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”That’s just fucked up.” Envy announced. “I’ve seen plenty of fucked up things in my lives, and even against that background, what she’s done is fucked up. Mind you, not the most fucked up thing I’ve seen, not even close, but definitely getting there.” She gestured towards the cell where Wrath was almost finished interrogating the Nautolan princess they’d captured.
“Indeed. I was leaning towards trying to convince Wrath not to attack their souls when we got done with the centaur, but this…I can now confidently agree that there are people that deserve to experience a permanent death.” Valor nodded along. He didn’t agree with Envy very often, but on this they were in full agreement.
“It’s not all that surprising though. Not all things considered. It stands to reason that there would be the crazy scientist types among the reincarnators as well. And for those types, blood magic is a natural fit.” Hope didn’t really disagree with the assessment, but she wasn’t all that shocked either. Her Name might have been Hope, but hope was most needed in the darkest of places.
"Yeah, but to run blood magic experiments on the unborn like that…entire races and worlds gone just to create the best methods to extract power from them. Even in this life, she used her position as a royal to murder and torture hundreds of her supposed subjects. I know it's naïve, but I still believe in noblesse oblige, and this is a gross betrayal of that contract." Valor was the youngest among them and still hadn't had all his idealism crushed by the multiverse. It wasn’t that he wasn’t a realist, but he still held on to the possibility that things could, should, be better.
“As much as I disagree with puppy here most of the time, I have to agree with him on this. I hate it when supposed nobles misuse their position in such a gross way.” Envy’s face was crunched in an obvious show of displeasure. One of the things that drove her to envy others was her image of perfection that she wanted to strive towards. Nobles living up to their position was part of that perfection, and she didn’t like when that image was stained. She saw it happen all the time in all her lives, but it didn’t make her any happier with it. The reincarnators all had their triggers, and that was hers.
“Well, I think we can all agree that this one will be put to the sword in a permanent fashion.” Hope suggested and the other two nodded. “As for the centaur, I’m actually inclined to let him go. And by that, I mean go on to his next life. His sins against the elemental planes are not small, but in comparison to things I’ve seen, or even done myself, they don’t really warrant a permanent death. He’s not innocent, but none of us are. I’m reminded of the saying about throwing rocks in glass houses.”
"Hmm, I think I agree. As you said, if we wanted to start perma-killing people for the level of sins the centaur guy committed, then we'd all be on the chopping block.” Envy nodded her agreement again.
“This may come as a shock, but I’m not entirely in agreement.” Valor surprised the other two, as he’d said something different just moments before. “Yes, his sins are not great in the grand scheme of things, but it is true that his continued actions will result in more dead spirits. And he didn’t show any inclination to stop, despite Wrath’s gentle ministrations.” He shivered at the memory of what Wrath had done to the two. “Now, I’m not suggesting she kill him permanently, but didn’t she say something about washing away his memories and turning him into a normal soul? I believe that would be more appropriate in this case.”
The two didn’t seem willing to argue the point, but Hope focused on another detail. “Her interrogation method is stupendously effective. I’ve heard her mention Song of Khali before but seeing it in action is a whole other thing.”
“I still have no idea what happened. I saw her whisper something in their ears a few times, and whatever it was made them scream and thrash around like someone was pouring molten metal into their ear.” Valor accepted the switch in topic easily and went along with it. He was curious as well after all.
"Wrath has explained it a couple of times, but I still can't fully understand it." Envy pursed her lips. "It somehow turns the target's mind and senses against them. Or to be more precise, they are hers to control, because she can use it for positive purposes as well. Anyway, imagine the worst pain, feelings, emotions, paranoia, and insanity you can, then multiply that a hundred times. That's roughly what it feels like. Asking her to subject me to it just once to experience it was one of the worst decisions I've ever made. And I've made many bad decisions in my life.”
“That’s somewhat surprising. It seems highly effective. Not something I’d want to experience, but very effective." Valor gave a small shudder.
At the same time, Karna walked through the door separating the nicely decorated lounge-like room they were in from the interrogation area. “That was enlightening.” She walked to a side stand that held refreshments and poured herself a glass of some kind of golden liquid that even she didn’t recognize. As soon as she took a sip though, she was pretty sure the drink was quite strongly alcoholic but also very tasty. Zuellni was responsible for most of the less-consequential decoration and all their food and drink, and the tower spirit was of the opinion that only the best was good enough. That showed in everything, ranging from their plush seating to the glasses made of some sort of crystal that seemed magical.
“It was that indeed.” Valor agreed, just now noticing the refreshments. He was pretty damn sure those hadn’t been there until Wrath showed up. Zuellni was definitely favoring her master in all things. “It’s your decision of course, but we have come to our own conclusions about what should be done with the two. If you care to hear of course.”
“I’ve already made my own determination, but I’m curious if you have the same opinion. Who knows, you might even convince me.” She nodded for him to continue.
Valor outlined their opinions on the matter, including where they differed, and their reasons for coming to such conclusions. “Does that match what you had in mind?” Valor asked once he was done.
“My reasoning is slightly different, but yes. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but I don’t put much stock in the sanctity of life, or whatever you decide to call it. I've reaped too many lives to get too sanctimonious about it, and most importantly I know what awaits them after death. I know this will just be one life among many for them, even if they can't remember previous lives. What I put stock in are needless suffering and karma. Only certain people can see the karma of others, so I know it can’t be used as an objective standard, but luckily karma and causing suffering are almost always synonymous. The noblesse oblige Envy mentioned is also part of it, since breaches in that obligation usually result in the suffering of others.” Karna didn’t shy away from their reasoning.
She searched for the right words for a moment before continuing. “I’m the perfect example of how giving someone a second chance can result in turning them around. But for redemption to happen, the person must have certain qualities. They need to still be capable of empathy, and they can’t have committed their sins with complete cold detachment and lack of remorse. There needs to be some goodness in them that can be redeemed, and not everyone has that. More importantly though, they also need to have a willingness to change. The Nautolan princess doesn't have any of those qualities. She has to go, permanently. The centaur is…not a horrible person generally. He's simply willing to use all tools he has to protect what he considers important. In most situations, I would agree and do the same. Except, in this case, he's trading the lives of elemental spirits to save those he considers important."
“He’s not going to stop.” Hope realized sadly. She wasn’t sure she would either. There were some people she’d protect at any cost. The centaur was the same, but his means actually ended up with innocent casualties, and he also had more people he was willing to sacrifice the spirits for.
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“Indeed. So, the only way is to make sure he no longer has the option.” Valor confirmed his earlier reasoning.
“Exactly. Well, there’s no point in delaying things, so you might as well come with me and observe.” Karna gestured for them to follow.
“You’re not afraid we will copy your method?” Envy asked surprised.
Karna had to suppress a smile. This was her last life according to the Head Judge of the River of Souls, so she wasn’t really worried that the method would be used against her. Her methods were not something so easily stolen either. “You’re welcome to try. If you can, be my guest.”
She led them down to the base of the pyramidal core of her tower. There they entered a very odd and large room made of the same dark stone-like material the outside of the core was built of. The room only had a single door, but on the other side was a several-meter tall trench that ended on both sidewalls in a round opening rimmed with glowing runes. The whole thing looked like an elaborate and empty sewer system from medieval times. Except the two openings didn't seem to actually open anywhere. As Envy walked ahead to peek inside the openings, despite her perfect night vision, she couldn't see anything. It wasn't that the openings opened to other dark rooms or even ended in a wall, but instead, it seemed like there was some sort of spatial distortion there instead.
They all also noted a large and sturdy sarcophagus held in place above the trench. Both the sarcophagus and the chains holding it in the air were made of the same dark material the rest of the room was made of. The sarcophagus and the chains were completely unadorned and seemed to hold no magic or mechanical function aside from the obvious. The sarcophagus itself was large enough to fit a dozen people inside comfortably, though that assumed its walls were not too thick. They all also noted that the system was meant to lower the sarcophagus inside the trench, as there was a wider spot for it directly below.
“That’s not ominous at all.” Valor muttered.
“Good instincts.” Karna snorted and walked to the side of the room that held an enormous dark gem that had several equally dark lines of some crystalline material running from it towards the trench. The immediate impression was that the gem was somehow used to fill up the trench, and that impression wasn’t wrong. “Please keep away from the trench the entire time and don’t do anything too sudden. Being here can be dangerous for you. There’s a reason this entire room is made of Blackstone. Zuellni, place our centaur prisoner inside the sarcophagus.”
There was no flash of light of transportation rings to signal something had happened. “Done.” Zuellni simply reported.
With a small frown, Karna dug deep inside her own well of power, and soon pure and thick mana ran from her hand, into the gem, and along the lines into the trench. What made the three others take another step back was the fact that they could all sense that the trench was being filled with pure True Dark or Dhar mana. As the trench filled, it looked a lot like the lake that Gem had slept under between Karna's lives. The spirit also appeared in the form of a perfect copy of Karna, only to make a low animalistic growl towards the pure black mana. It was a testament to how disturbed the other three reincarnators were as they didn't even react to the presence of a perfect replica of Wrath.
Once the trench was filled with the mana, Karna made a small gesture, which caused the chains to lower the sarcophagus into the filled trench. The surface of the dark mana wasn’t disturbed in the slightest, but everyone could suddenly feel another powerful presence. In front of their eyes, a grey and misty energy started to flow from the left side opening to the right, and they all realized what it was, even if their experiences with it were limited.
The name River of Souls had a double meaning. It referred to the metaphorical river of dead souls as they made their way towards the final judgement under the watchful eyes of the Judges and their servants. It also referred to the actual river that washed the souls clean of memories before they were sent into the next life, and it seemed a very small part of the river had been redirected here, into this place in the form of grey and smokey energy.
"When you said you'd wash the soul clear of all memories, I didn't expect this. Though I suppose I should have." Envy said with a solemn voice. They all watched for several minutes as the soul of the centaur was separated from his body and dragged into the river, where it was held in place by some powerful force, stretching out from the dark power below, before it was finally swept away by the river.
"It is done," Karna said with a small ceremonial bow towards the already disappearing river. She then placed her hand on the gem again and seemed to pull back the dark power the sarcophagus was submerged in. As the sarcophagus appeared again, it showed signs of damage, although very superficial. “So even Blackstone can’t deal with extended exposure to this level of concentrated Dhar. That’s too bad.”
“That was disconcerting. Also seemed quite elaborate. You’re right. I won’t be able to copy it without extensive study.” Hope commented.
“I did mention that this method required extensive preparation.” Karna shrugged. “Controlling and directing two of the most unpredictable and potentially dangerous powers in the multiverse isn’t easy even for me.”
“Do the judges know you’re borrowing their river?” Envy asked with a small frown.
“They’re aware. They protested at first, but they settled down once I explained the benefits. They don’t disagree with my usage as they know I don’t go around abusing it. Now though, I have someone else to kill.”
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She couldn’t help a small smile that snuck on her face while everyone else at the table grasped their head or their chest and a small bit of panic appeared on their faces, only to be gone immediately as they tried to hide their instinctive panic. The panic that came from realizing you were just prey and there was now a predator around. To all other reincarnators, this feeling was a threat and a warning, but for her, it was proof that her daughter was alive and free. Not that she doubted of course, but it was nice to get a confirmation anyway.
“The Reaper has struck again.” One of the guests spoke quietly and with a voice that spoke of calmness that he couldn’t have been feeling. The man was beautiful in a way that only a True God could be, as was everyone at the table. They all looked somewhat similar, with the most obvious common factor being the blue-ish white hair. His was cropped short as he worked in the forge most of the time. He was also dressed in a very atypical attire for a True God in its simplicity.
“Your talent for stating the obvious remains strong brother." Another male god, this time dressed much more according to his station, spoke. "This isn't a good sign though. The first one might have been passed off as something forced, but a second destroyed reincarnator shows that The Reaper is willing to use their power much more freely than we may have anticipated."
"I wouldn't worry too much. It is still only two. Two is hardly a sign that it's their go-to solution.” A female goddess dismissed their concerns. The goddess was somewhat notable in that she was the least attractive of the four at the table. It wasn’t that she was unattractive, but that she was more ‘homely’ or even ‘motherly’ in her appearance.
"Come now Isha, even you must admit that this isn't a trend we'd like to see continue." The god with a fancy attire and long hair framing almost androgynous elven features argued.
"Don't be such a worrier Hoeth. What can the presence of one reincarnator, even if it is The Reaper change in the grand scheme of things?" Isha wasn't nearly as concerned, or at least didn't seem to be. The goddess sitting across from her knew better. She knew Isha was just hiding her fear with audacity. Nobody liked to be reminded of their potential mortality, especially reincarnators who were used to being anything but. Usually, Isha was the most patient and kind of the siblings, but fear was making her act snippy.
“This is not the topic we came here to discuss.” The short-haired male god chastised the other two, despite the fact that he had been the one to initiate the topic with his words. “We haven’t seen our sister for years. We came here for a reason.”
“Yes. Yes, we did.” Hoeth gathered himself and turned back towards their imprisoned sister. The modest house working as the location of the house arrest was hardly the appropriate setting for the gathering of some of the most powerful True Gods in existence. “How would you like to gain your freedom sister dearest?”
“I’d say you have a price in mind for said freedom. Which is somewhat rich considering the only reason I’m even here is because you used Kurnous as your puppet to put me here.” The woman replied calmly.
“You can’t really blame me for that. You provided the perfect excuse with your dalliance. Come now, you would’ve done the same. We all know the game we’re playing." Hoeth didn't seem perturbed by the accusation. Trying to deny the charge was pointless after all. He was proud of outplaying her and not ashamed.
"All you have to do is side with us." The short-haired man said simply. He'd never been one for politicking and long speeches with double meaning. He left that for his siblings. Despite this, his power was so obvious that you'd be a fool to disregard him.
“So, you’ve decided to support Hoeth’s bid for the throne then?” She asked, looking at the always calm and stoic God of Smiths and Artisans.
“We both know I’m not the right choice for the Emperor. I don’t want it. Yet we must all pick sides. Would you rather support Eldrazor or Kurnous?” The god looked like he’d bit into something bitter with the latter name.
“None of the three.” She replied simply.
"Come now, sister. You could be out of here today." Isha tried to convince her. "Despite your surroundings not being wholly unpleasant, I know you sister. Being cooped up here must be grating on you. And your bid for the throne is dead and buried. You could be out and on the battlefield right now, if you just listened."
“It seems you’ve forgotten. You’ve all forgotten who I am.” Her presence increased enough to remind the trio who exactly they were talking to. “I’m here by choice. If I found my imprisonment unbearable, I would leave. I may stay here out of courtesy to our father, but don’t confuse that for inability to leave.”
"The royal guard would stop you," Hoeth argued back. "And you'd be a fugitive even if you did get out."
“Would they? Would I? You might find that many of the things you believe about the current situation are based on nothing but false assumptions. You will find those assumptions shattered soon enough.” With her daughter proving her freedom once again, she felt secure in acting in defiance. If they had not managed to catch her daughter by now, they never would.
"Khaine, please…" Isha tried to reason but was shot down.
"No. You have chosen a side. Just remember that it won't be too late to choose differently when your assumptions have been proven wrong. You might have to beg and grovel a bit, but it won't be too late." She grinned viciously. "Now go. Leave me to my humble abode, and I'll decide how long I'll stay here. No one else."