"Papa," mewed Nox with a yawn, "Sleepy." It was here that the God King noted the rest of the children were beginning to nod off. For even though they desired to continue listening to the story at hand, their young minds were not able to stay functioning for much longer. Therefore, these were all scooped up into his arms, and carried off towards Nox's bedroom.
Upon entering the room, he laid the twins and his son down upon the bed, whilst placing Anasi upon the bed of silk high above. Of which the little one found to be far more comfortable than being under the sheets and blankets. For a spider such as he was not used to its warmth, desiring instead the cycled air and the sticky webbing.
Here, the trio of twins and Nox cuddled up against one another whilst staring up at the God King, desiring to here more. The fourth, on the other hand, and fashioned a silk blanket made up of his own fluids. There, he did drape it upon his body before glancing at the Ageless with sleepy expectance.
To which the other chuckled lightly, and conjured up a chair of whicker in order to return to the story at hand.
*****
The light soon engulfed as it did before when we journeyed to Onul'raan, but instead transferred us to the world we so desired. Of which appeared as though it were a copy of the last world, but with many more dark clouds upon the horizon. One that we soon realised were full of poison. So much so that when the dark clouds parted to reveal the earth around the islands, it was revealed to be of pale grey dirt and sands, as opposed to lush forests and seas of green.
This angered my person in ways that others can only imagine, as the Humans of this world were destroying the land and poisoned the skies. Therefore, they must be made to pay, but would not at this time. Instead, our path took us away from the islands, where the poisoned clouds were thickest, and towards the larger continent. Of which contained the trees and seas of green, but were also losing such colours due to the fell race of Man in what we could only surmise to be the southern tip.
Of course, the three who accompanied my person, Brutus, Amira, and Sisstra, were angered by what they saw. However, they also knew that such attempts to attack and destroy such beings would be suicidal if attempted without care. Therefore, they simmered and stewed in their rage, watching as we continued onward whilst my form grew skeletal wings from my back.
"Why the wings, Master?" Amira was the first to speak up about such things, calling attention to my person once more.
"My form is that of a Human," I stated matter-of-factly, which flew over their heads.
"Yes?" their heads tilted of to one side, unsure of what I meant.
To which I sighed and explained, "The Humans are the ones causing all of this," my staff was waved in the direction of the poisoned smoke, "therefore, the Beastfolk will not be so accommodating to those who share such features." Their expressions continued to hold confusion, which led to my sighing even more so, "I changed my appearance so that we would not be attacked. Understand?"
Yes. They understood my meaning then, but not before, which was quite frustrating when conveying one's thoughts in the most simplest of forms.
In any case, we soon landed upon the world with less fanfare than what we previously had before. For all that was around our person were eight petrified beings of broken stone kneeling in prayer along the outskirts of a large summoning circle. Of which, by the by, was within a stone structure with many trees growing upwards.
There was nothing of note within such a space, only a large skylight which allowed the barest of rays from the day star it encircled. Which meant it was approximately high noon by the world's time, but we did not care too much about this as we were of the Undead.
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Now, there wasn't anyone who came to greet us, which was strange by the by. For it was a requirement that someone of high standing was to come and escort our persons to whomever was in charge. Or even have such beings to greet us, but without such beings, we were at a lost as to what to do. Therefore, we explored the surrounding.
Of which revealed it to be a space of forty an three metres in length and width, whilst the height was of twelve metres. There were a few pillars which created something of a path from our circle to what appeared to be the entrance, but we did not venture further. Instead, we continued to explore until our curiosity was assuaged. Which wasn't for very long, by the by.
For just as we were about to depart, we noted that our way out was blocked by fallen rocks. This led to us becoming frustrated, as we knew the way out was in this direction. Therefore, we each aimed at various points within the compacted rocks, of which were blasted away by our energies. To which we leapt outwards, noting more stones and boulders falling from wherever they originated. These then created a much larger obstacle, one that caused the ceiling of the structure to collapse. For the boulders were a part of a cliff side nearby, and had fallen into the building as well as barricading the entryway.
The outside world, however, was of a jungle world full of greens, browns, and reds. "Red?" I wondered aloud, stalking closer to where I noted the sight of red upon the bark of a tree. Here we came across the body of a widened eyed Tiger Beastman drained of blood due to him being eviscerated from a weapon of some sort. Judging by the gash it left, we could only surmise that it was a large axe of some sort.
"The body is slightly warm," Amira commented, lifting up the Beastman's liver which slightly steamed under our enhanced gaze, "Perhaps an hour or two ago."
"Hmm," my voice hummed as my body transformed itself into my Devil King self once again. Of which transformed my physical voice into that of a telepathic one, and latched onto my Draconian and Fox-woman Undying.
'Scan the surroundings,' my mind whispered in their ears, causing Brutus to shiver as a pleasurable grin stretched across his face, 'The rest of this one's party might be nearby.'
"You believe there are more, my Lord God?" asked Brutus, his body still shivering from my mental voice as his eyes peered around.
'There were more here, my Lich,' endarkened claws pointed towards the ground and nearby copse of trees. Whereupon it was revealed that more than twenty others were present due to the hidden bags of supplies which were hurriedly tossed aside, as well as several tufts of hair and fur scattered about the area from their quick departure. 'More than likely they were ambushed by persons unknown. Perhaps the Humans who desired this land, mayhaps some great creature who saw them as nothing more than food.
'Regardless, they were more than likely the ones who were to greet us, or take us to another.' My shoulders shrugged slowly, uncaring as to what had occurred. However, I still desired to know what caused such destruction, and if it was a Human party, then I would unleash my servants upon them. For no doubt they desired to test their mettle against such frail opponents as they.
*****
"Now sleep," whispered the God King as he tucked in the trio upon the bed, as well as made sure Anasi was secured in his bed of webbing, "We shall continue the story when you awaken, alright?"
The Ageless leaned over to kiss his son's muzzle lightly, just as the child mewed, "Okay Papa. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Nox, Mia, Maya, Anasi."
"Goodnight Uncle God," yawed the twins.
"Goodnight Lord Ageless," mumbled the Arachne as he drifted off to sleep.
To which the other smiled softly, and left the room, only to find himself within the presence of one of his Watchers. Of which hid itself high above his head, and desired to speak with him. However, due to them being exposed as they were, the Watcher did not convey a thing, as it's training would not allow such a thing unless it was of utmost importance.
Therefore, the God King snapped his right clawed digits, and transferred the pair into a more secluded room. One that was once used as a work room where he would receive all applicant who desired to enter their world into the Pantheon of Terra. Now? Now it was nothing more than a silent work room dedicated towards giving lessons to Nox and the whomever else needing an education.
"Yes?" whispered the Kobold, who felt, rather than saw or heard, the watcher approach with calm swiftness.
"She has begun to ask questions which should not be asked," it whispered softly, as though it were nothing more than a soft sigh one would receive from their lover, "She was in the Library, reading the Stories of her and your life, Master."
"Anything else?" His right clawed hand rose up to rub his closed eyes slowly, as he felt another imaginary headache appear.
"Nothing more, except she is desiring to escape, but will not due to your son being here."
"It is a wonder she lasted this long," the Ageless sighed then pointed towards the exit, "Go. Continue to watch her. If she performs anything drastic, report to my person immediately." In so saying so, he felt himself become alone within the room, and crumpled into the only chair in the room with a great sigh of exasperation.