Soon after the meal had ended, however, did the pair journey to a quiet part of the castle. Of which was towards the rear, where it opened out into a large garden full of trees, hills, and tall grass which was a perfect location for short outings like a picnic. The entryway to such a place, however, was an open archway leading to a white marbled patio that held up have a dozen cushioned chairs of whicker. Upon one such chair was Sarah, the Goddess of Iridescent Colours, wife of the Ageless, and mother to Nox.

Here, she was enjoying a light snack of blueberry cheesecake a few Elven chefs had made up for just such an occasion. These chefs had situated themselves off to her right with a metallic, wheeled cart, and, upon noticing the Ageless and his son, bowed low before exiting with the cake in tow. Which caused the Wolfwoman to frown at this, but brightened when she was given Nox. Of whom immediately hugged her neck whilst his hind end wiggled greatly, and his voice mewed happily with, "Mama."

To which she smiled warmly, petting her son's head and back before turning to face the Ageless with a sigh, "Back to work?" Her voice, though soft, held a speck of tiredness within. For she desired his company far more than usual, and made it abundantly clear to the other. Of whom simply smiled and gave her only part of what she desired, as the rest was to become swollen in belly once more.

"More come every turn, and are even more annoying than the last," was his reply with a grin upon his features.

"Really, Ageless," she sighed slowly as their son pushed himself up off of her collar bone in order to stare at the pair with perked ears, "I wish you would stay longer, or give the job to someone else."

"The others have their own jobs, Sarah, and many do not wish to decide who will live or die."

"What of your Judges? Can't they figure that out?"

This time, it was the Kitsune's turn to sigh as he slowly made his way over to her position. Whereupon he did squat down in order to look her in the eyes before lifting her right, clawed hand with his own paws, "The Judges are focused primarily on Terra and the core worlds. All others have been influenced by Command, in that the important laws have replaced their own."

"Which means?" she pushed a little, trying to extract a better explanation than this.

"Which simply means that until the Judges have adequate Broodmothers at the ready, they will continue to situate themselves around the areas already specified," was his reply, then raised himself up in order to exit back towards the castle.

However, just as he was about to leave, Nox piped up with, "Papa? Story!"

To which the Ageless paused in order to turn back and lift his child from Sarah's person. There, he did situate the youngling in the crook of his right forearm, as his left paw twirled around in a circle whilst the digits flexed themselves simultaneously. Of which caused a fairly large, yellowed book to appear floating before them.

This caused the young hybrid's eyes to widen greatly at the object, watching as it flowed towards Sarah. Of whom took it with a curious expression upon her face, as her own ears perked at the item. Which led to her turning towards the other with an inquiry that was immediately answered, "It is the story of my... Human family, Sarah." There was a twinge of disgust in his voice as he spoke aloud. It was as though he found the thought demeaning towards one such as he. For he had always took it upon himself to slaughter any and all Humans that did not conform to his wishes once that world joined his control.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Who?" Her own eyes were filled with an inquiry that would not be answered, as she did spy her husband's expression. One that grew darker than the starless sky above their persons, but left many who did not know of his mannerisms clueless as to what was happening at that time.

No. His temper would not exceed farther than his own mind, nor would his family, the one thing he desires above all else, be harmed if he was to rage. For the two before his eyes held more protections than any others within the Pantheon. So long as they stayed within it, unfortunately.

In any case, he simply closed his eyes in order to take a deep breath. One that, upon being released, calmed his mind down to a more normal status. "Melephas, Aclara Lightbringer, and Dashall Lifeweaver. These three were of my original family before I gave up their true names, along with my own, when I became the Nameless. It is this story that I started with Nox, but I, unfortunately, am not able to finish it until much later.

"Which means, my dear Sarah," his grin became that of a Cheshire Cat's as he bent over, "You have the honour of telling it to his person." The child was then placed upon her lap, who stared at the book for a moment, then turned with upturn eyes and ears flat against his head towards the Goddess.

Of whom simply sighed heavily with a nod, as the book opened its pages a little ways from the beginning, refusing to go back when she tried to do so. To which she frowned as she heard the other chuckle, "I've already begun the story, my dear. So please, enjoy the rest." With that, his body vanished into nothingness, leaving both mother and son alone with the book in front of their persons.

"Okay, Nox," she sighed once more, and reached underneath the chair she sat upon for a small, brass hand-bell below. One, upon ringing it for a few moments, summoned the pair of Elven chefs with a cart laden with many cakes, drinks, and a few more healthier snacks. Of which was carefully given to the pair before them upon small plates of crystal, causing the child's eyes to pop at the sight, and a little trail of drool to form around the corners of his maw.

It wasn't long, however, that the two were stuffed full of snacks and treats. Of which led to the child to yawn as he snuggled against his mother's abdomen whilst preparing to listen to the next part of the story which began shortly thereafter.

*****

"The deed is done, My Lord," Brutus bowed towards Karastak, who merely nodded as he made his way to the ruined site that was the Human and Kin village. One which held the recent battlefield between them and Orcs and Golblins, then against a large army of Undead as the four were forced to band together in order to face this new scourge. Unfortunately, none of them survived.

Well, almost no one.

All around the Human guised Fallen God were the remnants of a wooden village, as he walked through the shattered gates and over the bodies of the fallen that now held signs of endarkened Life flowing through their entire beings. Of which was the sure signs of a Zombie being born, and would be placed under the employ of the Lich called Brutus.

In any case, all around Karastak were nearly three dozen houses scattered about the area within the large wooden stakes that were used as a barrier against the outside world. Of these, of four remained whole, whilst the rest were in varying amounts of destruction from either magickal means, or physical. Within these four, however, were Human and Kin children. Each varying from ages of a few moons to nearly fifteen years, by their standards.

These had been hidden within such houses, which caused the Undying to question whether or not they should be slain or not. Which meant that their Lord and Master would be inquired as to what they should do, as they were given nary an order to harm children, even though all others had perished.

"The Humans," he rumbled as Sia and Shauu came up to his person with such an inquiry upon their illusory lips, "I have no need of weaklings such as they, but the Kin may live so long as they are well taken care of by you and yours."

This left the pair with a mixture of emotions, as they knew their Master did not enjoy the company of Humans, and had even slaughtered Terra's inhabitants of the race. However, they were children...