AN: Another day, another chapter. We're also getting close to the end, too.

As per usual, 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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Word spread throughout the worlds within the Pantheon that the war was at an end, all due to the fact that the enemy armies were being summoned away. Yes. Many, if not all, rejoiced greatly over the news, especially those that were Gods or Goddesses themselves, but there was still a few who were questioning about the whole of this occurrence. Such as the timing of it all, as it all came when the Tutorial World of Terra was taken from their control. What is more, these beings voice their concerns to those of whom were still gathered for the emergency council session. 

"It's just too convenient," grumbled a Wolfwoman with peach coloured fur, "The wars, its end, and the fact that someone had stolen Terra. All of it is too much of a coincidence, you know?" These words caused the whole of the council to quiet as they pondered such a thing. Of which caused more than a few to scowl as they came to the same conclusion that the one who stole Terra, Undead Karastak, was the one who incited a war against their worlds.

"If this is true," growled Azazel's secretary, as he paced back and forth in front of the others, "Then he has declared war against us all."

"Yes, but he has retreated," called out another, one which belonged to Sarah.

"Of course he has," snapped the Elf, "He has what he wants, but that's left us all with destroyed lands and lives. Whereas he gets to sit back and relax. No. I say we strike out against him now. Now, while we still can."

"Oh yeah? And how do you plan on doing that?" called out the Tiger Beastman, of whom appeared not at all amused, "I seem to recall everyone being banned from going near him and his after your stint on Forge."

To which the other simply grinned as his left hand was lifted and pointed its forefinger towards Sarah, of whom widened her eyes as she pointed at herself, "Me? Why would I help you with anything that would harm Karastak?"

"Why?" grinned the Elf as all others moved away from her person, "Because you are betrothed to him." This statement caused all who heard such words to gasp aloud and mutter under their breath, "Therefore, you will be helping us with bringing him down."

"No I won't," she stood up then, and proceeded to call a portal of iridescence into being. One which slowly formed, then spluttered out as the secretary tapped a few times upon the screen nearest his person. This led to her to glare down upon him with great anger, of which was evident upon her clothing, fur, and hair. "You will let me go, Ranna, or Azazel will kill you."

"Azazel is missing," Ranna spoke with a sneer plastered upon his features, "She went to Forge in a rage for some reason, and has been gone for nearly three months. All we know is that she's somewhere on Azzarath, but that's it.

"Seeing how she's not here, you can't use her name to get away with anything you want. So, you are going to help us bring Karastak to justice whether you like it or-"

The Elf stopped his words, as a curious expression appeared upon his facial features. One of which quickly became of horror as something red, wet, and metallic had erupted from his chest. For it was simply an iron blade, and as his head slowly turned to look upon that which had the gall to stab his person, his eyes came to bear witness upon the metallic face of an Orangutan.

"Auua," cried out Sarah, who then gasped, as did many others, as the creature gripped the head of the Elf between two of its hands, and slowly twisted it around. This was then pulled off, along with the spine, splashing its blood upon the ape and the ground below as the body tumbled away. Afterwards came many screams as they realised who and what it was that had attacked a Minour God.

For it was Auua, an Undying in service of Undead Karastak, and one of his more loyal retainers within the group.

"Auua," called out the Goddess of Iridescent Colours as she stalked forwards towards the other, "Why did you kill Ranna?"

"Because this one," the right, middle hand waved at the body below him, "would have tried to use you against the Master. This must never come to pass, as He has already called upon the 'Hands of God' in an effort to create his own Pantheon. Not only that, but Lady Azazel was found within the Midnight Castle asleep, and she's just woken up.

"Therefore, I am to bring you to her, seeing as how I cannot contact Him until after the 'Hands of God' have finished with their examination of Terra and the worlds attached to it."

"Wait," she blinked several times as the Orangutan spoke, then clutched her head with her right hand when he spoke of the "Hands of God", "He actually summoned them?"

"Yes," nodded the ape.

"Then does this mean that we're going to have a home like we've talked about many times before?"

"Once again, yes."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

At this point, she grinned greatly at the thought of having a home with her beloved, and laughed greatly with tears beading upon the edges of her eyes. "This is wonderful news, Auua."

"Yes, it is," he responded with a grin, which then frowned as his eyes did spy the remains of the secretary slowly dragging itself together, "but come. You need to be taken to Lady Azazel." Upon so saying, he gripped her arm and called upon his own strengths in order to summon up a shadowed portal with the image of the Castle in its centre.

"Come," and stepped through whilst dragging her person through.

Once they were through, the Elf upon the ground was half way through with his regeneration. Whereas all others whispered amongst themselves, and the most spoken topic was of a place called "Midnight Castle". Whereupon they would most likely find their God King residing, but none knew where to start.

"Does anyone know where this place is, or caught a glimpse of the image?" called out another Elf, but was wholly female as opposed to being a "Trap-Male".

"I did," spoke up a male Halfling in leathered garments and raised his right hand just as he spoke aloud, "but I don't recognise the area all that well." There were calls of him explaining to their persons as to what he witnessed, to which he continued with, "Well, it looked like one of those Human castles with grey stone. You know, the ones common within Azzarath? Anyways, this one had spires within its walls, and was standing atop a large hill overlooking what appeared to be a black lake.

"Sorry, but that's all I could see," and sat down from where he stood.

"Do not worry too much about it," spoke the Tiger Beastman just as Azazel's secretary righted his head and stood up, "You found more about their hideaway than any of us could since the beginning of the war."

"Ugh," grumbled Ranna, who then gave a small scream when he spied his blood soaked dress, "No, no, no, no, no! Lady Azazel will kill me if she sees my dress had been ruined! Who did this?" His eyes full of rage turned towards everyone within the space, which caused quite a few to take a step back, "Who ruined my dress?!"

"One of the Undying came through-"

"What?!" The Elf turned upon the speaker, of whom was the Wolfwoman from before, "That's not possible."

"Well, one of them did, and stole away Sarah. Not only that, but we got a glimpse of where she was taken."

"Oh yeah? Where?" To which he was given a shrug in answer, and caused his person to only growl with frustration at both the loss of Sarah, as well as the unknown of where their base of operations lay.

*****

Within the lands surrounding a castle atop a cliff overlooking that which was a portal into the Abyss itself, were many thousands of soldiers. Each of these were slowly entering the short grasslands as others brought over Healers, food, drinks, and so much more. All of this was freely given over to those of whom were rather confused at being summoned to a place without the need of lifting their weapons and shields with the orders to attack an enemy.

Instead, these were simply told to rest, allow others to take care of their persons, and to eat their fill. For their guild leader, a being who was heralded as a God, had gained what he had wished for. Therefore, they will all soon be invited to live upon his world as long as they abided by a set of laws called "The Laws of Terra". If they were willing to follow such things, then each and every one of them will need not raise up their sword arms for battle much longer.

These words did quell many of their need for battle, in that they simply collapsed with a yell of great joy. Whereas the rest simply grumbled amongst themselves until a compromise was made. One which would allow their persons to continue fighting, but upon a very different world. Yes. This was upon Amak Duul where they were sent in order to continue their lust for battle and conquest.

In any case, once they were gone, all others simply turned to the revelry of their victory over the worlds of the Azzarathean Pantheon. Which also included the swapping of stories both great and small, as well as the trading of loot and slaves. However, those of whom dared to bring about the slavery of others were swiftly cut down where they stood, and their captives freed. For within the many Laws of Terra states the banning of slaves and indentured servitude upon the grounds and territories of their Lord and Master.

Which meant that all who stepped forth upon that which was deemed as the Midnight Castle was a part of these territories.

Yes. Many did become distressed over the loss of their "product" and "property", and did react with violence. However, these were each struck down by a pair of beings which will soon become a fixture within the histories of the Terran Pantheon.

These two were, of course, Sienna and her soon to be husband, Ama'luun.