Disclaimer: I own none of the works belonging to the author(s) and game designer(s) employed by Illwinter, the makers of the Dominion series, neither do I own any of the characters, factions, monsters, and places inside said media, save for those imagined and created by me.

Warning: The following chapter contains blood/gore, language, and explicit violence and may not be suitable for some readers.

Prologue: Dawn of a New Era

~"Our master has always told us that we have so much potential to reshape the world, to make it a veritable paradise for both mortals and gods. He also warned that it was equally within our capabilities to plunge it into destruction."~

The Palace of Light

The Kingdom of Ulm

Commanding a view of the surrounding Teutomaester Forest, the massive three-tiered, heavily fortified palace stood on the Iron Hills like a silver and steel gray sentinel, its bottom tier buttressed by the four thick conical towers at its corners. Ulmish halberdiers and crossbowmen patrolled the dawn-caressed crenelations, marching past massive siege weapons that sat on the occasional stone turret.

Deep within the central tier, a huge throne room adorned with alabaster pillars along its walls occupied a third of the defensive structure toward its rear. The tiled floor depicted scenes of gods and mortals standing side by side in fellowship against strange and fearsome beasts. A white bird with outstretched wings presided over each scene. The same bird was also depicted on paintings adorning the walls between the pillars, carrying food to starving people, defending children from monsters, and settling arguments, just to name a few.

The centerpiece of the throne room was not a throne; however, but a three-tiered fountain as large as a house. Crystal-clear water sparkling with a strange light cascaded down each tier, landing in the large basin in sibilant whispers. 

However, the fountain wasn't alone. One of the occupants was an elderly man whose long pale yellow beard draped to chest level over his blood red robes and purple hooded cloak. Loose strands playfully touched the edges of a pendant on a silver chain depicting a sword wreathed in flames. Strands of his straw-colored curls danced slightly in the slight air currents. His weathered face held an almost permanent scowl, yet his eyes were freshly cut sapphires from which few if any secrets could escape. He held a gnarly staff in a liver-spotted hand with a surprisingly strong grip.

The second person looked much younger though the astute observer would notice the tiny wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. A cloak of turquoise and blue feathers was tied to his arms and torso with thick leather straps, giving the appearance of wings. A tall headdress of feathers of the same colors adorned his head and two discs of jade hung from his stretched ear lobes. A sword consisting of a long wooden paddle ringed with obsidian shards hung from his belt by a loop of thick string, swinging lazily next to his white loincloth. His bare, caramel torso shone in the light of the fountain, festooned with intricate, bone-white war paint. More paint decorated his thin face, ringing around emerald eyes almost as sharp as those of the first man. However, if one were to look closely, they could almost sense a greater, more ferocious presence lurking just out of sight, for the moment.

The third person isn’t so much of a humanoid as she is a creature. As thick as a massive tree that lived for thousands of years, the giant cobra gathered her two hundred meters long body into a coil. Bands of dark scales marked her otherwise khaki body and light reflected off her leather and gold headdress, the centerpiece of which was a golden disc flanked by two ivory horns. A large ostrich feather dangling from one of them on a thin leather thong. Her golden eyes were even more piercing than both men, almost as if capable of slicing through even the murkiest of falsehoods. She flicked her forked tongue, itself long enough to wrap around two adult male elephants. 

Lastly but perhaps mundane of all was the fourth person. A prepubescent girl with straight black hair, she was adorned in silver and purple silks and looked for all intents and purposes like a normal girl, albeit one of a higher social standing. However if one gets close enough to see her face, they would find a pair of incandescent orbs inserted into where her eyes should be. Some of the light reflected off a medallion that hung from her neck on a silver chain, depicting a white bird perched atop a fountain.

“Ah, the last time we met like this was over two hundred years ago,” she reminisced, her voice echoing throughout the throne room as her bare feet shuffled on the tiles. Her voice carried an intense amount of power that would’ve given even an emperor pause. “We, making it this far and helping the world recover from the sheer devastation wrought by the Ashen Empire. So much has changed and will continue to do so. We can only ensure it will change for the better.”

“It certainly will, Pantokrator,” the old man was the first to respond. He paused momentarily to peer at the nearly imperceptible magical link between the little girl and the fountain with magically enhanced vision. Like any great sage worth his salt, he could tell by how weak the link looked that it was nearly that time again. “Of course, more nations nowadays are investing in iron production and forging. Their militaries and spellcasters are becoming much more organized by the decade.”

“Ah, looking at my soul link again, Antonio?” the little girl said as she pointed both thumbs at herself. “This little one’s thirteenth birthday is coming in a few months and once it arrives the deed will be done. Her father is the Black Priest presiding over the ceremony.” 

The man with the feathered cloak looked uneasy. He’d once made his displeasure known but was eventually persuaded that his master required such a disturbing sacrifice to fully rule his domain and orchestrate peace in the world. He’d even watched a previous ceremony and noted that it was quick and painless, though the event still left a bitter taste in his mouth to this very day. However, he knew there are worse fates to subject a person to. After all, the nation he took control of during the last Ascension War had done far worse.

“I’m sure the next Voice you choose will be instrumental in leading us to greater glories and victory over any future threats,” Antonio said as he gave his master a deep and reverent bow. However, the second man could tell that he shared his unease. 

The giant cobra hissed or was it a scoff? “You sssaid the sssame thing about the lassst Voicesss and they were no lesss inssstrumental!” she retorted, her tongue flicking in annoyance.

“Sure but this time I am certain. I have gazed upon the coming tides of change and have witnessed their effects.” Turning to the giant cobra, Antonio placed his hands on his hips and tilted his head to the side as he gave her a slight smirk. “I’m sure you have too, my dear Ma’at.”

“The tidesss of change hasss alwaysss been changing, you ssshriveled fool!” Ma’at barely shouted. If she had hands she would’ve thrown them into the air in frustration. However, a corner of her massive mouth waivered ever slightly. “What makesss you ssso certain thisss isss any different?”

“Antonio is right, Ma’at,” the second man spoke, his deep voice resonating, like wind being blown into a clay jar. “Even now, various nations seem to be on edge nowadays. Take Oceania and Pelagia for example. I was informed by one of my Atlantean diplomats that R'lyeh's activities near their borders are making both underwater kingdoms nervous, forcing them to establish a military alliance among themselves. Also, rumors from T'ien Ch'i claim that the horse tribes of the northern steppes are becoming more unified and are posing a threat to the Northern Bastions.”

“See, even the Lawgiver agrees with me,” Antonio replied. Ma’at simply glared at him. The great sage then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Come to think of it, there has been a lot of tension between Abysia and Gath. The survivors and refugees of the former’s latest Path of Fire had been united under a new Anakite leader who’d taken control of the latter and had been inflaming relations between the two in hopes of starting a war. Lastly, Sceleria has sent diplomats to me in Marignon, requesting aid to help strengthen their military. They have been unable to reclaim land lost in the Second Ascension War and are unwilling to trust their Agarthian and Phlegrian neighbors to not capitalize on a chance to conquer them completely.”

“For sssome ssstrange reassson C’tisss’ populace have been getting ressstlesss in the passst few yearsss,” Ma’at finally decided to join in. “Already, my royal guardsss have been forced to flog troublemakersss in public sssquaresss to make an example of them but nothing ssseemsss to be curbing the lawlesssnesss. I fear that sssomething isss causssing turmoil in my landsss.”

“It could be a new magic site popping up but I doubt it,” the girl, or rather the spirit inhabiting the fountain, responded. “Since the decline of ambient magic present during the last Ascension War, magic sites had been disappearing with new ones becoming harder to find.”

The Lawgiver wrinkled an eyebrow as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Do you think another god could be responsible?”

“Imposssible!” Ma’at hissed. Her eyes flashed briefly like miniature suns. “All of the Pretendersss who haven’t forfeited their bidsss for Pantokratorhood are locked away in Tartarusss! Even my priessstsss would’ve known if there were any rogue godsss affecting my populace.”

"Have you tried relaxing some of the restrictions you have in place?" Antonio wondered mostly to himself. However, the goddess of C'tis stiffened as if he was casually asking her to commit a crime. "From what I've heard, you've been pressing quite firmly against your people even during this era of peace-"

" 'A trickle of leniency welcomesss a flood of chaosss'," Ma'at tersely quoted, the practiced words flowing down her forked tongue like mercury. The solar serpent towered over Antonio and regarded him with the same amount of respect one would have with a particularly annoying insect. A cruel grin stretched over her face, revealing twin ivory fangs. "At leassst one of usss ssshould know by now the price of leniency."

The great sage jerked his free arm to his side as a murderous glare crawled onto his face. He thumped his staff onto the tile, kicking up a shower of sparks. Tiny tongues of fire flowed around his fingers as he regarded Ma'at with the same amount of respect one would show a rabid monster. 

"I did what I had to do, yet you wouldn't care anyway but I digress. I worry for your people's freedom, my friend. Wise men once said that tyranny is the first refuge of an incompetent ruler."

Ma'at gave a fearsome hiss as her fangs sprang erect and her hood flared. The disc on her headdress flared like heated metal as it swiveled downward to face Antonio. What could be best described as a whine reaching a crescendo filled the air. "INCOMPETENCE ISSS LETTING A VILE AND DISSSRESSSPECTFUL HUMAN LIVE ASSS A CARDINAL WHEN HE SSSHOULD'VE BEEN PUNISSSHED FOR HISSS SSSACRILEGE!"

"Taking your frustration out on me won't change the fact that you're too impatient and prideful to at least try to empathize with your subjects more!"

"Rule your kingdom like a proper god before telling me how to rule mine!"

Both Antonio and Ma'at jerked back as a bolt of furious electricity zipped between them, dislodging a tiny chunk of tile from the ceiling that crumbled into a fine powder when it hit the floor. Electricity arcing around his raised arm, the Lawgiver lowered the limb, his eyebrows scrunched together as a deep sigh escaped his lips. "One of these days I will find a way to send you both to a plane of existence where you would be forced to rely on each other to survive. Maybe you both would finally learn to get along."

The god of Mictlan stood his head. "So unbecoming of members of the Illustrious Pact."

The Lawgiver then cast a glance toward the girl, who flashed him a small grin. "I apologize for damaging your ceiling, Pantokrator."

The girl simply waved him off. "No worries, Lawgiver. Keeping those two from tearing each other apart is basically a profession for you."

"He ssstarted it!" Ma'at accused.

"I was merely offering my wisdom free of charge," Antonio muttered, his voice gruff.

"A pity it wasssn't asssked for!"

"A shame it's still bloody needed!"

"Silence," the girl spoke, barely above a whisper. However, her voice unleashed itself like a thunderclap, forcing the quarreling deities into compliance and orderly conduct. Powerful gods Antonio and Ma'at may be, there's no question who reigns supreme here.

Satisfied, the girl turned to Ma'at, changing the subject. “Well, I’m sure that the problem is mundane in nature. Just in case though, I can lend you a few members of my iron inquisitors to check up on things.”

Blinking in confusion, the solar serpent remembered herself and gave the Pantokrator a curt bow. “You are too kind.”

“I meant it, Ma’at,” the girl continued, her voice brimming with resolution. Realizing that this change of tone meant that the Pantokrator had something major in mind, the three Disciples gave her their full attention. Holding their attention for a moment, the little girl took a deep breath.

“All four of us had been through so much back then, when Ermor accidentally summoned the concept of Death into this world and became a necromantic empire bent on eradicating all life on this planet. A few nations had even been exterminated and added to the Ashen Empire’s undead legions, never to enjoy this new age with us, and many remained completely changed forever.”

Turning to Ma’at, the Pantokrator continued, “Your C’tissians fought bravely against Ermor but so many of them died in the brutal war. The dominion of Ermor’s Pretender reanimated them and even your mummified ancestors and turned them against their living kin in an affront to your beliefs.”

The solar serpent simply smiled slightly. “No need to worry about usss, Massster. The concept of death and rebirth isss a normal feature of C’tisss’ beliefsss, and even the blasssphemousss undead are no matter for usss. Currently, we’re more worried about the drying of C’tisss’ ssswampsss. My Marssshmassstersss believe that the decline of ambient magic nowadaysss iss to blame.”

Nodding, the Pantokrator turned toward the Lawgiver. “One good thing that happened in the last Ascension War is that you managed to force Mictlan into disbanding the Blood Cult and outlawing their heinous sacrifices. Now everyone growing up there can rest easily knowing that they can start families and grow old in peace without the fear of being used as fuel for a demon’s summoning.”

“The amount of virgins that cult sacrificed in desperation to stop Ermor’s relentless advance angered the populace enough to make a massive rebellion more likely to happen,” the Lawgiver replied as he nodded sagely. “I simply gave it the push it needed to send it over the proverbial cliff.”

“I would like to hear more of that story someday, Lawgiver,” the Pantokrator said before turning to Antonio. “And who among us has paid the heaviest price of all for taking the fight straight to Eldergate, the dark heart of the Ashen Empire itself, other than Marignon? Forced to go against everything it ever believed in to survive when death marched up to its gates. Desperation is the omnipresent scourge of even the most morally resolute of rulers. So, how are your people taking to being under the Infernal Lords’ yoke?”

Though he knew the Pantokrator meant well, the old man simply scowled. He hated being reminded of the sacrilegious deal he personally brokered with the Infernal Lords after being barely convinced to do so by the now Cardinal Hessens, an immigrant from Ulm. Marignon was on the brink of annihilation despite its forces being well-equipped, blessed, and trained to maximize their effectiveness against the undead.

Antonio stole a quick glance at the Lawgiver. The frown on the Mictlan Disciple’s face showed that he too wasn’t particularly thrilled about Marignon’s current predicament. Given that he has had more experience in the relevant matter, his displeasure was completely justified.

The Pantokrator seemed to be aware of Antonio’s sudden change of mood. “If this is a bothersome topic for you, then I will drop the subject-”

“No, it's fine, Master,” Antonio quickly said before clearing his throat. “Marignon is pretty much still the strict, paranoid theocratic regime we’re all familiar with, aside from the heavily sanctioned devil worship and the thinly veiled hypocrisy.”

“Is there no way to defy the Infernal Lords?” the Lawgiver asked seriously.

“Well, rebellion is always on the table though it will result in demonic hordes wiping Marignon off the face of the earth.”

To everyone’s surprise, the Pantokrator laughed. “Ye of little faith. Do not despair the hold that blood magic has on this world for I am concocting a ritual that will free us from its influence and power… forever.”

All three Disciples whirled to face the little girl, each of their expressions some combination of surprise and shock. A lover of drama's many flairs, the Pantokrator smiled and continued, “Granted it is still in its beginning stages but the script and diagram for the appropriate ritual circles are almost complete. Afterward, the ritual can commence without further delay. It will take a long time to set everything up and the work area spans a massive work area but I have the utmost confidence that with my peculiar capabilities, it can be completed during my reign as Pantokrator.”

The gears in both Antonio and the Lawgiver’s heads started to turn. If blood magic was rendered inert forever then the Infernal Lords would lose their hold on Marignon. Any demons that manifested in this world would find themselves cut off from their infernal plane of existence and vulnerable to dissolution. Blood mages everywhere would be powerless against their righteous enemies and no virgins would be worth sacrificing anymore. The entire world will be free of this disease forever.

“Everyone who will be involved in this ritual is expected to do so voluntarily and no one needs to die or anything like that. It would mean that progress will be slower and would require more manpower though but it will be worth it. I will hammer out the details of what is expected of your three once I am ready to begin preparations. Right now, I’m working on a personal project that requires most of my attention.’

“Oh, and what would that be?” Ma’at asked.

The girl’s expression became more serious. “What do any of you know about the previous Pantokrator?”

The three Disciples became surprised and a bit confused at the question. Antonio straightened and cleared his throat as both the Lawgiver and Ma’at turned to look at him. “Other than the fact that he once ruled over the Empire of Yomi, now called the Kingdom of Shinuyama, and has a daughter and two sons, there is nothing much to add aside from what everyone already knows.”

“However, “ the Marignon Disciple continued before the others could say anything. “There are some written accounts that stood out to me while I was perusing through the Great Library of Shinuyama. The scholars who existed back then wrote varied accounts of the last week of the Pantokrator’s reign. The two themes I was able to unearth and piece together relate to the Pantokrator‘s mad gibbering about ‘a son’s betrayal' and ‘a song that lures’.”

“ ’A song that lures’, you say?” the girl asked. She appeared to stiffen at the revelation. Her face grimaced as conflicting thoughts surfaced in her head.

“Are you alright, Master?” the Lawgiver asked, his face also a mask of concern.

“I’m fine Lawgiver, just thinking about something else.” The girl straightened up before turning back to Antonio, who was a bit confused. Ma’at simply towered over them, tasting the air with a flick of her tongue. “What were your thoughts concerning your discovery, Antonio?”

Antonio stroked his silver beard thoughtfully. “At first I thought that perhaps a siren had lured him into the sea and drowned him. Shinuyama is a coastal nation after all. However, the people’s faith would’ve brought him back from the Void and someone who could easily get killed by a siren wouldn’t have survived long enough to become Pantokrator in the first place. Furthermore, if the Pantokrator was simply hiding in a cave or a similar place, none of the Pretenders including ourselves of course would’ve sensed his hold on this world slip so suddenly. It’s as if someone or something snatched him out of thin air.”

The other Disciples muttered among themselves as the Pantokrator relaxed somewhat as if relieved. However, Antonio could tell that the girl or rather the spirit using her as a mouthpiece was still uneasy. Understandable, he noted. It would doubtlessly be concerned about its own safety even though he felt it was completely unwarranted. The previous Pantokrator lasted a few millennia before he inexplicably disappeared and he have every confidence that it would surpass him.

“Now that that’s out of the way, let me tell you of my personal project,” the girl said, grabbing the Disciples’ attention as she changed the subject. “I’m sending my voluntary drones throughout the world, visiting places where the previous Pantokrator took an interest. Apparently, he too seemed to have taken an interest in such things, despite being the first Pantokrator to reign over this world. Hopefully, I will be able to piece together this grand puzzle in time to solve this mystery and prevent my own disappearance.”

“If you require additional aid then the scholars of Marignon are at your disposal,” Antonio said with a small smile. “Our expertise with ancient manuscripts and studying ruins have served us well and will make your task much easier.”

“If you feel that your task requires the services of my shamans then they will be more than happy to assist you,” the Lawgiver said, nodding.

“Asss the Pretender of the oldessst land-based civilization in the world, I give you my sssagesss and their well-preserved documentsss,” Ma’at spoke, pausing before adding, “If the rootsss of thisss myssstery extend to the passst then C’tisss would know about it.”

“Splendid!” the girl said with a smile as she clasped her hands together. “Anything else you would like to ask before I send you back to your homelands?”

“About the ritual,” Antonio responded.  “I’m sure that any blood cults still unaccounted for would be interested in preventing it from happening in the first place should they get wind of our plans. Is there a backup plan should they destroy the research notes?”

“Good question, Antonio. In fact, I’d accounted for the possibility. I’d even taken the liberty of smuggling copies into each of your capital cities. They’re located where I’d first appeared to each of you to make you into my Disciples. Granted, each note alone is too insufficient to complete the ritual itself but  they have all been written so thoroughly that each of you should be able to figure out the rest even without my guidance at least seventy percent correctly of the time, provided you are clever and patient.  The master is hidden within Ulm itself and I alone know of its location.”

“Is that wise, Master? Without your guidance, any of us could end up formulating the wrong ritual. It would either not work at all or cause a terrible catastrophe.”

“That’s the point, Antonio,” the girl said as her mouth stretched into a sly smile. “Any fool who steals the plans and uses them for nefarious purposes will find themselves befuddled to no end! The notes are written in what you three know by now to be my favorite method of obfuscation.”

Antonio’s eyes widened in understanding. “You don’t mean that you...”

“Ugh, I hate riddlesss!” Ma’at groaned loudly.

“It does makes sense,” the Lawgiver said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Should these notes fall into the wrong hands, the perpetrators will be at the very least delayed until it is too late. Even if they finally catch wind of our intentions, we would have too much of a head start for it to matter.”

“Correct Lawgiver. We don’t know who our current or future enemies are or where they could be but pulling the wool over their eyes is the best option we have to making this ritual work. Any other method would draw too much attention and will be costly in lives, money, and time. Now, anything any of you would like to add?”

After making sure none of the Disciples wanted anything, the girl assumed a professional stance by folding her arms behind her back. “In that case, I’d see each of you a few months from now. Of course by the time you see me this little one will have been replaced by another girl. The ritual would be finalized and the entire operation would be ready by the time that happens. The terrible scourge of bloodshed and sacrifice shall soon be forever lifted from this world and it will be all because of us four. Prepare yourself for the dawn of a new era because it begins with us.”

The girl lowered her voice and a strange static filled the air as she muttering a chant in a strange tongue. The Lawgiver, Antonio, and Ma’at waited as the very air warped around them, forming a thick cocoon of disturbed matter. No, it was actually reality itself bending around them, fashioning itself into a sort of capsule bridging three pairs of corresponding points that marked both the origin and the destinations. The three capsules shone in intensity as the girl’s voice hit a crescendo before hurdling their occupants into the Void and to their respective destinations. The most powerful mages in the world can take an entire month to teleport three gods from one part of the world to individual destinations.

The Pantokrator could complete the entire process in only a minute.

With a sigh, the girl went over to the fountain and sat down in front of it. Resting her back against the dense stone, the girl crossed her legs and fell asleep. Maintaining a faint link with her, the spirit of the fountain withdrew its essence back into the fountain and assessed the other links it shared with more willing thralls. Able to hold a conversation with its three Disciples and complete its other tasks simultaneously, such a thing is only second nature to this particular Pantokrator.

The Pantokrator was about to give its thralls more orders when a strange Song suddenly appeared. It was a tune that seemed to originate from the dark, mysterious places between realities, an enigmatic melody that wasn’t heard so much as it was sensed deep within the Pantokrator’s being. On alien frequencies the Song rode, its lyrics for a lack of a better term too irrevocably maddening for any mortal ears to hear and remain sane. If the Song was even sung by anyone, it was in a language that had never graced the air currents of this world and its singer had never existed in this realm of existence. It only manifested itself to those who would be incapable of fully explaining to others and, most of all, it only happened to those who are rulers over all.

This time; however, the Song couldn’t be resisted anymore.

The Pantokrator greeted the Song like an old friend. It just has to follow this song to its source! It must get to the bottom of this mystery one way or another. The ritual that will end the use of blood magic can wait, this mystery now takes precedence. The spirit knew that Antonio, the Lawgiver, and Ma’at would understand.

What’s the point of making the world a better place if the one responsible isn’t there to keep it that way?

The spirit paused to examine its thoughts. Though they are thoughts it would’ve agreed with, the spirit couldn’t help but wonder whether they have in some way been influenced. Was the Song responsible? The spirit usually doesn’t suddenly skip projects even if there was an emergency. It has thralls it can use for the new task, diverting resources and personnel whenever necessary.

Taking what could be considered the metaphysical equivalent of a deep breath, the spirit made a silent vow to return as quickly as possible to do the ritual. It will inform its Disciples of what it discovered in the strange place where the Song originated. It vowed to assure its permanence in this world no matter what. It will usher into a new era as an even more benevolent and powerful Pantokrator and its reign shall last forever. Its will was so tremendous that it was sure that nothing would stop it from returning.

With a final exertion of effort, the spirit severed every spirit link it established with its thralls and the girl and surrendered itself completely to the Song. A bright flash of light emanated from the fountain and its astral-charged waters quickly dulled, losing their power. The divine presence that filled the throne room disappeared as if a great weight has been lifted and the ripples of the change quickly spread to all corners of the world.

Just like that, the Song claimed yet another victim.

A sudden onslaught of emotions flowed into the girl as she became acutely aware of her autonomy. Having been blinded by her own father to become the Pantokrator’s mouthpiece, she had been subjected to total physical hijacking for the gods know how long as the spirit used her like a puppet. The worst part was that the spirit either wasn’t able or willing to render her unconscious during the entire ordeal and she was forced to remain aware of her helplessness, blinded and at the mercy of her god despite being well cared for. Now that she has complete control of her body again, the girl did something she’d been waiting a long time to do.

She screamed.

As the sweet sound of her scream filled her ears, the girl paused to take a deep breath before screaming louder, tears flowing down the strange orbs stuffed into her eye sockets. Oh how she loved the sensation of her facial muscles rippling, the reverberation of her voice as it bounced off the walls and caressed her skin! She would rather die than allow anyone to deprive her of her muscular control again.

The little girl didn’t know how long she screamed but she stopped when she heard footsteps approaching her. A strange and foreboding presence surrounded the person and the girl considered fumbling her way into the fountain behind her and drowning herself. At least this final choice would be hers to make.

The footsteps stopped as if sensing her intention. A strange thrumming filled the air and the girl felt the orbs fly out of her eye sockets as if possessing a will of their own. Of course it wasn’t painful but the act caused the girl to gasp and instinctively cover her eye sockets with her hands. A few seconds later, the same impersonal force pulled her hands away from her face and she gave off a series of panicking squeals as she struggled to free herself from her strange foe. The bouts of panic were interrupted when a pair of smooth objects slightly heavier than the orbs were quickly but gently pushed into the sockets.

A swirl of colors mesmerized the girl before snapping to a view of the throne room’s massive doors. In the center of her vision was a woman dressed in red and black finery. The dress in question has a cloth bodice worn over a low-cut blouse that accented her comely figure and a gown that reached her ankles, hovering over her brown low-heels. Her pale skin seemed to glow despite the woman favoring the shadows. Her back-length, curly black hair framed a comely face and her red eyes seemed to regard her with pity. Her lips, painted as red as fresh blood, were curled into a small smile. However, there was a predatory cunning beneath the surface.

Leaning forward to take a closer look, the girl gasped as her vision immediately zoomed closer to the woman’s face. She could see each individual strand of hair on her eyebrows simultaneously, the conical and cylindrical cells that comprised her irises, and the pores on her face, just to name a few. She could even have counted them had she been interested in doing so.

For the moment, she was elated that she could see again after presumably years of blindness. Tears flowed down her face again.

“I see that the newly crafted Eyes of Aiming are functioning perfectly, my little fraulein,” the strange woman purred in a sweet voice. However, there was a hint of authority, as if she was used to commanding others. “Now that you can see again, would you be so kind as to give your benefactor your name?”

The girl wracked her brain for the answer. However, it’s been a long time since anyone ever referred to her by name. As the woman waited patiently, the answer soon surfaced in her consciousness and the girl turned back to the woman. “C-Constanze,” the girl finally murmured, her voice too low to be heard.

However, the woman appeared to understand her. Either Constanze was actually speaking much louder than she gave herself credit for or the woman possessed a supernatural sense of hearing. Nevertheless, the woman walked up to her, wincing slightly when the sunlight touched her skin, yet her stride remained unbroken. Though Constanze was a bit wary, she trusted her enough to sit next to her. Wordlessly, the woman wrapped her pale arms around her, cradling her in a warm embrace. Tensing for a second, Constanze allowed herself to rest on the woman’s chest. She smelled of crushed rose petals and fresh snow, as well as a faint coppery scent.

“I am Hildegard, daughter of the long deceased Hochmeister Dietrich of the Black Order,” the woman said as she caressed Constanze’s black hair. Given that Constanze wouldn’t possibly know much about the outside world, it would be more accurate to say that Hildegard was mostly talking to herself. “I fought against the dread legions of Ermor in the service of Ulm upon a black unicorn I’d named after my father.”

“During the military campaigns against the undead, I fell in love with a Black Knight named Leibniz and bore him a beautiful daughter we named Anne. Though Leibniz fell in battle and I had to put down his reanimated corpse soon after, we lived the best we could during the horrors of the last Ascension War. However, the memories of glorious battle made me pine for the rush of excitement I’d once felt so I left Anne in the care of relatives so that I could return to the life of combat. I was instrumental in defending Ulm from the Ashen Empire as it took the brunt of its forces while Marignon, C'tis, and Mictlan nipped at the edge, you know. Hah, you could say that had it not been for me, Ulm would’ve joined Uruk, Phaeacia, and multiple others in the bloodstained dustbin of history."

"I was Ulm’s greatest heroine… and this fucking fountain, this Oracle, chose my child as its new mouthpiece as a ‘reward’ for my services.” Constanze shuddered as Hildegard spoke that particular phrase with no small amount of venom. 

“Turned out those sorry excuses for relatives handed my only child to the Pantokrator in my absence in exchange for status and reputation! They claimed that they were doing me a favor, that they were honoring my heroism! Well, their bones now honor the covered cesspit of Brackens.”

“However, I knew that I could never hope to live long enough to exact my revenge on my object of hatred so I’d consulted in secret a blood mage who agreed to take me as his apprentice in return for service in Ulm’s emergent Iron Order. During that time I drank the blood of sacrificed virgins which was something unheard of in those days in hopes of achieving longevity. I was changed completely, turned into something greater than any human will ever be unaided. My skin became as pale as a fresh corpse and I found myself limited to only blood as sustenance. I cannot cross rivers even if they are frozen and being submerged in water became anathema to me. Still, the price was worth it, with immortality, heightened senses and reflexes, and enhanced strength and speed being just a few of the benefits. With these gifts and centuries of planning, I created a secretive organization that influenced events both within Ulm and in foreign countries even as I waited for a chance to exact my revenge. Too bad the coward has just taken the easy way out.”

Stroking Constanze’s face, Hildegard smiled, baring her pearly white teeth. Her upper cuspids extended over her bottom teeth in needle points. If Constanze cared about it, she didn’t show it.

“However, the glorified birdbath left a world at peace in its wake, a world that’s now vulnerable to depredation at the hands of its enemies, If I can’t destroy the Pantokrator itself then I will smash its legacy to bits. Instead of a force for good, Ulm will become a juggernaut underneath which the entire world shall be crushed and traumatized. Instead of peace, there will be war and oppression. Like a forest of gnarled and blackened trees, my influence will spread across the world, bringing death and despair to drown out the life and the hope of sycophants who mistakenly believed that the Pantokrator would rule them forever. Instead, I will bear the mantle of the One True God and all will weep and chafe under my dominion. I will bring a lifetime of blood and darkness of the likes the world has never seen until all forget the tender cares the Oracle has given. Everyone but the powerful will be praying that Ermor, the Ashen Empire, had won the Ascension War instead.”

Reaching under Constanze’s chin, Hildegard gently moved it until her eyes met hers. “You can help me achieve Pantokratorhood, Constanze. You can become my Prophetess. I can teach you many things like how to fight, how to be a great leader, and how to use magic among other things. Once you reach eighteen years of age, I will give you a wonderful gift.”

Pausing, Hildegard continued with a shrug. “Of course, you can refuse and I would be disappointed. I would even remove those wonderful eyes I’ve just given you and return you to your mother and father. These magical items are quite precious after all and they aren’t cheap. However, I would also wonder why you would do yourself a disservice by wasting this opportunity to become more than the mouthpiece for a ‘benevolent’ god. The world continued to sing praises to your jailer while you were a prisoner in your own body. Fewer still would even blink when you are inevitably sacrificed and even fewer would quiver while another poor little girl is forced into the same predicament you once suffered. Even your own parents gave you away in exchange for status and respect. Your father would’ve ended your life a few months from now had the Pantokrator not disappeared. You no longer owe the world anything… but it owes you much, much more. So, would you like to be my Prophetess?”

Thinking for only a moment, Constanze nodded. “I’ll do it.”

“I knew you would make the obvious choice, my little fraulein,” Hildegard said as she and Constanze stood. “Come, we got a world to bleed.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The province of Mictlan

20 minutes later.

The envelope of astral energy burst like a bubble the moment it slipped out of the Void and the Lawgiver glanced around the tropical trees as he took in the smell of mud and foliage. Birds of various colors called out to each other and thousands of insects chirped amid the vegetation. Carved statues of jaguars and warriors indicated that the capital was near. It was a stark contrast to the creepy dark forests and gothic architecture of Ulm, the arid deserts and shrinking swamps of C’tis, and the heavily adorned and buttressed buildings of Marignon.

It was good to be home.

The Lawgiver was about to take a step when he felt a thick cord within himself snap. An onrush of a deep primal feeling of loss overtook him and the Lawgiver was forced onto a knee. His eyes widened with shock, the Mictlan Disciple clasped his chest and he struggled to control his rapid breaths. He felt as if he was part of a whole who found himself detached and adrift, like a ship suddenly unmoored. A powerful sense of dread filled him and the Lawgiver fought to stay resolute, to keep a brave face. However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something horrible had just happened and the worst part is he knew exactly what that was.

The Oracle, the Pantokrator of this new age since the end of the Second Ascension War, was gone.

“Too soon, too soon…,” he breathed as he finally composed himself and stood back up. With a heavy heart, he walked into the jungle. Soon the world will be embroiled once again in war as new Pretenders sense the Pantokrator’s disappearance and older ones take advantage of the confusion to resume their claims. This world can’t catch a break.

Arriving in a clearing, the Lawgiver was surprised to see a large gathering of warriors clad in white and turquoise feathers and leather armor. They were his Shining Guard, brave warriors with hearts full of righteousness and the zeal to exact justice on the depraved and protect the weak. They stood with him as he fought against renegade blood mages who were still loyal to the Smoking Mirror and who wanted to reinstate the foul Blood Cult he’d banished. They patrolled his provinces, hunting down brigands and aiding the provincial defenders against invasions. They were his right hands when it came down to upholding the law and exacting justice… and they looked geared up for battle. 

When the Shining Guardsmen saw him, they quickly organized themselves into several battalions and raised their feathered shields, whacking their obsidian swords against their surfaces in salute. A familiar face made his way over to the Lawgiver, flooded in relief. Though he was past his prime, the man moved just as firmly and with a purpose as he did when he was given command of his first battalion decades ago. However, the Lawgiver could see a hint of an expression worn by many soldiers and warriors he’d come across during his travels. Here was someone who’d suffered a great loss.

The Lawgiver and the man embraced each other. The Lawgiver held him in front of himself. “It’s good to see you again Huacoutl, though it seems that I’ve arrived at a tedious time. Tell me, where’s War Chief Altahuatl?”

Huacoutl paused for a moment before taking a deep breath, releasing it as a small sigh. “He’s dead, Lawgiver.”

The Lawgiver was taken back by the news and it took all he could to maintain his composure. Swallowed, he slowly asked, “Did disease claim him or did he fall to a criminal’s sword?”

“He died at the webbed hands of a criminal alright,” Huacoutl saw as he averted his gaze to the side before redirecting them back to the Disciple. “We shouldn’t have allowed those Atlanteans within our borders. I knew they were bad news the moment they start trying to bullshit their way into our religion.”

The Lawgiver stiffened and was tempted to give Huacoutl a stern look. The both of them often disagreed on whether Mictlan should’ve accepted the refugees claiming to be escaping the collapse of their underwater civilization, presumably at the hands of either Ermor’s undead legions or the Illithids of R’lyeh or however they pronounced that city’s name. While the Lawgiver and some of the Mictlanecs welcomed them with open arms, Huacoutl and others like him distrusted them. Besides the aforementioned grievance the war chief held against them, the Atlanteans seemed reluctant to seek out the rest of their kin which further increased their suspicions. Right now; however, the Lawgiver chose not to press the issue. “So, what did they do?”

“Ninety-six of those fish men and fifty human traitors holed themselves up inside the ruins of that accursed temple of Tuanilopec in direct defiance of your decree. They are led by that arrogant Atlantean King of Rain Talpulitec. They have even kidnapped thirty-six young adults and imprisoned them inside the ruins. When War Chief Altahuatl and a small group of Shining Guardsmen tried to confront them, the bastards shot him in the heart with a poisoned arrow and killed the rest of the warriors. So I’d gathered about two hundred warriors and thirty priests in order to dislodge them from the ruins. You’ve arrived just in time for the assault.”

The Lawgiver rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Could they be trying to… nevermind. I’d ensured that every manuscript were burned to ashes and every carved inscription was defaced. They’re probably only holding them hostage in order to enforce their demands but why would they just kidnap young adults? Why not include children and elderly as well?”

“Perhaps they wish to appear less monstrous?” Huacoutl suggested. “Threatening children and the elderly would make them look worse than they already do, not that it matters to me. They’re all still criminals as far as I am concerned.”

“Perhaps I should approach them alone and unarmed to put them at ease,” the Lawgiver said after a while. “Sure I would be more vulnerable but I am a god who is proficient in neutralizing poisons and my divine status and reputation would make them think twice before attacking me. I will approach Talpulitec and ascertain his demands while attempting to separate the criminals from the hostages. You will keep your battalions in the surrounding jungle to strike when I give the signal and as backup should things turn south.”

Huacoutl looked at him as if he’d just announced that he will commit suicide. “Pardon my lack of faith Lawgiver but wouldn’t it be better to just assault the temple immediately?”

The Lawgiver simply shook his head. “Even as a ruin, Tuanilopec is still a raised defensive position for our enemy. We will be literally fighting an uphill battle against warriors while poisoned arrows rain down on us from above. Though we outnumber them, we still would take massive casualties. That of course doesn’t take into account the fact that Talpulitec and his followers will start executing hostages once they realize we’re not open to negotiations. We would have to try a peaceful approach as a first resort. They didn’t care about Altahuatl but they won’t ignore me.”

Huacoutl opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. Really, he couldn’t think of a better plan. “Very well, Lawgiver. I’ll defer to your wisdom.”

“Good,” the Lawgiver said solemnly as he turned toward the gathering army. “Now, let’s not keep our friend Talpulitec waiting. So, here is what you would do...”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

30 minutes later

In sharp contrast to the rest of the jungle, the area surrounding the charred temple was uncharacteristically silent. The creatures had either fled or were collectively holding their breaths in anticipation of what was about to transpire. A strange tension filled the air like the buildup of static before a lightning strike. There was no doubt that whatever happened here would determine the fate of Mictlan.

Having left his obsidian sword with Huacoutl, the Lawgiver approached the ruined temple with his hands raised above his head, his eyes scanning the stones for movement. Some of them were covered with crusted blood. A few scaly humanoids peered from their hiding spots, their large, fish-like eyes leering at him. They towered over the humans who’d cautiously revealed themselves. The humans in question were decked in ceremonial red feathered cloaks and sacred trinkets. Their eyes leered at him through the fierce tribal face paint they bore. The criminals gripped their weapons tightly as soon as they recognized him and some were even taking a few steps back. Their expressions were still determined, though he could sense uncertainty and possibly regret.

’Good,’ he thought to himself, smiling internally.

A javelin suddenly embedded itself into the ground a few feet in front of him. Not even flinching, the Lawgiver stopped walking and glanced at the Atlantean who threw the javelin. He towered over even his kin and his bluish-green scales were darker. His large eyes glared at the god he once revered though he too bore a slight air of uncertainly. The Lawgiver certainly didn’t earn his reputation as a powerful Disciple just by writing laws, after all.

“That’s close enough Lawgiver,” he spoke in the characteristic guttural croak of the Atlantean race, his deep voice ringing out in the silence of the jungle. “Now, state your business.”

The Lawgiver stole a quick glance at the ruined enclosure at the top of the pyramid where the hostages were presumably kept. He then leveled his gaze back at the Atlantean. “I wish to speak with Talpulitec about his transgressions against my laws.”

The Atlantean King of Rain flashed him a grin, his razor-sharp teeth glistening in the sun. “You’re speaking to him now. Also, I would like to add that your laws have no meaning to us, not anymore.”

The Lawgiver raised an eyebrow. “I see that you are comparatively few in number, meaning that not all of your kin agree with you.”

Talpulitec hawked up a large glob of saliva and spat it to the side. “Bunch of cowards dare suggest you should remain in control when the world’s about to erupt into warfare once again. They even believe that you should try to remain neutral this time, much like that ineffectual god who now rules Shinuyama. No, we need a god who will act decisively and ruthlessly in the coming war. Of course, you are a decisive god but you’re too… soft.”

The Lawgiver simply looked at him before giving off a small laugh that caused Talpulitec to wrinkle a brow. “Is that why you’d disregarded my decrees and kidnapped those people, because I’m not harsh enough? That I’m not a bloodthirsty god who doesn’t care from which side the blood flows, only that it does? That I would rather punish you all with public floggings and exile rather than flaying you alive and feeding your families to predators lurking in the jungles of Mictlan? I’d brought peace to Mictlan for two centuries after barely keeping her from being exterminated by the Ashen Empire and you think I’m too soft? You don’t know what you’re really asking for, Talpulitec.”

“What kind of god bows to another like a whipped dog?!” Talpulitec bellowed. “What kind of god passes on the opportunity to become Ruler of All?! You should’ve been Pantokrator, not an over-glorified toilet!”

“Where were you when Ermor threatened to wipe Mictlan off the face of the earth?!” the Lawgiver yelled, unable to contain his temper anymore. Talpulitec slightly recoiled at the outburst. “Where were you when our slain children, adults, and elderly rose off the jungle floor with the intention of devouring the flesh of the living, their numbers fueled by the Smoking Mirror’s desperate mass sacrifices of virgins to stave off the inevitable? Were you there to do whatever it took to keep a sentient pile of bones from turning the world into a wasteland filled with the undead? As a god, the survival of Mictlan and the world is my responsibility, not that you would understand!”

“A PILE OF BONES?! The world was nearly destroyed by legions ruled by a pile of bones?! No wonder you’re weak!”

“As your god, you will not disrespect me again!” the Lawgiver growled as his eyes glowed. Behind Talpulitec, the Atlanteans and humans tensed, gripping their weapons tighter. To his credit, Talpulitec himself kept himself from flinching this time.  “You trifle with someone who can end you in the time it takes for you to say another blasphemous word!”

“You’re not a god to me, not anymore,” Talpulitec growled. “You’re just a dog whose leash has been cut. Don’t give me that look, Lawgiver. My priests sensed the shift in dominion in the air and your own became less… subservient nearly an hour ago. Either the Pantokrator released you from his service or he disappeared. Either way, you’re no longer in control here Lawgiver. On the other hand, a more worthy god contacted my priests in their dreams and we know just how to call her into this world. Mictlan will become more powerful than she was in ancient times.”

The Lawgiver opened his mouth then closed it. His expression became darker and much more dangerous. “Those people aren’t just hostages, are they?”

Talpulitec smirked. “Glad to see that brain of yours still having room for logic. My only regret is that all of this should’ve been started much sooner.”

“Assuming you’d even found manuscripts that I didn’t burn and engravings I didn’t deface, do you have any idea of the nightmare you will inflict on Mictlan?!” the Lawgiver growled as he took a step toward Talpulitec. The Atlanteans and humans immediately drew back their bowstrings and readied their javelins as the large Atlantean straightened. “There will be no more peace, only terror! Hundreds of innocents will die daily and it will only get worse! Even your kin will suffer as well in the trap you will lay for them and many will curse your name for forcing them into this nightmare! You will regret this, Talpulitec!”

“Now that you’d mentioned the manuscripts, yes they were all destroyed, at least those you could get your hands on,” Talpulitec said as he motioned with a thick scaly arm toward the humans among his followers. “However, there are some who hid copies for the fateful day when Mictlan is restored to her former glory, people who were wrongfully hunted down for the crime of defying a weak-willed god.”

Gritting his teeth, the Lawgiver flashed a glare at the humans before turning back to Talpulitec, his face a harsh, stony mask. “Consorting with enemies of the state is a crime punishable by death. You and everyone responsible will be disemboweled and beheaded before the eyes of your families and the rest of the citizens. Your families will be made to work hard to restore their soiled honor in whatever means they can and they will be made to use your places of burial as a latrine. You say that I am not harsh Talpulitec but that’s only because you have yet to suffer my wrath… until now.”

The Atlantean’s deep-throated laughter echoed through the air like a thunderclap. He then unsheathed a dagger made out of a dark green stone. “You are no longer my god so your punishments mean nothing to me!” Talpulitec finally croaked as he drew his large tongue up the length of the blade's face. “In fact, before this day ends, I will piss on your statue in the central square and you won’t be able to stop me because you’d be dead! We have had a rather dour conversation but it’s time for you to join the Pantokrator in Hell. Warriors, it is time to summon the goddess! Kill this false god!”

With a quick incantation, the Lawgiver erected a dome of compressed air around himself just as a volley of arrows and javelins slammed into it, splinters and detached arrowheads slick with poison flying everywhere. As a large group of Atlanteans warriors advanced toward him, the Lawgiver conjured electricity in his right hand and thrust it straight into the air. An intense light filled the area moments before a resounding boom caused the enemy to crouch. Most of them whimpered as they expected more bolts to rain down upon them. However, something else happened that no one except the Lawgiver expected. 

The surrounding jungle unleashed hundreds of shrill screams.

Talpulitec bellowed out a few orders to his warriors before ascending up the temple steps in a haste. The Atlanteans quickly fell back to the stairs and formed a barricade of obsidian weapons and thick, scaly bodies. His air shield blocking another volley, the Lawgiver muttered another incantation and conjured up a large ball of ice which he then threw at the enemy shooting at him. Upon impacting a stone block, the projectile erupted into a cloud of ice shards that tore through flesh and bone, unleashing a cacophony of shrill screams that joined the macabre chorus. 

The sudden lax in the volleys gave the Lawgiver enough reprieve to focus his attention on the formation blocking the steps. Around him, the Shining Guard charged out of the jungle, their fierce warcries and the shrill screams of their death whistles filling the air. With a quick incantation and a wave of a hand, the Lawgiver sent a swarm of arrows made out of vines at the Atlanteans. Though the spells of the enemy mages blocked some of the projectiles, the rest immediately unfurled upon impacting their targets. The Atlantean warriors yelped as the thick vines coiled around their bodies like writhing snakes, pinning them in place. Their comrades tried hacking at the vines but the animated vegetation’s hard skin proved difficult to slice through. 

As the two forces hurled javelins, arrows, and spells at each other, the Lawgiver looked up to the structure on top of the pyramid just in time to see Talpulitec disappear into the opening. As the Shining Guardsmen made their way toward the enemy on the steps, the Lawgiver gave a grunt of acknowledgment as Huacoutl arrived, holding the former Disciple’s obsidian sword under his arm.

“Perhaps we should’ve attacked Talpulitec straight away,” the War Chief said as he handed the weapon to the Lawgiver. “These Atlanteans don’t want to cooperate.”

“Of course, Talpulitec said that many of his kin didn’t want to join his mad scheme,” the Lawgiver informed him. “No doubt they saw the evil in it.”

“I supposed they were only cowardly, your Divinity.”

The Lawgiver paused before looking at Huacoutl more seriously. “’Your Divinity?’ You… you heard Talpulitec speak of my current situation, about the disappearance of the Pantokrator?”

“To be accurate, we knew about it before you’d even met us at the beginning of this assault,” Huacoutl said with a nonchalant shrug as the first of the Guardsmen made it to the base of the steps. Many of them were beginning to get scythed by enemy projectiles. “The priests went nuts when they sensed the shift in dominion. However you wish to approach the coming Ascension War, the people of Mictlan stand with you.”

The Lawgiver narrowed his eyes. “What a world we live in-”

A fireball slammed into the air shield and erupted into a large conflagration. Unable to withstand the strain, the protective barrier vanished in a gust of air. Grunting, the Lawgiver hefted his weapon on a shoulder and focused his will into the fibers of his very being. A handful of white gems appeared in his free hand. Whooshing sounds emanated from the objects, giving the impression that a gust of wind was trapped within each of them. Screams directed the Lawgiver’s attention toward the top of the pyramid and he turned just in time to see a handful of objects bounce down the steps, leaving behind red splotches on the stone. A simmering barrier soon formed around the structure, likely to prevent anyone from interrupting the ritual.

“The sacrifices have begun!” Huacoutl shouted in alarm, echoing the Lawgiver’s sentiments. “The heartless bastards!”

“Justice shall be rendered today!” the Mictlan ex-Disciple, now Pretender, stated firmly as he reabsorbed the air gems. His heart was filled with a righteous fury not felt since the previous Ascension War with the Ashen Empire. Concentrating for a second, he muttered an incantation and raised his free hand. Within his very being, one of the air gems ruptured and a strong gust of wind enveloped him and spread throughout the battlefield. 

He then concentrated again and muttered another incantation. A ripple passed through his body before the Lawgiver dissolved into a thick mist. However, he maintained a humanoid shape and his grip on his weapon. 

“I’d buffed the Shining Guard’s accuracy,” the Lawgiver said to Huacoutl, his voice bleary as if the wind itself was speaking on his behalf. More objects now bounced down the steps in a torrent, painting the stone red. “Order the warriors and priests to target the enemy priests and mages hiding in the rear of that blockade. I will distract them.”

“Understood, your Divinity,” the war chief acknowledged, whacking his shield with his weapon.

With a nod, the Lawgiver flowed through the ranks of his warriors as he made his way to the frontline. Around him, handfuls of unfortunate Guardsmen succumbed to the spells raining down on them by the enemy, being burned to ashes, frozen, petrified, and cursed, just to name a few. However, the enemy also suffered as their leaders were slowly picked off one by one as spells and javelins were guided to their marks by the wind. 

Despite being outnumbered and under constant assault, the Atlanteans held their ground just as the first waves of Shining Guardsmen clashed with them. Unfortunately, running basically uphill combined with facing larger and tougher foes enhanced by various combat spells and magic items lessened the impact of the charge, and the Atlanteans made the warriors pay for it dearly. Handfuls of Guardsmen were sent screaming into the air with every swing of the Atlanteans’ two-handed obsidian swords and maces. Several were skewered at once by their larger foes' spears. 

Howling like a fierce wind, the Lawgiver breezed his way through his warriors and sliced through the neck of the nearest Atlantean, lopping his head free. As the decapitated warrior slumped to the steps, another croaked in fury and swung his obsidian sword into the Pretender’s waist. However, the weapon passed harmlessly through his body and all the Lawgiver felt was a dull thump as his nearly incorporeal body danced in the wake of the sword swing. Not wasting time, he hefted his obsidian sword above his head and cleaved the surprised Atlantean’s skull in half. The spraying of blood alerted the rest of the Atlanteans to the new threat and the Lawgiver soon found weapons and mundane projectiles breezing through his body as he cut down several more enemies. However, this resulted in the blockade focusing most of their attention on this singular threat rather than the larger one assaulting the pyramid, which the Shining Guardsmen took advantage of by pressing the attack. The Atlanteans soon found themselves gradually isolated from each other and weathered down as the blockade slowly began to unravel. 

Satisfied with the chaos he created, the Lawgiver flowed through the agitated enemy’s ranks until he bypassed the blockade itself. Ahead, several enemy priests and mages lay on the steps lifelessly, their bodies scarred with the ravages of damaging spells. A few more foes also lay on the steps, though the Lawgiver could see their chests rising and falling. An all too common occurrence in battles, these mages have collapsed in exhaustion after expending more spells than their bodies could handle. The rest of the surviving enemy were busy slinging spells at the Shining Guard, some falling to incoming spells as well as the onset of exhaustion. None of them seemed to be aware of his presence, yet.

As he walked toward the nearest of the unconscious mages, the Lawgiver got a better look at the objects currently rolling down the pyramid. Their faces frozen in masks of terror and agony, the decapitated heads of the hostages seemed to stare off into the distance. Some of them appeared to be barely out of their adolescence. 

With increased fury, the Lawgiver raced toward the mage and buried his sword into his chest. The mage coughed up a glob of blood before giving off a sigh. He then proceeded to slay two more unconscious enemies before a fireball impacted a stone block next to him, alerting him to the enemy now giving him their undivided attention. As he dodged spells being thrown at him, the Lawgiver concentrated for a moment and broke another air gem within his being. The released wind permeated every fiber of himself and his movements became blurred. It was as if he had become the wind itself.

Time seemed to slow down as the Lawgiver dashed toward the nearest priest, moving faster than even the swiftest animal. The priest didn’t even register that he was in any danger until the blur that was an obsidian sword cleaved through his chest. Before the corpse could fall to the ground, the Lawgiver turned his weapon into another blur and bisected another priest. By the time he’d cut down a third priest, the rest quickly sprang to action and enhanced themselves with spells. The nearest priest grunted as the Lawgiver’s sword slammed into his chest, dislodging pieces of bark he’d altered his skin into becoming. As the sword bounced away harmlessly, the irate enemy launched a blast of air that pushed him out of mistform. Barely able to assume a combat stance, the Lawgiver barely dodged the blur of a punch aimed at his face by a priest who moved as fast as him. However, the move caused the man to overreach and the Mictlan Pretender quickly swung his sword toward where he anticipated his enemy to fall back to. A spray of blood splattered onto the steps as the man fell for the ploy and drowned in his own blood.

A commotion from the top of the pyramid caused the Lawgiver to turn his glance upward for just a split second. A bright red light shone from the structure and rivulets of blood flowed down the steps. Seconds later, the hulking form of Talpulitec raced out of the structure, followed by a contingent of human priests. Disembodied laughter filled the air and the raging battle soon settled into a palpable calm as everyone turned their attention to the top of the pyramid. Static as well as other more invisible and chaotic forces filled the air, classic indicators of a huge spell at work. The Lawgiver felt the very blood within his vessels danced as if in anticipation of what was to come and based on the expressions of everyone nearby, the others were experiencing the same thing. Suddenly, a shift in his dominion jerked him back to his senses and the Lawgiver turned them to the foreign sphere of influence that now took its place. It called into mind mountains and large stones in a barren expanse, their fortitude, industry, and endurance capable of strengthening both people and wills. It called into mind the boundless life and activity that is nature, found in both peaceful meadows and in inhospitable jungles. It also exerted a cultivating influence that promised more frequent and easier childbirths and rapid-growing crops, with bustling towns and rapidly growing populations being just a few of the results.

However, perhaps most of all, the new dominion brought to mind sanguine pleasures and crimson terror. Visions hints at legions of dark forces called forth from a hellish place to feast on the innocent, using their lifeforce to fuel their own existence. Multitudes of faint screams filled the air as a woman’s laugh suddenly appeared and eventually overshadowed them all. A coppery taste soon formed in his mouth and the Lawgiver immediately spat on the stones in an attempt to rid himself of it.

That was when the structure exploded in a blast of red mist and stone.

Flying in high arcs, the colossal blocks of stones eventually fell back down to earth. Warriors from both sides attempted to move out of the paths of the debris and some indeed succeeded but most were tightly packed against each other. Shouts of alarm and horror were punctuated by the crunching of stones and bones, blood splattering from each impact. Wiping a few stray droplets off a cheek, the Lawgiver looked back at the red mist just as the wind picked up and blew it away. What was now revealed for all to see sent chills down his spine.

Towering around forty-eight meters, the new deity appeared as a colossal naked woman whose fingers were warped into bloodstained claws. A mass of writhing snakes grew from her waist, forming into a thick skirt of coiled muscle and venomous fangs. A necklace made from a thick cord of red flesh draped over her shoulders, bearing severed hands and hearts that pulsated as if they were still within the bodies from where they were gouged. However, in the place of a head, there was a stump from where twin jets of blood shot out like macabre geysers. The crimson jets soon morphed, taking on slender, ropy shapes as green scales grew on their distal ends. Finally, the jets terminated into broad snakeheads, their red fangs glistening in the sun as their golden-irised eyes scanned the goddess’s new domain.

Before the Lawgiver could respond, the abomination took a deep breath with both mouths and spoke through one of them in a shrilly, raspy voice that spoke of rage and bloodlust, “I have come to lead you all to victory! Worship me and bring me lots of sacrifices and I shall bring war unto your enemies’ doorsteps, drowning them in their own blood!” The goddess then switched to the other snakehead. “Defy me and you and the rest of the traitors shall drown in your own. Frankly though, I care not from whom the blood flows, only that it does not relent.”

Raising both heads into the air, the goddess shouted through both of her mouths. “I am Teteo Inan, Queen of Bloody Deaths, Mother of Serpents, Cultivator of Fields, She Who Makes Mountains Kneel, and Enemy of Weakness!” The Atlanteans and their human comrades thrust their weapons into the air and gave a loud cheer. On the other side of the Atlantean blockade, the Shining Guardsmen looked on with a mixture of terror and resignation.

As Teteo recounted the story of her origin and exploits, the Lawgiver stepped forward, narrowing his eyes as he glared at the goddess. Nearby, Talpulitec noticed him and flashed him a sneer. “Our goddess is magnificent, don’t you agree Lawgiver? She will be a thousand times the god you will ever be and I will lead her warriors as her Prophet.”

Not even bothering to afford the king of rain the courtesy of a glare, the Lawgiver simply replied, “You better pray I win because you could only expect a quick death and the desecration of your remains. Try disappointing Teteo Inan one too many times and see what happens. The last thing you will ever see will be your successor cutting out your heart and offering it to her. I guarantee it.”

Talpulitec grunted loudly but otherwise remained silent.

Taking a deep breath, the Lawgiver thrust his free hand into the air and interrupted Teteo’s story with a resounding flash of lightning. A hush fell over the temple as everyone looked at him. Her two snake heads turned to face him as rage appeared just below the surface. However, her temper was barely held back by curiosity as her unblinking eyes seemed to peer into his soul as two forked tongues tasted the air. The wind picked up, carrying with it the scents of dust and fresh blood.

Lowering his hand, the Lawgiver took a deep breath and spoke with a clear and authoritative voice, “Clearly you’re in the wrong domain because there is already someone appointed to serve as judge, jury, and if necessary, executioner for Mictlan. You speak as if you already rule this country, that you deserve to be its goddess. Now face the one who’s taking exception to you and your promises of bloodshed and suffering! I am the Lawgiver, Father of Justice, Sower of Fields, He Who Quenches Droughts, He Who Rules With Honor, Friend of Children, The Thunderstorm Upon The Field of Battle, Sentinel of Civilization,…,” The Lawgiver’s glare deepened as his voice dropped to a whisper that promised retribution. “...and Enemy of the Depraved.”

The mouths of Teteo contorted into caricatures of sneers. “Ah, my Prophet Talpulitec told me all about you in the dreamscape, something about you being weak and indecisive! I wish I’d known you were a human. Perhaps I wouldn’t have overestimated you so much and mistook you for an actual threat!”

“Trust me,” the Lawgiver simply said as he hefted his sword onto a shoulder. “Overestimating me is a viable survival tactic.”

Bloodlust rushing into her eyes, Teteo Inan got into a combat stance with a murderous glee, her claws spreading out as if readying a deadly embrace. Her bare feet crushed pieces of the destroyed structure into dust. “Come prove me wrong then! Worshipers, leave him to me! I could use a good bloodying in the first hour of my debut!”

Teteo stomped her foot down onto the temple steps and a line of stone spikes erupted, rushing toward the Lawgiver like a great snake of rising stone. The Lawgiver dodged out of the way just in time to avoid a large spike that would’ve impaled him. Running in a zigzag path, the Lawgiver unleashed a bolt of lightning at the horrible goddess. Teteo simply knocked the bolt aside as if it was nothing, evidence of a considerable resistance to magic. She responded by launching herself at him, nearly smashing him flat underneath a foot. Though the Lawgiver managed to avoid getting killed, he’d inadvertently dodged closer to Teteo and found himself under assault by the snakes growing out of her waist. He managed to disengage himself from Teteo before she could rip him to shreds with a claw but not before a few snakes bit him in the torso. With a burst of air, the Lawgiver thrust himself to a safe distance before glancing over the snake bites. The venom burned as it coursed its way toward his heart, only to completely dissipate when confronted by his heightened resistance to poison. A bit of healing magic closed the wounds.

 As a blur, the Lawgiver rushed toward his target just as the horrible goddess chortled gleefully, rushing out to meet him. Her steps thundering down the pyramid, the goddess raised a claw and transformed it into an assemblage of metal razors and cylinders. She then aimed it at the Lawgiver and extended the cylinders, stretching her wrist at twice the length of her forearm in a blur of speed. The Lawgiver dodged at the last minute as the metallic claw smashed into the stone, kicking up a ponderous amount of dust and stone shards. Not wasting time, the Lawgiver leaped onto her wrist and ran up her arm. Barely maintaining his balance as Teteo coiled her two snake heads to prepare a strike, the Lawgiver dove for her chest, twisting his body into the air to narrowly avoid two pairs of blood-red fangs that nearly scratched him, faintly trailing sour wisps of deathly venom as they passed by. Coiling himself, the Lawgiver whirled in the air with a yell, channeling the might of storms into his obsidian sword as he slammed it into her chest.

The thunderous force knocked Teteo off her feet and pushed the Lawgiver away. Shrieking in alarm and fury, the horrid goddess crashed into the remains of the structure and rolled over the other side of the temple,sliding partway down the huge structure. The enemy cowered as the pyramid shook at the shock of the goddess’s fall. Bolts of lightning flashed everywhere, some searing a few stragglers. Channeling the gentle but strong force of a summer gale, the Lawgiver cushioned his fall, landing on the ground gently just as a thunderous cheer erupted from the Shining Guard. Amid them, Huacoutl cheered the loudest, weapon and shield thrust toward the heavens.

Whirling his weapon around expertly, the Lawgiver shot a piercing glare directly at Talpulitec. To his credit, the Atlantean didn’t flinch this time. In fact, he looked as if he was… expecting something to happen. Not willing to let him escape justice, the Lawgiver raised his weapon toward the king of rain and channeled the binding force of wind. Suddenly manacles and fetters made of solidified air formed around the Atlantean’s limbs. With a snarl, Talpulitec tried to break free but chains of fortified winds held him in place. His subordinates tried to destroy the false fetters but to no avail.

“You are guilty beyond measure, Talpulitec,” the Lawgiver finally said. “For that, you will be added to the Annals of Disgrace in addition to your punishment. Mictlanecs everywhere shall burn your effigy alongside others every year and your family will be forced into hiding, changing their names to disassociate themselves with you, yet the shame of your actions here will burden them for decades to come. Your name shall be reduced to a curse used to invoke the folly of pride and every good deed you have ever done for Mictlan will be forgotten! You and your followers have broken my laws and you all shall suffer for your own foolishness!”

Ceasing his struggles against the ethereal fetters, the Atlantean king of rain simply sneered. “True, you may have established these ‘laws’, these ‘guidelines’. Sure you may see yourself as the giver of laws as well as ‘He Who Rules With Honor’ but let me tell you about my goddess...”

A rumble caused the Lawgiver to whirl around just in time to see two thick vines burst out of the ground, tapering into razor-sharp thorns within milliseconds. The Lawgiver grunted as they impaled themselves into his chest and burst out of his back in a gory burst. He coughed up a glob of blood as his lungs filled with the coppery substance. In the sudden shock of the attack, he dropped his obsidian sword which clattered against the stones. Behind him, the Shining Guard gave off shouts of horror while the enemy slowly unleashed another loud cheer. 

“My goddess is the Law,” Talpulitec simply croaked in satisfaction as the vines lifted the Lawgiver into the air.

The Lawgiver gave a loud ragged cry as the vines wretched toward Teteo as the goddess dusted herself off and stood back onto her feet. Two of her clawed fingers were raised into the air, glowing a baleful green. Her two mouths twisted into sneers as her enemy was brought closer to her. Her forked tongues tasted the air between the both of them, doubtlessly savoring the scent of an imminent feast.

“Your strength and determination are admirable for someone who could be mistaken as a normal human being,” Teteo mused as she bared her fangs. “However, your time as the god of Mictlan has come to an end. If it makes you feel better, I shall remember this fight as clearly as I will remember the taste of your blood.”

To the terrifying goddess' surprise, the Lawgiver simply grinned. "Remember when I said that overestimating me is a viable survival tactic?" he asked. "Perhaps It's time to show you why."

Teteo screeched when the Lawgiver became enveloped in a bright light. The radiance was powerful enough to banish the vines impaling his body and force everyone to avert their gaze. As cries of surprise filled the air, the light changed shape. It took on an elongated, whip-like shape as the rustling of feathers filled the air. Motes of bluish down wafted in the air as a long hiss seemed to shake the very air itself. Foreboding crept down the necks of those unfamiliar with the event and chilled their bones as the wind picked up in anticipation. Finally, after a minute or so has passed, the light dispelled itself in a blast of minute sparkles.

In the Lawgiver's place was none other than a giant, magnificent feathered serpent.

Green feathers growing out of the edges of its scales, the feathered serpent or the couatl as the Mictlanecs called it unfurled its large orange feathers at the base of its head into a crest. The orange plume spouting from the tip of its tail danced as great wings of azure might kept it aloft in the air with each slow flap. The couatl measured twenty-two meters from head to tail and its body was almost as thick as that of Ma'at. Its green eyes became aflame with promises of retribution and brutal justice as it turned toward its prey, the deep wounds on its body beginning to close.

"My form may ssshift but my desssire for jussstice remainsss unchanged," the feathered serpent hissed in the Lawgiver's voice. Upon seeing their god in his new form, the Shining Guardsmen unleashed a thunderous cheer, with Huacoutl leading the roar of exultation. In front of them, the enemy looked unnerved, some even seeming to regret their transgressions. Only Talpulitec looked furious.

"You can shapeshift? How marvelous!" Teteo howled in delight. "Fight me and we'll see if it's an improvement!"

Teteo unleashed a flurry of claw swipes at the Lawgiver. However, his new form proved lithe and he gracefully dodged every attack. As one of Teteo's heads launched itself at him, fangs bared, he deftly flew around the strike and slammed his tail into the head. The goddess gave an agitated yelp as she was forced back a step. The struck head drunkenly swayed toward the side. Not giving her a chance to regain her balance, the Lawgiver glided straight at her in winding coils and latched onto her other neck, sinking his fangs into her thick, semi-liquid flesh. He felt no small amount of satisfaction as his venom glands began to contract, injecting deadly venom into his foe's bloodstream.

Before he could completely empty his glands; however, the goddess slammed a fist encased in stone into his throat. Venom streaming out of his fangs, the Lawgiver turned in midair to go for another strike only for Teteo to bat him out of the sky. The Lawgiver hissed as he slammed into the steps, crushing any blood mages he landed on. He quickly righted himself, only to find the enemy surrounding him, weapons bared and spells readied. Clutching her bitten neck, Teteo channeled a bit of healing magic into the wounds. Given that she wasn't even fazed by the venom, she must possess a considerable resistance of poisons as well. Regardless, she didn't look too pleased with the attack.

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM NOW!" she screeched.

Almost immediately, every enemy who wasn't busy holding the Shining Guard at bay charged him. Arrows and javelins glancing off his scales, the Lawgiver slammed his tail against the nearest group of enemies, knocking them screaming into the air. Moving with a deceptive grace, he dodged spells thrown at him and impaled two Atlanteans, one on each fang. He threw the two bodies into a group of human warriors and slithered into their midst. Before they could react, the Lawgiver slammed his tail onto the steps as he hissed a short incantation. A burst of thick icicles erupted out of the ground, impaling everyone in the group except himself. Meanwhile, Huacoutl and the Shining Guardsmen fought with renewed vigor as they tore through the barricade. Having been weakened by the Lawgiver's attacks earlier as well as being under constant assault, the Atlanteans couldn't maintain cohesion any longer and broke formation. The tide of righteous fury soon spilled up the steps, turning what was once a barely organized defense into a chaotic free-for-all.

A bellow of challenge turned the Lawgiver's attention toward the source. His face a mask of fury, Talpulitec raised a hand toward his enemy, knuckles forward, and curled all his fingers except the middle digit. The king of rain then spat on the steps in derision.

Wordlessly, the Lawgiver charged toward the Atlantean. Muttering an incantation, Talpulitec waited until the Lawgiver was almost within striking distance before summoning and launching a large shard of ice at point-black range. Twisting his body to avoid the projectile, the Lawgiver was about to clamp his jaws around Talpulutec's body when a shot of intense pain erupted from the left side of his back. Turning his head, the Lawgiver's eyes widened in shock to see that the icicle had almost completely torn off his left wing, leaving it dangling to the rest of his body by a chunk of cartilage and flesh. Distracted by the near loss of the wing, the Lawgiver inadvertently rammed headfirst into Talpulitec. The Atlantean screamed in frustration and pain as he was sent tumbling down the side of the temple, his body hitting each step with a crunch. He stopped tumbling halfway down the temple and remained still.

The Lawgiver gave off a screech of sheer agony as he turned toward the nearest enemies. Understandably, they were terrified and looked on the verge of routing or even surrendering. However, they were trapped between a numerically superior enemy intent on punishing them for their crimes and a terrifying goddess who'd obviously and brutally object to them running away if her epithet of 'Enemy of Weakness' was any indication. Eager to push them to the breaking point, the Lawgiver reared back his head to deliver a devastating strike.

Just as the Lawgiver was about to deliver the coup de grace, several thick vines erupted out of the stone. Sharpened to a point that surpassed that of ordinary weapons, the vines pierced effortlessly through his scales and into his body. The Lawgiver bellowed as the vines pierced deeply into his flesh, some even piercing his vitals. His healing magic struggled futilely against the toxins the vines released. However, they were effectively being canceled out, leaving the wounds unhealed.

A loud moan escaped his lips as the vines raised him into the air. Below him, the battle died down as everyone's attention was drawn to him. He could hear shouts of horror from his followers and the enemy's cheers as he gradually morphed back into a human. The vines readjusted themselves to account for their victim's changing form. 

"While this fight was even more exciting than I'd imagined, that doesn't change the fact that in the end, you're still just a human," Teteo mocked him as his mortally wounded body was suspended within reach. She then decided to twist the knife. "Different form, same result."

“Go… *cough*… go rot in Hell, monster…,” the Lawgiver sputtered, his consciousness fading fast. 

“I don’t rot, my esteemed foe. I rule."

Suddenly, Teteo reached out with a hand and grasped the Lawgiver’s legs. Yanking the vines out of his body, the goddess clamped down on his torso with one of her snake heads. The Lawgiver’s agonized cries filled the air as one of the fangs pierced through his body, nearly drowning out the resulting cheers of the enemy. The scalding touch of the venom crept over his chest and the Lawgiver could feel his heart succumbing to the deathly poison. Craning his neck to look through the gaps between Teteo’s smaller teeth, the Lawgiver beheld the looks of horror and shock on the faces of Huacoutl and the surviving Shining Guardsmen with a pained expression moments before Teteo wrenched her neck and ripped the Pretender of Mictlan, formerly a Disciple of the Oracle and the best friend of Antonio and Ma’at, in half.

Spitting out the Lawgiver’s torso into her other hand, Teteo giggled madly as she brought both halves of her slain enemy over her heads and felt his blood and innards spill all over her body. His headdress fell to the stones below, tumbling through the air like a leaf separated from its tree.

“BLOOD FOR THIS BLOOD GODDESS, BLOOD FOR THIS BLOOD GODDESS, BLOOD FOR THIS BLOOD GODDESS,” she screeched like a madwoman. “BLOOD AND RAIN!”

Another uproar rose from the Atlanteans and human traitors as Huacoutl and the Shining Guardsmen looked on with stunned silence. Most of the enemy were beginning to prostrate themselves before their victorious goddess in worship, incessant praises on their lips. Others were even dancing, singing the songs of slaughter and dominance that the Lawgiver banned in his reign. Amid the cacophony, Teteo opened one of her mouths and gulped down the Lawgiver’s legs before grasping his head with her now free claw, tearing it off with a sickening plop. Huacoutl watched as she brought it closer to her macabre necklace, one of her mouths moving as if muttering an incantation. Suddenly, the cords of flesh unfurled apart and impaled themselves through the Lawgiver’s ears, threading through the cartilage and flesh until they met in the middle of the brain stem and winded themselves back together. The head began to grow until it was slightly bigger than the severed hands. The Lawgiver’s head was now part of the horrible goddess’s gruesome necklace.

An intense feeling of renewed fury and hatred unfurled itself within Huacoutl and the war chief bellowed out a challenge as he slammed his weapon into his shield repeatedly until he finally and forcibly grabbed the enemy’s attention. Turning his head to look back at the Guardsmen, he could see his fury spreading to them as well. The ones who met his stare even nodded at him, the unspoken message exchanged among the warriors as clear as a sign. These men would be damned if they go down quietly.

“I’ve almost forgotten about you humans,” Teteo sneered, pausing before swallowing the Lawgiver’s torso. Her worshipers cleared a path as she walked up to the Shining Guardsmen, stopping just a stone’s throw away. Up closer, the goddess was truly massive and imposing. Lesser men would’ve run for their lives by now but Huacoutl and his comrades weren't like other men. They were the right hand of the Lawgiver, the true god of Mictlan, unto their last dying breaths.

“Since I’m in a great mood today,” Teteo continued, coiled her necks to get a better look at her enemy, particularly at Huacoutl.  “Instead of spilling your guts onto these stones and grinding your families into a red paste, I will give you a chance to redeem yourselves for your poor choice of gods. Bow down, swear fealty to me, and worship me and your impudence shall be forgiven. Refuse and you shall join your god in Hell.”

With a fierce grin, Huacoutl turned to face his men and spoke with resolve, his eyes aflame with defiance that only a man who’d faced his death would have. “I don’t know about you but I believe it’s about time we regrouped with our god anyway. We would be of more use waging an eternal war against demons than patrolling a damn jungle.” The Shining Guardsmen unleashed a fierce warcry in affirmation. At Teteo’s feet, the Atlantean blockade jerked back in reflex.

Turning back to Teteo, Huacoutl locked eyes with her as he got into a combat stance. “You have our answer but don’t get too comfortable. You’ll be joining us soon.”

The goddess raised her heads into the air and took a deep, contented breath. “Ah, so much fury, so much hate,” she purred in a predatory tone as her tongues frantically tasted the air. “Feelings such as these make the blood all the sweeter.”

In a single cry of fury, Huacoutl and the Shining Guardsmen charged their enemy as Teteo and her worshipers gleefully threw themselves into the fray. The cries of renewed battle soon filled the jungles, drowning out the cries of birds and other creatures.

A red sun soon filled the skies with its baleful glow.