Ebonheim walked along the trail leading to the new settlement outside her domain. The rolling hills were covered in lush grasses and wildflowers. Scattered across the landscape were clusters of trees and shrubbery. A meandering stream flowed to a small lake near the edge of the forest. It was a beautiful place—a perfect spot for the group of settlers who had arrived several days ago.

Engin, Roderick, and Lorne accompanied her on the journey. They were eager to meet the new arrivals and introduce themselves as Ebonheim's representatives. The trio trotted along on their mounts beside her, discussing what they expected to find once they arrived.

"A few thousand people from all over the place," Roderick explained. "It's not too dissimilar from your circumstance when you settled here, eh?"

"Indeed," Engin added with a wry smile. "But I doubt their collective reasons for leaving are quite the same. Nonetheless, we welcome them to the Eldergrove and look forward to working together to strengthen our ties."

Roderick smiled widely at that. "Of course! And with my goods to help ease tensions..." He patted a bulging sack on the side of his mount.

"What exactly is in there?" Ebonheim asked with a raised brow. "Your usual fare?" She had not seen him carrying that when they met up for this excursion.

"Well, no," he answered cheerfully, "that's just a gift of wine and ale to get their spirits high! You understand. We need to make a good impression after all. I wouldn't dare arrive empty-handed." He winked playfully at her before turning back to continue chatting with the others.

Ebonheim chuckled and shook her head lightly at this. She should have expected as much from someone like Roderick. After all this time—and their interactions together—she had come to learn what made him tick. Roderick was a man of opportunity, always searching for a way to improve his standing within the community and beyond.

His connections and trade skills made him an indispensable member of her council. Even if his motives sometimes remained ambiguous. She trusted him enough to let such concerns fall away without further consideration. It helped that his actions benefited everyone equally most times.

He was a shrewd businessman...but a kind soul beneath his jovial façade.

As they crested a hill, they spotted a small cluster of cabins and tents near the stream in the distance. People scurried back and forth between tasks.

Suddenly, Ebonheim stopped dead in her tracks, causing the others to halt as well.

A strange sensation swept over her body, as though a powerful force had enveloped her. It tingled along her skin and buzzed in her head. She had not felt this sensation for a long time...not since visiting Ariastra's city, Byllais. It meant one thing only—she had entered another god's domain.

But whose?

She could only think of one explanation—Xellos. He had mentioned coming to the Eldergrove after the new settlers arrived. She had offered to help him form a relationship with the people if he so desired, but he had declined, saying that he would find his own way. It seemed like he'd done so much sooner than she expected.

"What's wrong?" Engin asked.

"We've entered another god's domain, it appears." She glanced at the settlement ahead. "Xellos. He must have already convinced them to take him on as their patron deity."

"Xellos?" Roderick asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean that god you rescued from those demons at Old Drakon Castle a while ago?"

She nodded. "The very same. I've spoken with him several times already during my trips to the divine auction. But this is unexpected."

"Hrmm," Engin mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "If I recall, you mentioned that he's been wandering the lands seeking followers...and that he's somewhat aloof from other deities. Is that right?"

Ebonheim pursed her lips. "It's more like...he's a loner. He admitted having trouble forming relationships with others—particularly with mortals. I'm surprised he managed this feat already...perhaps his wanderlust has finally ended. I suppose we can ask him when we get there."

As they resumed their approach toward the encampment, Ebonheim accessed the Akashic System to check Xellos's Divine Domain. It appeared in front of her as an orbiting panel:

[Domain Name] Corinth

[Patron God] Xellos (Lesser God)

[Population] 2945 humans

[Morale] Fair

Not a whole lot of information to be gleaned from that entry. But at least her guess was correct—this domain belonged to Xellos.

A tall man with dark-blond hair strode toward them when they reached the outskirts. He wore a leather chestpiece and carried a sword and dagger at his hip. A few scars marred his face, and his left arm had a splint on it. His hazel eyes looked them over warily for a long moment before his expression relaxed into a guarded smile.

"Well met," he greeted. "I'm Rhys, captain of the guard."

"Greetings. My name is Engin Meric. These two are Roderick and Lorne. The fair lady with us is Ebonheim, our patron goddess."

Rhys froze in shock before he recovered enough to respond politely, "Ah yes. We've heard many things about your town...and your patron. We hope to form a strong partnership between us." He hesitated for a brief moment before continuing. "Xellos mentioned that you'd probably come visit us at one point or another."

He turned his gaze back toward Ebonheim. "He's atop the hill over yonder," Rhys added, pointing further along the slope behind them. "He's expecting you."

Ebonheim turned to the others.

Roderick spoke first. "Don't mind us. I'm sure we can mingle about and get acquainted. Let ye gods do godly things together while we humans keep ourselves busy." He tipped his head towards them before steering his horse towards the cluster of cabins. Engin nodded towards her before following him.

Lorne leaned close to Ebonheim before leaving. "Goddess, I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious. If anything comes up, you'll know the signal." Ebonheim gave him a nod and a grateful smile before making her way towards the hill as instructed. It was reassuring to have someone like Lorne among them at times like this.

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Ebonheim found Xellos sitting cross-legged atop a large rock formation at the top of the knoll overlooking the settlement below. His hands rested upon his thighs and he faced the sun's rising position above. Eyes closed, he sat motionless save for the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She climbed the steep path leading up to where he sat until she reached the summit. He did not stir from her approach.

Was he meditating? Odd...

He had critiqued her for sleeping, eating, and living as mortals do—but yet here he sat, immobile and seemingly lost in reflection. She couldn't help but ponder over this juxtaposition as she stood silently by, waiting patiently for him to acknowledge her presence.

"I sensed you arrive in my domain," Xellos began, without turning his face to her. His eyes remained shut. "I welcome you, Ebonheim, to my humble domain...though you might need to lower your standards as my resources do not match yours." His tone remained calm and neutral.

She took a step closer, cocking her head to one side. "I didn't expect you to achieve your goal so quickly. How did you convince them so soon?"

She honestly couldn't fathom how someone like him managed to charm a whole town's worth of people so fast. They had just arrived...weren't they too busy building their settlement and tending to other matters?

"I merely offered my services as a protector...and gave them aid in dealing with a troll horde that would have annihilated their numbers," he responded as if reciting a scripted explanation he'd already memorized verbatim.

He finally opened those inhuman black orbs—turning his gaze toward her—and smiled faintly. The expression did not quite reach those empty pools of darkness though. There seemed to be something bothering him still. She couldn't help but feel as if his smile came forced. An act perhaps.

"During the journey here, I followed your advice from our last encounter—building up a good rapport through small kindnesses. I helped out in whatever way I could while we traveled. They accepted my aid readily once I made my intentions clear...so much so they even insisted I form a Divine Pact with them without much prodding on my end. Which I did so."

Ebonheim blinked. He sounded almost proud. But why shouldn't he? That was his first step into becoming a deity worthy of devotion. A step well taken if he asked her. It seems he'd listened well to her words after all. The corner of her mouth turned upwards into a smile at this realization. "Congratulations. I'm glad you're taking things seriously."

He sighed. "Of course. Your guidance has proven invaluable to my aspirations. I won't squander them away lightly." A pause. Then he spoke again. "I realize that the proximity of my domain to yours might present certain issues...such as overlapping interests and resources. But rest assured we won't encroach upon your territory or overburden you with our troubles." His voice remained soft, yet firm. He sounded sincere—even if the latter part came off as rehearsed.

But she supposed Xellos could simply be unfamiliar with human etiquette. It wasn't like he spent much time interacting with anyone else beside her and a few other gods, as far as she knew.

Ebonheim waved a hand dismissively at his last comment. "Don't concern yourself about trivialities such as those. As long as we maintain positive relations, nothing should cause strife between us."

Xellos smiled slightly at this reassurance and dipped his chin forward—almost like a bow. Then he closed his eyes again and resumed his silent musing. She suspected he might still meditate over his newly acquired role and responsibilities as a patron god. She stood quietly beside him, gazing out over the hills and valleys stretched out before them.

A breeze ruffled her hair. For a long while neither spoke a word or stirred from where they stood watching over the land below.

"So who decided to name this settlement Corinth?" Ebonheim finally asked once the quiet between them became too oppressive for her liking.

"The people themselves," came his response. He raised an arm and gestured towards the settlement before adding, "Apparently, the name signifies a new beginning and unity. Or something along those lines. They didn't exactly explain it in depth...though it seems apt enough considering its nature."

"That's nice," she murmured as another gentle gust swept across them. It tousled the hemline of her robes gently while carrying on its back the scents of wildflowers and fresh earth. "It'll certainly take them a while to set everything up. If they need any help, I wouldn't mind sending over some aid from my domain. Just let me know."

Xellos sighed quietly and looked toward the horizon. "Thank you for the offer. However, I doubt we'll require anything yet...at least for the foreseeable future. I appreciate your generosity regardless, as always." A pause then, "But...since you've brought up the subject of assisting others...there is one matter I wish to address..."

"Go on."

He turned to her again, meeting her gaze straight on this time. A troubled expression marred his gaunt visage. "You recall when I mentioned that something is preventing us from ascending to greater ranks among the pantheon?"

She nodded. Granted, they didn't know that she seemed unaffected by this restriction...so he still assumed she was in the same situation as the rest of the gods. She didn't correct him and admit to her special privilege, though.

"What about it?" she urged.

"Aetheron had managed to uncover some information regarding a method to free us from this limbo...a method that involves breaking through a guarded barrier within the Sanctum of the Divine Mandala. Whatever lies within its confines, Aetheron believes to hold a key to solving the enigma surrounding us."

Her brow creased together at this. The Sanctum had an area guarded? It shouldn't surprise her, in retrospect. She had already seen many strange places within the realm...what's one more? "And how does one access this place then? And what did you mean by 'guarded' exactly?"

Xellos shrugged slightly. "I've only overheard bits and pieces of the conversation he'd had with a handful of deities who also seem aware of this obstacle. But from what I gathered...it might involve some sort of trial or trial-by-combat scenario, maybe involving specific opponents or a particular kind of challenge we must overcome. Only those below the Greater God stages have the ability to access that area...hence the reasoning behind my inquiry to you."

"So...basically, you're asking me to help out with whatever comes up during this 'trial,' right?" She gave him a wry half-smile. "Well...that shouldn't be too hard."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to join you," he clarified. "In terms of combat, I'm fairly average at best. It'll only serve as a hindrance rather than any actual benefit when you're facing these unknown challenges. But more importantly, I've now got other duties here that need attending. I'd like to fulfill my obligation toward my own domain first. You understand, I hope? If things don't go well..."

He trailed off without finishing his statement. She had a good idea of what he would say in either case. It made sense for him not to prioritize this over his newfound role.

"No worries. Thanks for letting me know," she reassured him. "So, when is this whole affair going down again?"

"During the next Divine Auction. Aetheron has arranged to gather several interested gods to form a group to confront the barrier."

Hmm. Almost eight months from now. Plenty of time for preparations...

"Alright. I'll keep that in mind then," she offered, smiling again before glancing down at the settlement and clearing her throat. "So...shall I return and chat with the townsfolk?"

He chuckled at her words. "They'd be glad to have another guest in their midst. Feel free to socialize. I suspect a lot of them will want to get acquainted with you and ask about your domain. They'd appreciate your input as well..."

She nodded. "I figured. Well, if you've nothing else to discuss...then I suppose I can go on ahead of you."

He smiled slightly in response. "Of course."

"Until later then." Ebonheim turned her head towards the forest and snapped her fingers—causing her form to fade in a soft flash and leaving behind only a fading echo as her body dispersed completely into particles that disappeared on the breeze.

Xellos stared off after her for a brief moment afterward—a shadow falling upon his face. An indiscernible expression flitted through his countenance as his gaze lingered where she once stood. When his features came back under control again, he resumed his meditative stupor while contemplating her visit in silence.

"Did she suspect anything?..."