Praise Be His Servants For They Have Answered Us With The Truth We Seek.

Alright, so new chapter. We are in double digits now, Hurray for that one. Anyhow this chapter is long and full of angst or at least at the first part it is the rest is a bit more sweeter. Gotta have the sour before the sweet as I like to say and trust me this stuff will rot teeth when it gets sweet, we just need to survive till then. (:

Hello there! Another chapter another day of Ramadan. Hope it has been going well for you all this year. Oh and Happy Ramadan! Just adding it to here

Also, kind of a short chapter unfortunately I kind of get dizzy when I look at the screen cause of the whole Ramadan thing. But I will try to write more when I can :)

Hi-hii :3

I was writing an essay and ine little thought crossed my mind. It is simple but...

While I was re-reading Two Becomes Five I actually thought of Lamb and Cats(Aym and Baal obviously) hanging out together. Maybe Aym and Baal would know more about current situation in the cult, see some of bright sides of it? Or maybe they could go on a little adventure? I'm not really sire what exactly they would do... I just wanted to see the three of them finally getting along so they could comfort each other ;v;

Firstly, as promised HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and sorry for being a little late on the story. My finals are a bit annoying and you know how it is, but yeah I hope you enjoy the story :)

What More?

Sunlight shimmering amidst the mountain tops, a visage so usual for him. A visage he became familiar with over the course of his long life, a life spent in the halls of their marble home atop the highest peaks.

After all of the years he has spent up here, he had little to complain about their home. Marble halls with followers all around, tending and attending as they came and went and that was that he liked it. In the lands rivaling the clouds, cold but never cold enough to freeze at least for him, the earth around never muddy to be miserable like the lands below.

It was simply a perfect place to live, an idea that most shared alongside his new and really only friend. The friend which was taking entirely too long preparing the picnic basket. Really, how could it even take this long? Also why was she even packing food for him and his brother? It was not like either of them really needed it.

Speaking of his brother, who at the moment was preoccupied looking over the skies from the window of their mutual friend's house.

Looking over the skies with a paw closed to shield his only working eye ‘’The sun is almost up lambchops, it's gonna get too warm in a bit, come on.’’

The ewe he was referring to gave him a roll of the eye before ‘’Aren’t we sheep supposed to rise with the sun, not you divine cats or whatever? Also why do you care if it’s gonna get warm?’’

His brother took only a moment to retort ‘’Ever had a picnic with the sun right above your head lambchops?’’ Without giving enough time for a reply ‘’it ain’t really pleasant.’’

He was sure Lambert would retort back with something, which his brother followed with one of his own. It would go on until they both would get tired of it, and as exciting as that sounded to watch, he decided to just focus on much more interesting things such as the cloudless skies.

Really though, it was slightly strange how clear the skies were for their home. It was an odd occurrence that for some odd reason bothered him, or perhaps what bothered him more was his brother’s insistence of going outside for a picnic today. He couldn’t stop the sigh that forced his way out of him as he gazed at his brother who was currently having an argument/shouting match with Lambert on what constitutes as ‘early hours’ or ‘the correct time to go on a picnic’ was. Really though, why was he so adamant about all this? Going out in the middle of summer for an activity that for all intents and purposes was meaningless to all of them. Lambert didn’t seem to care too deeply where they spent time as long as they were together, he didn’t really care about food so that only really left his brother. Just what pushed him into rousing him from his meditation that early in the morning and got Lambert to prepare for a day out with all the critters and lack of shelter or really any civilization was beyond him. Well there was a reason in mind but… He was almost sure he rose above that sort of childish thing, or really he hoped he moved on from that sort of thinking. He would ask to confirm all this but he looked too busy trying to hoist Lambert on the bookshelf, who for her part was doing a good job resisting him by holding onto his ears while shouting about how she didn’t wanna get stranded up there like last time.

As amusing as their antics were, he really wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so he could maybe salvage the rest of the day and perhaps get some meditation done. Hiding his smirk he made his way out of the door, without looking back ‘’Come on you two. We got things to do after we are done with all this’’ before either of them could retort he added ‘’We can just hunt a pigeon for Aym and you can just chow down on the grass’’ He didn’t bother to look back to see either of their incredulous faces before he made his way out. Most of the paths leading out of their home on the mountains were long and as would be expected, arduous. His brother’s chosen path was no different. Stepping over another sharp rock he wondered, why did he have to choose such a far away place instead of a rooftop or something? He would try to ask that alongside his previous question, if either of his companions would stop their bickering for a moment. ‘’Do I really have to carry you?’’ Came a voice from his brother. He was answered by Lambert who was still holding onto his ears, almost instantaneously ‘’Yes’’ Incredulous ‘’You have two functional legs on top of having hoofs, you should be fine climbing down a little bit’’ Ewe ever the retortful, lifted her left leg while pointing at it with her right arm ‘’Well I would be fine, if ‘someone’ didn’t hurt my hoof earlier’’ Rolling his eyes ‘’that isn’t even the right hoof and I already apologized.’’ Almost pleadingly ‘’So, please?’’  At his words Lambert took a moment to pause in thought, rubbing at her chin before suddenly ‘’No, you gotta carry me.’’ The groan his brother let out could have triggered an avalanche if it wasn’t for the fact that there was no snow at this time of year.

So it was, the three of them, well more like two of them walking along the path his brother set out for them. On a path to a place he didn’t understand why they needed to travel, under the burning sun, all the while wondering what his brother was going with all this. He almost wished their master would call them back for a full temple cleanup or something. Step after step, one over the other. It was slow as it was boring, just seeing the mountain pass grow narrow before widening a moment later. After a moment of thought, he wouldn’t call it boring, not really. It was just monotonous, cliffs leading to stacked stones to more cliffs. Trying to escape from the monotony he tried to focus on his brother and Lambert, maybe they had gone back to their shenanigans that didn’t fail to entertain him. Looking over to their side he saw something he was not really expecting, his brother was pointing at something off in the distance all the while Lambert was just sort of listening? She was still situated on his shoulders but that didn’t seem like it was bothering Aym all too well either. Speaking of his brother, he seemed happy if not at least just more interested than usual? His brother was one for brooding and complaining rather than smiles and laughter like now most of the time. In a way it seemed off, almost like seeing a congregation of priests not shouting over each other in their endless quest to find out which one of them could misinterpret their lord’s message the most. But even though it was odd, it was not unpleasant. His interest felt fresh… It almost reminded him of the back in the days. Shaking the odd decrepit memories away he focused on the sun that seemed like it was oblivion bent on trying to melt him away, all the while trying to ignore an ancient call of the past once so sweet.

*** Sheep wool is something that tends to be soft, perhaps even fluffy if you want to get sweet with it. And as for someone who had a friend who happens to be an ewe, who also happens to have been on top of his shoulders for the better part of a day he was starting to doubt the validity of that claim. Now, in order to break this great misconception he had many options. One, he could ask Lambchops what she thought. Which she would be just confirming the validity of the claim, but since she happens to be a sheep it didn’t seem like her input would be clear of bias.

Two, he could ask his brother who also happens to be friends with a sheep. Then again he would also be pretty biased considering his friendship and a lack of shoulders crushed under an ewe.

This only left him the third option, which is to pick a sheep who might or might not so happen to sit on him and yeet her into the soft grass. Thus testing the softness by comparing the two against one another all the while giving a well deserved comeuppance.

Needlessly to say, the bleat that came out of Lambchops would be worth all the piggyback rides she would demand of him in the near future.

while at it, why not just test how fluffy cat fur tends to be.

The moment he met the grass he knew he was right to choose this place, the grass so soft growing in a patch without any stone. Laying down on the even ground looking up to see the infinite clear blue skies unsullied by the clouds with the grand golden sun peeking just on the side. Closing his eyes and breathing in the fresh air slowly, he could feel peace but just in a moment course through his very being.

Though the peace was not meant for long as he was assaulted by a very aggravated ewe who didn’t seem to like his little test and decided that the best way to get revenge is through throwing herself on his chest before trying to pin him to the ground. He should be trying to stop the angry ball of fluff currently trying to choke him out but really after seeing her ruffled pelt, it was just too much for him to bear without laughing. Still trying to choke him out ‘’You ass! Do you know how much time it took to make up my fur?!’’ Fighting away the laughter ‘’About an hour’’ wiping away a tear ‘’the exact reason why we got here late’’ Incredulous ‘’That's why you throw me into the grass!’’ punching at his chest ‘’You jerk.’’ With the last of the laughter finally making its way out of him ‘’Nah, it was because your rump had gotten my shoulders all sore fluffy butt’’ With one last punch to the chest she moved away from him and begun to walk towards the grass around them, huffing and puffing all the way. It was his brother that spoke first ‘’You done it now’’ Arriving from the side before sitting down on the grass next to him. Calling out to where she was headed to ‘’Come on Lambchops no need to sulk, I was just horsing around’’ She was still moving away, not wanting to see her get lost in the tall grass he knew he had to go that route. With a groan before clearing his throat ‘’Alright I’m sorry Lambchops I’m such a meanie. really a Horrible no good friend and-’’ Stopping on her tracks ‘’Rude and a sore loser at table games'’ His brother butting in before he could refute the last claim which was just slander ‘’Terribly noisy on top of being rather silly’’ With another groan ‘’Alright you two, get it out of your systems all the while little ol’ me suffers this abuse’’ Closing his eyes before putting a paw on his unbeating heart, putting as much theatrics as he could to his fake cries. With a sigh the ewe turned back ‘’I am still angry and you are still a jerk’’

‘’Alright how about a trade’’ He continued as Lambert gave him a look that said keep going ‘’I will carry you back home too, where if you want you can continue to be mad at me, but for now we can just enjoy the picnic’’ It took her a moment, a moment that almost made him think he might need to offer few more trips to make up with her before she sighed again ‘’Fine, I guess I can look past your transgression until home’’ Giving her a smile he set out to take off the bag he was carrying, she sat down to do the same with her back as they set out their little picnic spot. His brother taking off the plates while he handled the picnic blanket, corner of his eyes he saw Lambert and the food she brought for them. He was still iffy on the whole eating food thing, but he knew arguing with Lambchops was futile. So here, they had a picnic. In the sight of the great ocean which was seen stretching across the horizon from one side to the other, with land of the old four encompassing that of their masters. The aerie but yet grand dark forest adding the dark green along the plains of west, to the swamps of Anura adding the hues of yellow on the east with their mysterious yet oddly welcoming splendor. His eye drifted across the land near the ocean after that as his sibling and Lambchops talked of faith and prayer, to the half land and sea of Anchordeep adding the aqua with a touch of turquoise and also its terrifying yet calming aura. All across this land and beneath the lands of Silk Cradle did his ‘home’ encompass, a land and ‘home’ that was all the land in between and perhaps one day even the ones all across the endless ocean. And there it was, the pang. One of guilt and shame with a spark of sadness and hope hidden within. The lands all around, grand and wide and duty called him here to this one he was so used to. Lost in the thought he almost didn’t hear his brother ‘’So Aym, why have thee brought us here?’’ Looking over he saw his brother, sitting down almost in meditation while he lay down with Lambchops somewhere in between. Raising a brow ‘’For the picnic?’’ Rolling his eyes ‘’Why did you pick here for it, that is what I ask brother’’

There it was, the moment he dreaded. He fought the groan as he tried to find a way out of this question that carried one too many traps and no good answers without lie ‘’Well I saw this place while taking a walk and thought your grumpy butt would appreciate going out for once.’’ The look from his brother told him that he didn’t really buy it ‘’I see’’ There was still a chance that this would end here and perhaps his brother could put a cork in it for once, but no luck ‘’I would ask why you are outside of our home but really, it feels like you are barely inside these days’’ The effect was almost instant as he felt the indignation rise within his words, but no. He would not have this conversation again, not here. Not when it should be just the three of them together. ‘’I mean, is it such a bad thing?’’ He almost felt his blood go cold at the words of their companion, oh no. He was gonna have this conversation here wasn’t he? ‘’You know, to just explore?’’ Almost adding more fuel to it now, he had to find a way to silence her before his brother started his tirade. Could he try throwing her again? No that would actually be mean. Maybe he could fake a stomach ache? No, that would be just dumb. Think damn it, think! ‘’Because there is no need for it Lambert’’ His brother spoke, with certainty only he and their master shared. He was facing her but really he knew who he was talking to ‘’There is no need because this is our home, everywhere else outside of our care’’ Before he could stop himself ‘’I wouldn’t be so sure’’ Damn him to oblivion, damn it all. He was doomed anyway. Why stop now? ‘’There is much to see and le-’’ ‘’What more-‘’ Breathing in deep before letting it out he waited for him to finish ‘’-do you even need? To see and learn brother of mine’’ ‘’Well I would like to see the ocean a little closer for once’’ Humour, that had to work. That had to at least get him not to say what he was surely going to say next. ‘’There are enough rivers with enough water brother.’’ with a sight so deep with a tinge of disappointment ‘’I thought master got rid of all this stupid ideas out of you back th-’’ In a moment a shout that reverberated across the mountain side ‘’Just because you wanna stay here forever like some damn critter in a cage doesn’t mean I wanna!’’ One much colder yet still a shout ‘’This is our home!’’ Now yet colder than the hardest winters of their ‘home’ ‘’I don’t think you remember how it was before all this.’’

In a moment his anger boiled and in a moment it all froze, like that of the river they found so long ago freezing that one winter ‘’Home? Is that what you see it like?’’ His voice but a whisper ‘’This prison?’’ His eye met his brothers, bearing nothing but contempt ‘’No brother, Home was with mother, and back then this whole land was our home. Not some old church on a mountain.’’ ‘’You know, it is not such a bad place’’ a voice meek but with purpose and conviction. She looked below, not meeting either of their eyes ‘’It’s not really a prison, at least not one without good within.’’ Before he could control himself ‘’And that good is?’’ She met his eyes in a moment ‘’You two for a start.’’ With a smile pained but not without warmth. Continuing with a tinge of fervor ‘’And the people are not too bad’’ looking over to the side ‘’yeah some of the priests are mean and some people are a bit zealous and perhaps misguided in their love of our Lord.’’ Her eyes met his once more ‘’But I still think there are still some good, there are priests that help feed the poor and teach the children how to pray and the people with smiles and love within.’’ taking a moment before continuing ‘’Then there is our Lord’’ He felt a moment of shame bubble within at the mention of their Master. Now looking to the horizon ‘’But, it is still beautiful out there too you know’’ Trying to meet her gaze to the infinite blue ‘’There are trees of tall, with birds of plenty dancing across the skies and on the fields’’ He saw plenty of those back then, fun chasing them around with a certain cat clad in white ‘’Rivers with ponds that stretch so far, with villages of sheep and goat’’ now almost ruefully ‘’There are many lamb and other with dreams so different to that of here’’ Now looking at his brother ‘’So I guess what I am saying is that, it is good outside too. It is worth it to see and learn’’ His brother didn’t match his eyes before a sigh ‘’I am sorry’’ It was but barely a whisper ‘’I shouldn’t have mentioned our past like that, to use that against you’’ slowly looking up to meet his eyes ‘’I shouldn’t judge you for wanting to leave even if I don’t really get why’’ Now it was his turn ‘’I am sorry too’’ It was hard making out the next words ‘’I don’t think it is a prison you know… It's just’’ a sigh before continuing ‘’It’s just so suffecting and the land outside so so damn beautiful’’ 

With a snort ‘’Yeah, I suppose the ocean is not so bad’’ As they sat in a more comfortable silence for a moment he smiled, Maybe the day didn’t need to be ruined just yet. Looking to meet the ewe that saved their picnic and really the whole day she saw her smile in full. A small laughter came from her lips before ‘’I believe my expert input to this discussion should be rewarded with an extra ride on your shoulders’’ He couldn’t stop the laughter that escaped him before going for a tackle hug on the ewe currently on the ground laughing alongside him and Baal ‘’You damn little ewe’’ trying to get the ewe to stop going for his ears he thought, ‘Maybe one day, maybe one day he would get to see the outside but today was fine here’

Nari (The Five Traitors)

So folk, it is time. It is time for the last of this Fic to be uploaded. The last chapter of The Five Traitors, It had been rather delightful writing this for all of us. I had much fun (: Anyhow, I don't wanna take too much of you folk's time...

Sooooooo ACTION!!!!!!

Cold…

So cold… was the land above the clouds that hid his temple.

Cold are the hands that grasp the railing overlooking the mighty revered mountain that cradled his young sanctuary. One that had much warmth and flame hidden from the mist ridden outside.

Cold is the heart that cared for his lot but also the lot that would take, take what was his and his by right.

His breath, blending with the cloud and the mist as he sighed and gazed with his three eyes that saw too much. Beyond the summit towards the skirts of the ancient earth and young woods laid an army, one with terrible purpose and blade that matched their tenacity.

An army with four mighty Gods leading their procession. At a crusade to pierce the clouds and bring with them what goes as comeuppance to their misbegotten ilk.

A sneer, from so deep it brings with it bile as bitter and black as the soot of their burning torches raised to the heavens. Their steps carry them higher and higher until they threaten to burn the very heavens above. One step after the first, one step closer to their upcoming sin.

The calming cold, taking his hand as an old friend would, something he lacked these days. Yet he felt his skin burn, a true oddity one as cold as the grave along his heart.

What gave him that searing scorch in that terrible moment was the irrefutable fact that this terrible army was going to make its way here. No matter what he hoped for. They will climb and climb till they bring with them something so natural to himself.

Death.

Eternal slumber, nature of life, passing of a moment between birth and the last breath taken. 

They will bring blade not to cut crop over their garden, but to cut his lot like weed grown on a hollow field. They will bring songs not to sing together, but to drown their voices with their own. They will bring fire, not to warm their hearth, but to set aflame the world they made for themselves. The world they built away from them.

He should move, they should prepare. He should go down there to fight against them. They should lay traps, they should bring the whole mountain atop the traitors with an avalanche. Crush each of them under the rubble like bugs, until there is nothing left but the passing memory of their terrible endeavor.

He could do it, he could unleash hellfire to melt this snow and the earth to the ore beneath then to ash then to the very cold winds that shall pester another mountain with its own tale of betrayal.

He should fight, he should scream, kick and tear at the very stone till they would have to drag him down with them. Back to earth, to their once warm home.

Perhaps his siblings would put on an act after they take his lot away to his realm. They might say they forgive him, as if he had sinned. Perhaps they would tell him he misunderstood them. They would tell him he was the one in the wrong, that he had to understand them. That their way was greater than his. That the death of his lot was just as they were.

They would take him back. March him back down, each agonizing step after another. Perhaps they would take his arms and armor, perhaps watch him night and day like an unruly beast, perhaps even tarnish his name for good measure. Yet they would accept him back to the fold, the rule would be unequal as ever, yet he would have a place at the table.

Table built on terrible sin and a leg inch shorter than the rest. Yet he would have them with him, his dearest siblings. He would yet again bear the burden of their companionship.

What cosmic catastrophe allowed this to occur? Sibling against one another. Claw against blade. Taking in another cold breath he accepted that sulking would do him no good, he needed not to be alone but to make amends.

To take action. To take charge of his procession. To take his lot and assure them of his presence. To tell them he is with them. To tell them he is of them as they are of him. Yet every time he gazed upon them he felt like a stranger. A stranger greater than he. One who could find a way off this hell not too unlike the one he preceded over. One who took action as opposed to one who merely waited.

Alas he was stuck, upon this balcony watching their doom approaching, each step like drums against the barren earth they left in their wake.

Why was he stuck? Why couldn’t he just… move? Just take a step, one after the other. Away from the railing. One step closer to their end. Just take a step…

He felt the cold marble leave his paw as he felt the wind wash from his face. He found himself in the darkness of his chamber. A paw closed the door behind him without looking, his digits still freezing.

There was no fire within his chamber nor in the whole temple. They had to stay in the dark and cold. Other than candlelight that only served to make them wish for more. It was a way to hide them away. Then again, what use was it? That army would find them eventually as they marched higher and higher. Yet he couldn’t take this one inkling of comfort from his lot, a possibility of survival was better than a promised destruction.

So their home stayed barren of warmth other than the hearts of his lot. His lot, the poor and the damned. Even in his chambers he could hear them. His ears picking the wails of children, their parents pleas to join the ranks of the defenders and the harsh orders spoken by his ‘soldiers’.

A scoff heard by no one came from him. What soldier? What warrior? He had neither. Just some old rams, ewes and random assortment of others with withered steel as arms and faith as shields. They were not the lot of his Eldest, damned be the old spider. 

They were to fall, They were to be slaughtered. Even if he unleashed everything he had they would each die on this mountain, this temple their tomb. 

He would shed a tear for each as they fell… again. He felt warm escaping his paw as the sizzling stone underneath told him he punctured skin. Retracting his nails back he didn’t bother to look down and check. With any luck he would not have to worry about it soon.

He should weep for them now really, what chance did his congregation have? 

None held chaos in their heart like his youngest’s lot. Where they would fight like beasts. Claw and teeth bared when the blade failed. No their hearts were pure, as still in life as in death soon coming closer and closer to them.

None were as fit as his sister’s lot. Where each boasted muscle and bone aplenty. Their armor is as heavy as their gut. No, his lot was lean. They took only what they could and should, left the rest for all. shared what they didn’t have.

None were as skilled with the blade as his first brother. The damnable coward he was, yet he held skill unmatched in blade which he shared with his lot. His lot were simple farmers for oblivion’s sake. None ever held a blade larger than a knife. Perhaps a scythe and non wielding them like he himself had, not to take life at least.

None were warriors like the old spider’s lot. Each of them is a veteran of a dozen conflicts, countless victories under their belt with a thirst for blood that wishes to spill the crimson liquid no matter the cost. His lot had never made another join his realm.

No, it was certain. His lot would give their last breath here. Even if he surrendered, they would all die. It was as certain as the coming of the drums from the bottom of the mountain.

Not all drums were from the bottom however, as there was one here coming from behind his door.

Door creaked, the tall wood moving slightly to let in a wolf most familiar ‘’So… You still won't fight huh?’’

Silence followed his emotionless voice, who carried with it an unease he couldn’t begin to describe.

He held no sneer as he spoke, just stillness ‘’A lamb was born an hour ago to a young couple. They won’t name her, no reason to bother they said.’’ With that he left, with the memory feeling like it was nothing but a dream.

He didn’t even bother with the door, which as annoying as it was still brought him a momentary sense of normalcy. Melvin, as little time as he had left on this earth would not change even in the end. It too was a certainty after all, as certain as the coming spring after this winter.

He held no contempt for him nor any of his followers. Each of them were perfect, and even if they were to die he would make sure of the fact they knew they were worth all of his suffering.

Now he had to make sure their newest member knew this too. It was like a blur, he left his chambers. All eyes following their lord, he didn’t shrink away from their gaze. They had to see him tall.

One after the other, his legs moved. Making his way towards the infirmary he saw a thousand stories unfold in front of him. There was a family of rats, their two youngest crying for their parents as the old she rat with a rust cowered axe assured them they will see each other again. Their hollow promise made him nauseous. She was no fool nor delusional, just a liar as it seemed.

The other corner held a fox, one of his clerics who spoke of divine retribution to their enemies and their assured victory in the upcoming battle against evil. A scoff threatened to escape him, the only assurance his wretches held was one of the end. That this war and battle when it was over carried with it a promised passage to the right side.

There was the odd gathering of a crow with a turtle and a snake. Each playing a game in spite of their incoming doom. Almost funny, alas also sad. He wondered what they had to bet with at this point? What did his lot even have? What did their God offer them in this moment other than suffering and eventual end of this short lives?

Each part of his temple held a different tale, each of them with their own heroes. Heroes that would fall, to be never spoken of again. Other than by him that is. Only when he would weep for them in remembrance. 

Finally after each agonizing step he had to endure in this torment, he saw it. Two sheep that cradled a cotton wrapped bundle of life. So small, so utterly small against his near titanic size that easily dwarfed them all who were mortal. They didn’t look upon him, yet they did not weep. They simply looked at their daughter, utterly enthralled by something so meek yet meant the whole world and then some. 

His voice was raw, grating against his own ears like rust being cleaned off a blade ‘’You should name her’’ A suggestion from a lord? When was it ever?

The two now looked at him, their child fussing over their lack of attention. It was the father ‘’my L-lord…’’ He looked away in shame ‘’Sh- she…’’ sigh ‘’she won’t need it sire’’ voice so broken.

His voice like steel ‘’You must name her’’ No mere suggestion after all.

This time the mother spoke, her voice like iron ‘’We shall my lord.’’ looking back at her young one now happier that she got the attention back ‘’We will.’’

Wool as bright and white as the clouds of the coming spring. She would have loved it. Alas the only brilliant white she shall see will be the mist of his realm. Oh what ill hath this soul committed fate? What could she have done here, to deserve life so terribly short and ended so soon?

Hearing all the commotion, Melvin made his way to him. Slightly better armed attendance not noticing his absence as they poured their heart into tactic. His eyes heavy with bags underneath to match. His muzzle parted slightly into what counts as a smile for him ‘’Thou art a cruel one Lord’’ 

He nodded ‘’Cruelest of them all’’

***

Drums

Drums! Bang Bang Bang, Step Step Step

March

March

March

There were no archers to rain arrows as they marched. There was no gate to stop them. They entered as if they were invited guests. 

Their armored sabatons clanking against the stone, mud dirtying the clean marble. Ash blacking the tapestry. Their shouts drowning out the prayer spoken by the ‘guilty’ like whisper.

They were led by the four, one leaving leaves in his wake. His steps without rhythm, he looked conflicted. happy or sad, one couldn’t tell. The other one was skittish, he looked all around, his steps careful. Yet he seemed as ashamed as they were scared. There was one with anger boiling forth, her axe fitting nicely in their grasp. Yet her hands shook ever so slightly. Then there was the spider. They were but stone, or alas the executioner's blade hanging above. So still yet with a terrible promise of action.

Each army bore the symbols of their Lord and the flag of the Old Faith, bound together cloth stronger than any chain. Each still in the stale air of the temple, yet they stayed as a symbol that tied them for better or worse. They bore armor and weapons, steel glistening with the light of the candles all around them. Some looked happy to be there, their smiles like that of monsters. Some looked impassive, like they had been disappointed by the lack of battle. Then there was the rare look of shame, ones with saddened familiar eyes.

They stood in front of him. A unified front of four armies against his rabble of peasants and wretches he would die for. They stood behind him, as if he could protect them. Each grasping their blade or tool as their lives depended on it. Their prayers and whines bleed together into a quiet cacophony. He felt them, each of their eyes. Pleading, begging… They needed him.

It was their eldest ‘’Narinder, it has been awhile has it not?’’ their mandibles clicking with each careful word.

His eyes never left them even as his heart felt like a storm in his chest. He had so much to say, to curse. Yet that could wait. In all of this nightmare there was one thing he had to know before he would die in the name of his people. ‘’Answer me, oh eldest. One that saw the world before me and cleansed so many. Why seek the end of my lot, sibling?’’ There, the burning question.

Their sigh, like a whisper ‘’I seeketh no harm Narinder, only to contain and protect thee even from thee.’’

Hollow words, spoken too often with no love to back them. A charade that neither believed he thought. 

A step forward ‘’Now Narinder, I urge you to-’’

‘’I trusted you’’ His eyes stung almost as he spoke, yet steel behind his conviction forced him to continue ‘’I believed those words once before your atrocity.’’ His heart ablaze ‘’No more’’

There was silence now, not even the prayers of the pitiful behind him. 

She spoke, after being content to wait for so long ‘’What are you talking about? What atrocity?’’ Looking at their eldest ‘’What is he talking about Shamura?’’

The soothing voice of the spider was quick ‘’It is nothing you should concern yourself with-’’

There were many things that made him mad at that very moment. Things as meaningless as the fact that the army his siblings brought was actively soiling the home of his lot with earth and soot. To more significant things like the smell of fear that wafted through the air behind him and the fact that he could not ease the dread of his people.

Alas though, he didn’t feel mad at that particular moment. No. He was mad when he left the grounds of the old faith. He was mad when he heard of the preparations for extermination. He was mad when his envoys turned up at his realm. He was mad when he couldn’t find it himself to fight his siblings before they came here, to slaughter each for daring to raise armies against him. 

Now

He was enraged

‘’YOU DIDN’T TELL THEM?!’’ His grip tightened on his scythe as the words spilled forth. He felt his once cold hands flare with otherworldly smoke as he felt the call of bloodshed from deep within. Only the words that came from the youngest stopped him from trying to fit the spider’s skull on a pike.

His curious voice felt like soothing water against burn ‘’What didn’t they tell us?’’ Oh my sweet summer child brother, sinless you were weren't you? 

First brother’s voice got drowned out, alas he yet heard him ‘’Can we calm down… p-please?’’ He spoke, quiet yet daring to raise his voice for once.

Tired voice of their elder ‘’It was not something any of you had to learn about’’ clicking of mandibles ‘’There is reason for my decision not to reveal-’’

His voice cut against the eldest, voice like thunder ‘’It has been two years, seven months and twenty one days since our eldest massacred my lot on the grounds of treason’’ The feeling of catharsis melded with absolute anguish and yet he spoke. His eyes blurring as he forced the memories forward ‘’Two hundred and thirteen followers of the Old faith, their names etched into the stone of this very temple. Each more faithful than the one prior was slaughtered. Men, women, children and elderly alike. I saw each of them pass into my realm as I could only watch.’’ And here it was, words escaping him like a damn being burst.

The outrage was instant. First was Heket ‘’What?! WHAT?!’’ Her battle axe swayed slightly as he looked between them. Followed by Kallamar ‘’I… why!?’’ He chose to look at the ground instead. The last was the youngest, with a voice barely a whisper ‘’E-everyone? Even t-the children?’’ As their lords spoke in disbelief, from each of the armies came shouting, talking and mostly outrage. Only the spider’s army was quiet, they instead wore faces of shame or simply chose to watch the stone below them. 

Amidst the cacophony of noise that now permeated his temple there was only one who seemed like they had any kind of control. Not him obviously, he was still thinking of how to mount the spider’s head on a pike without breaking the skull. Also not Heket, who seemed like she had similar ideas. Which as much as it was a comfort was also rude, as he should hold the privilege instead.

No, it was yet their eldest who had at least an inkling of calm ‘’It was a necessary-’’ 

Before he could adjust the spider’s leg to head ratio, a scream of indigence came from their loudest sibling ‘’HOW!?’’ Her voice shook the foundation of the temple. They took a step away from the spider, to him ‘’How can it be necessary? A whole loyal cult being slaughtered cannot be justified!’’ The ever just, his Froglet seemed like she was more hesitant on their slaughter than he might have assumed. As she made her way closer to him, standing to his side. Her army became a palisade between the remaining army and his own lot.

Oh cruel fate, Thank thee for making him find her in that pond. To make him slaughter that eejit god that dared to raise a blade against one so young as she was.

Still the ever calm ‘’You do not understand Heket, it was not a choice I made lightly.’’

Grounding out the words ‘’You didn’t look much conflicted when you tried to usher me out of my own lot elder. Before I felt each one’s heart stop’’

Running a claw down their face ‘’I didn’t seek you seeing them, alas if you had listened-’’

Kallamar, almost like coming out of a stupor ‘’How could you, just… why?’’ He stepped away from their sibling, in fear or disgust he could not tell. He didn’t move towards him but it was yet comforting nonetheless to see the army of the spider lessen.

They lightly reached out a claw to him ‘’Kallamar, I assure you I had my reasons.’’ Their hand retracted when they realized their brother would not come closer to them ‘’Do you simply think I would order. No. Partake in such a thing myself if I had no reason?’’ A type of plea entered their voice ‘’Brother prithee, be reasonable’’

For a moment he almost seemed like his first brother might have been swayed back, herded not unlike sheep. Alas his Kallamari proved that he was not an invertebrate after all as he backed away from them fully. Standing slightly away from both of the sides. His troops followed his direction as they chose to stand with their lord, watching to see how things would play out.

Oh fate, had thee deceived me? Were you not so cruel?

Their youngest was truly a creature of brevity ‘’You monster’’ two words, and it was worth more than a thousand.

Then as if a bomb had gone off ‘’I HAD TO!’’ Spider’s calm broke in an instant ‘’None of you have a clue what would have happened if I chose to ignore the truth!’’

Truth? What nonsense was the mad butcher speaking about? Has their eldest finally lost it? The thought was sobering as well as maddening, a rush of empathy shook the rage within his very core. Yet it was but a breeze against the inferno within. Even if he had gone mad without his knowledge it would not save the spider if he got his hands on them.

Alas his brother was quick ‘’What truth? Talk to us.’’ He sounded like he was at the edge of tears ‘’Please Shamura, just make it make sense’’ His words tore at the strings of his heart, his Little leaf’s plight was of his own in that moment. Yet, he doubted their eldest could make sense of this madness. It was all but futile to look for sense where none was to be found.

With a sigh that spoke of one too many nights spent wake ‘’We die in the end.’’

Silence stretched for what felt like hours as all waited, the finality in their voice alone was enough to take his mind out of rage. 

They recounted a tale then, one they seem like they too were lost in ‘’We die at the end of this story. It begins with separation, one leaves the flock of five. I know not why, mayhap he grew in pride till it took away all his bonds, spurred by the jubilation of his lot which swelled in size their hearts full of faith.’’ Their eyes met, six against three ‘’Flock weakens and yet his lot strengthens. For a time, it stillness takes hold. However time rarely stays the same, I know not what sparked conflict and yet they descend to war and battle, bloodshed a plenty.’’

A rueful look overtakes ‘’then I saw Ichor fall free to paint marble black. It was dark, so dark it shamed the very night itself. I saw a battle of four against one, he was so strong it took everything and then some to bring him down. I felt agony unlike anything I had ever felt. I saw then white cloth draped over us all, as if we had died and wrapped in funeral cloth before our hearts truly stopped. Oh my dearest brother, the rage I saw, it was overwhelming. I promise you, if I had not had my wits. You would not have seen tomorrow.’’

A look of rage passed their eldest, one which somehow mirrored his own. Alas, his came from action, theirs came from story and devilish omen. What madness did this maniac speak of? What kind of a hellish vision did they delude themselves into believing was a portent? Cautiously still trying to swallow his rage ‘‘What happens next?’’

Their eyes met again, with a mirthless chuckle ‘’Must thee ask more? Do thou wisheth the curse of far sight? Fine then. We slaughtered the Sheep, the rams, the ewes and the lamb’’ A cry resonated from the crowd behind him, one of outrage and fear ‘’I saw all our hands red. I saw Heket devouring each of flesh, I saw Leshy play with the bones, I saw Kallamar crush their horns into powder. Yet nothing was worse than when I saw myself. Speaking with valor as we struck the last one down. I felt pride in such terrible work.’’

His gaze fell to the stone below ‘’But yet, it was not the end. I saw the one who died just a moment yore comeback, to ironically defy death. Her neck still bloodied, she had the eyes of one who saw too much and lost too many. Above her head I saw  the crown that would end us all. A mere mortal ewe with the power of Gods given to them by no doubt our maddened brother Narinder, now the one who waits.’’

Steel returned to their eyes as they took in a predatory glint ‘’I could not, would not allow that to happen. I had to take your lot away, I made it fast, I did it clean, I did not enjoy it Nari I promise you upon my birth star. I did it to protect you from what you would have become.’’ Their voice, one of madness in the end.

Pity ‘’Ye old fool, had thee lost thine wits as well as heart, oh cruel tyrant?’’

The spider looked like they were struck, Their heart sliced. Yet he didn’t doubt what happened next hurt them more.

‘’I have no Elder’’ Their youngest spoke with a heart heavy with sorrow, and the temple was quiet.

Spider’s claw clenched as their hand oozed ichor. Their eyes closed in contemplation.

He knew the spider the longest. He was there first after all. He knew how they were when they were mad, as rare as that has been. Their elders, as brash as they were, would never lose control. It was a simple fact to him almost, and it made sense really. If one was to lead an army and call themselves the God of war they had to find the balance between the push and pull, madness and sense.

Yet, as he had once thought their eldest would never harm him. He was yet again proven wrong as he saw a glint he had only seen when they had fought against the enemy.

Their voice colder than the winds outside ‘’Hear I traitors all, I will save you from yourselves even if it will have to hurt’’

There were many things he knew were unquestionable. Like the day would rise tomorrow, there would always be autumn after summer and the fact that their eldest was strong as they were deadly.

He was yet to be proven wrong on this and doubted he would ever be proven otherwise.

Their scream like the howling of the storm as they rise to their full height with their armored Talons stretched to their fullest. There were many reasons why he couldn’t help his lot back then. One was that he didn’t know what was happening. Another was that he thought their eldest could not ill against him, that there was always wisdom to their action. Then there was something he couldn’t admit to him at that time but now could.

He was afraid of them.

And he was right to be afraid of them.

They towered over the four as they rose on their back legs to swipe with their left, almost catching their youngest in his antler. Yet he had a lifetime sparring with the mad spider, he knew they favored a grand and swift opening. His scythe lighting as he hooked his brother back towards him.

Yet the spider was not done, they were persistent as they were tenacious. Their right connected with his arm as they were both sent sprawling against the marble below. He could have twisted before fall, he was a cat for oblivion sake and yet it would expose his brother for what came next.

Jumping high with their hydraulic powered legs, their sibling will skewer him. Yet he would give a chance to his little leaf at survival as it would only penetrate him from this distance. 

Yet his bones remained unbroken. His ribs were spared by his Froglet who had swatted away the spider before they could spear him through with their axe. He saw her hands shake as she took labored breaths. Such a hit had to have taken its toll on her, the Spider Lord was no easy target to deflect and yet she succeeded… for now.

Spider Lord rose, their eyes focused on each of them. They never shifted, their expression neutral as their voice ‘’Love needs sacrifice my dearest siblings, it needs action to be preserved and persevered’’

He could retort those words with memories shared with them alas at that moment he was more in favor of a more direct way of argument. One that included his scythe. 

His brother untangled himself quickly before shakily standing slightly behind him, he had no experience fighting another God. Not one this strong.

But he did. Taking the left side next to his sibling he nodded to her, which was answered in kind. They hunted before, this would not be any different… Just much harder.

Spider Lord jumped to the left. Yet again choosing the opening themselves, they went in for a swipe which was blocked, but before he could be slashed by the expertly timed right talon his sister went in for an overhead chop which although missed has forced the spider to jump back.

Their many legged body was fast, yet their size was immense as each leg falling to the marble cracked the stone below into dust. Circling around them, looking for an opening they spoke ‘’Sometimes the eldest must make decisions they do not like, that they abhor. Alas they know their duty to their family needs them to be strong’’

Him and his sister were silent, you didn’t speak while fighting. Unless you were holding advantage that is. Yet their brother never had to learn this ‘’We are no family! Family do-’’ he was punished for his ignorance with a pruning against his chin, broken branches and leaves falling to stone like in autumn.

Yet he learned fast also, or perhaps he was planning this to begin with. One couldn’t tell with the Lord of Chaos. His battle hammer struck the Spider Lord on their shoulder, their armored and ready shoulder took the glancing blow like shore stone takes the breeze in the morning.

They jumped again, before he could make sure their youngest hadn’t been hurt they spoke out, their voice devoid of emotion ‘’I chose to spare you all of detail because I knew none of you had what it takes to make a stand against oblivion when the price was your own morals’’

The words of the spider were grating against his psyche. He wondered if he could make such a decision like the spider. It almost made sense in a twisted way, make the sacrifice and save the many. Other than the fact that he would be sacrificing someone else and the sacrifice was based on delusion rather than concrete fact or inevitably. Yet, the visions of their eldest were rarely false.

Why was he thinking of this? Of course those visions were false, he would never hurt his siblings… Other than their eldest now. But what if… his siblings stood with the spider now? would he welcome them to his realm?

Another rule of engagement thought by the Spider, never think when you should be acting. His thoughts blinded him to the reality staring at him from above as their sibling had climbed to the ceiling and was now dropping on them with each of their sharpened legs ready to trim his arms off.

He was not fast, not faster than gravity at least. He could maybe roll, but that would just get his legs sliced open and leave his beloved siblings open for attack. Well, at least he wasn’t mad at them anymore and perhaps Spider might be willing to talk once he was gone, maybe he didn’t need to meet his siblings in his realm.

Yet his story didn’t end, a blinding light stopped the spider and actually threw them away. Before he could think too much on it he saw Kallamar’s outstretched arm and a bandolier full of grenades minus one. 

If they survived this, he would find the mortal who brought that baseball game to their lands and thank them personally for getting their brother interested because there was no other way that grenade could connect with their Spider that well any other way.

A frustrated sigh escaped the spider as they effortlessly rose back ‘’Do you know what you fight for? The atrocity that will follow this? One cannot change destiny, even if this ends the simple fact is that it will happen eventually. You can change ‘when will it happen’ but never ‘will it happen’. Our brother will betray you, betray me, betray us and we will all suffer for it.’’

You never talked in battle unless you held the advantage, and even with four against one, it was clear who got to talk. Yet he was a bad student, the spider could attest to that ‘’You are right’’ His voice surprised even him with its firmness.

His siblings for a moment looked at him with scrutiny, judgment passing their eyes. As for The spider lord, he seemed somewhere between sorrow and vindication. ‘’I rarely saw you wrong in vision before Shamura’’ This was fact ‘’Your vision may as well come true one day, one day perhaps I will grow angry with all of you. Perhaps I truly will grow so prideful I will betray all of you.’’ It was hard to admit to all of this, the words feeling like ash in his tongue ‘’One day perhaps I will seek the end’’

He could not see what was to be like his elder. However he knew the whims of Gods and how they changed, nothing was immortal and nor were they. What they stood for; War, Famine, Plague, Chaos and Death were eternal, but them? Not so much. No one ruled forever and one day no matter whether it be through horrid betrayal or otherwise, would see the end of their rule.

‘’Yet, you are also wrong. You may not be able to change the course of the river, yet even a fish can make a ripple in the flow of fate.’’ He had seen it time and time again, their visions were often true and yet they had flaws, things that didn’t match and things that only came to be due to happenstance rather than action ‘’I don’t know what awaits us all in the end of our story, however I know all stories have an end and I know I would much rather face it together with all of you rather than just tear at each other like beasts due to paranoia. Thinking we are powerless to change destiny when together we might have a chance or at least might stand together as a family instated of culling each other to delay the what you think is inevitable'’

He knew all eyes were on him, some in scrutiny and some in anger. He knew what he said was hard to accept, and yet he knew the nature of this world and its whims just as well as his eldest sibling.

His voice was not devoid of anger and yet it still carried with it a gentleness he thought was lost ‘’Please Shamura… I know you wanted to help us.’’ He had to force the next words out of his mouth, the admittance feeling like poison in his tongue ‘’Wanted to help me. Even if you ended up hurting the ones I loved.’’

They yet held an unconvinced stare, so he pulled on a memory he knew they would remember ‘’wasn’t it you that told me we had to fight until the bitter bitter end once where I had lost hope?’’ He took a tentative step towards the them, his arms open yet with scythe on his side ‘’I remember my sibling being there to tell me we would face it together, not alone when it was just the two of us against the heathens and their foul God’’

A chuckle, one of mirth ‘’My little naive Nari, my little hopeful Lord. Trying to face fate with dignity.’’ a small Smile ‘’I never understood how you could be so hopeful? You were so young back then and so was I. Barely shorter than Leshy now, I remember your tears flowing freely’’ Now looking at him with those honest eyes of theirs ‘’I don’t want to fight my little Nari, I never wanted to hurt my little Nari and yet… I cannot accept a future so dark so soon.’’ They closed their eyes ‘’I promise, I will return us all back to the way it used to be, one way or the other’’ When they opened their eyes there was a slight glint to them, one of determination ‘’How about thee siblings? Will I have to take you all down before I can fix this?’’

First was the youngest ‘’No, we stand together as a family. I am not just letting some stupid fate or prophecy dictate our lives. I am the God of Chaos, I refuse this order. We will find our own way’’ His voice carrying resolve heavier than his war hammer.

Second was their sister ‘’Likewise. Hear me you dogged spider, I was very tired trying to find a reason to hate the one who rejected me away from his realm when I was a tadpole. Kudos for trying though, you almost made me into an oathbreaker.’’ her hands were still now, her axe ready.

Last was Kallamar ‘’I am sick of being afraid, I am sick of the paranoia and I am sick of fearing my own brother before he even did anything wrong. I want to live, not hide away. Not from him or our future.’’ He was brave with those words, with conviction he raised his short saber.

A rueful smile ‘’I see’’ That's when Oblivion’s gates were opened fully.

Shamura showed all of them that they weren’t a God of war for nothing.

They jumped but this time the grenade of Kallamar didn’t intercept them in time, they landed in the middle of their now broken formation. They all dispersed to each side trying to avoid the attack with varying success. From each side War God was surrounded, yet it was the four of them who felt like they were surrounded by fear. 

They went for Leshy first. They were fast and this time he wasn’t there to take him out of the harm’s way. War God simply yanked the branches on his head before he could understand what happened. Marble was showered with both crimson and green, the very sight stinging his eyes. Before the War God could further harm their youngest Heket answered them with a vertical slash that actually managed to draw the deep crimson out of the spider. A real damage for the first time since the start of the battle.

Yet their short victory was bashed against the pillars alongside of Heket who didn’t see the spider jump and before kicking her with the might of all of their legs at once. The air escaped her lungs as she met the hard stone that crumbled with a part of the ceiling falling on them fast. He tried to scream to warn her, yet his throat felt like it was slashed. He knew there was no way she could get away in time.

Yet she had no need as it was Kallamar who alongside throwing a grenade at the falling debris stabbed at the leg of the War God, who still hadn’t stabilized after their attack. He tried to push in the advantage by using his scepter to bash at their legs but hadn’t realized the stinger which now pierced them in the shoulder. Their scream reverberated against the halls of his temple before they reached his ear. The echoes adding to the horror and dread.

He jumped, his legs carrying right behind them. With all the might he could summon to his side he swung the blunt side of the scythe to War God’s head. The War God saw the attack a mile away and dogged under the weapon before rising once again. His attack had failed… or so they thought before he yanked the War God Towards him with the inner side of the scythe. With his left hand, he uppercutted the spider, his slightly bony fist connecting with their jaw. Throwing them into the air slightly before their youngest swatted them at the head with a perfect serve that saw them tumbling away from them some distance.

They were barely hanging on, each of them holding each other as well as hanging onto each other as they once again took their battle stance. The spider got up, they were wounded and yet they were better off than each of them. Their carapace holding them together as they laughed. Their laughter both terrible and broken. 

There was madness in their voice as the words spilled forward ‘’YOU CANNOT CHANGE FATE!’’ wildly motioning around them, all denizens of the temple looking at the mighty with fear ‘’You cannot change what is going to happen no matter how much you stand together, I will have to watch all of you die! I will have to fight you again! I will have to accept oblivion, the end!’’ Their claws wide open, ready to strike once again as if they were not hurt at all.

Then he did the stupidest thing he could manage to do at that moment. Something so bereft of sense he would beat himself to Oblivion and back for just thinking about it any other time. 

He dropped his scythe.

The great weapon crashing against the ground. Turning the stone into dust before the echoes even reached his own ears.

Then he did something even stupider. He walked towards his eldest and he simply embraced them. Their talons sinking into his stomach, each of their fingers digging deeper than the other. As they continued to push their hands further into his organs, so did he embrace them harder…

Agony, pure agony beyond anything he felt before. Not even when Shamura had to save him from the heathen God who had stabbed into his lung had he felt pain so pure. It threatened to take away all he knew and each second their hands gripped harder he felt another bout of fresh air of oblivion. Yet he held on.

Until he felt the scalding wetness of the tears now falling against his back. It took him a moment to push away the pain before he could speak ‘’Sha Sha, you know time changes and so do we’’ His voice but a whisper ‘’I know the end hurts, I am its lord you know. Yet, I will cherish all the time I had with you and our family, good and bad until our rule ends. I will accept the end of this story alongside of you.’’

He felt the talons loosen, before feeling their arms wrap around him. Their voice like glass, so fragile ‘’Oh Nari, I hurt all of you so so much.’’ a sob and a whimper ‘’You won’t forgive me for I have sinned will thee?’’ their eyes wet, salted with desperation.

He pulled back slightly, letting them go slightly. Looking into their eyes with a smile ‘’Nay, I will forgive thee for I love thee, with sin or not’’ It would perhaps take time, yet he knew he could do it eventually. He only had one elder sibling and one family after all.

Their embrace was joined by Leshy, he wordlessly hugged them both. He was silent, yet his tears spoke for him.

Then came Kallamar, his long tentacles wrapping around the three easily ‘’I am still afraid of the future, but now I guess at least we will see what happens together s-so I guess it is better’’ He gave them a smile, their teeth glistening kindly.

Their sister grumbled as she lowered herself enough to give them all a hug  ‘’I am angry, I am going to continue to be angry. Mostly because you didn’t talk to us and decided to act on your own’’ A softness entered their voice ‘’But I will probably forgive you at some point.’’

They stayed like that for a long time, none willing to let go even as they bled. From the corner of his eye he could see their people now all looking at them with admiration, their faith seemingly restored. Some wept, some smiled and laughed. Some hugged, their weapons cast away, each sect now embracing each other as fellow brethren of the faith. Each holding their loved ones and siblings close. The past strife was forgotten in that moment. It would yet take a while before all grievances were washed away and yet, in his now warm heart he knew it would come to be eventually. As they too hoped for a better future, ready to take the first step together as family he knew they had a chance.

Heh, red panda. I like the way you made the eyes btw, it looks rather nice.

I really like these a dog fallower form if i could i would have floppy ears there so cute

And the red panda is so stinking cute you guys have good tast~♡

I really had fun with these thank you so much

You made mine day alot more fun in trying things out~♡

Ejoy the piece~♡

Absolutely incredible work as always! Small ewe with big cat, together against the whole world! :heart:

Hi Yuki! firstly I hope you are doing well with all the uni and the job and all that. I hope it is all going well. Secondly I saw that you were making a request thingy and I was wondering if you could draw the scene from Two Becomes Five where Baal and Lamb were hugging . I know it may be a bit too much to ask with all the other Lambsonas/requests you are getting, but I just wished to ask.

Also, I wanted to ask if you do end up drawing it can I put a link to it in Ao3? I would love it if I people could get to see your work from there.

Heyaaa, that's me, Yuki! Hi, t-inboud! :3

I'm so sorry this little sketch took me so long. But I'm proud of how in went out. The smol sheep and big gentle cat in clad white finally understood what was happening between them. Also, I wouldn't mind leaving a link to this sketch on Ao3!

About uni and job... Well, I manage! It was tough at first, but I'm starting to get used to this schedule

Hope you're well<3

Flufffff

Heya, Yuki's here again!

This is Areh (Or mother Porrima), Eridános's wife and the main healer of the cult. The story of her arrival to the cult is the same as her husband's.

She's really soft and caring person. She cherishes all followers (and Lamb) as her own children. No one knows much about her and Eridanos's past.

This woman is in charge of physical health and healing (while Enoki is mental healer).

Fun fact: Areh is the shortest and the fluffiest of immortals in the cult

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62838106/chapters/160888837#main

World is ash, all is gone and so is death. Awoken in a tomb Lambert will have to figure out what happened, why the world is broken and somehow mend its many wounds all the while trying to figure out who she is, to perhaps find her better half and figure out why was she awoken in her coffin. Echos of the age past and the screams of the future shall keep her going until it is all revealed whether she wants it or not.

So folk, been a while eh? Been working on this new series kind of loosely based on Dark souls. Been Playing it (a little too much) for a while and decided to bring the '''Magic''' of the series to Cotl. I hope you all enjoy it, this will be a little bit shorter I think than my other series so yeah

Oh and might post more about it later, maybe a introduction of a sort. Maybe.

Alright, firstly THEY LOOKS SOOOO AMAZING THEY ARE SO SMALLLLLLLLL AND IT IS SOOOOO CUUUUUTE WITH THEIR LITTLE ROBESSSSS ANSAJBFAKSBFNK. Secondly seeing what I had written had inspired you to draw this makes me happy in a way indescribable to me. You have truly brought me happiness in a manner I had never experienced before. Thank you so dearly. Also THEY ARE SOOO CUTE

Hi again!

I've read the 10th chapter of TBF and I'm really interested in Narinder' past with Baal & Aym. Would you mind to tell some more things about them? Like some good memories they share

Hello! Firstly, I am happy that you have read the 10th chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Secondly I would love to talk about it but I feel like making a story is a little bit better, you know show don't tell and all that stuff they keep saying. So I decided to write that story of the Brook or the River situation in its entirety. By the way, I am sorry if I am a bit late as again the Uni decided to pull a fast one on me along with the new years eve doing its usual thing. Anyhow I hope you enjoy this one. Also anyone else who wants to ask for a prompt, feel free I am open. It doesn’t have to be about TBF it can just be normaş Cotl or really any Au

Brook or River

Trek was not long, nor was it treacherous. It was rather pleasant indeed, he thought as he made his way through the soft grass yet tall grass. There was a mild wind in the air, but it was not cold as it was warm. Sun shone in the sky as it was now way into the afternoon.

As he pushed aside the tall grass he could hear the brothers behind him following the path he had made through the grass. They were on a journey to the place Aym had described as ‘The giant river with all the fish and the pond and the birds and the’ so on and so forth. That boy sure likes to speak, he thought as he tried to look out for the river while trying not to blind himself. Even with the veil helping with the sun shining above it was still hard not to get his eyes burnt.

As they exited the plains and entered the more forested areas, he started to hear Aym talking to Baal.

Aym looked proud as he said ‘’It was so huge you could put a whole ship in it, like the ones on the coast’’ He opened his arms wide to show how big it was supposed to be.

Baal rolled his eyes at his brother’s antics ‘‘there is no way, we are in a forest, it is too big for that’’ Narinder let out a chuckle as he heard the indignant noises that came from Aym.

He scoffed ‘’You will see, it is so large that I am gonna make a ship myself then I am gonna go over the horizon and you are just gonna stay here’’ He giggled before continuing ‘’Maybe you can befriend the fish while I sail across the sea’’

This time it was Baal’s turn to splutter indignantly as he yelled ‘’You can’t just leave me!’’ He turned back to Narinder ‘’Isn’t that right Master?’’

He smiled at his young servants ‘’Well if it is a big ship I might wish to join in with him’’ He couldn’t suppress his chuckle as he heard Baal gasp.

He could see his face turn red as he looked like he was about to cry out of frustration ‘’You two cannot just leave me! I-’’ Before he could finish himself and most likely burst into tears Narinder turned around and took both the brothers and embraced them both.

After a second he let go of them, they still remained in his arms as he said ‘’I am just joking my little Baal, I am not planning on abandoning either of you ever. All for one and one for all.’’ He smiled to the brothers ‘’We do not leave each other ever not for venture, nor glory’’

He could see the way Baal seemingly calmed down, but he also saw Aym deflate a little. He felt a sigh almost escape him as he saw the way Aym looked at him with those disappointed eyes. He knew that Aym was not really thinking of staying here forever, he was too free spirited for that. Though he would eventually break that out of him. It would take him some time but slowly he would stop him from these silly dreams. He had to. He could not lose him too, He would not lose him too. He had already lost too much, never again.

Aym’s sudden shout took him out of his thoughts ‘’Here! Here!’’ He pointed at the brook up ahead, which was definitely not a river. He looked down the way he pointed and yeah, there was just the brook.

Baal looked over his brother who was still looking over the small brook with wondrous eyes ‘’That is not a river dumb dumb, that's a brook’’

Aym’s wondrous look shifted into an indignant scowl ‘’No, that’s a river’’

Baal rolled his eyes before he jumped out of Narinder’s arms to the ground, landing perfectly on the rock as was expected of him. He got close to the brook and dipped his leg into the brook which proved it to be rather shallow as it only came up just slightly above his knee. Without a word he just turned to his brother with a look that said ’Are you sure?’

Aym took his brother’s example and got next to him to dip his own leg into the water to confirm that yes, it was indeed shallow. Undisturbed by this he claimed ‘’It is just a small river’’

Baal slapped his forehead ‘’That is called a brook you dumdum’’

This time it seemed like it was Aym’s turn to look at his brother indignantly as his face grew red ‘’Don’t call me a dumdum, you dumdum! It is a river if I say it is a river’’ He turned to Narinder ‘’Isn’t that right master?’’

Before he could answer him Baal cut him off ‘’Don’t waste Master’s time with this. Master has no time for things like this’’ He looked at Narinder ‘’Isn’t that right Master?’’

Before he could answer him this time it was Aym who cut him off ‘’I am not wasting his time, you are!’’

And it started, the brother’s started their little scuffle with hands flying into each other in an odd slap fight. He could chuckle at their childish doings but really, he knew where this was headed. It would only be a moment before they would start attacking each other with curses and their staffs, which was good for training sure but he didn’t want the brother’s to be mad at eachother for the next week or two as both would get injured.

So weighing his options he decided the only viable one, or in other words the fun one. The brothers were in the middle of arguing what constitutes a curse before they were both lifted by their robes and dropped into the river.

There was peace, for but one moment before all oblivion broke loose. Shouting and hissing the two brothers started to yell over each other. However he couldn’t focus on what they were saying as he was laughing his ass off. It was perfect the way two looked at him like he had stabbed them in the back, the betrayal he saw in their furious eyes was too good.

Eventually though he knew what he had to do, as he shrunk himself in a moment before he too threw himself into the shallow brook. Splashing the two brothers and coating himself in cold water of the brook. It was only fair he should join them, all for one and one for all afterall.

Seeing the playing field becoming more fair the brothers teamed up against him, seemingly forgetting their dispute as they started to splash water on him. Their attacks were countered by his own as he began his own onslaught.

It went on for a while but eventually they decided to call it off as the water was getting colder by the moment. As they got out of the water he could tell it was getting into lunch time. Now by this point they should have been back at the temple with brothers eating lunch and getting some training done while he took care of a ritual or two.

After some thinking he decided that the followers could wait for a bit. He got both the brothers to take out their staffs and stand over a rock in the brook. they looked at him with both their heads tilted quizzically

He turned to them with his own crown turning into a trident like his own brother once showed him, before… He decided to avoid that thought for now. He cleared his throat ‘’Alright you two, now normally we should be back at the temple’’ He saw both the brother’s face fell but before they could complain he continued ‘’But, I decided that instead of learning some ancient war tactic or two, I would teach you both how to fish.’’ He smiled as he saw both the brothers perk up to his words.

He showed them how to hold their staff correctly for fishing before He demonstrated how to wait for the fish and strike at the right moment. At first the only thing they catched was bits of moss and water. Aym almost threw his staff away before he took it and showed him he was holding it slightly wrong. But eventually both the brothers started to learn what he was trying to teach them.

In the end, he caught around four fish. He could probably have gotten more but he didn’t want the brothers to get upset and besides they couldn’t even eat that many anyway. Other than Baal who almost got stabbed by Aym because he thought his feet were a fish. He could say that ‘their class’ was a success as they had caught three fish of their own. With one for each brother and plus one they caught with teamwork.

Now they sat around the fire they made together, cooking the fish and trying to dry their cloaks and fur. As he tended the fire he heard Aym and Baal discussing the previous water fight.

Aym showed up his hands with six of his fingers open. ‘’That makes six plus the ones before it makes at least twenty four points’’

Baal nodded as he showed his own five fingers ‘’Indeed, add my five and it makes it twenty nine points’’ He turned to Narinder ‘’Which means we won’’ He said with both brothers looking at him proudly.

He chuckled, shaking his head ‘’I didn’t know we had a point system. Enlighten me you two, how many points have I gotten?’’

The brothers looked at each other as they started to count; they looked up to each other before nodding. Aym begun ‘’You got around thirty’’

Baal took up where his brother left ‘’But since you are old you only get half the points’’

Rolling his eyes Narinder turned the fish to their sides to keep them from burning ‘’Unfortunately even so I have still won, my dear servants as I have gotten sixty points’’ The brothers looked at him confused before going back to calculating with frowns gracing their brows. He didn’t know how many points he had or really what they got points out of, but really he didn’t really care. He knew the brothers would argue about it either way.

As he looked at the two brothers as they calculated their points again, he felt a pride blossom within him. Even at such a young age, such capable fighters with such loyalty. As a fond smile grew across his face he knew they would be together, no matter what. He would make sure of it. After all it was all for one and one for all wasn’t it? https://archiveofourown.org/works/43839834/chapters/110724444

Kalamari

Alright, Hello! Welcome you all to the third episode of The Five Traitors. This time as you might have been able to guess we will be taking a look at the ol Squid boy/God Kallamar.

This chapter has taken me a while to make and I hope you all enjoy it, it is a little long but I am sure it won’t be a problem for you all. (Also the Ao3 link is down there) (:

There was a storm outside. One with great thunder that soared through the skies with a boom that reverberated across the halls and rain that can only be called a cacophony as it assaulted the walls of his temple.

With such a storm came the ocean, so fierce even the most foolhardy captains would avoid testing their luck or mettle. Once blue skies now turned grey like the murky foam that claimed the sand.

Rising above high, almost touching the clouds started the wave far away, then a moment later too soon did it come crashing against the golden beach with a force strong enough to break apart rock and stone. Just like that after such a fierce blow did it slowly recede back, with it took the pieces it claimed, to take them back with it to the unknown so far away.

In such discord, there were few who could bear it let alone enjoy it and as the Lord of these lands and the waters so ferocious he was not one of those few. Far from it in fact as he was one of many that hid from the horrid noises such storms brought, trying to cower away inside to stop the monotonous yet terrifying screams of nature.

Hiding away would perhaps be too harsh as he was only choosing to stay in his chambers. One could even say that he wasn't even really a choice and he was just getting ready for… a visit

Indeed, if one were to come to his chambers uninvited they would see him with his collection. Taking stock of his tools of war, checking his blades and scepters alongside many assortment of holy weapons.

Of course, such a thing would never happen. No one would sneak into his chambers of course, to see him not assorting his weapons and instead curled against the wall shaking. On the verge of tears over such a small thing as a storm, covering his ears in an attempt to stop the cacophony…

No, no one would ever see him like this, a God in such a pathetic form. Indeed No one ever has… other than one but he would not really be with them after they were done with their little visit.

After the visit there would be no one who could claim to have seen him cower before such a benign thing as a storm. After the visit there would never be anymore ridicule, mocking or indifference. There would only be soothing ignorance to his real pitiful self, as he would be left as the third in the line up of bishops. Forgotten as he was always meant to be.

Always spoken with dismissal if spoken at all. Always swept under the dark where none could see him and cause harm. Always be seen as invalid and protected even though he was fully able to protect himself if need be, at least in theory.

Of course, it would always stay as a theory as he was currently stuck against the wall of his chamber. No, not stuck, just preoccupied with preparations.

After another particularly loud lighting which came too close to his temple for comfort he looked up at the sudden feeling of wetness against his tentacles. Has the storm outside that had laid claim to his realm, to have come to take the last of his respite away from him? How had it breached the sanctit-

Oh… It was not rain. Black as the skies above it was ichor. wiping at his eyes he changed the ‘verge of tears’ to ‘in tears’ as now he shed few more indignant tears at his own inadequacy.

Just how much of a coward was he? Just how much of a failure? How much of a mistake?

Eyes burning with ichor he buried his head against his tentacles, trying to stop them pouring out with limited success.

What if someone saw him like this? What if one of his followers saw him weeping away in his room where he was meant to lead them in just a few hours time? What Would they think of him?

He assumed they would mostly just be disappointed but then again perhaps empathy would have been possible not too long ago. After all his apothecaries were known for their sympathy as well as their healing as one bred the other and the other complimented the first. Surely though, they were not really  apothecaries anymore were they?  not after they showed up at least…

No, he would not get empathy if they saw him like this. Not that he could blame them really.

He was not really given that by his own family, why would he get any from the ones he was supposed to lead?  No, it was just wrong to expect them to march to their doom and also pity him like the rest of everyone he had ever known… barring him. Ignoring him he pondered to the rest of his family.

There was his sister, if were to be seen by Heket there would not even be pity much less empathy. She would take one good look at his form and the wretched bile within her would rise to squash him where he stood. She would strike out in full force and in but a few short words he would be begging for what counted as a lecture to end. She would ask if he was truly the Lord of Plague, truly one of the Bishops of the old faith, truly a brother she could accept. There he would stand, almost in trial as he would mutter excuse after excuse, trying to get her to stop for a moment so he could breathe, maybe to beg her enough so she would stop assaulting his ears with her often thunderous voice.

But it wouldn’t work, it never really did. In a few minutes he would go from feeling saddened to pathetic and to miserable shortly after. Of course, she never did any of these because she hated him. No, she never really truly looked down on him. She was just giving criticism. Indeed it was him who was just too thin-skinned, she was just offering suggestions if he had just looked beneath her wording and just read between the lines… really, he was just a snowflake wasn’t he?

Then there was Leshy, there would be pity there. Lots of it in fact… After all the mocking laughter there were loads of sympathy. Each time he would howl in delight at his expense, there was always understanding hidden deep within. Each time he would whisper behind him where he couldn’t perceive just to see his reaction. Each time he would stalk him through his lands to haunt him until he couldn’t take it.

Really, it was just that He couldn’t take a joke. So what if he would lay restless each night where his ears would be worn down due to his shrieks. Where he would spend days sleepless trying to soothe them with no success, just before passing out of exhaustion into a merciful slumber. So what if, he would be looking behind him even in the sanctity of his own temple, always expecting to be followed for each step he took. Where he would station apothecaries at each of the doors just to get a semblance of safety amidst the paranoia he found himself in. So what if the only times he got to sleep without exhausting himself he kept a dagger beneath his pillow just to be safe. Really, if he could just loosen up then maybe he too would be laughing with him.

Lastly there was indifference given readily by their eldest Shamura, sweet indifference and ignorance at his sheer existence. Someone to be swept under, to be forgotten so all could ignore his inadequacy. It was perhaps the most merciful response to his being, no ridicule nor barely hidden disgust hidden with criticism and lectures. Just looking the other way and acting as if he simply didn’t exist.

If he could just be more like his other better siblings, then perhaps he could be given attention to. Then again his siblings weren’t like him, they were not failures.

Leshy never feared a single thing amidst this earth, not mortal nor beast, even their eldest up to a certain point. He simply did as he pleased even when one begged him to stop, nothing short of death would stop him. Only if he was so cruel.

Shamura was perfect, they were perfection made reality. They stood as the eldest amidst them all, one that reigned above them all as was his rightful place in their A quinte- no, their quartet. There was no being like them, as one could never reach perfection. One could only hopelessly follow it, chase it around until maybe they could catch a glimpse of it on the horizon. There was no hope for him though, he was not fast in this race nor enduring enough. He was slow as a turtle and as energetic as a sloth.

As for Heket, well she never shed a tear in her life. Not once in their uncountable years had he seen her shed a single drop of a tear. Not when she lost her first witness when she sacrificed herself for her, not when she lost villages full of her followers to starvation, not when their sibling left them…

In contrast he wept the first time he had to sacrifice one of his followers. They wanted him to do it, they practically begged him to take their life so he could be one with him. He could still remember the cold stone of his temple as he stood in front of all his siblings, all looking, judging.

He wept as expected, as soon as he felt his heart stop. In front of all his followers and siblings he wept over a simple mortal. He could still feel the disappointment from all their eyes, baring one. Heket shaking her head as Leshy snickered behind her, even Shamura paid enough attention to look away from him. All deep within carried pity for him that day, baring one. The cruelest of their siblings carried not pity, nor disgust. He carried sympathy so unwanted.

He carried that wretched feeling within himself as he walked up to him after the debacle. He walked up to him so callously and took him by the hands to guide him to his realm where he got to see his beloved follower yet again. He wept once more there, but this time it didn’t stung as bad as he told his final goodbyes to his most faithful, without the gaze of the rest of his siblings, baring him.

That misbegotten brother of his, he carried the belief of him being capable within himself. He never saw him for what he truly was, he always looked at him as if he had potential deep within instead of failure. A fool and a cruel man he was.

The same cursed brother who would have taken his hands even now, to ask him what was wrong as he did in days like this so long past. Today he wouldn’t know what to tell him but back then he told him it was the thunder and the rain that made him weep and nothing more.

He should have mocked him for standing as a god and yet being afraid of something so laughable, something that had no way of actually hurting him even back when he was much younger. He should have lectured him, told him his cowardice was a shame he brought to The Old Faith, he should have laughed at him for his weakness, he shouldn’t have even asked him what was wrong, he should have just left him to his devices and attend their court instead.

No, he just had to embrace him. He just had to look him in the eyes and tell him that no rain nor thunder could haunt him when he was with him. He had to give him the only thing he was good with, his first blade. Tell him that he didn’t need to ever be afraid as long as he was willing to fight.

He cursed him the day they sparred against one another in those halls, the day where he found something he was not a failure at. The day where he learned he hadn’t needed to be taken care of as an invalid and that he could be strong.

How he hated his brother for he took him out of his quiet dark corner and showed him the stars he came from. Promising him all that was under their grand light if he just fought for it, not realizing he was wasting his time.

Sudden anger now coursing through his veins he suddenly looked up from his corner, still on the ground with his tentacles up to his chest. Wiping at his eyes yet again, he got up slowly. He couldn’t just stay here to mop, even if it was the only other thing he was good for.

When the last of his tears dried, he looked around to take stock of his options. In his weapon rack he saw many weapons he had used in the times when even he was needed.

Scepters made for war, their gold glinting against the jewels adorning them. His hand momentarily went across one of their handles before receding. No, he needed something closer.

As his hand moved back he spotted his smaller collection. Daggers of all kinds, all lining the walls with each promising him safety allowed from such a hidden weapon. He had to admit, it was a good idea to carry one be they under a pillow or in battle. Still, he also needed some distance between him and his brother if he ever even got to fight him before he would be sidelined by his more capable siblings.

Not even looking at the holy hand grenades he moved to his most favorite part of his collection, swords of all sides in their individual cases. There were many to choose from, some straight and narrow, some curved and graceful. In the end however he chose the saber, standing taller than any mortal, Forged by blacksmiths from so far away. It would be useful.

Before he could leave his chambers to wash away the ichor, before anyone could spot him. His gaze fell on a forgotten part of his collection. In the far corner, he saw it. It was a small blade, one standing just about a mortal's height. Forged before he came to this earth from the holy lights high above, it was his first blade.

He didn’t know what possessed him to move closer to the rightfully forgotten relic, if it could even be called as such. Gingerly opening the small case, he took the weapon by the handle. It was far from easy to wield with his new size, but somehow it still felt natural within his grasp.

A high swing and a low strike, it was… unneeded. It was far too small to be used as a sword and far too big to be a dagger, it was just awkward to handle on top of that. Bringing this piece of loathed history was just a mistake…

Then again, he too was a mistake so it was only right that he would bring it to possibly his doom.

The track to the temple was unpleasant, that much was to be expected really. Between the still ongoing storm and the mountainous path, it had made everything more miserable than it had to be. Then again, maybe it had to be miserable. After all, they did come uninvited, didn't they.

Just another one of his brother’s cruelties he thought as his tentacles moved up the path. Why had he found his temple here of all places? Did he assume they would come for him one day and wanted to make it as hard as possible? or Perhaps he wanted to make it impossible for any of them to visit him, then again why would he visit his brother?

Perhaps he did it because he could. It was possible that he made his temple up on these mountains because he could do so unlike him. He was strong and independent enough to climb such high with his followers and establish such a bastion in a place so uninhabitable.

Perhaps, he just wanted to look down upon them from his castle so far high up.

Lost in thought he didn’t hear from the cacophony when one of his aphoteceri- warriors fell to her death, or at least he acted like he hadn’t heard her cries. She was no one of importance, just a mother of three with a husband lost when a prank of his brother got out of hand. Someone who worked at the cult's bakery when not in the sick bay as a nurse.

Someone who hadn’t cried for him when they fell to the stone jutting out of the side of the cliff, who didn’t ask for his mercy, who he couldn’t help because it would show him as a weakling yet again.

Forward he walked, not confident nor willing but he moved forward nonetheless.

The initial breach was bloody, as expected. His brother had raised good warriors, all who carried his name in their lips as they dove into the battle they had no chance of winning. While his soldiers fell with faces full of sorrow and anguish. Only if he was good enough to raise them as well as he.

Eventually however, even their zeal gave out. All coming back to the realm of the living from their deserved slumber to protect their master even as their bodies broke below them it wasn’t enough. In the end, they all broke away to torn limbs and broken bodies.

So they reached the gate to his throne room. Wide open with him still sitting on his throne looking at them with eyes that spoke nothing but spite.

How cruel he was, as they walked past the broken bodies of his protectors torn asunder. How his eyes didn’t twitch with indignation, as their sister stepped over a small mound made of bodies as she didn’t even bother to look down, or when his brother Leshy held a wolf within his grasp squeezing at his ribcage like a toy as he looked around bored like this was all some sightseeing.

How he hadn’t looked away as the wolf’s last words fell on the deaf ears of his master. He cried ‘F-forgive m… me-e lord for I- I… have failed-d’ as his Lord's breath hadn’t hitched for but a moment.

Now they stood, four looking at the Lord of Death as he sat still.

Then after a moment that stretched over a millenia Shamura spoke, the one that seemed least interested in this affair. ‘’Brother, Narinder. We have come to take you back’’ He looked at the Master of War at their words for a moment, surely they didn’t mean that had they? Their brother should not be allowed back, he couldn’t be allowed back… should he?

A voice rang out from the throne, one of laughter that lacked mirth that quickly fell to melancholy. ‘’His name was Melvin you know, my Witness’’ He got up from his chair slowly as he walked closer to them. He felt his grip on his sabre harden as he felt each step reverberate against the ground.

He pointed at the small mound as his voice grew colder ‘’They were the ones whom I called my priests. Lancelot the deafened’’ After a moment he added ‘’He was a grand writer. The one closer to me was Deniz, they held no title but were grand nonetheless.’’ He sighed as he gazed at the last of the ones who still could be distinguished amidst the pile ‘’Joan, youngest of them all. She was a poet an-’’

He was cut out by their sister as she spoke ‘’Quit the nonsense Narinder’’ She turned to Leshy as she held her axe closer ‘’Leshy, with me’’ Before she could take her place against him however their siblings hand stopped her.

Shamura eyed her wearily, as they sighed ‘’There is no need for such action sister, Narinder will come with us to his rightful place’’ they looked back at Narinder ‘’Won’t you brother?’’ There was almost a tinge of hope behind their seemingly uninterested voice.

He for his part looked upon his sibling for a moment, so many untold thoughts coming through his mind surely. For a moment as he looked deep into his unsure eyes, he thought that their brother would show one kindness to him and show him that he did not stand to go against their sibling’s word. Show him that all had to follow his word no matter how nonsensical and humiliating it felt, and that it was not something one could fight against. Yet again his hope was dashed across the halls broken as his eyes met the still bloodied hand of Leshy still clutching the corpse of his follower.

He shook his head before a gentle smile bloomed slowly over him, he spoke ‘’No, I don’t think I will sibling’’

At his words came a warcry from Heket, striding at their brother with full force. Swinging his warhammer Leshy joined her, barreling at him in force. He was as he looked over the battle commencing in front of him. Looking over to their eldest he looked much like a statue as they gazed at nowhere in particular.

Just then a voice rang out, coming from Heket who was deflecting a blow from their brother ‘’Come on you damn squid, be useful for once and join us!’’

Before he could apologize to her for his failure, Leshy spoke while swinging his warhammer over his head ‘’Leave the crybaby be, we don’t need that coward’’

He didn’t let their words sink deep before entering the fray, his three hearts beating down in his chest as he tried to match their brother’s style. It was easier said than done however as they were not in those halls like back in the days, his brother was not holding back.

Each strike was perfect, his ripostes were blinding as were his dodges. Each strike felt like fighting against the thunder outside as they all got reflected or turned against him with a counter. His ears rang out almost deafened by the noise of steel against steel.

What was not helping their fight was the fact that there was no cohesion between them all. Heket acted like he nor Leshy existed as she pushed further and further against their brother who brushed each of her advances. As for Leshy, he acted like it was all a free for all as he swung wildly at them all with almost a giggle emanating from him.

It all went so fast, one moment they were fighting and the next he met the stone under them, his sabre falling behind him as he heard the metal hitting the floor. Momentarily stunned it took him a while to look over to his siblings, but as soon as his eyes met them he wished he hadn’t.

Leshy was on the ground clutching his face as he shook violently, Heket on the other hand was against a pillar as she held her throat, oozing ichor slowly as she no doubt tried to curse the one that caused the injury.

Their brother paid neither any mind as he slowly made his way to him, walking slowly as he looked down on him with pity. So now he was finally kind to him, looking at him the way all should have.

Breathing deep he tried to calm down, his three hearts now feeling like they were about to tear their way out of him as he slowly realized what was to happen. He was going to die.

The primal urge to fight back was overtaken by sheer terror as he was frozen to his spot, unable to even look at his brother he instead closed his eyes. His hands to his eyes, he tried to calm himself down.

No matter what he did however, it didn’t help. Each step he took closer to him drew him closer to the inevitability. This is what he was always afraid of wasn’t it? The unstoppable constant that is death, his brother.

The thing that pushed them so far from those lackadaisical days at his temple, to now here. It was almost poetic if it wasn’t so scary.

Steps stopped close to him. A second then a minute, nothing happened. Too afraid to open his eyes he waited for his assured doom, why couldn’t his brother just finish him already? Had he have to torture him like this?

But instead of a blade striking down he heard his brother’s voice. This time it felt… odd. ‘’Why are you afraid brother?’’ He stopped shaking ever so slightly as he moved his fingers just enough to look upon his executioner. ‘’Haven’t I told you, you have nothing to fear as long as you are willing to fight?’’

He was stunned for a moment, his surprise caused by his voice just as much as his unwillingness to finish him off. ‘’I-I c-cant… I can’t fight-t I.. I’’ He tried to form words but his throat squeezed harder and harder at his attempt.

Seemingly not seeing his struggle, or perhaps because of that struggle ‘’Why so?’’

Gathering what courage he had within him he looked up, his fingers fully parted he gazed upon his brother. Now on his knee with his weapon to his side, he gave him a curious look. Breathing in deep, he let it out with a sigh ‘’I… I have no blade’’ His throat constricting further at his attempt he felt the tears finally breach as he wailed ‘’J-just end it already!’’

Just why was he still playing with him?! What was his damn game? Had he just wanted to see him in tears, did he just want to humiliate him one more time as if he wasn’t already?

Lost in thought he didn’t see his hand move to his face, gasping for a moment as he felt his paw wiping at one of the tears running down his eyes. In a voice so soft ‘’You have a blade, one so dear to me as you are’’

What blade? He thought before he remembered. His hands went to his cloak to seek his old blade to feel nothing, he felt a terrifying chill run down his body before suddenly he saw it within Narinder’s paw, offering it to him just like once before.

Hesitantly he reached out, grasping the weapon by the small hilt. His brother gave him a smile before he grabbed him by the shoulder. Slowly they got up, both upright as Narinder moved a step away from him.

He small smile crept to his lips before in a playful tone ‘’Come on Kalamari, show me what you got’’

He oddly enough returned his smile, maybe out of confusion or perhaps fear. It began, slow at first as his brother countered his attacks. His strikes were not like the ones a moment past, they weren’t softer perhaps but they didn’t carry the same intent from before.

But eventually the warm up ended as the spar or fight or really whatever this was supposed to be really started. Almost like a dance his brother struck from one side to the next, spinning a moment before jumping high. It was not really a sound idea in battle to do either but it was… Fun.

Taking his clue he started his own ‘dance’, crouching low before raising his blade high to meet his on air. Spinning on his tentacles to match his turns and weaves, to add to their play.

In the end, he couldn’t call this much of a spar, but it was something more perhaps. Something that made him forget all those years spent fearing him, something that quickly ended with the addition of another dancer who didn’t seem to care much about softening their blows.

This new dancer was not really in favor of their dance going on longer either as they struck true and quick. In a few short moments he found himself going against the newcomer alongside his brother, this time neither struck soft as they battled them.

But by sheer chance or perhaps misfortune his brother fell to his knees, a moment so wrong and horrific. Not one moment sooner he found himself on the ground also with a strange ring in his ears as they felt… odd. Something ran through his head as he looked up to meet his sibling with their claws against his brother’s throat.

Realization hit him as he understood what he had just done, he fought against his eldest. The thought terrified him to his core as his mind ran with the possibility of what was to happen to him. Would he be cast out? Would he be run through with claws? Would he…

He was taken from these portents by the gasps of his brother who struggled in the grasp of their elder. In that moment he felt horror stronger than that of the fear he felt for his own life, one for his brother’s.

So their dance ended for real this time, as his blade pierced the heart of their eldest when they seemed so intent on taking the life of his brother, overlooking his sheer existence for the last time. One moment they looked within their brother’s dimming eyes with nothing but pain and in the next they found themselves in his realm as they collapsed upon the stone.

His brother breathed hard as he looked up to him from the ground, his eyes regaining their shine as he gazed upon his blade which ran with ichor.

Offering his hand he took it in his a moment later, and they rose up from the ground just like a moment before their dance.

He felt an awkward silence settle between the two of them before the soft voice from before cut through ‘’You did good Kalamari’’ He chuckled softly ‘’Real good’’

As he felt a small chuckle rise out of him, he found himself in his embrace, He did good didn’t he?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44580424/chapters/114866662