The hall where the meeting was to take place was a gigantic structure deep within the city of monsters. A circular structure filled to the brim with ascenders of the highest order, from the numerous masters and rulers, to ancients and finally, the six primordials that made up the terrestrials. Moyo subtly noted that Altair was seated close to them, perhaps a sign of his strength, anyways, Moyo was happy for the Thousandblades.
Masters Killian, Duval and Skatha nodded at him as he passed their sides, Wukong gesturing to him to occupy the seventh chair with the primordials. He had faltered for a second, unsure of just what they were scheming, even glancing at Tiamat who graced him with a soft smile. The mother of monsters had been mostly absent from their battles, for whatever she had been up to must had no doubt been of the utmost secrecy.
He nodded, sitting down while ignoring the confused looks from the ancients that were oblivious to just who he was, even the rulers casted looks of utter contempt at him, irrespective of who or what his position was. He saw Raye and Thorian where they sat next to Altair, Raye nodding stiffly at him while Thorian beamed in his usual goofy manner, Moyo wondered if he knew just where his daughter was or if she had a child.
She had left the child with him under secrecy, something that if he was right, only her mother, the phoenix herself knew of. He threw his mind away from it, focusing on his surroundings as Typhon stood up, the hall going dead silent.
“Peers and allies, welcome to the precipice of the final stages of the invasion” he started.
“I will not hide nor mince my words, we have been abandoned” he said as ripples of murmurs broke out.
Moyo for the first time noticed Tania at the far corner of the room, standing with two arcane generals, the frowns on their faces evident from the words of the primordial. He also noticed Mardar who seemed to be quiet, the only representative of the jades who were busy creating barriers upon barriers to slow the coming forces of the abyss. He locked eyes with the scourge rune who nodded at him with a soft pained smile as Moyo wondered just what was going on.
Kairos continued.
“The harbingers have deserted us, back to the biddings of their leash holders, the celestials, returned to their domains the moment the barrier was brought down by the titan blade” he said as Moyos' eyes widened.
The celestials were gone?, Rieus?, Ynas?, all gone?. Why?, what was going on?, what was really the big picture here?. The murmurs became full arguments as Kairos released a pulse of his aura, the room going dead silent again as the weight of the primordial settled on the room.
“What of the cosmic dragon?” a voice called out from within the assembled numbers.
“Gone as well, no traces, and those who remain of the brigade are keeping it secret from us, intending for us to lay down our lives for deserters” Wukong replied.
“LIES” the command like tone came from the thousand whips.
All attentions went back to her as she walked slowly.
“Oh?” Tiamat said,
“Lies against the sun-burner himself and the supreme beings who you all venerate” she hissed.
“Be clearer Tania dear, where are they then?” Tiamat asked.
“On a secret mission, all for the safety of the archailect” Tania replied.
“So what you’re telling us, is that there’s another threat so great, it required not just one harbinger, but the entire harbingers, celestial primordials and their allies to handle?” Tengoku Junzo, the fox asked.
Moyo wondered, a chill running down his spine that this was related to Ajax and the fall of house Dracon, Tania bristled though, eyes glowing.
“I cannot speak on the nature of the mission” she gritted out.
Moyo wondered just what was so important, so terrible a secret, that it would pit mother against daughter. Even as Tania burned with rage, she glanced at Kairos, her adopted father who stared at her calmly, Moyo could had sworn he caught a flash of plea in her gaze to Kairos, to stop whatever it was he was doing. Moyo turned to Kairos who spoke again.
“This is my point, allies of the terrestrials” Kairos said.
“Look around you, we’re all that is left of the forces of the archailect, where our ships once blotted the void for as far as even primordial eyes could see, now, we’re nothing but a fraction of such strength” he proclaimed.
Moyo turned to Altair, eyes asking if this was true, the Thousandblades gave a reluctant nod, Moyo froze in his seat, eyes flickering around as he absorbed just what it meant. Watching as Kairos continued.
“We are what stands between the archailect and a full abyssal invasion!, and while our empires now stand undefended, we are left unshielded!” he shouted.
“You have the jades, elders of the jades, you have the arcane generals of the brigade, what more do you require?” Tania growled.
Moyo felt the tensions in the room rising, watching as the arcane generals now stood with all alertness, he felt disgusted. Even on the precipice of a full abyssal war, the archailect was still divided, he glanced at Tiamat who maintained her smirk, amused by what was going on between father and child. Wukong laughed, drawing Tania’s attention to himself.
“And we’re up against four abyssal lords, a world already a nexus point for abyssal powers, we’re even lucky enough to have the powers of the archailect here” he started.
“Ascensions have been cut off, our Hud's are barely functioning, we are fighting based on our own strengths. How many of us would be left when we get to dire, hmm?” he asked.
“Trust in the supreme beings” Tania hissed as the sage laughed.
Moyo could feel the disposition of the room switch in favour of Kairos, the brigade generals surrounding Tania, like they expected Kairos to harm even his own daughter. Tiamat sighed.
“Daughter, be realistic, the supreme beings never cared for us, all they wanted was venerations to expand their powers, we all know that here” she said softly.
“They do care, it’s why you have us, the brigade” Tania replied.
“And yet, it was thanks to the titan blade that we managed to break through to this planet” Tengoku said.
“I am not on trial here, I care not what you think at this point” Tania said with a cold calm.
Moyo watched the situation play out with rapt confusion, wondering just what Kairos was building up to.
“Good, then you’ll perhaps let us decide our fates ourselves, or is that something we’ll have to depend on your precious supreme beings for?” Kairos asked.
Moyo actively saw the words lance through Tania’s heart, saw the pained look on her face that was gone in a flash. He glanced at Kairos whose gaze remained cold, watching as Ashira entered the halls quietly, rage in her eyes as she stared at her father.
“Very well, to reject the supreme beings is to reject their help, from the moment forwards, all brigade forces are hereby withdrawn to the archailect proper” Tania ordered.
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Tiamat’s eyes narrowed.
“You don’t have the authority to do that dear” she said.
“Quite the contrary lady Tiamat Kairos” she replied with as much frost as she could gather.
Tiamat’s eyes widened at the words, Moyo wondering if it was the name she called her adopted mother or the fact that she indeed had the authority. From her vault came a red burning blade, the flames licking with pure aether and power,
“By the authority bestowed upon me by Lotes, the great and first dragon, the true aether, I hereby order the retreat of all brigade and jade forces” she said, her voice reverberating with all the power of a command at work.
Kairos frowned, turning to Mardar.
“Does she have the authority to command your forces?, what will the aether blessed say?” he asked.
“She spoke with the authority of Lotes herself, the jade order cannot refute such a command” Mardar replied from where he stood.
“But without the jades, we’re powerless against the powers of the abyss” someone shouted.
“I suppose your primordial leaders didn’t take that into account when they decided to actively rebel against the supreme beings, did they?” Tania asked, rage still burning in her eyes.
“Actually, we did” Wukong replied as the room quietened, Moyo frowning as he realized just where this had all been building up to.
All eyes turned to him, Tania’s as well as she realized the trap she had laid for herself, Moyo noticed the look on Mardar’s face showing he had anticipated this. Tania spoke.
“You can’t be serious” she said, not believing what she was watching.
“Why not?, he’s literally called the anathema, something not even the jades are called, no offence Mardar” Wukong said.
“Still, he can’t be everywhere all the time, your numbers will dwindle as well” Tania replied.
“You leave that for us to handle, now, if you’d excuse us?, followers of the supreme beings” Kairos said.
Tania turned stiffly, marching out of the room along with Mardar, Ashira glancing at Moyo who nodded as she walked out with her stepsister. Moyo turned to Kairos, hissing with his voice low.
“Just what in the archailect’s name are you doing?” he asked.
“What we should had done a long time ago” the king of monsters replied.
“Allies, friends, welcome to the new order” he said as a standing ovation applauded his words, catching Moyo offguard.
Had they all been waiting for someone to champion the cause?, had they all been oppressed under the control of the supreme beings?, how long had this coup been going on and just what was the plan?. All these and more ran through his mind as he watched the assembled hosts sit back down, Kairos speaking up again.
“Unlike those loyal to the supreme beings, we know our priorities, and we work for each other, let the union of ascenders be born from the ashes of the rule of the supreme beings!” he said as they applauded again.
“No more will worlds be abandoned by orders of the supreme beings; no more will we watch as some worlds gain more than others. This has been a long time coming, the plans have been in place, have no fear, this was no spur of the moment, but for now, let us deal with the enemies at our city gates!” he said.
“With the aspect of the titan in our forces, we will crush the abyssal forces, we will take the fight to them, and when this is all done, we will take back control of the archailect system and ensure that the reign of the supreme beings come to an end!” he proclaimed.
“This is madness” Moyo whispered.
“Is it?” Tengoku Junzo asked, murmuring as well.
“we’ve all suffered one way or the other due to the actions of the supreme beings, even you, why would us cutting ourselves off from them be madness?” the Omnifox asked.
“Because you don’t know what’s coming” Moyo thought to himself.
Even as the gathering began to disperse, Moyo stood silently, watching as Altair walked up to him.
“You knew about this” he said softly.
Glancing at the masters as well.
“You all knew” he continued.
“Yes, we did” Altair said, even as Killian had a look of guilt on his face.
“Tell me, Altair, did you choose me for this purpose?” he asked.
Altair stared at him as he continued, aware that Kairos and the other primordials were moving closer.
“The whole tournament, the thing about defending my world, was that all just a cover up to use me as some rallying point?” Moyo growled.
“The kid thinks too highly of himself” Ardos said, the primordial frowning.
“Peace Ardos, he’s angry” Tiamat replied.
“No, we chose you because we saw the potential in you to be something greater” Altair replied.
“bullshit” Moyo growled.
“Bullshit and you know it, now tell me the truth” Moyo asked.
“Watch your tone child” Tengoku ordered, Kairos raising one hand to the primordial.
“I could care less, tell me now, was everything a lie?, Ashira getting misplaced, her meeting with me, every bloody thing?” he asked.
“Does my daughter’s love for you look like a lie titan blade?” Tiamat asked as Moyo felt the edge in her tone.
“No, but is she even aware of how you used her?” Moyo asked again.
“Yes mother, was I aware?” Ashira’s voice rung from the doors where she stood, eyes wide with tears.
“It all worked out, didn’t it, daughter?” Tiamat said, a sad smile on her face.
Ashira shook her head.
“Not here, not now, I cannot deal with this manipulation” she said as she glanced at Moyo.
“I’m truly sorry” she whispered before opening a pathway back to her city.
Moyo laughed.
“Tell me, who else was in on this?” he asked.
“The Garuda?, the diamond king?, was that why they’ve been so nice to me?, Ernesh was right” he said softly.
“Whatever lies the harbinger of Liakya told you was just that, lies” Viaris said, speaking for the first time.
“And yet, here we are, all of it coming to pass” Moyo replied.
“Grow up child” Ardos grumbled.
“So what you were used, we were all used by the supreme beings, take a look around you!” he roared as thunder rumbled in the skies above the dome.
“The archailect is dying just as fast as it assimilates more galaxies, it cannot survive with so many galaxies!, our forces are stretched thin!, the forces of the abyss near infinite, even with one abyssal lord dead, we did you a favour!” he roared.
Moyo turned to the primordial, power burning behind his eyes as he was one call away from summoning dominion.
“She knows” Kairos said as he summoned his realm.
It was a place of pure confusion, weird leathery shapes each with the power of a ruler burned to life, Moyo realizing they were parts of monsters stitched together.
“What?” Moyo asked confused.
“It was her plan all along, Lotes’s, that’s all I can tell you right now, don’t ask me why” Kairos said.
Moyo paused, confused, unable to form words.
“What?” he said again.
“And yes, we know of what’s coming” Viaris said.
“We know of Ajax, we know of Garda, we know of chaos personified, give us some credit, we’re primordials” Tengoku said as Kairos nodded.
“So why?” Moyo asked again.
“I told you, I cannot give you answers, not right now, not till we get to dire, go gather your forces Moyo, we’re about to face the full force of the abyssal lords, we cannot falter, not while the archailect needs us” Kairos said again.
Moyo froze, unsure of what to say.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry” Altair said.
“You were destined to be the best of us the moment the aspect chose you Moyo, we can only hope you see that we did it from a place for the greater good” he continued.
“The end justifies the means, is that it?” Moyo asked.
“In this situation, yes, reality and life must continue, even if we have to lay down our lives for it” Tiamat said.
Moyo nodded, his mind a mess as he made his way to the exit.
“Oh, and Moyo?” Tiamat called out.
Moyo turned to see a look of grief etched all over her face as he stared at her in surprise.
“Tell my daughter I’m sorry” she said.
“I believe it’s something you’d have to tell her personally, ma’am” he replied as she nodded stiffly.
With that, he exited, taking a deep breath as he left the sphere of Typhon’s realm, the oppressive feeling leaving him. He saw Mardar standing in the distance, hands folded behind him as he stared up at the sky. The ships of the brigade and jades were already powering up, ascenders looking around in confusion, Moyo knew the jade was waiting for him.
“don’t tell me you were in on this too” Moyo said as he got close to him.
Mardar gave a short smile.
“I had my suspicions, the absence of my master, the ripples in the archailect, the Hud's malfunctioning, it was only a matter of time till the schism occurred” the scourge rune replied.
Moyo nodded, keeping his mouth shut about the Lotes part.
“So, this is goodbye?” he asked.
Mardar sighed.
“Hopefully for now, I got a message from the aether blessed to order all jade forces back to our home” he replied.
“And where’s that?” Moyo asked.
“Wow, no subtlety at all, I’m not at liberty to say though” Mardar replied with a laugh.
Then he produced a coin, handing it to Moyo, a white thing that was cold to the touch.
“However, in case of a threat you cannot handle alone, this will call to us, careful though, it’s a one-time use item” Mardar warned.
“Is your boss fine with you giving this to me?’ Moyo asked.
Mardar snorted.
“Two thousand diamond coins to guess whose order it was” the replied.
Moyo chuckled at that.
“Your boss is quite the mysterious one” he said.
“Tell me about it, no communication for so long, but somehow his message manages to reach me the moment the schism occurred?” Mardar replied.
“Can he read the threads of fate?” Moyo replied.
Mardar’s eyebrows went up.
“Now where did a little master with the aspect of a primordial learn of such thing?” he asked.
“you’re not the only one with secrets” Moyo replied smugly.
Lady Martha could read it, but the reply of the scourge rune showed Moyo just how exceedingly rare and coveted such skills were. Mardar chuckled.
“Make sure you don’t blurt it out though, many powers are in search of such a skill, you’d be calling down enemies on yourself” he warned.
“noted” Moyo replied,
With a sigh, Mardar shook his hand,
“Be safe Moyo, despite how terrifyingly low that could turn out, may the archailect be with you” he said,
“For a moment there I thought you were going to say the force” Moyo joked,
“What?” Mardar asked confused,
“Nevermind” Moyo replied with a laugh.
Mardar shook his head as a lance of light took him back to his ship, Moyo watching as the skies cleared. As he made his way to his city in the distance, he turned to the incoming abyssal armies, wondering what was happening, what was Lotes scheming?.