AN: Thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.

Also, thank you to our newest readers for joining in on our little black parade, and for the blitz readers. Glad to have you on board as we push on through the darkness.

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"Now watch, Siuun," I murmured softly towards the girl-child, of whom had been staring at my open palm with great fascination. As a variety of inscriptions and geometrical patterns flowed outwards from the centre. These were my most basic spells, and I was to impart such knowledge to the child before my person, as well as San'yuu who watched from my left side.

It was difficult to attract the attention of one such as her, especially with her mind the way it was. This led to many altercations with the guards within the city, as they were each conflicted with their orders. As it turned out, a "Crazed Child", no matter whose house it belonged to, was to be executed immediately before it became a terror upon the land. Apparently, the main land had its fair share of Crazed Children running around destroying their works with whatever was on hand. If they learned any magick, as I was about to give to her, then the havoc caused by their rampages would increase until they simply explode from too much energy built up within their small bodies.

Even the after effects of the explosions caused by their bodies left the land in ruins for multiple generations, and the capitol, of which this little king journeyed from, was at the epicentre of one particular blast. This blast took out half of the capitol, and spoiled the land with the lingering magicks in the land. This even spread to the survivors, but in a form far worse than any were able to perceive. For their children were born into the world with great mutations, and if any survived the initial stages of childhood, then they grew up into the greatest of monsters and were often hunted down for various reasons. Yes, I would continue with her training, despite these warnings.

Regardless of what they may believe, the guards were not allowed to touch Siuun. Thus, they were conflicted and would often complain to their superiors, who would in turn beg my person to rescind my desires of keeping her alive and so close to everything still living.

"No," I would tell them with an annoyed look about my features, "It was your kind which made her thusly. Therefore, she will stay alive until I deem it necessary for her to perish."

Returning to what I had begun with, the inscriptions and patterns continued to grow until it was the length of her head, when a small tendril shot out of the centre and struck the top of her cranium. This led to her giving out a minour yelp of pain, but quieted down as a variety of lights danced in front of her eyes. These were tasked with confusing and entertaining her mind, whilst the basic tendril fed her brain with the basic philosophies of my magicks.

Of course, she would not be able to utilise it fully after it was completed. As such a thing would be far too powerful for one such as her, and she would most likely explode from its usage. Instead, she was given only the basic necessities in order for her to grow accustomed to this new found gift bestowed upon her.

Yes. There will come a time when she will most likely absorb too much energy, or use an exceeding amount, but that time was towards the far future.

Once the basic tendril completed its task, did Siuun fall into my arms and into whatever dreams awaited her. Yes. Too much information flooding one's mind would cause anyone to fall over from the shock of it all. More so if that being was a child, of whom would sleep for a few turns whilst under the care of Shauu and her Brood Mother.

As for San'yuu, the same treatment was given to his mind, but only left him with a migraine to which he left my presence in order to rest. This left my mind empty, as I had nothing better to do beyond exploring the city. However, I was constantly bothered by their guards, as they were tasked to watch my person wherever I went. Most likely, they reported my movements with great detail, as I perused the markets of their wares.

No. I did not purchase anything, as I had no need. For the dwarves had "cleaned out" most of the stores' items during the first turn after giving them each a small purse of one hundred gold coins. Such things had little value, by the by, when one holds enough wealth to cause even the gods to grow envious. Yes, and many would try to claim such a wealth, but none have even come close.

Ah, but when I said I did not purchase anything, I had merely meant I did not purchase that which is not alive. For although the dwarves were allowed to purchase anything to their heart's content, I had forbidden the purchase of slaves. This would be what I would do, and made a few of the guards escort my person towards their slave market in order to purchase them in bulk.

This led to many arguments between themselves about whether or not I was allowed to view such a thing, but put their minds at ease when I handed each a single gold coin. Apparently, my coins were worth ten times as much as their standard gold, as one of their number commented upon such a thing before it was subsequently beaten for revealing a secret.

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"Oh?" I breathed slowly with bored amazement, as the left side of my lips stretched upwards into a smirk, "That is good to know," and gifted the one who spoke up with another coin. The others glared at the extra wealth given to the guard they had beaten, and became jealous for such a thing. Perhaps they would conspire an accident to befall upon one of their own, but I cared nothing for their petty minds as I was escorted towards a more decrepit part of the city.

"The slums," grumbled one of the guards, as their number had doubled to twelve since noticing I was venturing into more hostile territory.

"Most of the slaves are sent through here," growled another, as many gripped their weapons as they scanned the area around their persons. No. I did not understand why they were so "jumpy", as my own strengths and magicks would keep anyone at bay.

However, I came to understand why they were such a way as several of their numbers fell to arrows jutting from their necks, and their bodies disappearing into the shadows. This happened right as we turned down the street, out of sight of the nearest guardpost. Quite an amazing feat, if one had asked for my opinion, but it was rather troublesome as a multitude of unknowns appeared around us with bows drawn and swords unsheathed.

It was... rather clichéd, to be honest, especially when one of their number strode forward to demand we drop our coin, weapons, and everything we wore to the ground for them to take. "And what, pray tell, are you going to use them for?" I asked aloud, rubbing the temples of my head slowly from the imaginary headache forming.

"That's none of your business," cried out a female from amongst the archers. My ears perked and swiveled towards the sound, as it was rather familiar to my person at the time.

To this, I merely smirked as I waved my right clawed hand in an arc in order to allow a multitude of endarkened portals to erupt around us. "Come, O Sons of Hephaestus. Let the anvils ring high, and the drums beat once more. Rise up, ye Sons of the Blacksmith God, for we march to war."

Dwarves spilt out of my portals, running, howling, and using their golden weapons to strike out against this multitude of thieves. Of whom were now running away from the golden terrors I had unleashed upon them all. Even my supposed guards had fled from my side from the sight of these battle crazed dwarves. Who had then grouped around my person with weapons drawn as we moved away from the slums and towards the guardhouse. My only reason was from the lack of knowledge of the city proper, and the fact that I was quite annoyed from the organisation of such an ambush.

Someone had designed such a thing, and I desired to know by whose authority it came from.

*****

Far from the scene, and towards the western wall was a small shack with a pair of muscle bound bear-kins. Of whom were tasked with screening everyone who deigned to pass through the door with a book full of images of those allowed within. Within such a place was a dimly lit room with a hatch in the centre, whilst surrounded by boxes, crates, and barrels. If one were to delve into such a hatch, one would come across a long hall of hard-packed earth supported by beams of wood and iron.

This tunnel would then branch off around three hundred metres, sending the unwary into either empty rooms full of cobwebs, or chambers filled with relics. However, those of whom know of where to step will find themselves within a ruined throne room far beneath the earth above. It was here that many of the thieves which were supposed to conduct a flawless ambush met and argued amongst one another as to what went wrong. Whereas in a far corner, sharpening a long sword which seemed to glow a dull crimson was a female human with dark hair and fake wolf ears grafted to the top of her skull.

These ears were placed atop her head by the one god she believed she loved with all her heart, and thought he loved her as well. Unfortunately, such love was only one direction, as she was cast aside and sent to this forsaken continent in order to find a dragon and kill it so that they may all return home and start the process over once more.

However, after the series of events which led to the failure of their perfect ambush, a fire was lit within her, as she had found the one being which could give her the ability to enact her revenge against the god which had tossed her aside.

"Hello once more, Canis Dei."