AN: If you haven't already noticed, there's a summary for the third arc in the series on the Fiction/Main Page, along with it's name. Abyss.
As always folks, thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.
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"So, the day has come at last has it?" asked Brutus, as a pair of blind and naked Tiger-kins helped dress his daughter from within a small space which was blocked by a large curtain. Although it blocked the eyes from discerning any real marks or features of the trio, the light within still cast its shadows upon the cloth. Of which revealed a small, lithe figure of the Vampire called Denna, with a small pair of mounds upon her chest.
"I'm sorry, Papa," her voice was small, as the Kins helped her with the white frilly dress she was to wear for the party which was already under way.
"Do not be, Denna. You are chaotic in nature, and will better serve our Lord in this than you could have elsewhere." His own garb, by the by, was a simple and thick, white robe without any designs or enchantments. In his right, primary clawed hand was a gilded staff of gold with the depictions of a great battle between Humans and Undead swirling from the bottom towards the top. In his left, however, was an Ankh. Of which was used in the resurrection of the dead, but in this case, was a symbol of rebirth and was a present for the Vampire.
"Still," she began, as the curtains revealed her form to her Father, "I'm sorry I failed." Her head was bowed low, as the servants helped her feet into a pair of thin socks, before slipping them into the slippers laid out in front of her person.
"Um, Papa?" Denna's head cocked to one side, as the Ankh was placed over her head. Which ended up being fiddled with until the four-armed skeleton lightly patted her hand away.
"None of that, child," his tone was light, as he held out his left, primary clawed hand for her to take, "Shall we?"
*****
Far below the pair, however, was a large stretch of red velvet stretch forth from a pair of large doors which led to a much greater courtyard. Lining the velvet were those chosen to become the next generation of Undying, as they stood at attention as a multitude of Immortals, Gods, and Goddesses made their way inwards. Each wore a different design with a single colour in mind. Blood.
For the one who was to set out and prove herself was a Vampire, and required blood as sustenance. Certainly, this one could absorb the energies of the world for such a thing, but it is difficult for others to promote a single colour for the Universe. In any case, this was what each had decided upon, and the one to greet their persons was none other than Terra's own God, along with his wife and child.
Sarah had chosen to don a crimson dress with dark spider webs stitched into the fabric, whereas the Ageless and Nox wore matching outfits of crimson trousers and vests. Though the boy-child was frightened by many of the appearances of these beings who gasped and gaped at his father's return, he did not stray far from his parents' legs. Even when these beings brought their own children, or summoned them for such an event, he did not move.
Though there were many children who desired to play with Nox, once they noted who his father was, they were loathe to step near save for a few. These few were a trio of interesting children, as a pair of them were twin Kitsunes with brightly coloured fur of yellows, blues, and pinks. These two were, of course, female, and wore matching dresses in the same colours as their fur. Whereas the third was a male Devourer Demon, a rarity amongst his kind, and had a pair of small Watcher Demons to keep an eye on his small person. This Demon, whose name was Anasi, had the form of a spider with a small, dark skilled male elf attached atop the head of such a creature.
Yes. This one had a form of the Archne, but unlike the race, he was a male with Elven features about his person. For his father was Ayanno, the Elven King within the Great Forest of Nu'bai, and his mother was the first Matriarch of the Devourer Demon race, but that story is for a different day.
The four were introduced to one another whilst they were still in swaddling clothes, as their mothers were great friends with one another, and decided to have their children grow up in each other's presence. These children then piled on top of Nox once they noticed his presence, which then ensued a small tussle full of yips and barks as they reacquainted themselves with each other's scent. Yes. The four still held their more primal instincts in this regard, and would not outgrow such a thing until they reached adulthood.
This then led to the Ageless gently excusing himself in order to conjure up a small pen for the children to continue their play. One of which held a small pit full of malleable balls which could be chewed on and swallowed without any detriment to their health. Of which led to the little Devourer to chew on these items, whilst the twins pounced on Nox, pushing him into the ball pit before once again pouncing on his person.
"I believe the twins will come to love your child, Ageless, if they haven't already done so now," spoke a silky voice from behind the God of Terra. Turning slowly, he noted a pair of large mounds pushing up against a tight fitting dress of crimson and violet lightnings. Of which led to his person to frown at such a sight, which grew increasingly apparent as he noted the female's twinkling eyes full of amusement.
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The female before him was one known solely as Mother, but to those who do not fret over such a title, she is known as Sakura, the Goddess of Fertility and Consummation. She was, of course, a Kitsune and mother of the twins who were fussing over a now tired and dizzy Nox. Of whom were named Mia and Maya.
"Retract your chest from my husband's face, or you will lose them permanently," growled Sarah, whose hair and fur now held the colours of Rage and Hatred for one such as the Kitsune. Whereas the other simply pouted at the former, as her chest slowly became more like that of the rest of her race. Small.
"Why must you ruin my fun, Sarah?"
"You know very well why, Sakura. He's mine, and does not want a harem of any sort." Upon these words, she clutched the Ageless's right arm which sank in between her own pair. No. These were not as large as the other female's, as he detests large chests and saw no reason why they needed to be that large. That is, unless they are full of milk for an exceptionally large child, to which Nox was not. Therefore, they were only of an average size, which suited his person quite nicely.
"Aw," her pout grew, as other females had seemingly gathered behind her, "Why not?"
This time, it was the male Kitsune who spoke up, after giving his wife a gentle hug as a thank you for the rescue, "In essence, I do not understand why a male needs more than one female, beyond spreading their seed," his right paw waved in front of his person, as though dropping seeds into the earth, "As I do not crave the spreading of my own Seed; I do not pine for more than one female. Thus, I am content with sharing my person with only Sarah, of whom I love with every fibre of my being. If my heart was able to beat, it would be for joy, as she has given me my desire of starting a family of my own. Of which has caused my own to be far more indebted to her than ever, as it has been a dream of mine to have a child such as Nox.
"This, and this alone is what I crave, which could never have been attained if I had more than one female to care for. As their own bickerings would drive my mind to madness, and such a thing must never come to pass."
"Why can't you just say what you mean?" This query was voice from a small female, hidden amongst a growing crowd. Of which sounded frustrated from the long winded speech of the Ageless, as he explained his reasonings behind his disdain for not wanting a harem.
This led to Sarah speaking up, and the dispersal of most of the crowd as she spoke aloud, "My husband hates harems because he doesn't understand why someone should have more than one significant other in their life. On top of that, they are quite annoying in his eyes. Isn't that right, honey?" She had turned towards her other half with a beaming grin, to which he sighed, rolled his eyes, and nodded once.
Of course, there were a few who still desired his person, and the seed he carried, but each had been flung out the door and into a pile of manure for their troubles. Of which caused them to scream as the smell assaulted their very senses. This led to Sarah grinning wildly as the Ageless chuckled at their despair before planting a kiss upon his wife's lips and turning back towards the great hall. Whereupon a troop of trumpeters came into focus, and lined up in front of a large door in front of a long staircase which had appeared behind a gilded throne of gold and precious gems, leading towards a large balcony.
This was then followed by several large blasts of notes which heralded a tall skeleton in regal livery with a crest of a staff of bone with an ominous gem in the centre, one a background of shadows. Which then unfurled a scroll of parchment and read aloud over a thoroughly hushed crowd, "Presenting His royal majesty, Lich King Brutus, Regent of our world of Terra, and ruler of Necropolis. As well as his Daughter, Princess Ala'Dennesia of Amun Ba'ahn, Apprentice to our Lord High God of our world of Terra."
After such words were spoken, the skeleton bowed before the crowd, before hastily making its way back towards the door. Whereupon it, and another in matching livery, slowly pulled on a pair of iron rings which slowly opened to reveal the Lich King Brutus in a snow white robe, along with his daughter, Denna, in a frilly dress of the same color. What is more, her own hair had become a molten river of silver and gold, which flowed around her shoulders with the grace and enchantment of only a Lich was capable of creating for his daughter.
This led to Brutus to gently lead his daughter down the steps, and sit down to the right of the throne. No. This did not have any significance, other than a prearranged seating chart which he and the Ageless had come up with. However, before he sat down upon his own seat, a tankard of wood and iron appeared in his right, primary clawed hand, whilst his staff leaned up against the long table he was to sit near. "Let the feast," his voice rang out to the hushed crowd, as they scramble to sit at their places, "commence."