Epilogue 2: Vengeances Sacrifice

Death

Death sat on her throne, watching her mortals grow. They had finally, finally come together. Far later than she had anticipated originally. But still, they were now in the right place, with the right resources. Finally, her plan B could begin to grow in earnest.

And not a moment too soon.

For council of elder gods was even now looking for a member to leave their world and bring word to the others. That voidlings had slipped through, shadows and darkness personified now once again plagued their world.

And Vengeance was looking like he would be the only possible option.

Such a terrible time. He has only just started guiding that fool new emperor. Without him there to guide and teach, it is possible the man will self sabotage. That this newly minted immortal will implode and leave a reign of blood and ash almost greater than the voidlings could do. She thought to herself, drumming her fingers on the armrest of her throne.

Almost. Voidlings were . . . anathema to almost every other form of life of the realms of both order and chaos.

“Why do you fret sister? Is it the prospect of another voidling invasion?” Love asked, from where she sat on the stairs leading to Death's throne. Love was in an amerus mood today. Flickering between the various incarnations of romance, her persona was one of the more annoying versions of herself at the moment. Which was why the other Gods had, once again, saddled Death with watching her.

Not that Death minded over much. She loved her sister dearly. They all did, in their own way.

“No. I only fear what will happen if the vote comes in, and Vengeance is sent instead of Wisdom as the messenger to brothers and sisters in the realm of Chaos.”

“Don’t worry about it sister.” Love giggled. “You’re a worry wart. Anyone ever tell you that?”

All the time, Death thought. But she didn’t say it.

“What will happen will happen, nothing we can do about it but our little lot.”

Death stared at Love, shocked. Perhaps my sister is wiser in these incarnations then we tend to give her credit for. Love giggled at a drawing she had done on the step of a penis with rather childish illustrations of various bodily fluids exploding outwards.

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The grain of respect Death had planted for the Romane incarnations dried up like a single snowflake in the den of a fire giant in the middle of summer.

“Don’t leave that graffiti on my steps, Love. Or so help me, I'll send my bats back into your realm and never let you sleep again.”

Love sighed and began wiping away the chalk drawing. “You’re no fun. They’re just doodles. What do you even care? No one comes here, ever.” She giggled. “Well, except my drawings.”

“Love!” Love giggled and Death sighed, a deep, bone weary sigh. Death began rubbing the sides of her temples when a bat appeared out of thin air and deposited a scroll in her lap. She opened her mouth to order her sister to ‘Come with me’ only to realize the constant stream of jokes that statement would elicit from her sister.

“Alright Love,” she said instead. “The other gods are meeting. Follow me.”

***

The council room was full. All the major gods were present, and seated on their thrones laid out equidistant from one another. Except love. Who sat directly next to Death, so Death could keep a closer eye on her.

Justice stood from his throne, and entered the center of the circle. “Brothers and sisters, the vote is in.” Justice sighed as he opened the piece of paper that contained the results.

Apparently the vote didn’t go his way, Death thought. But who did he vote for?

“Vengeance has been selected as our messenger.” Death's heart sank, Wisdom's shoulders eased, and Vengence’s jaw set in determination. “Vengeance, brother. Are you capable of this duty?” Justice asked.

Vengeance stood, and nodded. “I will take the message to our brothers in the Chaos realm. I will give the clarion call for aid.”

“Remember,” Justice said. “We do not need a full intervention. Only the aid of the mortal followers, at this point. Their people have always been better as locating and eliminating voidlings.”

“I understand brother.” In a heartbeat Vengeance was bathed in red dangerous looking light, and the next he carried his signature weapons. A shield and spear, with an armor of pure abyssal bronze to match. He was Justice's twin in so many things, and his fighting style was clearly one of those ways.

“Wait,” Death spoke up, and she could practically hear half her brothers and sisters groan at her intervention.

“Yes? What is it, dear sister?” Justice asked, turning his attention to her.

“Vengeance can not go yet.” Death said, her voice clear and declarative.

“I am sorry sister, but the vote is binding. He will be the one to take our call for aid. There is-”

“No justice, you misunderstand me. I mean he can not leave, yet. The threads of fate weave around your new student Vengeance. The voidlings that have escaped into the world are soon to be hunted by him, and he is still volatile. Uncertain in his path. He needs guidance from his patron.”

“And what would you have me do sister?” Vengeance asked, exasperated. It was clear to Death that he was not happy about being asked to leave either. “I will go, and be back as quickly as I can.”

“There are others in this room who could, theoretically, have a claim on him.” Death said, her voice solemn. What she was hinting at was, well, rude would be putting it kindly. “I only mention this because of the seriousness of the moment.”

Vengeance glared hatred at Death, and Death met his eyes evenly. No judgment, not anger. Just acceptance of his rage. The moment seemed to stretch into eternity as Death and Vengeance met each other's eyes.

Vengeance was the first to blink.

“Fine! I’ll . . . Love, if you can take him, he is yours. If you can not, just guide him.” His voice calmed as he spoke. “Keep him alive as long as you can.”

Without another word, Vengeance disappeared. His presence, his power and authority, left the world. Any vestige of it drained away as he left the outer gates of the realm of order.

Everyone looked to Love, who was, at that moment, reading a trashy romance novel.

I think that plan B is going to be needed, sooner rather than later.