled as he ran his hand over the clothes before shutting the double doors of the wardrobe. He went to the bathroom area and took a scalding hot shower before he came back into the sleeping area and saw the plain linen pants and shirt on a nightstand. He pulled them on quickly and laid down in the comfortable bed. It was exactly what he needed after that rough day. And within moments he was out, dreaming wondrous dreams...

The room was dimly lit, cozy, with that same vague scent of expensive incense on the air, and Rowan finally gave up on trying to identify it. Even with his supernaturally sharp sense of smell, the exotic spice eluded him. Eris muttered something under his breath, and a pristine, delicate looking quill formed of pure magic appeared in his fingers. "Alright, so this is going to need to go on your stomach; there are significant magical meridians there that are going to help this work," the lad said. "You’ll need to take your shirt off,” he added, clearing his throat and gesturing one-handed toward Rowan's abs.

Rowan wasn't normally shy when it came to his body, but something about the other fellow's gaze made him just a little nervous. Just the knowledge of Eris' mysterious eyes on him made him feel apprehensive and hot, but he nonetheless swallowed down his embarrassment and stripped off his black tank-top in one swift movement, revealing an athletic torso with an already impressive assortment of fine, colorful ink work.

Eris was surveying him with the speculative eye of an artist imagining his brushstrokes on canvas. “How big do you want me to make it?” the fellow asked.

“I— like this,” Rowan grit out. He put his fingers against the notch just under his sternum, then ran his hand down, along the shallow line between muscles that marked the center of him. His touch skated along the blank canvas of ridges, of his abdominals, across his navel and down over a trail of dark, fine hair, and further still, until his jeans got in the way. His red gaze stayed fixed, the whole time, on Eris’ face, like there was something he was trying to read there, even if Rowan wasn’t sure what.

“That’s... perfect. A fine choice,” Eris said. He swallowed hard and his eyes seemed to be caught on the place where Rowan's hand had come to a stop. So Rowan used that same hand to pop open the button on his jeans, to ease the zipper down to reveal only more flesh and absolutely no underwear, to pull open each side of his fly until the flat plane of his lower abdomen was revealed, with only the shadowed suggestion of what lay further down. He tapped his fingers to the place just a few inches above where abdomen gave way to groin, and he watched Eris' face, listened to the increased tempo of the other lad's heart as if it was playing a song just for him. Eris coughed, finally, like he was choking on his own in-drawn breath, and looked askance, clearing his throat again. “Are you certain you want it that big? I mean, it’s good, I can make it more powerful; there’s more room for detail. It’s just... you need to be sure.”

“I’m sure,” Rowan said, and his voice was deep and husky of its own accord.

“Alright. Let's get started then," Eris said, and turned away, this time obviously to collect himself. Rowan felt perversely proud as he settled himself on the table, watching the other fellow ready his materials.

A moment later, Eris pulled a stool up with his foot and dragged his tray of bewitched inks closer. He closed his eyes briefly and drew in a deep, cleansing breath, and when he opened them again, Rowan noted that the artist's eyes were suddenly as red as his own.

Eris settled himself in right against Rowan's side, then got started, as promised.


End Chapter
+10 XP
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Thu 18 Aug 2016.