When Relma awoke, her arms and legs were bound together by something sticky. She felt herself being bumped gradually. Opening her eyes, she saw the back of a spider scuttling, and she was on it. Around her were many other spiders and those specters she had seen before. Glancing up, she realized she was being carried in a bridal style by Rioletta. Her entire body was covered in webs.

"So you awaken, darling," said Rioletta. "I was hoping you'd remain asleep for the rest."

"Why does Lucius want my company?" asked Relma.

"You don't seem very fearful for one in your position," said Rioletta.

"I don't really get concerned about things," said Relma. "I mean, my body is terrified. You're something it has never seen before, and all these monsters have it wanting to run. But I'm not my body. My body is just how my soul interacts with the world, like a suit of armor.

"It affects me, but it isn't me.

"And I'm much more detached from it than most people."

"How very disappointing," said Rioletta. "Some of the best fates I've we have come from the connection to the world. Take that away, and there is nothing but pathetic exceptions to how things are.

"It is in the material plane that fate has meaning. Where changes can occur."

"I know that much," said Relma. "Why do you think I wear this skin?" What was she talking about? What did she mean by skin?

"To cheat," said Rioletta.

"Cheat?" asked Relma. "Is that what you call it?"

"Well, yes," said Rioletta. "You've taken on the flesh of a human with all the advantages. But you've kept your original spirit as is.

"Your fate is preordained. Set in stone.

"Only the details may change. I can make nothing of you because there is nothing to work with."

"As opposed to William?" asked Relma.

"Well, of course," said Rioletta. "He's worth investing in. Such pride, such compassion, such flaws, I could weave such a wonderful tragedy from him. If only Elranor would stop interfering.

"I'd just love to bind his soul in my webs and have my way with it. His blood is positively delicious."

"You are the goddess of fate, aren't you?" asked Relma.

"But of course," said Rioletta. "My webs allow me to manipulate the fortunes of all those in the world. It is my great passion."

"But you are limited in what you can achieve?" guessed Relma.

"Of course I am," said Rioletta. "I may pull the strands of fate, but those connected to those strands may also pull. All the gods may pull the webs as well."

"Then what is the difference between you and everyone else?" asked Relma.

"Dearie, I am the Weaver," Said Rioletta. "I create the webs of fate from the river of souls. I keep the fabric of destiny from fraying, a duty no other god may do. And this gives me advantages.

"All gods can perceive destiny. But I control where it goes.

"Some threads are easier to alter than others, of course. Certain strands cannot be changed without damaging the tapestry."

"And you can't change my destiny?" asked Relma.

Rioletta looked moderately embarrassed at the question. "Well, no. You see, your fate was written by the Goddess Karus in ages past. In those days, the God of Order, Valranor, fought a losing war. He was doing battle with Baltoth for power over Calisha. But there came the point when all was lost and his defeat certain.

"Valranor went to my Karus and sacrificed a large part of his power to interfere with the strands of fate. He could not save himself, so he changed them to ensure Baltoth's destruction. He foresaw that the descendants of Anoa the Bright would be powerful. And one in particular among them would rise to great heights.

"And so he set them on a collision course with the God of Order, who he knew Baltoth would become."

"Why would your Karus let him do this?" asked Relma.

"I believe they were lovers," said Rioletta. "Though truthfully, I don't much care one way or the other."

"What happened to this Karus?" asked Relma.

"Oh, she died," said Rioletta. "Baltoth was quite furious when he discovered what she had let Valranor do. He dedicated much of his reign to stamping out her worship throughout the cosmos. All in the hopes of averting the prophecy.

"Not that it worked. Silly Baltoth. So he destroyed her and cast her corpse into the hell.

"However, that corpse was found by my mistress, Zigildrazia, and formed into me. She entrusted me to Melchious, my master, and I learned under him. Rather ironic, really."

"How is that ironic?" asked Relma.

"Now that would be telling," said Rioletta, pleased at knowing something Relma didn't.

Then suddenly, they emerged into the daylight, and Relma saw before her vast wastes. The earth here was gray, and the only plants Relma could see were shrub grass. One or two pools of water were overlooked by scraggly trees here and there. And the skies above were in twilight.

"Welcome to the Dusk Lands," Said Rioletta. "A barren and stretched realm, still recovering. I wonder why the Dust Elves love it so much.

"The strands in this fate are thin. Chaos had a hold here."

Then overhead, Relma saw a vast fortress built with the symbols of skulls engraved onto the walls. Towers jutted high like jagged teeth, and an unworldly green glow surrounded it. Iron gates swung open as they approached.

"Is this Del Gabor?" asked Relma.

"Whatever gave you that concept, darling?"" asked Rioletta.

"Well, the towering spires and unholy glow helped," said Relma.

"Then, yes," said Rioletta.

The spiders were left behind at the gate, and Rioletta carried Relma through halls of stone. Within were vast numbers of satyrs camping and working. Some were playing cards, others sparring. They eyed Relma and Rioletta with distaste.

And then they entered a barren courtyard. And there was Lucius, sitting next to a round table, reading a book and sipping tea. Beyond him was a great black arch made from what looked like solid black marble. It drains the light away gradually around it. Though how he drank it with nobody was beyond Relma. He looked up and radiated pleasure. "Ah, Rioletta. You got her to come back with you willingly. Well done, well done indeed."

Rioletta set Relma down and ripped the webbing with one clawed finger. Relma stood up, getting the feeling back in her hands. As she did., Lucius floated forward and offered a sleeve.

"Relma Artorious, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Relma did not take it. Lucius shrugged and drew back to the table, and motioned to a chair. "Please, sit down.

"Would you care for anything to drink? Perhaps some tea? I'd like to be known as a good host."

Relma remained standing. "...No, thank you."

Lucius shrugged. "Suit yourself. As promised, Rioletta, if ever William Gabriel falls into my hands again, I'll hand him over to you. I'm sure it will infuriate the Dreaming Goddess a great deal, I'm sure."

"Excellent," said Rioletta. "It should spite that insufferable Arraxia as well."

"I was led to believe you had patched things up," said Lucius.

"Oh, we've never been hated enemies," said Rioletta. "If that is what you mean. But I'd absolutely love to hold this over her."

"I'm not sure she cares nearly as much about who kills William Gabriel as you do," said Lucius. "The other part of our bargain is also fully in effect."

"Why do you want William so much?" asked Relma.

"Well, I had this wonderful plan going and a trapped slave to torment as I willed," said Rioletta.

"Then he wrecked the whole thing. It really is only fair he replaces my losses. He also has a destiny that some compelling figures need him to fulfill. Having him in my possession would be a very powerful bargaining chip."

"Perhaps we should discuss the matter another time," said Lucius. "Would you leave us in peace?"

"Of course, dearie," Said Rioletta. Then she scuttled off.

Lucius looked at Relma from where he was seated. "For now, Relma, I'm sure you are wondering why you are here."

"The thought had crossed my mind," said Relma.

"Well, the first reason is that I'd wanted to speak with you," said Lucius. "I like to connect personally to the various rising heroes of each age. It goes a long way to keeping the game entertaining.

"There are, of course, more practical reasons."

"Which are?" asked Relma.

"I need you as a hostage," said Lucius. "Much as Rioletta desires William, you would be very valuable. So long as you are in my custody, Harlenor cannot act against me. Or, at the very least, not without alienating those who believe in the prophecy.

"Of course, if they do call my bluff, I'll have to cut your throat, but that is only a minor inconvenience."

"I'd die," noted Relma.

"As I said, a minor inconvenience," said Lucius. "I am immortal and eternal, my dear girl. I know a thing or two about the afterlife. And the truth is that death isn't nearly as serious as mortals think it is.

"The way things stand, you die repeatedly until you qualify for one of the afterlives. Then you enter that until it inevitably collapses and has to be reformed.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"It's just part of the cycle."

"Is that why you sent your own people to die in droves?" asked Relma, feeling a bit hostile.

"The satyrs don't value their own lives," said Lucius. "They live and die for the Unborn God. I'm presenting them with a means to achieve their goal.

"But to answer your question, yes."

"And the Unborn God is?" asked Relma. She felt she knew the answer already but did not want to use the information until she heard it.

"A charming plan they invented of their own accord," said Lucius. "They believe that their souls and life forces join with a god still forming within hell. The Unborn God will one day awaken and consume the universe.

"I mean to ensure it becomes partially true."

"Is that your plan then?" asked Relma.

Lucius laughed. "Plan? You think too much of me. I'm not more than an elderly gentleman looking out for his interests."

"Then why are you trying to exterminate the Dust Elves? What do you gain from it?" asked Relma.

"In the short term, nothing," said Lucius. "But once there are no more Dust Elves, their souls will still have to reincarnate. Some will become high elves, of course. But unless their population growth greatly increases, many will join other races.

"Which is the thrust of my intentions.

"I want to exterminate all species save humans and satyrs, starting with the elves. Once all souls are reincarnated in my creation's races, I shall overthrow the gods. Once they have all been supplanted by my people, I will dissolve their afterlives. From there, I shall force all the souls of the dead to reincarnate as humans and satyrs.

"Thus, all sentient life in the universe will be recreated in my image."

Relma blinked. He hadn't explained anything, really. "But why are you doing it?

"Because I really don't like elves very much," said Lucius. Then he paused to consider how weak this sounded. "And I dislike Alchara."

Relma blinked. "... That's your motive?! I assumed that when you murdered your wife to create a race of bloodthirsty monsters."

"Well, it's more of a hobby to pass the time than a plan, truth be told," admitted Lucius. "It wasn't always. I remember I was quite a firebrand back in the day, always plotting this and that. Still, I've cooled off over the years; now, I pursue it for two reasons.

"First, my subjects expect it.

"And the second is a healthy dose of spite. I expect you'll find that most motives are based on the latter. If we didn't want to ruin someone else's existence, we'd all find more productive things to do.

"So you're doing this all for fun," said Relma, disappointed by his motives.

"And to create a gate in Del Gabor from which the orcish race will return and make war on all who live," said Lucius.

There was dead silence.

"...I expect I should have mentioned that first," said Lucius after a moment.

Relma took this in. On the one hand, this ran contrary to Lucius' earlier plan. But then it might further them in some fashion. Or he might simply be making things up as he went. Relma felt like she was, and it had worked out for her.

So she feigned interest. "What are orcs?" She was genuinely interested, so it wasn't feigned.

"A particular species created by dark magics that has spread across the cosmos. Very fond of killing and burning, as I understand it. They landed here long ago but were wiped away by Alchara," said Lucius. "I'm bringing them into this world using the lifeforce of the satyrs who died in battle.

"Though that may take some time, to be honest.

"I'm beginning to think the plan might be untenable. I've been working on this gate for quite some time, and I can't seem to get a stable connection." He motioned to the black arch and looked at it; Relma sensed power. Immense power. "This device was meant to create a shortcut through the spiritual plane. It exists alongside the material world. But what I need to happen is a gate to be opened into turmoil so I can reach other worlds entirely.

"It's been quite an interesting challenge. Of course, they have a similar gate in the domain of Antion and faraway Tarasif. Yet that is of much cruder design and is limited to where the gods began their creation of this world,"

"Why do you want to bring these things to this world?" asked Relma.

"I owe Fortenex a favor, and Melchious hopes to use the distraction," said Lucius. "Also, I like trying my hand at solutions to difficult problems.

"You see, there are four general planes of existence. Heaven, hell, the spirit world, and the material plane. Heaven and hell existed first. They were creations of the gods' will when they first came through the river of souls. Though some argue that hell is just a twisted mockery of heaven, it is all semantics.

"The material world was then created by one or both of them. None of the stories agreed, even when I was a young man with a full head of hair. What is important is that the material plane is the battleground of Heaven and Hell.

"They refuse to do battle directly, you see. Some claim that such a thing would destroy the universe. For my part, I believe it isn't practical. Angels are at their strongest when in heaven and their weakest in hell. Demons have the reverse. An invasion would be unworkable. So instead, the two sides foist the whole problem off on mortals."

"I thought Diabolus was the first demon," said Relma.

"He was the first," admitted Lucius. "But demons did exist before the Seven Demonic Archons. Unfortunately, Diabolus was not what you could call original — or organized. The races were so monstrous they were useless for my purposes.

"When I achieved Envy's aspect, it was my idea to create the Seven Demonic Archons. They were creatures possessing the virtues of the heavenly realm but who used them for our ends. It then became a simple matter to arrange for Diabolus' downfall. I haven't met one man who liked him, so causing rebellion was easy.

"Since then, things have been far more efficient. None of this evil-for-its-own-sake nonsense. These days, most demons who amount to anything have a clear goal and are willing to get their hands clean to get it."

"Like Melchious?" guessed Relma.

Lucius seemed to smile affectionately despite not having a face. "Melchious is a fine young man, but he's something of a romantic. He appeals to the old guard of demons, lots of torture and destruction for its own sake. But he pursues all that because he enjoys it and likes fighting.

"His goal is meaningless carnage, and that is what he achieves. He'll grow out of it eventually and seek more realistic gains.

"You are guessing a bit closer to home than possible for your mortal self."

"I know," said Relma. "It's evident in retrospect. I've always known the right thing to do. Every time I make a gamble, it pays off. I've never really misjudged someone badly yet.

"I am not human, am I?"

"No. You are not," said Lucius. "Your spirit is an incarnated angel of great power. Elranor does that occasionally. He refuses ever directly to intervene in an outright confrontation. He prefers to inspire greatness and gift powers to those who earn them.

"I thought it rather a silly idea, but Harlenor has survived all these years, so there may be some merit.

"Still, every so often, Elranor needs someone to intervene directly. Someone with higher power than your average mortal. In these cases, he has one of his angels incarnate themselves in a mortal body.

"I was hoping you'd be the one I was looking for."

"Looking for?" asked Relma.

"Yes, that was the other reason I brought you here," said Lucius. "I've been looking for a particular angelic soul for a long time. My counterpart, Evoria."

"The one you murdered," said Relma.

"Yes, I stabbed her to death with a knife," Said Lucius ruefully. "It's been millennia, and if she'd wanted to, she could have reincarnated at any time.

"Being murdered is just an inconvenience. Nothing too serious. I've had it happen once or twice when I took mortal form. You don't see me swearing eternal vengeance."

"Why are you looking for Evoria?" asked Relma. "And why would she be an angel?"

"It would be more accurate to say that she was akin to an angel," said Lucius. "She was the mother of your species and also the satyrs. Albeit, the latter was born through some unusual means.

"The point is, Evoria and I are like gods ourselves by the simple virtue of being the first. If she was incarnated, she would likely display similar abilities to yourself. Great charisma, immense natural talent, and noble bloodlines. The usual."

"Why are you looking for her?" asked Relma. "Do you want to get her back?"

"Don't be foolish," said Lucius. "I never loved her at all. I was created with a far higher level of comprehension and intelligence than her. She had a childhood where she learned to speak and walk while I did not."

Relma wondered what it would be like to simply not have a childhood. To be born with immense knowledge and emotional maturity. "Why would the gods do that to you?"

"It was necessary," said Lucius. "At the time humanity was created, most other races had existed for hundreds of years. We were a last-minute addition by Alchara, I'm afraid. Only a little thought was used, and little care was provided.

"They gave me knowledge and power enough to take care of her.

"And then they told me to breed a race with her. It was akin to marrying my daughter."

"What do you mean we were a last-minute addition?" asked Relma, feeling human suddenly.

"In the original plans for the universe, there were no humans," said Lucius. "Apparently, the universe they came from had only humans, and they wanted a change.

"They designed each race with a specialty and among them. Dwarves were great miners and craftsmen. The elves were long-lived and wise. And orcs were great hunters."

"Wait," said Relma. "You said the orcs were created by dark magic."

"Yes, they were," said Lucius. "It's somewhat complicated, but the orcish species was recreated in a new form. There is an Empire called the Demoration, ruled by a spoiled and indolent elite."

"I've heard the name once or twice. What kind of name is Demoration?" asked Relma. "Why would they want to recreate the orcs, and why haven't I ever heard of them?"

"It was named after its founder, Demos," said Lucius. "A hero of some renown who defeated one of the Withering Kings. As for why you haven't heard of them, they are not of this world. And they have existed for a very long time, extending their reach to many worlds.

"They wanted to create an army of loyal slave soldiers. You see, they were somewhat unpopular with their people and did not want to rely on a citizen army. And later, when they succeeded, they took it one step further.

"The whole idea was to replace the working class of their own society with brainwashed orc slaves. That way, they could permanently drive the peasants into squalor. They'd only have to cover up the horrible state of their society for a few more generations. Then, with luck, the lower classes would all die of starvation or become slaves out of desperation.

"Not that the elites were aware this was their plan. Most needed to be more shortsighted to know they even had a plan. But that was, ultimately, where their strategy was heading. So, for simplicity, I call it their plan and ignore their rationalization of sin.

"As happens with the idle rich, however, they were deceived more by Rioletta. When they made the orcs, they assumed they were creating life wholesale. In reality, however, their steps were being guided by Kreshlak, who wanted to restore his old race. When the time was right, Rioletta sent one of her agents to break their control over their slaves.

"The resulting war developed... not quite to their advantage. It was a spectacular case of spannering on Rioletta's part.

"Spannering?" asked Relma.

"A term we use for when an elaborate plan is ruined by a single, decisive action," said Lucius. "But in any case, the point is that original orcs are long since dead. The elves killed them, down to the last child, thanks to machinations I set in motion long ago. I am rather proud of that achievement, actually.

"Where was I?"

"You were telling me why you are plotting the eradication of non-humans," said Relma.

"Ah, yes, thank you, dear girl," said Lucius. "At my age, I tend to ramble on and get sidetracked. Please indulge me.

"Anyway, the point I'm getting at is that all of the races had their own specialty, which they were really good at. Each one had a god assigned to it as well. Barden for the dwarves. Laevian for Dust Elves, Alchara for High Elves. Then there is Dreamora for Dreamer Elves, Kreshlak for the Orcs. And so on and so forth."

"What about halflings?" asked Relma.

"Halflings are actually a different kind of dwarf. They are descended from some who went above ground and began farming," said Lucius. "They have the same ancestor.

"Anyway, the point is that all these species worked very well. But they all were separate. There was no interaction between them, and the gods wanted there to be interaction. That was when Dreamora suggested they create humans to act as a sort of intermediate race. They'd have all the advantages of each race but not be as good in any area.

"Evoria and I were the first.

"Unfortunately, we didn't have any of the benefits the first of the other races had. The world was not new and wonderful. The darkness had begun to set in. That was why I was given knowledge between good and evil."

"Everyone already has that," noted Relma.

"Not everyone did at first," said Lucius. "In the first days, the species were as children, unable to understand right and wrong. Eventually, the gods granted it to them when they were mature enough.

"But I had it from the beginning.

"I knew things. From my first moments, I could ponder the cosmos and know more than any other. I understood how to speak, and I knew right and wrong. And I picked things up very quickly indeed.

"The gods claimed it was a gift. I learned otherwise.

"Evoria had been born into an innocence unknown to this world now. She was more naive than the youngest child in the world. And I had been charged with taking care of her. I was more a father to her than a brother."

He'd said that twice now. As if reminding himself of the fact. "Why did you kill her?"

"It's a bit of a long story," said Lucius. "But the two of us were charged with learning the ways of the world." He looked away. "Also producing a new human species. Unfortunately, we'd been made for a perfect world, and the world around us was anything but.

"It was less unpleasant than it was now, but sin had come to filter in, even in those days."

"Why did you kill her?" asked Relma more firmly.

"Evoria apparently got on well," said Lucius. "She had a remarkable ability to charm people, much like yourself. Nor did she understand when others mocked her. For my part, I did understand her. My apprenticeship with the elves was a nightmare.

"I spent the entire time listening to them act smugly, treating me as a child. And I wasn't a child. But I lacked any of the experience that an adult would have.

"I still remember the fathers and mothers of the elves. Men and women should have stood as equals, yet we were just stupid servants. And we were always the worst everywhere, no matter what we did.

"We went to the dwarves and lived in cramped quarters. We were too large for their tunnels and needed more durability to do many of their techniques. And once again, we were the worst.

"Among the orcs, we were not as strong or fast or skilled with the spear or axe.

"We were nothing. We were the worst at everything we tried wherever we went.

"Humanity was created to be terrible so everyone else could look good.

"I hated them. I wanted to see the other races miserable. But my thoughts had not yet turned to murder. For in those days, I thought the gods would play by their own rules.

"So we settled down. And we produced a race.

"But I did not take time for pleasure or enjoying the world. What was there to enjoy? We had been given used goods on the day of our birth. It was an insult, so I returned the unwanted gift.

"Instead, I focused on producing as many children as possible. Evoria wanted to take our time, but I had no time. I raised them quickly, forcing them to learn a trade immediately. Every child I produced became something more significant.

"While other races celebrated and lazed about, we worked. There were no holidays for humanity, nor did we waste animals or resources for sacrifices to the gods. I sent my children to learn the ways of other races. But I did nothing to connect the races with each other. And when I discovered something wonderful or great, I kept it for humanity alone.

"Queen Dreamora told me to stop. She said I was harming my children by making them work so young. But I knew the truth. She was afraid, for she saw now that I was about to defeat all the races at their own game.

"Soon, I produced works of wonder and beauty the elves could not conceive of! I was mining faster and forging greater equipment than all the dwarves in the world! My hunters coordinated and soon forced the orcs to move farther afield. We killed more beasts than they ever could hope to! And we left to rot what we did not need so the orcs could not eat!

"All of the other races! All their special talents and unique abilities were nothing! NOTHING BEFORE THE UNWAVERING AND ETERNAL WILL OF HUMANITY! MY WILL!! NOT THE GODS!!"

Lucius was suddenly screaming, and the sound shook the stone and sent a pale light flaring in the skies above. Then he composed himself. "I apologize for that. Old wounds do get me angry.

"We had been given nothing to work with. Our enemies had a centuries-long head start. And we still beat them."

"I'm not sure it was a contest," said Relma.

"Everything is a contest," scoffed Lucius. "As spoiled children often do, the other races cried to their parents. So the gods decided that they must take some action. They needed to prevent my children from making the rest irrelevant.

"They could have adapted my own methods or developed new means. But that would take some actual work. So, instead, the gods decided to ensure that humanity's lifespans would be far shorter. Thus limiting the amount we could learn.

"I realized that the gods would never allow my species to succeed. We were the unfavorite. The game had been rigged against us at the start.

"So I made a pact with Diabolus, stabbed Evoria to death, and used her blood to create the satyrs. I unleashed them on the Dreamer Elves, who lived in an isolated area. When they were completely wiped out, I planted evidence. I deceived the other races into believing the orcs did it. Using them, I set the elves and dwarves on the warpath against them. I nearly exterminated the species. And all the while, the satyrs viciously attacked the high elves while their men were away.

"Most were killed.

"The Dust Elves fled into the far east. The dwarves and orcs were butchering each other en masse. The high elves met the satyrs in battle, and together, they tore each other apart. Both were equally matched and caused massive casualties.

"I was so close.

"So close to destroying them all! To victory!

"But then my children, the humans, turned on me. They sided with the high elves and fell on the satyrs, their true brethren. So the high elves won the battle by a narrow margin.

"Then Diabolus broke through the barriers of reality and destroyed the world. The gods saved those who remained and would later create new worlds. But every world since has been but a reflection of the first.

"As for myself, I was given to Diabolus.

"But I negotiated with Diabolus and convinced him to make me his advisor.

"And that, more or less, brings us up to date."

Relma wondered about something. "Why do you still hate the other races after all this time? You've succeeded in making everyone as miserable as you were. Maybe more."

"Because they aren't human," said Lucius. "Anything not made in my image is an enemy to be destroyed. My victory will only be complete when the god's favorites have been washed from memory."

Relma paused and made up her mind. "...Well, you're a horrible person."

"Whatever you believe, I'm afraid I'll have to detain you here. At least until such a time as other arrangements are made," said Lucius. "If you'll excuse me, I have much business to attend to."

"Kindly escort Princess Relma to her quarters."

And shadows were all around them.

Relma thought this conversation had been very productive.