[Achievement: Sunny Daze.
Condition: First Angel (Solar) recruited.
Reward: Celestial’s services for as long as you’re worthy.
Role: Right—or left—hand of Power. Your choice, and theirs.
Location: Domain, Outlands.
Faith: +20
Note: An Angel (Solar) has joined your service of their own accord.
Current Use Name: Ebusuku
Agreement between Celestial and Power maintained memories.
Additional Condition: Significantly more powerful entity has agreed to enter your service.
Reward: Increase promotion capacity by 2 (Promotion capacity: 1 -> 3)
Additional Condition: Choice of service confirmed during her trial despite the option to break away and keep promotion.
Reward: Increase promotion capacity by 6 (Promotion capacity: 3 -> 9)
Note: Going to give her a gold star?
Note: You have a Solar with a name that means ‘night fall’—go figure—only you.
]
[Achievement: Goodness gracious.
Condition: First Angel (Astral Deva) recruited.
Reward: Celestial’s services for as long as you’re worthy.
Role: Watch over planar travellers, and act as messenger and sponsor to Mortals seeking to aid their Power’s cause.
Current Use Name: Sage
Location: Domain, Outlands.
Faith: +7]
Amdirlain let the snark of the notifications slide away as she considered the tally. “She’s freed twenty-seven Celestials in total.”
Focusing intently on her Domain, Amdirlain activated Planar Shift, and the central buildings appeared around her.
[Planar Shift (Self) [B](15->17)]
On the ridgeline, a five-metre-tall female Angel pivoted to look across the Domain. Her wings raised to arch above a collection of hound Archons and another lantern Archon, the silvery radiance around her clear in the sunlight. Her dark, ebony skin made her features pop from within the golden open-faced helm. Ebusuku’s expression was one of relief and wonder mixed in equal measures.
Golden plate armour wrapped around her made quite the contrast to her previous nearly nude style. A pair of sword hilts showed at her side, while her left hand held a recurve bow of gleaming Adamantine that was easily taller than any of the Hound Archons. Wings that at first sight appeared as a wall of glowing white feathers, she discerned were three pairs of wings. They seemed to start in orderly points along her back: the smallest hinged near the base, the middle in line with her solar plexus, while the largest pair started around shoulder blade level.
Sage nearly hid in Ebusuku’s shadow, giving a one-armed hug to giggling Hound Archon named Tickles. His other hand lightly held a massive golden war hammer. The valley’s breeze rustled through shoulder-length purple hair, a single set of pure white wings, and a bundle of scrolls tied securely to the obi belt around his waist. Unlike Ebusuku, he was bare-chested, with powerful muscles on display, clad in loose pants, and his bare feet didn’t quite touch the grass.
The others appeared on the slope leading up towards them, and the group swarmed inwards, hugs and tears of joy shared in equal measure. Ebusuku considered the noisy reunion for a moment before appearing beside Amdirlain.
“Spiffy armour,” Amdirlain said, jubilant for Ebusuku.
“It feels like wearing clothes,” Ebusuku replied, her clear English leaving Amdirlain open-mouthed.
“How do you speak that language?” gasped Amdirlain, still wide-eyed in shock.
Ebusuku replied after a moment of consideration. “At the trial’s end, it offered the option to break my Oath without consequence because of our strength difference. Doorways of options were open for me, but I felt the connection to you among the options. Clasping it confirmed my Oath, and I saw a scroll in my mind’s eye, even as knowledge rushed through me—this language plus other things. Do you know what Profile Control and Analysis are? They are the lowest level of my new abilities, and the scroll said I gained them because of you.”
“We can talk about that whenever you’d like. First, why don’t you contact Farhad and give him the good news?”
Ebusuku nodded and shrank to Amdirlain’s height, the armour changing without pause, and gently hugged her. “Shortly, but your eyes look too calm Amdirlain, I’ve seen that with Farhad and know now he was hiding things. What’s happened?”
“It was a busy night; Set is dead, though I don’t know who dealt the final blow. I killed all his Priests and lay followers by the hundreds, but there was such foulness in their minds,” admitted Amdirlain. “I’m sure I freed more people from slavery than I killed at least, so I have to focus on that outcome. How did you rescue so many Celestials? Will you tell me what happened?”
Ebusuku nodded in understanding. “I know the Portfolios he had control over and can guess the conditions you found some in.”
"Yeah, far too much of that, but even one would be too many,” admitted Amdirlain. “Come on, spill. I got messages that told me your choices freed them. What did you do?”
“I helped them. Perhaps my choices started things, but I wouldn’t have made it through without Sage’s help. I was in Mortal flesh, and my wounds became sick,” replied Ebusuku and motioned to the gathering. “They looked like children in the maze, some whole in body, others maimed. They weren’t Celestials in the Titan’s Maze, though from what they’d endured, neither were they Mortal.”
Ebusuku's attention stayed focused on the group, and Amdirlain waited, simply watching the genuine happiness in her gaze. “I think they’ll be awhile. Let me get in touch with Farhad, then you can cover what you need with us together.”
“Going to drag the soon-to-be betrothed into trouble?” teased Amdirlain.
A broad smile lit up Ebusuku’s face in response. “Challenges to test himself against; I’m not sure he’d have it any other way. But I want him to hear firsthand, so he can choose for himself. Thank you, Amdirlain, for giving me a choice and your trust in me.”
“I wouldn’t have held choosing your path against you, Ebusuku, as long as you picked a road you were happy on rather than feeling trapped.”
“That I believe, and it is one reason I chose as I did. The trial forced me to look back on my existence and, fortunately, I saw things I’d missed. For the trust and choices you gave me, I wish to help you gain freedom for others,” declared Ebusuku.
“Why don’t you sort things out with Farhad? I’ll be in the mead hall, delivering some good news. Though you can always send me a message if you’re not back before I’ve headed off. Or if you need a break from your own reunion,” teased Amdirlain, as she waved casually at the mead hall. Though the cheerful singing from within likely made it easy to identify. Ebusuku vanished before Amdirlain took a step.
Inside the building, she spotted Runa engaged in an animated conversation with Oili and some other Vargr Drangijaz Amdirlain recognised. Runa looked up and smiled as Amdirlain approached. “Will you join us, Amdirlain?” Oili asked.
The moment Amdirlain nodded, Runa slid along the bench, making room for her to sit down. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Of course not. Runa was just asking us about what our patrol work involves,” Oili replied.
Oili went to flag down a server and one of her teammates stood and patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll take a turn helping. Mead for you as well, Amdirlain?”
“A lager this time, thanks,” answered Amdirlain, ignoring the teasing tsk noises that came her way.
Runa cleared her throat and spoke up above the noise. “Is it possible for a Petitioner to help protect your Domain as well?”
“It’s dangerous for a Petitioner to be outside a Domain. Its border protects you from predators and raiders. Why do you ask?” asked Amdirlain,
“It’s just, the others were speaking of the dangers about and I missed my chance to help others in life. I wanted to know if I could help them, besides just serving drinks, I mean,” Runa replied without a pause.
Amdirlain didn’t want to dig for her reason and delivered her news instead. “Your family is safe now, Runa.”
Runa clasped her hands to her mouth as she blinked back tears, but it was clear they were tears of joy from the partially hidden smile.
“Set’s raiders had sold them to an Egyptian noble. I found them working on a farm. Since he knew they weren’t legally slaves, I left his heir to sort out the mess I left behind, and took them to the compound in Eyrarháls. The Daughters will see they’re re-established wherever they wish to live,” explained Amdirlain, and held still as Runa moved to wrap her in a hug. “I let your parents know you were in my Domain. They’d hoped you were still alive and had escaped.”
“Thank you for helping them and letting them know, but I still want to help others. Surely there are more important things I can do,” said Runa.
“Don’t be in a rush. You need to take time to transition; I need to settle things as well, so you’re not alone,” Amdirlain said reassuringly.
Runa gestured around the mead hall. “What’s there to settle? They’re celebrating your complete victory.”
Amdirlain just shook her head sadly. “It wasn’t my victory—nor it is complete—but people will see it that way. I just took care of the strikes. Many people spent years tracking down leads and risking themselves. Without them, this victory wouldn’t have been possible, so it’s not mine, it’s theirs. Now we can focus on helping those who suffered.”
“Like my family,” Runa said thoughtfully before she sighed. “I didn’t have a chance at my own life. I had so much I wanted to do. Isn’t there a more meaningful way I can contribute? Oili helped fight the Slaadi attacking Ásgarðr.”
“Hold up, I told you if my plan hadn’t worked, it could have meant the destruction of my Soul. They made me well aware of how lucky I’d been,” interpreted Oili, waving a cautioning hand at Runa.
“Wouldn’t that be my choice? I need to help, please, isn’t there something?” Runa asked.
“I won’t force your growth. You didn’t have a real chance at life, so I’m not putting your Soul in danger,” stated Amdirlain, and raised a hand as Runa went to argue. “If you truly mean it—the Domain energies will in time help you find a transition that matches your heart. I wouldn’t put you in danger unprepared, and I won’t force your growth. I’ve been told there is a risk you can lose your sense of self even if you keep your memories.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
“But Amdirlain…”
Oili’s laughter cut off Runa’s protest, and at her look of frustration, Oili explained. “Amdirlain gave you a place that feels like home, so you argue with her like family.”
“They are my family, my family by choice,” replied Amdirlain, fixing Oili with a stern look. “You’ve told Runa about what you won from battle. When planning for change, you need to consider the risks as well. After the celebrations, I’d appreciate that you tell her the names of those who didn’t survive the fighting. Explain how the Souls of those individuals merged with Ásgarðr’s energies and left nothing of themselves behind.”
Amdirlain clasped Runa’s face lightly in her hand and gave her a concerned look. “You might find it frustrating, but you entrusted me with your Soul’s safety. That is an honour I don’t take lightly.”
A Valkyrie hurrying over drew the table’s attention with the speed of her approach. “Amdirlain, there are guests who wish to speak with you.”
“Thank you, I’ll be there shortly,” replied Amdirlain, her gaze not having left Runa. “You and your choices are important to me. Contemplate who it is you wish to be. I’ve got so much needing my attention, and I keep finding more situations I want to help in. So I’d suggest you take the time now, while you have it. Will you do that for me?”
Runa’s impatience warred against Amdirlain’s concern and finally, the Petitioner nodded. “I’ll try.”
“Thank you, that’s all I ask,” answered Amdirlain. “If you’re interested, I can teach you some things that might help in that regard.”
“I’d like that,” Runa replied.
Amdirlain slid off the bench as the drinks arrived. The patrol member handed her a giant stein with an amused smile. “You’ll have to drink your dirty water, none of us are interested in it.”
“Fine,” Amdirlain retorted lightly, before sculling it without a blink. The patrol cheered as she handed it back to their suddenly glum teammate. “Now I have some guests to meet.”
The Valkyrie lead her back to the Domain’s edge, where a group of Celestials stood beyond the border, far enough away that their auras stayed clear of its energies. The Solar at the front of the group was nearly seven metres tall, clad in sun-gold plate armour adorned with Ra’s symbol, and the same six wings looked filled with radiant sunlight. Analysis shared his name with Amdirlain, though the pain of gaining it wasn’t as severe as she’d expected.
“Greetings Khafra. What brings you here?” asked Amdirlain politely, hoping for the best.
“My Lord wishes to speak about your attack on his Pantheon,” replied Khafra.
“Diplomacy isn’t my strong suit, so I’m going to put this plainly. The strikes were against Set’s interests, not the Egyptian Pantheon. So I’ve got this message for you to deliver. All it takes for evil to win is for good to do nothing. Not dealing with that evil fucker earlier led to so many people being hurt that it makes me sick just thinking about it. He might have started out as your Pantheon’s defender, but he’d turned rabid long ago. You don’t put up with a rabid guard dog, you put it down. You and the rest of the gang you brought with you can deliver that message to Ra. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve spent enough effort cleaning up Ra’s mess,” Amdirlain said.
“Bright words for a thief and Fallen,” sneered Khafra.
Amdirlain smiled sweetly and counted to ten, then when her temper still burnt hot, she did so a few more times before she gave up. “Yeah, fuck you. I have victims to help that suffered because of an evil that you and others allowed to continue.”
“There is an accord—and rules—not that one like you cares,” scolded Khafra.
His response only poured gasoline on the Amdirlain’s fury. “Screw your rules. If it means people coming to harm, the rules should be burnt. Evil loves you following the rules because they fucking won’t.”
“If we don’t follow the rules, then we are no better than they,” Khafra stated undeterred.
Amdirlain strode across her Domain’s edge, aware it was reacting to her anger and wanting to avoid sharing it with her Petitioners. The Solar’s eyes widened in surprise as the Týr’s Valkyrie moved with her. The force of Amdirlain’s Charisma and Willpower merged as she focused, unaware the sunlight from her Soulscape was flaring in her gaze.
“If you are just following rules blindly, you are part of the problem, not the solution. You see defences, evil sees you caged up while they can steal through the gaps. Then, when innocents are in their clutches being tortured and raped, you wash your hands because you’re following the rules. Just because the source of their inspiration was part of your Pantheon? What the fuck was your boss thinking? When is the last time you comforted a victim or carried them to safety? How about holding an aura of peace night after night so they actually rest and heal, instead of waking exhausted from nightmares?”
“We can only act with good intentions and help within the accords,” Khafra declared firmly.
Amdirlain looked at the Solar with disgust burning in her gaze. “I’m not interested in your good intentions, I’m interested in the people you failed to help by letting that evil continue. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”
“You are indeed one to speak of Hell’s road. Will you take your Domain there once you’ve gathered enough foolish Souls? How many innocents died in your purge?” questioned Khafra.
“No innocent died!” hissed Amdirlain. “I checked everyone before I killed them. I waded through their filth-ridden minds to make sure I didn’t hurt an innocent. There were entire groups in the temple compounds I spared because they were just trying to earn a living. Your accords have hurt how many innocents by restraining your help? Will you continue to sit in your cage, willingly restrained, and claim superiority?”
“It is not your right to judge them, or us, nor take the actions you did,” Khafra replied, resting a hand on the sword at his waist.
“There you are wrong. Want to know why? Will you communicate those reasons to Ra as well?” enquired Amdirlain, her tone hard. “My title is the Lady of the Accursed, Freedom, Hope, and New Beginnings. Are you aware of that?”
The declaration of her title caused some in his party to shift nervously, but Khafra just nodded unflustered by her pronouncement.
A moment later, surprise flickered in his gaze, as her Domain’s wellspring—so close at hand—connected to her unexpectedly. The reserve of Power sat poised like a dam ready to burst as her Portfolio’s aspects settled around her, in tune with her intentions. “After what I did, the Egyptians and their neighbours have a New Beginning with one less evil in it. The slaves they held now have their Freedom. I’m hoping good won’t go back to sleep now that threat is dead. Set’s arseholes—that were preying on Ra’s people as well—have a new beginning as worm food. I’m counting multiple wins that have aspects within my Portfolio. I’m not ignorant of your accords, and have learnt where your cage’s bars are as well. If you’re going to let evil use the accords against you, that’s your problem, but it won’t be mine.”
Khafra paused and took his hands from his hilt. “Ra has heard your words and your passion. We will leave. My Lord’s apology, but these are unsettled times. You have my apologies as well. I spoke in haste, and I see my error now. You do not match your appearance as a Fallen, Amdirlain.”
“I’m aware of how unsettled things are,” Amdirlain responded, easing her focus back. “That’s more reason not to let such remain unchecked. Thank you for the apologies. I accept them both.”
Khafra nodded, and as one, the Celestials vanished.
“You left the safety of your Domain,” noted the Valkyrie.
“So did you. My anger was upsetting the energy in it, but I wanted there to be no accusation that I was hiding,” explained Amdirlain.
The Valkyrie sighed and Amdirlain could hear the mental eye-roll that she broadcast unknowingly. “It was a risk.”
“They said they were here to speak,” replied Amdirlain innocently.
[Acting [M](4->8)]
“Who told you of the accords?”
“The Dwarven Pantheon, when they visited. I know less than I made out but I know the broad details,” Amdirlain answered. Nodding to the Valkyrie, she moved to greet K’Lan who was watching on from further along the valley.
* * *
“It seems you have another guest,” observed K’Lan, motioning upwards.
Amdirlain followed K’Lan’s gaze and saw yet another Angel in the sky above her Domain. “Sunny with a chance of Angels.”
The moment she sharpened her eyesight, Amdirlain recognise him and sent an image of her location on the valley’s lip. Torm had been through changes—no longer wolfish, his face looked a refined version of his outer appearance in Eyrarháls. It was a relief to see him and she was glad the Titan hadn’t matched exactly the Planetar type she’d described to Torm. Considering some Celestials' bizarre appearance, it seemed strange he’d drawn the line at a bald guy with aqua-coloured skin. He still possessed the four wings—and four-metre height—the D&D Planetars possessed, but at least he wasn’t just made of wings and eyes as some Angels she’d seen. His hair was now almost ash blond, and his solid jaw line looked somewhat squarer, but it was undoubtedly him.
“This guest I’m happy to see,” responded Amdirlain, her gaze staying on Torm as he moved towards them.
“I’ll leave you to your guest, Amdirlain. Thank you for speaking with us, and accepting K’cai and I into your service,” said K’Lan.
The younger giantess was far calmer than the last time Amdirlain had seen her, and it pleased Amdirlain that Analysis no longer showed the addiction state. K’cai smiled and bowed to Amdirlain with fingers pressed to her amulet before they slipped off toward their people’s settlement.
Amdirlain wasn’t sure who’d recruited them as Priests. It made her wonder if she could learn all her Priests’ names without having to find them individually. Torm landing nearby distracted her before she could pursue options with Analysis. “What brings you around? You don’t call, you don’t write, I scold a Solar and hours later you show up.”
Torm smiled at Amdirlain’s teasing’s and shrank to match her size, his gaze not leaving her own smile. “The Wizard Class holds even less appeal to me than yourself.”
“How long you in town for, big boy?” asked Amdirlain teasingly, enjoying the exasperated look she received.
Torm stepped close and caressed his hands across her shoulders. “The situation on the Slaadi border has calmed down, so I’m no longer needed there to help monitor it constantly. I appreciated all the messages you sent. It was good to hear your voice. We need to talk.”
Amdirlain gritted her teeth as his tone turned serious. “Oh, it’s okay, we can skip that talk.”
Did I sicken him by killing so many without warning?
“What? But…” Torm started and stopped to look at her suddenly controlled expression. “I’ll back up and take my foot out of my mouth. Why don’t you use Analysis on me and then we’ll go talk.”
“Wait… it’s not… okay my bad,” mumbled Amdirlain, her skin suddenly dusky with heat.
Torm leant in and kissed her lightly on the lips, causing Amdirlain’s embarrassment to flee with the distraction.
“I’d like to spend a long time talking with you, Amdirlain,” Torm said. His mouth was still so close to hers that each syllable was a butterfly’s kiss brushing her lips. Cupping her cheeks gently, he drew her into a kiss that heated her far differently. After the kiss ended, Amdirlain smiled at him in happy confusion as warm butterflies swarmed through her.
“What was that for?” Amdirlain breathed.
Torm caressed fingers along a cheek and back through her hair. “To make my feelings and intentions clear.”
The feather-light touch tingled on Amdirlain’s skin; she leant into his touch with a happy sigh. “I might have missed part of your presentation. We should review it again.”
“As you wish,” Torm responded his intent gaze not leaving her face. “Why don’t we sit on the riverbank by your swing? You can tell me what’s has your heart aching so much, that you’d doubt my feelings for you.”
At Amdirlain’s suddenly sad look Torm wrapped his arms around her and waited quietly.
“Sitting by the water sounds nice, but not at the swing. I have nice memories of that spot and don’t want them sullied,” Amdirlain replied after the stab of pain faded. "Talking to you is great, but I don't want to talk about the misery I had to clean up last night there. I want that to be our pleasant spot, away from the world's ugliness."
Torm’s concerned look eased at the fleeting smile she gave at the swing’s mention. “Take us somewhere you feel comfortable talking then.”
“Come on back to my place, and I’ll show you my etchings,” Amdirlain said, and Torm smiled at her, attempting a cheeky tone.
The next moment she had them standing by a sheltered spot on the riverbank, and Torm nodded as he looked it over. Crouching, he picked up a rock and held it out to Amdirlain. “Sidero mentioned you enjoyed skipping stones when you’re upset. What’s the saying ‘Boys are dumb, throw rocks at them?’”
Amdirlain took it from him and gave a bright smile. “She told me lots about your conversations.”
“You met up? When? Wait, my apologies,” Torm said, and Amdirlain enjoyed how flustered he’d become. “Hold that thought for now. Since you could see my levels before, please use Analysis, though maybe put some concealments in place to prevent anyone from overhearing?”
Amdirlain’s naughty smile earned an awkwardly raised eyebrow from Torm but she put the concealment in place without a word.
[Name: Torm
Species: Planetar
Class: Divine Champion / Sora Master / Ascended Ranger / Priest
Level: 52 / 52 / 52 / 52/ 52
Details: Divine Champion is a Prestige Class gained from combining a melee class with at least one Faith class at level 90. Ascended Ranger base Class is available after combining two or more Ranger base classes into Prestige Classes.
]
“That’s a lot of levels,” Amdirlain said, after a moment’s thought. “How bad were things with the Slaadi?”
“Not as bad as I feared they would be,” Torm reassured. “It’s not the reason for needing to talk though. I’d discounted it for other reasons, but I’m now sure I’m gaining levels faster than other Celestials. I don’t know if it’s from adventuring with you or your help to gain Affinities for Ki Infusion. Something changed, though; even when I’m not adventuring with you, I seem to advance at a Mortal’s pace. Once I was sure, I reported this to Týr. He instructed me in no uncertain terms not to share the information with anyone else but you.”
Amdirlain looked puzzled but nodded. “He doesn’t want to upset the balance between Pantheons, but wouldn’t be having an advantage over the Greek Pantheon help?”
“As Master Farhad has noted in the past, Norse and their hot tempers. Such doesn’t apply to just the Mortals,” cautioned Torm.
Amdirlain winced, and the memory of Odyis dug at her. “He’s worried they’ll look to get an advantage and then pick a fight.”
Torm nodded, his expression grim as he elaborated. “Which could spill into the Material Plane and get people killed, as during the crossing. He’s more inclined to take the approach you discussed with Verdandi and provide Mortals with a better way.”
“Ebusuku mentioned seeing the experience area in her Profile. Maybe I can isolate the cause,” Amdirlain mused thoughtfully, then pulled a face. “Though since we’re connected they might already advance at Mortal rates.”
“See her Profile? Wait, Ebusuku, isn’t that the name of Farhad’s lover?” asked Torm.
Amdirlain looked at Torm grimly, her practice in acting doing her credit in hiding the amusement bubbling within. “Torm, I’m afraid we need to talk.”
The concealments in place contained the laughter that became happy sighs when the kissing started and Amdirlain allowed herself to focus on something new in that moment—them.