"...as an aging Kin of the felines knelt before an old and worn alter of stone." The skeleton continued to read as the world around the children flicked back into life, revealing a tired and old Kin of an unknown feline tribe. Where he prayed feverishly to anyone who would hear his plea, of which was quite the dangerous feat, as any God or Goddess could hear his begging and send help in a form that would benefit themselves. However, this would not necessarily be of use to the recipient, and can often become detrimental than beneficial.
"This one was a king of the land he prayed upon, as the surrounding area was a tired chapel dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses who had long since stopped answering the prayers of their mortal followers. As to the reason? Who knows, but what is truly known is that they still allowed those below themselves to use their powers for whatever they desired. So long as they devoted to giving up their energies within their prayers to only them."
"Uncle Brutus," mewed Nox, who interrupted that which was within the library enough to cause the flow of the story to distort enough to shatter everything. From the darkness to the character and scenery from within the book itself, were broken to reveal the light from within the area they occupied once more.
This led to Brutus sighing softly, knowing full well that any outburst towards the children, especially the Ageless's own, would result in him being confronted by either the God King himself, or his wife, Sarah. Which meant he simply took a few breaths to fill up his nonexistent lungs, release it slowly, and turn towards the little hybrid whose eyes had become quite large. "Yes, little one?"
"We've already heard this from Papa," this was spoken as he nibbled on a dark coloured piece of cake.
"Very well, then how far along has He spoken?"
"Um," Anasi raised his hand in order to speak, which was granted once the other nodded in his direction, "Up to the point of Uncle Ageless first appearing before the King and whoever his friend was."
"Oh... kay." Came the reply as the book slowly leafed its way to another section of the book. One that seemed to have grown closer to the middle than anything else. Which meant that no, it was not a long story, but it was an old one.
"Now then, I assume it was the time where He was trying to refrain from posing before the old Kin, correct?" The hybrid and twins had tilted their heads in confusion, whereas the Arachne nodded his head several times, "Very well. Let us begin once more." In which that which was within the library activated a second time, causing the world around them to become shrouded in darkness once more.
"So, I assume He's spoken of the runes, the chorus of devils, and His entrance," muttered the metallic skeleton as the sounds of dried paper was heard within the silence, "Ah, here we are."
*****
Seven beings of metal flesh or bone loomed behind the Kobold who stood before a pair of gaping elders. One of whom was a King of the land they stood upon, whereas the other was a simple caretaker which governed over the small and ruinous chapel he lived within. Both, however, were equally stunned by the creature's entrance, and that of His entourage.
"A... G-God?" stammered the feline Kin, who did not know what to believe at this time.
"Fallen God, to be exact," chimed in the Dogman, who stepped around the altar in order to stand before the pair. Where He found out that they were much taller than His person, and He found it somewhat bothersome for, but a moment before waving it away.
Upon closer inspection, the pair noted the odd colouration of His fur, which sparkled just like the jewels in the sky high above the heavens, and in the void between worlds. It even twinkled the same way as many did, but what was truly odd were the eyes of the one before them. His eyes held the constellations for Home and Family, but there weren't any pupils, only an ocean of darkness with a few pinpoints of silver that created the illusion of stars.
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However, such an investigation upon His person ceased to be so, as He turned away to beckon his servants over. This led to the pair before Himself to cower somewhat, as great creatures of metal slowly made their way over. Yes. They were much taller than the Kobold He chose to wear, which meant they were greater than that of the Kin themselves. Who then shivered uncontrollably due to their proximity with them.
"Wh-What...?" began the one who was the King of the land, whereas the other quickly sat down upon a broken bench to his right
"You wished for aid, and now you have it," came the reply from the Kobold as He pat the head of a metallic Bear Beastwoman.
"Aunty Shauu," crowed Nox with excitement, and widened his eyes significantly.
"So?" He spun around to confront their persons with a look of intent, "Who was taken, and which direction should we begin to look for them?"
"Um," gulped the feline King, "My... child was taken from me a few nights back." His hands began to rummage through the somewhat hidden pockets scattered about his person until there was a rustling sound of scrunching paper. Which led to him holding out a ruffled note which held the ransom of five thousand gold coins for the safely returned Princess Marissa Del Gato. Unfortunately, there was nothing else written upon it, save for a location called Bulwark Hill.
"And where is this 'Bulwark Hill'?" He asked with a slightly bemused look about his features.
"Um," the old King squirmed a little under the gaze of the Kobold before him. For such was His eyes that it seemed to penetrate the other's being in its entirety, "It's a two day's journey northward on horseback."
"I see," He tapped the right side of His muzzle slowly, "and have you sent anyone up there yet?"
"Yes, but the place is a fortress that was long ago cursed and abandoned.
"And your point is?" He held the look of one who was becoming tired of the complaints his ears heard.
"He means, sir, that no one would be willing to venture near it without many Clerics and Paladins." This came from the Kin from a tribe of unknown canines, whose ears were somewhat drooping off to the sides of his head.
"Once again, what is your point?" This time, He growled low with his fists upon his hips, and His upper body leaning forward to glare at their persons, "Are you saying you are cowards who will not investigate this fortress, and that whomever has your daughter could very well have her inside, but no one will go near it due to their petty fears?"
He let out a slow sigh as he turned around, approaching the cadre of metallic individuals who turned to stare at their Lord. "But there's-"
"Don't start," His voice was a low growl, "If there's spirits lingering around, then it's not much to be afraid of. For they are simply hungry, but no matter." Turning back towards the pair before Him, and with a voice full of a tired disgust, he spoke up once again, "If she's there, I'll bring her back, even if I and mine have to raise the place to the ground."
Afterwards, a flash of lightning struck the top of the chapel, destroying the canopy so that the rain outside was able to enter. This led to a loud peal of thunder which brought the Kin to their knees in order to reduce the volume which assaulted their ears. Once it receded, however, they noticed that the Kobold and the cadre of metallic individuals were nowhere in sight. Thus leaving them stupefied as to what had happened moments ago.